Historiae Romanorum

Mithridates

circa 140 - 63 BC

The king of Pontus and formidable antagonist of the Romans.  He shared the first six years of his rule with his brother.  Unhappy with this arrangement, Mithridates imprisoned his mother, murdered his brother and married his sister.  Wanting to duplicate the success of his ancestors, the kings of Persia, Mithridates was continuously looking to expand his domain.

While the Romans were occupied with the Social War, Mirthridates saw an opportunity and invaded Pergamum in 89 BC.  This began the First Mithridatic War.  After taking over the province and most of the rest of Asia Minor, he had all Romans living there put to death by his decree.  The number is said to be close to 80,000.

Delayed by internal disputes, at last Sulla headed east and in several engagements defeated the forces of Mithridates.  Seeing the tide of war turned, he began negotiations with the Romans.  In 85 BC, the king agreed to return all conquered territory and pay the Romans an indemnity.

In 83 BC, a Roman governor of Asia invaded Pontus and began the Second Mithridatic War.  These attacks were quickly repulsed, and the war was ended in less than a year.

Upon the death of Sulla, Mithridates perceived a weakness and, in 74 BC, renewed his war against Rome in the Third Mithridatic War.  Mithridates' attack was repulsed by the general Lucullus, who was then replaced by Pompey, who conquered the country of Pontus.

Mithridates fled, and he took refuge in the Crimean Peninsula.  There, he tried to raise a new army to fight the Romans.  His son, however, led a revolt against him.  Not wanting to be captured, Mithridates attempted to take his own life.  After unsuccessful attempts to poison himself, Mithridates ordered a slave to kill himself.

This page was last updated on August 26, 2004.