- The Mithridatic Wars (88-63 BCE) were a series of wars conducted between the Roman Republic and Mithridates VI of Pontus (134-63 BCE) also known as ‘Mithridates the Great’ or ‘Eupator Dionysius’.
- He was King of Pontus and Armenia Minor between 113-63 BCE. The name ‘Mithridatha’ means the ‘Gift of Mithra’ in Persian and he was one of the greatest opponents of the Roman Republic.
The Reason for the Mithridatic Wars
- Mithridates became King of Pontus in c.113 BCE, and began to build a wider Empire in the Black Sea and Aegean using Sea Power.
- He first turned Colchis into a client Kingdom.
- Then he made the Crimea, Chersonesus Taurica and the Bosphoran Kingdom into a Client Kingdom.
- In 89 BCE, he was planning to take over Bithynia, but Nicomedes IV of Bithynia combined his army with two Roman Legions and attacked Mithridates, yet was defeated by him.
- In 88 BCE Mithridates organised rebellions against Roman Rule in Asia Minor and proceeded to massacre the Italian population residing in the cities, including Ephesus and Delos.
First Mithridatic War (88-84 BCE)
- Sulla forced Mithridates VI of Pontus to withdraw from Greece, but was obliged to conclude a Peace Treaty with Mithridates, and withdraw to oppose Marius back in Rome.
Second Mithridatic War (83-81 BCE)
- Murena was left behind, and attacked Mithridates to prevent him becoming too powerful. Murena failed to conquer Mithridates and again had to conclude a Peace treaty.
Third Mithridatic War (73-63 BCE)
- Bithynia was bequeathed to Rome by its King in 73 BCE. To prevent Rome annexing the State, Mithridates sent his Armies against Bithynia. The Romans attacked Mithridates under Lucullus. Eventually Sulla overwhelmed his Forces.
Death of Mithridates VI (63 BCE)
- Mithridates escaped via Colchis to the Bosphoran Kingdom in the Crimea, which he took over. However, in 63 BCE, he was overthrown and committed suicide. Pompey then buried him in Amasya, the former Capital of Pontus in his Ancestral Rock Tomb.
Pontus