- The Second Mithridatic War (83-81 BCE) was part of the Mithridatic Wars (88-63 BCE) between Rome and Mithridates VI of Pontus.
- The war was caused by the Roman General Murena hoping to defeat Mithridates by a quick invasion of Pontus.
The Reason for the War
- During the 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 him which allowed Mithridates to keep Pontus whilst Sulla withdrew to oppose Marius back in Rome.
- Sulla left behind the Legions commanded by General Murena to maintain the peace, but Murena intended to attack Mithridates.
The Build-up to the War
- Murena wanted to attack Mithridates to prevent him becoming too powerful again but needed an excuse.
- Under the terms of the peace treaty of Dardanus, Mithridates was to withdraw from Cappadocia, which he had not yet completed. Meanwhile, a revolt in Colchis forced him to raise an army, which Murena saw as a threat to reinvade Cappadocia. At the same time, Archelaus, Mithridates General, joined with Murena, warned of an impending attack and encouraged him to attack first.
Murena’s first invasion of Pontus (83 BCE)
- Murena promptly passed through Cappadocia and attacked the city of Comana in Pontus.
- Mithridates did not retaliate but sent envoys to Murena reminding him of the peace treaty, but Murena denied the peace treaty existed and plundered Comana.
- Mithridates did not retaliate but sent envoys to the Roman Senate and to Sulla reminding them of the peace treaty. Murena responded by capturing 400 villages in Pontus before wintering in Cappadocia.
Murena’s second invasion of Pontus (82 BCE)
- In 82 BCE, the Quintus Calidius sent a reply to Murena publicly acknowledging the peace treaty and ordering him not to attack Pontus, but appears to have also sent a separate instruction to Murena, who invaded Pontus for the second time.
- Mithridates considered this a declaration of war and sent an army under Gordius to confront Murena, and the two armies lined up opposite a river. Mithridates then arrived with his army, crossed the river and defeated Murena, who was forced to flee.
- Mithridates then expelled the Roman garrisons from Cappadocia and occupied it.
The Outcome
- Sulla then sent Aulus Gabinius to Murena ordering him to desist from attacking Pontus. Gabinius then acted as a negotiator and persuaded Mithridates to withdraw from Cappadocia and to reunite with Ariobarzanes.
- Murena was recalled to Rome but nonetheless, given a Roman Triumph.
Source
Asia Minor