Third Mithridatic War: Difference between revisions

Having launched an attack at the same time as a revolt by [[Sertorius]] swept through the Spanish provinces, Mithridates was initially virtually unopposed. The Senate responded by sending the consuls [[Lucullus|Lucius Licinius Lucullus]] and [[Marcus Aurelius Cotta (consul 74 BC)|Marcus Aurelius Cotta]] to deal with the Pontic threat. The only other possible general for such an important command, [[Pompey the Great|Pompey]], was in [[Hispania]] to help [[Metellus Pius]] crush the revolt led by Sertorius. Lucullus was sent to govern [[Cilicia]] and Cotta to [[Bithynia et Pontus|Bithynia]].<ref>Anthon, Charles & Smith, William, ''A New Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology and Geography'', 1860, pgp. 226</ref> According to Appian and Plutarch Lucullus had 30,000 infantry and 1,600-2600–2,500 cavalry while Mithridates was rumoured to have as many as 300,000 men in his force.<ref>Appian, ''Mithridatica'', XI.72; Plutarch, ''Life of Lucullus'', 8.</ref>

The original plan was that Cotta should tie down Mithridates' fleet, while Lucullus attacked by land. Cotta was therefore ordered to station his fleet at [[Chalcedon]], while Lucullus marched through [[Phrygia]] with the intention of invading Pontus. Lucullus had not advanced far when news came through that Mithridates had made a rapid march westward, attacked and defeated Cotta at the [[Battle of Chalcedon (74 BC)|Battle of Chalcedon]], and forced him to flee behind the walls of Chalcedon. Sixty-four Roman ships had been captured or burnt, and Cotta had lost three thousand men.<ref>Holmes, T. Rice, ''The Roman Republic and the Founder of the Empire, Vol. I'', 1923, pgp. 180</ref><ref>Appian ''Mithridates''. 71; Plutarch. ''Lucullus''. 8</ref> There Cotta was forced to remain until Lucullus could come to his rescue.<ref>[[Thomas Robert Shannon Broughton|T. Robert S. Broughton]], ''The Magistrates of the Roman Republic, Vol II'' (1952), pgp. 99</ref>