Battle of Chalcedon (74 BC)

Battle of Chalcedon
Part of Third Mithridatic War

Map of parts of Eastern Europe during the Mithridatic war.
Date74 BC
Location
Result Pontic victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Pontus Roman Republic
Commanders and leaders
Mithridates VI Marcus Aurelius Cotta
Strength

136,000–162,000 men[1][2][3]
400 ships


120,000–150,000 infantry
12,000–16,000 cavalry
100–120 scythed chariots
Unknown men
64 ships[4]
Casualties and losses
730 killed[2]

17,800 men
64 ships


7,000–13,300 killed
4,500 captured
4 ships burned
60 ships captured

The Battle of Chalcedon was a land and naval battle between the Roman Republic and King Mithridates VI of Pontus near the city of Chalcedon in 74 BC. It was the first major clash of the Third Mithridatic War. The Roman forces were led by Marcus Aurelius Cotta, one of the consuls for 74 BC, while Mithridates had the overall command of the Pontic forces. The Mithridatic forces were victorious on both land and sea.

  1. ^ Appian Historia Romana Book XII (The Mithridatic Wars), section 69
  2. ^ a b Memnon History of Heracleia, section 27
  3. ^ Plutarch Life of Lucullus, section 7
  4. ^ Appian Historia Romana Book XII (The Mithridatic Wars), section 71