Mithridates and the Mithridatic Wars

In 73 B.C., Lucullus had a new fleet with which he almost destroyed Mithridates. Lucullus went after Mithridates at Cabira, in Pontus. Routed, Mithridates fled to Armenia looking for help from his son-in-law Tigranes. The Armenian king was unwilling to provide military aid, but did offer shelter. Tigranes may not have been anxious to fight the Romans, but he wasn't about to surrender his father-in-law, Mithridates.

Meanwhile, an unopposed Lucullus captured almost the entire kingdom of Pontus. He then ordered Tigranes to surrender Mithridates. When Tigranes refused, Lucullus attacked Armenia.

Lucullus Thwarted by His Own Men

Lucullus' main obstacles were neither Mithridates nor Tigranes. Lucullus' main obstacles, at this time, were his own soldiers who refused further campaigns. This mutiny gave Mithridates the chance to take back some of the territory he had lost. Realizing they needed another leader, the Romans sent Pompey to Asia.

Pompey the Great

When properly equipped with disciplined troops and a competent general, there was no contest between Rome and Pontus. Pompey began invading Pontus in 66 B.C. Mithridates tried unsuccessfully to enlist the support of Tigranes, but his brother-in-law had troubles of his own. Tigranes's son, backed by Rome, was seeking his father's throne. Without his ally, Mithridates fled to his possessions in the Crimea.

It is said that when Mithridates saw that the Crimea supported his son over him, Mithridates tried to commit suicide, but failed because of the resistance he'd built up to poison. He had to ask one of his mercenary soldiers to kill him.

Pompey (named Magnus 'the Great', for his victory over Mithridates) had Mithridates' corpse buried honorably in the royal tomb at Sinope.

Originally written by N.S. Gill in May 2000.

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