Editing Pompey (section)

=== Third Mithridatic War ===
{{main|Third Mithridatic War}}
[[File:1stMithritadicwar89BC.svg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Asia Minor and surrounding region, first century BC]]

In 73 BC, [[Lucius Licinius Lucullus (consul 74 BC)|Lucius Licinius Lucullus]], formerly one of Sulla's chief lieutenants, was made proconsul of [[Cilicia (Roman province)|Cilicia]], and commander in the Third Mithridatic War. The war began in 74 BC, when the last ruler of [[Bithynia]] died and left his kingdom to Rome, sparking an invasion by [[Mithridates VI Eupator|Mithridates VI]] of [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]], and [[Tigranes the Great]] of [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]]. Lucullus was a skilled general who won numerous victories, but claims he was protracting the war for "power and wealth" led to a Senate investigation, while by 69 BC his troops were weary and mutinous.<ref>Plutarch, ''Parallel Lives'', ''Life of Lucullus'', pp. 33–35.</ref>

In 68&nbsp;BC, [[Quintus Marcius Rex (consul 68 BC)|Quintus Marcius Rex]] replaced Lucullus in Cicilia, while [[Manius Acilius Glabrio (consul 67 BC)|Manius Acilius Glabrio]] received Bithynia. He also assumed leadership of the war against Mithridates, but failed to respond decisively when the latter re-occupied much of Pontus in 67 BC, then attacked [[Cappadocia]], a Roman ally.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 36.14.4, 17.1.</ref> Seeing an opportunity, in 66 BC Pompey used the [[Gaius Manilius|tribunate]] to pass the ''[[lex Manilia]]'', giving him extensive powers throughout Asia Minor in order to defeat Mithridates, in addition to those granted by the ''lex Gabinia''. The ''optimates'' were privately horrified that one man should hold so much influence, but fearful of his popularity allowed the measure to pass.<ref>Plutarch, ''Parallel Lives'', ''Life of Pompey'', 30.1–5.</ref>

Incensed at being replaced, Lucullus called Pompey a "vulture" who profited from the work of others, a reference both to his new command and claim to have finished the war against Spartacus.{{sfn|Greenhalgh|1981|p=107}} Pompey agreed an alliance with [[Phraates III]], king of [[Parthia]], whom he persuaded to invade Armenia. When Mithridates offered a truce, Lucullus argued the war was over, but Pompey demanded concessions which could not be accepted.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 36.45–46.</ref> Outnumbered, Mithridates withdrew into Armenia, followed by Pompey, who defeated him at [[Battle of the Lycus|Lycus]] near the end of 66 BC.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 36.47.</ref><ref>Plutarch, ''Parallel Lives'', ''Life of Pompey'', 32.1–3.</ref>

[[File:Mithridates VI Louvre.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|Bust of [[Mithridates VI Eupator|Mithridates]] of [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]] in the [[Louvre]], Paris]]

According to contemporary sources, Mithridates and a small contingent escaped the battle, outstripped their pursuers, and reached [[Colchis]] on the [[Black Sea]].<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 36.48–50.</ref><ref>Plutarch, ''Parallel Lives'', ''Life of Pompey'', 32.3–7.</ref> While there, he took control of the [[Cimmerian Bosporus]] from its Roman-backed ruler, his son [[Machares]], who later committed suicide.<ref>Appian, ''The Mithridatic Wars'', pp. 101–102.</ref> Meanwhile, Pompey invaded Armenia supported by [[Tigranes the Younger]], whose father quickly came to terms; in return for the restoration of Armenian territories taken by Lucullus, he paid a substantial cash indemnity{{efn|Reportedly 6,000 talents for Pompey, with [[tribunes]] getting 10,000 drachmas each, [[centurions]] 1,000, and enlisted men 50}} and allowed Roman troops to be based on his territory.

In 65 BC, Pompey set out to take Colchis, but to do so had first to [[Caucasian campaign of Pompey|subdue]] various local tribes and allies of Mithridrates. After winning a series of battles, he reached [[Phasis (town)|Phasis]] and linked up with Servilius, admiral of his Euxine fleet, before a fresh revolt in [[Caucasian Albania]] forced him to retrace his steps. Victory at the [[Battle of the Abas|Abas]] enabled him to impose terms on the Albanians and agree truces with other tribes on the northern side of the Caucasus.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 36.54, 37.2–5.1</ref> Pompey then wintered in Armenia, settling minor border contests and raids between his allies Phraates and Tigranes.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 37.5.2–5, 6.</ref>

Relying on his naval blockade to wear down Mithridates, Pompey spent 64 BC annexing the independent and wealthy cities of [[Roman Syria|Syria]], which were incorporated into a new Roman province. In the process, he acquired large amounts of money and prestige, as well as criticism from his opponents in Rome, who argued doing so exceeded his authority. Meanwhile, an ageing Mithridates had been cornered in [[Panticapaeum]] by another of his sons, [[Pharnaces II of Pontus]]. An attempt to commit suicide by taking poison allegedly failed due to his habit of taking "precautionary antidotes", and he was killed by the rebels. Pharnaces sent his embalmed body to Pompey, in return for which he was granted the [[Bosporan Kingdom]] and made an ally of Rome.<ref>Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', 37.11–14.2.</ref>