First Mithridatic War

First Mithridatic War
Part of the Mithridatic Wars

The Near East in 89 BC
Date89–85 BC
Location
Result Treaty of Dardanos
Territorial
changes
Status quo ante bellum
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Strength
  • 310,000 infantry
  • 20,000 Asian skirmishers
  • 15,000 Macedonian phalanxes
  • 7,000 cavalry
  • 500 chariots
10,000 Armenian Warrior
Casualties and losses
  • c. 75,000 killed
  • c. 25,000 retreated
  • c. 100,000 Roman civilians
  • c. 350,000 killed, including civilians[1]
  • c. 200,000+ captured or enslaved
[2]

The First Mithridatic War (89–85 BC) was a war challenging the Roman Republic's expanding empire and rule over the Greek world. In this conflict, the Kingdom of Pontus and many Greek cities rebelling against Roman rule were led by Mithridates VI of Pontus against Rome and the allied Kingdom of Bithynia. The war lasted five years and ended in a Roman victory, which forced Mithridates to abandon all of his conquests and return to Pontus. The conflict with Mithridates VI later resumed in two further Mithridatic Wars.

  1. ^ Velleius Paterculus, Marcus. Historiae Romanae ad M. Vinicium Libri Duo, II, 23.3.
  2. ^ Velleius Paterculus, Marcus. Historiae Romanae ad M. Vinicium Libri Duo, II, 23.3.