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Mithradatic Wars 88-63 BC
Mithradates VI
Eupator struggled with the Romans because both parties desired to
dominate Asia Minor, which is today's Asian part of Turkey.
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The Mithridatic Wars in a Nutshell
The Mithridatic Wars were a series of three conflicts between Rome and Mithridates VI, king of Pontus, a
kingdom on the southern coast of the Black Sea.
Cause
The wars began due to Roman expansion into Asia Minor and Mithridates' own territorial ambitions.
The trigger was Mithridates' invasion of Roman-allied territories and his orchestration of the "Asian Vespers"
in 88 BC, when he ordered
the massacre of tens of thousands of Roman and Italian citizens throughout Asia Minor.
:: First Mithridatic War (88-84 BC) ::
- Roman Commander: Sulla
- Major Battles: Chaeronea and Orchomenus (both Roman victories)
- Location: Greece and Asia Minor
- Troops: Approximately 30,000 Romans vs. 100,000+ Pontic forces
- Outcome: Peace of Dardanus; Mithradates lost and
had to give up all territorial claims except that of Pontus and a
few other protectorates.
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:: Second Mithridatic War (83-81 BC) ::
Note: Sometimes considered a minor flare-up rather than a full war
- Roman Commander: Lucius Licinius Murena
- Location: Primarily Cappadocia and Pontus
- Outcome: Brief conflict ending quickly with Mithridates maintaining his kingdom
:: Third Mithridatic War (73-63 BC) ::
When Rome was about to take possession of
Bithynia, Mithradates
wanted to prevent it and the Third Mithradatic War commenced.
- Roman Commanders: Lucullus, then Pompey the Great
- Major Battles: Cabira (Roman victory), Zela (Roman victory)
- Location: Asia Minor, Armenia, and northern Mesopotamia
- Troops: 30,000-40,000 Romans vs. 100,000-150,000 Pontic-Armenian forces
- Outcome: Complete Roman victory; Mithridates fled and eventually committed suicide***
Casualties
Precise casualties are not well documented, but estimates suggest:
- Tens of thousands of Romans and Italians killed in the Asian Vespers
- Military casualties likely in the tens of thousands on both sides across all three wars
- Major civilian casualties due to sieges, naval battles, and the disruption of trade etc.
Final Outcome
Rome won the Mithridatic Wars, annexed Pontus, and
reorganized much of Asia Minor.
Mithridates VI, once one of Rome's most formidable enemies, committed suicide after his final defeat.***
The Mithradatic Wars secured Roman dominance in the eastern Mediterranean and established Pompey's
reputation as a great general
*** = Did Mithridates really commit suicide?
Yes, Mithridates VI did commit suicide, though the circumstances were dramatic and unusual.
After his final defeat by Pompey's forces in the Third Mithridatic War, Mithridates fled to his Crimean territories
in the northern Black Sea region. With Roman forces pursuing him and his own son Pharnaces having rebelled against him,
Mithridates found himself trapped in his fortress at Panticapaeum (modern Kerch).
According to ancient sources, particularly Appian and Cassius Dio, Mithridates attempted to poison himself.
However, this proved difficult because he had spent years building up an immunity to various poisons by taking
small doses regularly (this is where the term "mithridatism" comes from).
When the poison failed to kill him, he allegedly ordered a loyal Gallic mercenary named Bituitus to kill him
with a sword.
This occurred in 63 BC, ending the life of one of Rome's most persistent and formidable enemies, a man who had
resisted Roman power for nearly 25 years.
Julius Caesar and the Mithradatic Wars
Julius Caesar
fought in the Third Mithradatic War, though he wasn't a commanding general in this war, he did participate in its early stages.
After being elected as a military tribune in 73 BC, Caesar served in Asia Minor. During this time, he was involved in operations
against Mithridates' forces. The primary Roman commanders in this war were Lucius Licinius Lucullus and later Pompey the Great,
who ultimately defeated Mithridates.
Caesar's most notable contribution during this period was when he was sent to raise a fleet from Rome's allies in the region to
support the war effort. This was early in his military and political career, well before his famous conquests in Gaul or his role
in the civil wars.
And here is the map
ASIA MINOR
BEFORE THE MITHRADATIC WARS
Click map to enlarge
By the way, is it Mithridates or Mithradates?
Both "Mithridates" and "Mithradates" are used in historical scholarship, but "Mithridates" is generally more
common in modern academic literature.
The variation stems from different transliterations of the original Persian
name Mihrdāt (meaning "given by Mithra").
Classical sources use both forms.
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