4095. The capitol was rebuilt which was destroyed 7 years earlier by fire along with the books of Sibylla. C. Curio, the consul, asked the senate that some ambassadors should be sent to Erythrae, who were to get the Sibylla's verses again and bring them to Rome. P. Gabinius, M. Otacillius and L. Valerius were sent on that errand. They got those verses transcribed by private hands and brought them to Rome. Curio and Octavius, the consuls, stored them in the capitol which was repaired again by Q. Catulus. (Fenestella, quoted by Lactantius, l. 1. institut. c. 6. & l. de ira Dei c. 22.) Based on this account, Varro says that Etythrae's was believed to have written those books of the Sibylla which the Romans had copied. He thinks this because those verses were found on the island of Erythaea after Apollo's temple was burned where the books were normally kept. If we may credit Servius. (in Aeneid. 6.) For the temple which was burnt was not Apollo's but Jupiter Capitolinus' temple. After the temple was repaired, ambassadors were sent by order of the senate to Erythrae in Asia to get those verses transcribed. However those books which were afterward still extant and were brought to Rome. These came not only from Erythrae but also they were procured from other Italian and Greek cities. In addition they were found in private men's libraries under whatever name the Sibylla's books went by. In these books were many things that were found to be suppositions. The differences in the books were called acrostics. This we determine from Varro's own books of divine things as related by Dionysius Halicarnasseus, (l. 4. Antiquit. Roman) and by Lactantius Firmianus. (l. 1. in Instit. c. 6.) Tacitus (l. 6. Annal.) declared that:
``Where the verses of Sibylla differed, the correct rendering was contended for in Samos, Troy, Erythrae and through all Africa, Sicily and the Italian colonies. The priests were responsible to take all the care that mortal men could take, to discover the true from the false.''
4096. Pliny (Natural History, l. 2. c. 35.) stated that in the time when Cn. Octavius and Cn. Scribonius Curio were consuls, Licinius Syllanus proconsul and his company saw a spark fall from a star. It increased in size as it came nearer the earth and became as large as the moon and gave off as much light as if it had been a cloudy day. When it went up toward the heaven again it grew into the shape of a lamp. Since Syllanus is not a Roman surname, Pigvius thought that instead of Licinius Syllanus in Pliny it should be L. Junius Syllanus. Junius, who about this time, was sent with the authority of a proconsul into Asia to replace Cn. Nero, with his company and may have been eye witnesses of this sign.
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4097. Nicomedes King of Bithynia died without any descendants and gave his kingdom to the people of Rome in his will. Thereupon his kingdom was reorganised into a province. (Livy l. 93. Vellei. Patercul. l. 2. c. 4. & 39. Appian. l. 1. Bell. Civil. p. 420, & Mithridatic. p. 175. & 218.) Concerning this, Mithridates' complaint about the Romans in a letter to Arsaces said this: (l. 4. Salust. histor.)
``After Nicomedis was dead, they rifled all Bithynia, notwithstanding his son Musa whom he made king and was beyond all question alive then.''
4098. In the same year, which ended the 176th Olympiad, the Romans added Cyrene to their empire. Ptolemy Apion, its king and who was of the family of Lagidarus, bequeathed it to the Romans. (Appian in his 1. l. bell. civil. p. 420.) Appian adding at the end of books on the Mithridatics, that this king was a bastard of the family of the Lagi. Appian showed that he was the same person as Justin related (l. 39. c. 5.) to be the son of a courtesan and who turned over Cyrene to the Romans. However he added that part of Lybia was made a province whereas we have learned before from Livy (See note on 3908 AM <<3700>>) that after Ptolemy Apion's death, the senate of Rome enfranchised all the cities of the kingdom of Cyrene. It seems at that time, they may have received their grant of freedom but now were established as a province. At that time:
``Ptolemy, the king of Cyrene on his death bed, made the Romans his heirs in his will in the first year of the 171st Olympiad.''
4099. After this:
``Lybia was left to the Romans as a legacy by King Apion.''
4100. This was in the 4th year of the 178th Olympiad, as Hierom has noted. (in Chronico Eusebiano.) This was almost 11 years later than Appion's accounts here require. Eutropius has related this very thing 9 years later at the time of Caecilius Metellus' Cretian triumph. At that time, (as he says in the sixth of his Breviary) he stated"
``Lybia also was annexed to the Roman empire by the last will of Apion, who was its king. Berenice, Ptolemais and Cyrene, were its largest cities.''
4101. Jornandes, (in l. de regn. & tempor. succes.) wrote about this matter.
``Lybia, that is to say, all Pentapolis was granted to the Romans by that first Ptolemy. It later rebelled and in Apion's last will it was given to the people of Rome.''
4102. Before him, Sixtus Rufus in his Breviary stated:
``We were beholden to Ptolemy the elder's bounty for Cyrene and the other cities of Lybia's Pentapolis. Lybia came to be ours by King Apion's last will and testament,''
4103. Ammianus Marcellinus followed him.
``We obtained the dryer parts of Lybia by King Appian's last will. Ptolemy gave us Cyrene and the other cities of Lybia's Pentapolis.''
4104. The learned Valerius noted on this event, who explained this history. He denied that there were two Ptolemy Apions. In addition Cicero (in 2 Agrarias) mentioned the
``Cyrenian lands which were Apion's.''
4105. Cornelius Tacitus (Annal. l. 14.) stated:
``The land which was once King Apion's and by him bequeathed to the people of Rome together with his kingdom.''
4106. The remainder of this summer, and the whole winter following, Mithridates spent in preparation for war against the Romans. He cut timber, built ships and made arms. (Appian in Mithridatic. p. 217.) He reduced his forces to the minimum and he sent away the rabble from the multitudes. The barbarians stole all weapons that were guilded and set with precious stones. Mithridates replaced these with swords similar to the Roman ones and made good substantial shields. He assembled a well managed and experienced cavalry rather than those who were neat and handsome. In addition, he built ships that were not guilded with Cabbius guild or baths for courtesans or delicate rooms to keep his women in but were equipped with arms, arrows and money. (Plutarch in Lucullo.) He carried to sea 200 myriads of Medimna's of grain. He had forces readily available in addition to his old forces: Chalibians, Armenians, Scythians, Taurians, Acheians, Heniochians, Lencosyrians and those who live near the Thermodoon River and were commonly called the land of the Amazons. His old forces came to him from Asia. He had supplies also from beyond sea from Europe, Sarmatians, Basilians, Jazygians, Corallians, Thracians and all the nations which lived around the Ister River and the mountains of Rhodope and Aemus. The Basternians also helped him who were the most gallant men and bravest of them all. (Appian in Mithridatic. p. 217.)
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4107. Julius Caesar was a young man of 25 years of age. He planned to sail to Rhodes with the intention of studying under Apollonius Molon who was the most eminent teacher of oratory at that time. On his way in the winter time, the pirates captured him near the island of Pharmacusa, which lies near the Asian shore north of Miletum. The pirates were so well equipped with ships that they controlled the seas. When the pirates demanded 20 talents from him for his ransom, Caesar laughed at them because they did not know how important a man he was. He promised that he would give them 50 talents. He immediately sent his companions and servants to the cities of Asia to get the money for his release. He retained with him only a physician and two others to attend to his personal needs. He was alone with these 3 for 38 days with a company of Cilicians who were the most savage people in the world. He behaved himself so well that he struck both a terror and a reverence into them. He did not remove his shoes or unclothed himself in case there should happen to be some extraordinary change of appearance and they would suspect him of something. He had no guard other than their eyes. Whenever he went to rest, he sent one to them to tell them to be quiet. He would play and exercise with them as if they had been in his retinue and not a prisoner of theirs. He wrote verses and orations which he spoke to them. If any of them did not admire and applaud them, he would publicly call them dull fellows, barbarians and often in a merriment would threaten to hang them. They were very well pleased with his humour and attributed that freeness of his speech to his simplicity and youth. (Vellei Patercul. l. 2. c. 41. Sueton in Julio. c. 4. Plutarch in Caio. Casare.) It is reported that while he was in custody he cried out:
``O Crassus, how wilt thou be tickled in the heart, when thou shalt receive tidings of my captivity.'' (Plutarch in M.Crasso.)
4108. The money from all the cities was brought from Miletum to Caesar. Caesar would not pay the 50 talents until he had forced the pirates to release the hostages to the cities. After this, he was placed on shore. The next night he got such a fleet as he could quickly assemble, and sailed from the port of the Milesians. He went toward the same island where the pirates where still anchored. He forced part of their fleet to flee and other ships he sank. He captured the rest of the ships with their crews. He was overjoyed with the victory of the night's expedition and he returned to his company the pirate's money he had seized as his own booty. He imprisoned the pirates at Pergamos. When he had finished that, he went to Junius, the proconsul of Asia who was in Bithynia. Junius had command of Asia and Bithynia which was recently established as a province. He demanded that justice might be done on the captives and had them crucified. This he had foretold the pirates when he was a prisoner and they though he was just joking. (Patercul. l. 2. c. 42. Sweton. & Plutarch in M. Crasso.) Before he captured them, he had sworn that he would crucify them. He first ordered their throats to be cut and then to be fastened to the cross. (Sueton. c. 74.)
4109. As spring was arriving, the third Mithridatic war was started. It lasted for 11 and an half years and ended with the death of Mithridates. Mithridates assembled all his fleets together and sacrificed as was his custom to Jupiter, powerful in battle. He drowned his chariot and horses in the sea as a sacrifice to Neptune. After this he hurried to Paphlagonia with Taxiles and Hermocrates the generals of his army. (Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 217, 218.) He had in his army 120,000 (or 140,000 as Appian has it) foot soldiers who were trained according to Roman discipline. He had 16,000 cavalry and 100 chariots with scythes. Another large company followed the camp who were to guard the ways, carry burdens. (Plutach in Lucullo.)
4110. As soon as Mithridates arrived at Paphlagonia, he made an haughty speech to the soldiers. When he saw that he had aroused their hatred of the Romans, he invaded Bithynia which was recently bequeathed to the Romans by Nicomede's will. (Appian. p. 218.) Livy said that Mithridates got it all into his hands (l. 93.) and Plutarch (in Lucullo) said that he was very willingly greeted by all the cities of Bithynia.
4111. All Asia was most intolerably oppressed by the hard usages of money lenders and tax collectors and it defected to Mithridates, (Plutarch in Lucullo) He with M. Marius or Varius whom Sertorius had sent to him from Spain to be his general, captured some of its cities. When they entered the cities, the king put Marius ahead of him with the rods and axes as if he were the supreme magistrate. The king followed behind as if he were one of his officers. Some of the cities he enfranchised upon his own terms. He granted to others the immunities but he said they were not granted from him but from Sertorius. Thus Asia which was plagued before with the tax collectors and oppressed by the covetousness and abuses of the garrisoned soldiers, began to be encouraged by this change of government. (Plutarch. in Sertorio.)
4112. Julius Caesar saw what havock Mithridates made in the adjacent countries and was ashamed to sit idly by when the allies were in such trouble. He left Rhodes where he had gone and passed over to Asia. He assembled what forces he could and he drove the king's lieutenant clear out of the province. By this he kept the cities loyal to Rome which before were wavering and ready to revolt. (Sueton, in Julio, c. 4.) Although Junius whom the people of Rome had appointed as their chief magistrate in Asia, hindered Mithridates very little in his undertakings because he was a coward. (Vellei Patercul. l. 2. c. 42.)
4113. Eutropious and Orosius, (from Livy) state that P. Servilius ended the war in Cilicia and Pamphylia within three years and because of this he was called "Isauricus". In Cicero (l. 3. in Verrem ) (which speech is called, "Oratio Frumentaria") he is said to have commanded the army for 7 years. Thereupon we have referred his first going into the province to the year before this 5th year in which also he was consul. Cicero (l. 5. contra. Verem), affirmed that this man took more of the robber's commanders alive than all those had done who came before him. Among the rest, he recaptured Nico, a famous pirate who had broken his chains and escaped with the same gallantry that he had when he first took him prisoner. Ammianus Marcellinus (in l. 14. Historiar.) wrote:
``Cilicia and Isauria were mutually engaged in a war of piracy and had some troops of land robbers. Servilius the proconsul, made them submit to him and after that he made them a tributary.''
4114. Jornandes (l. de regnorum ac temporum succession), wrote that Servilius overcame Pamphylia, Lycia, (or rather Cilicia, and Pisidia) and reduced them all to provinces. Octavius who was this year's consul, was sent into the province of Cilicia. (Plutarch in Lucullo.)
4115. Wherever Servilius marched, it was a very pretty sight to see the various prisoners and captives whom he carried along with him. People came flocking to him from all parts. They came from the towns through which they marched and also from all the adjacent places on purpose to see this. This pleased the people of Rome all the more and were more delighted with this victory than with any that ever had been before. (Cicero, in Verrem, l. 5.) In this triumph also the various images and ornaments which he had taken away from the city Olympus after he had taken it. They were carried on chargers in state that rode ahead of him in the triumph. All of this he later had entered into the common records and brought into the treasury. The number, size, shape and condition of those images were specified for each image. (Id. in eundem, l. 1. & Ascon. Pedianus ibid.) Valerius Maximus mentioned this triumph of Servilius. (l. 8. c. 5.) Eutropius, Sextus Rufus, and Claudian the Poet, (in l. 1. in Eutropium,) say this of him.
``Indomitos curru Servilius egit Isauros. Servilius charioted the untamed Isaures.''
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4116. M. Antonius, the father to M. Antonius who was in the triumvirate, obtained an unlimited commission to guard all the Roman sea coasts. He obtained this by the favour of Cotta the consul and Cethegus' faction from the senate. M. Antonius was a most vile person and his wicked companions pillaged Sicily and all the provinces. (Cicero, act. 2. in Verrem. l. 2. Lactant. Institut. l. 1. c. 11. Ascon. Pedianus in Divinationem, and upon the previously mentioned place of Cicero, contra Verrem.)
4117. The province of Gaul Cisalpina was allotted to L. Lucullus the consul. However, when Octavius died who held Cilicia, Lucullus by the means of Praecia, a common strumpet, made Cathegus his friend. He had much authority in Rome and had the province of Cilicia assigned to Lucullus. Since Cappadocia was close to Cilicia, they voted that Lucullus should undertake the Mithridatic war. However, M. Cotta his colleague in the consulship, after much pleading prevailed with the senate that he might be sent with a fleet to guard the Propontis and defend Bithynia. (Plutarch in Lucullo) So both the consuls were sent to this war, the one to secure Bithynia and the other to follow Mithridates in Asia. (Cicero pro Murana, Memnon c. 39. Eutrop. lib. 6.) For that Lucullus the consul had not only Cilicia, but Asia also, (properly so called) allotted to him. He had the command of it for 7 years. (Velleius Paterculus. l. 2. c. 33.)
4118. Lucullus obtained a legion in Italy and crossed over with it into Asia. He added Fimbria's legions and two other legions to his force. However these new additions were long since ruined by luxury and covetousness. The Fimbrians had lived a long while without leadership and were more intractable and impudent. However they were very warlike and skilled and experienced in military undertakings. Lucullus reformed the one and calmed the fierceness of the other. (Plutarch in Lucello. cf. Appian in Mithridatic. p. 219.) He did the best he could to punish money lenders and the Roman tax collectors and make them more moderate in their dealings. Their extortions had been the main reason Asia revolted. He put down all the rebellions of various people when almost every country was in rebellion. (Plutarch in Lucello)
4119. Mithridates had another numerous army on the march with 400 ships of 30 oars plus a large number of smaller ships, which they commonly called Pentecouteri and Cercura. He sent away Diophantus Matharus with a large force into Cappadocia to put garrisons into the cities. If Lucullus intended to enter Pontus, he was to intercept and stop him. Mithridates kept with him 150,000 foot soldiers, 12,000 cavalry and 120 chariots with scythes which followed the cavalry. He had a good supply of all sorts of war engines. With these he marched quickly through Timonitis, Cappadocia and Galatia and within 9 days he reached Bithynia. Lucullus in the meanwhile commanded Cotta to stay with all his fleet at a port of the Chalcedonians. (Memnon c. 39.)
4120. Mithridates' fleet stayed by Heraclea in Pontus and were denied use of the harbour. However, the citizens gave them access to their market. After some disputes between them as are usual in those places, two of the most prominent men of Heraclea, Silenus and Satyrus were carried away prisoners by them. They would be freed only on the following condition that they should help Mithridates in this war against the Romans with 5 frigates. By this the Heracleans lost favour with the Romans. The Romans had appointed in the other cities the public sale of the citizens' goods. They also subjected Heraclea to sale. The tax collectors arrived who were to carry out this business and started exacting money, contrary to the customs of the state. The citizens grew very perplexed and viewed this action as a prelude to slavery. Thereupon when they were in this state of affairs, they knew they would have to send an embassy to the Roman senate and to ask their favour and to stop the sale of their goods. They, were persuaded by a bold desperate fellow in the city. They murdered the tax collectors so secretly that no one knew of their death. (Memnon. c. 40.)
4121. M. Cotta heard of the news of Lucullus coming and that he was already camped in Phrygia and was very confident of victory over Mithridates. Cotta hurried to fight with Mithridates before Lucullus could, so that Lucullus would not share the victory with him. (Plutarch. on Lucello) Mithridates generals, Marius (or Varius) and Eumachus, assembled in a short time a large army. They fought with P. Rutilius, M. Cotta's lieutenant at Chalcedon. In the battle Rutilius was killed along with the best part of his army. (Oros. l. 6. c. 2.) The Basternians routed the Italian foot soldiers and killed many of them. (Memnon. c. 41.)
4122. Mithridates marched up to Chalcedon where the Romans came from all parts to Cotta. Since Cotta was a novice soldier, he did not fight with him. However, Nudus, the admiral of his fleet with a brigade of the army, took to the field where it was best fortified. They were beaten off from there and fled back to the gate of Chalcedon. When they came to the gate, there was such a crowd of them trying to get in, that those who chased them could not shoot an arrow for fear of hitting their own troops. As soon as they let down the portcullis (iron lattice work in front of the gate), for fear of the enemy, they drew Nudus and some other commanders up to them with ropes. All the rest were killed in the midst of their friends and enemies. They held up there hands to them to be drawn up also but to no purpose. (Appian.)
4123. Mithridates though it would be best to immediately follow up on this victory and move his fleet toward the haven. When they had broken down the portcullis which was at the entrance of the haven, they burned 4 of the enemy's ships. They took away another 60 by tying them to one another's sterns. Neither Nudus nor Cotta, made any resistance but stayed secure within the walls. In the battle, the Romans lost about 3000 men among whom was Lucius Manlius, a senator. Mithridates lost 20 of the Basternians who were the first that assulted the haven, (Appian.) Plutarch tells us that Cotta lost on land 4000 foot soldiers besides those 60 ships with their men. Memnon said that in one day the land and sea were most disgracefully filled with the bodies of the Romans. 8000 were killed in the naval battle and 4500 were taken prisoners. 5300 of the army of Italian foot soldiers were killed. Mithridates' side, lost only about 30 Basternians and 700 others from his whole company.
4124. This was that battle near Chalcedon, where M. Aurelius Cotta the consul was defeated (Livy l. 93.) and in which Mithridates in a letter to Arsaces, (l. 4. Histor. Salust.) wrote:
``I totally routed Marcus Cotta the Roman general near Chalcedon on land and have deprived him of a most gallant fleet at sea.''
4125. The sad condition of Cotta on both sea and land, greatly increased the king's wealth and prestige. (Cicero, pro Murana.) Mithridates' success depressed the enemy. When Lucullus who was camped along the Sangarius River, heard of this greater defeat and saw his soldier's morale falling, he encouraged them with a speech. (Memnon, c. 41.)
4126. Archelaus who was formerly one of Mithridates' commanders, had now sided with the Romans. He tried to convince Lucullus that he might easily take the whole kingdom of Pontus now that Mithridates was in Bithynia with his army. Lucullus replied that he would not be deemed a greater coward than the common huntsmen are who did not dare to fight with the wild beasts but were brave enough to go into their empty dens. After saying this, Lucullus marched against Mithridates with his company of 30,000 foot soldiers and 2500 cavalry. When he came first to see the enemy, he was astonished to see such a numerous body and therefore desired not to to fight but play for time. He remembered that Marius, whom Sertorius had sent from Spain to be Mithridates' general was marching up against him. He decided to fight and drew his troops into battle array. Just as the army was set to fight, the sky split suddenly apart and there seemed to fall between both armies a great flaming body resembling a hogshead in shape and silver fiery hot. This strange sight so frightened both armies that they decided not to fight. They say this sign happened in Phrygia near Otryae. (Plutarch.)
4127. L. Lucullus the consul, with his cavalry fought some skirmishes with Mithridates' cavalry and won. He made also some other raids and was fortunate in them. This so encouraged his soldiers and made them so eager to fight, that he had much trouble in keeping them under control. (Livy l. 94.)
4128. Mithridates saw that the city of Cyzicum was the door to let him in to all of Asia. If he took it, the whole province would be open to his attacks. He resolved to make it the centre of his war effort. (Cicero pro Murena.) It was the most famous city of all Asia and a faithful friend to the people of Rome. (Cicero pro lege Manilia.) In the recent defeat at Chalcedon, it had lost 3000 citizens and 10 ships. Thereupon the king, decided to give Lucullus the slip. As soon as he had dined and had the opportunity of a thick and misty night, he moved his camp and by daybreak got to the top of the Adrastia Mountain. This is also called Dindymus and is located opposite to the city. (Plutarch.) Strabo wrote that Mithridates with 150,000 foot soldiers and a large body of cavalry invaded the Cyzicenians and took the Adrastia Mountain and the suburbs. (lib. 12. p. 575.) Appian stated that Lucullus with 30,000 foot soldiers and 1600 cavalry camped opposite Mithridates' force of about 300,000 men. Orosius (Oros. l. 6. c. 2.) stated:
``Nay it is reported that he lost in the siege of Cyzicum more than 300,000 men by famine and sickness.''
4129. It is stated and as we find in Plutarch that Lucullus killed at least 300,000 of Mithridates' men and support staff. Eutropius (Breviary l. 6.) recorded that the following winter and summer, Lucullus killed of the king's forces almost 100,000 men.
4130. Mithridates surrounded the Cyzicenians with 10 brigades and attacked them also by sea with a fleet of 400 ships. (Strabo p. 575, 576. cf. Plutarch.) Since the Cyzicenians did not know what became of Lucullus, Mithridates' forces stated Lucullus' tents which were pitched before them were the forces of Armenians and Medes which Tigranes had sent to Mithridates. Demonax was sent from Archelaus to the city and was the first that told them that Lucullus was near them. They did not believe him and thought this was a ruse to cheer them up. However, a boy, who had been taken prisoner by the enemy, escaped and pointed out to them with his finger the place where the Romans were camped. Then they believed the report. (Plutarch) Lucullus sent one of his soldiers to them who knew their language. He told them to be encouraged. This soldier came on a raft made of two water skins.
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4131. Lucullus attacked Mithridates from the rear and defeated the Pontics and got a glorious victory. He killed more than 10,000 soldiers and took 13,000 prisoners. (Memnon. c. 42.)
4132. Lucullus saw a mountain very convenient to make his camp on. If he could capture it, he would have ample provisions for his army and would be able to starve the enemy. There was one very narrow passage to it which Mithridates had placed a guard to secure as he was advised by Taxiles and some of his other commanders. L. Manius or Magius, the arbitrator of the league between Mithridates and Sertorius, sent secretly a messenger to Lucullus. He then persuaded Mithridates to allow the Romans to pass by and to camp where they thought best for themselves. He lied to Mithridates and said that Fimbria's legions which formerly had served Sertorius in the wars, would defect to him within a day or two. Hence he would be spared the effort of a battle and get a victory without fighting. Mithridates did not suspect anything and allowed the Romans to quietly enter the passage and to fortify the mountain against him. By this the Romans had plentiful provisions from all those parts which lay behind them when Mithridates was blocked by a lake, mountain and river. He was able to get few supplies by land for his camp. He could not get out nor force Lucullus out either. The winter season was approaching and would likely hinder all supplies coming to him by sea. (Appian.)
4133. Plutarch wrote that Lucullus camped in Thracia at a place called "Comes". It was the best place to obstruct all the supply lines to Mithridates. Mithridates sent some men to Fimbria's legions to bring them over to him. Memnon said they pretended to defect to Mithridates and then killed all of Mithridates' delegates.
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4134. Nicomedes, a Thessalian, had built notable engines to batter the city. (Plutarch) One was called the Helepolis and was 150 feet high and was the most remarkable one. On this another tower was erected and planted with engines to sling stones and other sorts of weapons. Before they planted the engines, Mithridates ordered that 3000 of the Cyzicenians whom he had taken, to urge the city to surrender. This did not work. Lysistratus their general ordered a crier appointed who from the walls exhorted them that since it was their bad luck to fall under the power of a stranger they should bear it out as well as they could. Mithridates used all the strength he could both by sea and land, to reduce the city. The townsmen were very busy within defending it. They were not able to breech the walls. They could not enter through the part that fell down about the evening because the heat of the fire was so scorching. The Cyzicenians repaired the breach at night. (Appian.)
4135. At last Lucullus found a way to send to the city some auxiliaries by night. (Strabo.) In the Dascylite Lake, there were very large boats. He took one of the biggest and carried it in a wagon to the sea side and put as many soldiers in it as it could hold. They secretly by night got into the city and the enemy knew nothing about it. (Plutarch.)
4136. Now was the time of Proserpina's festival, in which the Cyzicenians offered a black heifer. Although they did not have one, they made one of dough and brought it to the altar. The heifer which was intended for Proserpine's festival was feeding with the rest of the Cyzicenians herds on the other side the sea. On the day of the festival, she left the other herds and swam over alone to Cyzicum. She passed all the way through the enemy's fleet and by diving underwater got through the bars which are at the mouth of the harbour. She passed through and came into the midst of the city to the temple of Proserpina and presented herself before the altar. The Cyzicenians sacrificed her and were greatly encouraged. (Jul. Obsequens de prodigiis, Plutarch, & Appian.)
4137. It is reported that Prosepina appeared by night in a vision to Aristagoras, who was the chief magistrate according to Julius Obsequens. Plutarch only gives him the title of the people's tutor. She told him that she had provided a piper against the pipers. Plutarch rendered it that she immediately sent a Libyan piper against the Pontic trumpeter. The Cyzicenians wondered what this meant. About daybreak, there was foul weather at sea as if it had been a stormy wind. The king's engines were now drawn up to the walls. By their creaking and crashing the storm was known. Presently after this, there arose an extremely violent south wind which in the moment of an hour destroyed the rest of the king's engines. It so shook the wooden tower which was erected on the engine that it was overturned to the ground. (Jul. Obsequens de prodigiis, Plutarch, & Appian.)
4138. It is also reported that at Troy, Minerva appeared to many in their sleep, dripping with a ewer and showing that part of her vail was cut off. She told them that she came from the relief of the Cyzicenians. The Trojans were shown the pillars where the decrees and letters concerning this accident were engraved. (Plutarch.)
4139. Mithridates was advised by his friends to sail with his fleet from before the city. However, he was not dismayed in the least by what had happened. He went up to the mountain Dindymus and from there cast up a bank all along to the walls of the city. On this he built towers. He tried to undermine the walls. (Appian.) In spite of all this, the Cyzicenians held out so stoutly that they very nearly took Mithridates alive in one of the mines which he dug himself. They also dug a mine to him but he got away safely when knew the danger he was in. (Strabo. p. 576.)
4140. When the winter came, Mithridates was cut off from supplies by sea. The army was very short of supplies and many of them died from famine. Some were glad to eat human flesh. Others fed on herbs as their only food and became sick. The dead bodies were lying all the while unburied and caused a plague to break out. (Memnon, c. 42. Strabo, p. 576. Flor. l. 3. c. 5. Plutar. Appian. Orosius, l. 6. c. 2.)
4141. While Lucullus was gone to gain some citadel or other, Mithridates tried to make use of this opportunity. Thereupon, he ordered part of his forces to march home with their arms but not to be seen by the enemy. He sent almost all his cavalry, those also which were for burden, his foot soldiers and those that were unfit into Bithynia. The horses were now weak from lack of food and lame because their hooves were worn away for lack of shoes. When Lucullus heard of this, he hurried to the camp by night as fast as he could. At daybreak, he went after them with 10 companies of foot soldiers and all his cavalry. Although at that instant, a violent storm struck so that many of the soldiers from the snow and other hardships were forced to lie down from the very cold and were not able to follow. With the rest of his troops he overtook the enemy at the passage of the Rhyndacus River. He slaughtered so many of them that the women of Apollonia came out and plundered the wagons and stripped the dead. In this battle, 6000 horses, an enormous number of beasts for burdens and 15,000 men were captured. Lucullus carried all away with him besides the pillage of the enemies camp. If we can believe him, Orosius stated:
``Lucullus at this battle killed more than 15000 men;''
4142. Salust thought that this was the first time the Romans ever saw any camels. However, those who were under Scipio who was the general who defeated Antiochus and those who fought with Archelaus at Orchomenon and Cheronea would most certainly have seen camels. (Plutarch, Appian. Oros.)
4143. Funnius, who joined in with Mithridates and Metrophantes the king's praetor were defeated by Mamercus. They escaped with 2000 cavalry into Moesia and went from there to Moeonia. They came to the dry and parched hills and plains of Inarime. After they had been there a long time they finally got out and arrived at the king's camp without being noticed by the enemy. (Oros. l. 65. c. 2.)
4144. Eumachus the general and the rest of Mithridates' colonels fought in Phrygia. They killed many Romans with their wives and children. They subdued the Pisidians, the Isauri and Cilicia. Dejotarus, one of the tetrarchs of Galatia, attacked them as they were roving about and killed them and many of their soldiers. This brought an end to their actions. (Livy l. 54. Appian. p. 222. Oros. l. 65. c. 2.)
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4145. The 28th Jubilee.
4146. The Cyzicenians undermined the mounds which the king had cast up all along from Dindymus Mountain to the city and burned his engines. They knew how well the enemy was weakened by famine and made many sallies against them. Mithridates was resolved to withdraw and leave. (Appian.) He writes concerning this in a letter to Arsaces: (Salust. l. 4. histor.)
``In besieging Cyzicum with a large army, I lacked provisions since there was none available in the area. I could get nothing from all the parts about and winter had blocked the sea so none could be expected from there. I was forced (not by any compulsion of the enemies) to march back into my own kingdom.''
4147. For Plutarch tells us from Salust that Lucullus camped two whole winters first at Cyzicum and later at Amisus. See Cicero concerning the raising of the siege of Cyzicum. (in orat. pro lege Manilia, pro Murana and pro Archia poeta.)
4148. Mithridates resolved suddenly to leave. To keep Lucullus from following too fast after him, he sent Aristonicus a Greek admiral of his fleet to sea. However, Lucullus by some foul play, took him prisoner just as he was putting off from shore and seized the 10,000 crowns which he carried with him to bribe part of the Roman army. (Plutarch.)
4149. The king left his land forces with the general to march to Lampsacus. Hermaeus and Marius who were the generals sent by Sertorius, led 30,000 men there. However, Lucullus followed close after them and at last overtook them by surprise as they were crossing the Aesepus River. Its level at that time was higher than normal. He took very many of them prisoners and killed 20,000 of them. More than 11,000 of these were reported to have been Marius' soldiers. The Granicus and Aesepus Rivers ran red with blood. One of Mithridates' nobles, knew how strongly the Romans were given to covetousness. He ordered the soldiers to scatter their knapsacks and money about to deliberately slow down the pursuers. (Memnon, c. 42. Polybaus stratagem. l. 7. Flor. l. 3. c. 5. Plutarch, Appian. Oros. l. 6. c. 2.)
4150. Mithridates planned to return by sea and sailed by night to Parium. (Appian.) His soldiers intended to leave with him and crowded on every side into the ship. Some were already filled and others were filled soon after. It happened that so many tried to get on the ships, that some ships sank and others capsized. The Cyzicenians saw this and attacked the enemy's camp. They cut the throats of the sick that were left behind and carried away whatever they found. (Memnon, c. 42.)
4151. Lucullus entered Cyzicum and was received with great joy and magnificence. (Plutarch.) In his honour they later instituted some plays which they called Lucullea. (Appian.) The Romans conferred a great deal of honour on the city and granted them their freedom. (Strabo l. 12. p. 576. Tacit annal l. 4. c.36)
4152. After Mithridates' men were driven to Lampsacus and besieged there by Lucullus, Mithridates sent his fleet there and transported them and the Lamsacenians. He left 50 ships with 10,000 men aboard them to Marius or Varius, the Sertorian general, Alexander a Paphlagonian and Dionysius the eunuch. Mithridates with the larger part made for Nicomedia. Many of these and the others were drowned in a storm. (Strabo l. 12. p. 576. Tacit annal l. 4. c.36)
4153. Mithridates assembled as best he could some forces in Pontus and besieged Perinthus. He made some attempts against it but could not take it. Therefore, he sent his forces away to Bithynia. (Memnon. c. 42.)
4154. Antiochus the Asian and his brother, the young sons of king Antiochus Pius who kept in their hands part of the kingdom of Syria which was not seized by Tigranes, came to Rome. They requested the kingdom of Egypt which they thought rightly belonged to them and their mother Selene. They stayed there almost 2 whole years and retained their royal retinue. (Cicero l. 4. in Verrem.)
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4155. Antipas or Antipater the Idumean was the foremost citizen of their country with respect to birth and wealth. He was the son of the other Antipas or Antipater whom they say was the son of Alexander, the king of the Jews and his wife Alexandra. Antipater was made governor of all Idumea and was married to Cyprus, who was born at a famous place among the Arabians. He had a son called Herod who later was the king of Judea. He was 25 years old when his father placed him over Galilee. (See note on 3957 AM << >>) (See note on 3875a AM <<3593>>) Nicolaus Damascenus wrote Herod's life while Herod was still living. To curry favour with Herod, he has derived Antipater's pedigree from the princes of the Jews who came from Babylon into Judea. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 2.) This is also in the 35th chapter of the Arabic History of the Jews which is written at the end of the Parisian Bibles. There we read that Antipater was a Jew descended from those who came from Babylon with Ezra the priest. He was appointed by Alexander Jannaeus as governor of the country of the Idumeans and married a wife from there. Julius Africanus in a letter of his to Aristides, (in Euseb. l. 1. Histor. Ecclesiast. c. 6. & 7.) and Ambrosius, who followed him, (l. 3. comment. in Luc. c. 3.) stated a tradition of those who were called the kinsmen of our Saviour according to the flesh, that Antipater was the son of Herod from Askelon who had the charge of Apollo's temple there. He was carried away by some Idumean robbers from Askelon and Antipater was instructed in the manners and customs of the Idumeans. This is the most common opinion of all the Christian fathers.
4156. Barba came with a strong band of Italians and Triarius, one of Lucullus' commanders besieged Apamea. The citizens held out for a long time but finally surrendered according to Memnon. Although Appian wrote that when Triarius arrived there, he took the city by storm and killed many of the Apamenians in their temples where they fled for sanctuary. Soon after this, the Roman army took Prusa, a very well fortified city, beneath the Olympus Mountain and pillaged it. From there Triarius went with his army to Prusias which bordered on the sea. Prusias, the king of Bithynia took it from the Heracleans and called it after his own name. It was called previously Cierus or Chius from the river which it bordered. As soon as he drew near the city, the Prusians expelled the Pontics and received them in. From there they came to Nicaea which had a garrison of Mithridates. The Pontics, knew full well that the citizen's favoured the Romans and stole away by night to Mithridates at Nicomedia. Hence the Romans got that city under their command without any trouble. (Memnon. c. 43. & 49. Appian. p. 223. cf. Oros. l. 6. c. 2.)
4157. Lucullus came to the Hellespont and prepared his fleet. He arrived at Troas and went into the temple of Venus. The same night in his sleep he dreamed that he saw the goddess standing by him and saying,
``Sleep'st thou now Lion stout? Whole herds of fawns rove here about.''
4158. While he was telling this dream to his friends, before daybreak some came to him from Troy. They told him how that there appeared 13 of the king's ships with five tiers of oars at a port of the Achaians and they were bound for Lemnus. Lucullus sailed from Troas and captured all the 13 ships and killed Isodorus their admiral. (Plutarch, cf. Appian.)
4159. Lucullus followed up on his victory and went after Marius or Varius who was sent by Sertorius to be general, Alexander and Dionysius. He overtook them near Lemnus, in the deserted island where Philoctetes' altar with the brazen serpent is located. As he approached them, he ordered his soldiers before the battle not to kill anyone who had only one eye. He meant Marius who had lost an eye whom Lucullus planned to deride before he killed him. Lucullus saw that the enemy did not move and had drawn all their ships to the shore. He stopped and sent two ships to try to draw them into a battle. They would not budge but defended themselves from their hatches which really galled the Romans. The place was such that they could not turn around nor was it possible for the ships which were tossed by the waves to do much harm to the enemy. The enemy fleet was beached and they had good sure footing. Therefore Lucullus sent a squadron of ships by another way to the island. He landed all his main foot soldiers there who attacked the enemy from the rear. Some were killed and others retreated to their ships. They were so fearful of Lucullus that they dared not launch into the deep but sailed along the coast. Now they were attacked from both land and sea and many were killed as they tried to get away. (Plutarch.) Lucullus either sunk or captured 32 of the king's ships, besides a number of cargo ships. Among those that were slain, were very many who had been proscribed by Sulla. (Oros. l. 6. c. 2.)
4160. The next day, the 3 generals were found hidden in a cave. Lucullus had Marius or Varius killed. (Oros. l. 6. c. 2. cf. Appian.) Alexander was reserved to be killed later and Dionysius died soon after from poison that he carried with him. (Appian.)
4161. These were the 2 sea victories which Lucullus had, one at Tenedus, the other in the Aegean Sea. Memnon (c.44) mentions both as distinct battles. Cicero stated (Orat. pro lege Manclia) that there was just one battle. He said:
``The large and well trimmed fleet which Sertorius' commanders were in all fury sailing to Italy, was defeated by Lucullus and procouncil L. Murena. Do you think that the naval battle at Tenedus (when the enemy fleet in good hopes and spirits made a direct course for Italy under the most experienced generals) was defeated after a small battle or a light skirmish?''
4162. In Orat. pro Archia poeta, Cicero stated:
``Lucullus defeated the enemies fleet at that incredible naval battle at Tenedus.''
4163. Lucullus sent his letters to the senate which recounted his achievements. This was the custom of conquerors. (Appian.) When as the senate decreed to send him 3000 talents to procure a fleet, he wrote back that he had no need of the money. He boasted that he was able to drive Mithridates from the sea with the ships of the Roman allies. (Plutarch.)
4164. After this, he hurried to catch Mithridates and thought he might find him around Bithynia. He secured the place by Voconius, whom he had sent with a squadron of ships to Nicomedia, to pursue Mithridates. However, Voconius was busy at Samothracia in the religious ceremonies and holy festival days there and came too late. Mithridates sailed and hurried to get to Pontus before Lucullus could catch him. A storm hit and wrecked part of his fleet. Some ships were damaged and other were sunk so that for many days all the coasts around there were littered with the wreckage that washed ashore. They say that this storm was caused by Diana Priapina in revenge against the Pontics for their plundering her temple and taking down her image from its place.
4165. Dio wrote that Mithridates was twice wrecked as he was sailing to Pontus. By these accidents, he lost about 10,000 men and 60 ships. The rest were scattered by the winds. Mithridates in his letter to Arsaces in Salust, said:
``He lost his best soldiers and his fleet by two wrecks, at Para and Heraclea.''
4166. Orosius said:
``After Mithridates had manned his fleet and sailed against Byzantium (where Eutropius says he was chased by Lucullus), he was caught by a storm and lost 80 ships with brass prows.''
4167. To conclude, Florus stated:
``A storm struck this fleet of more than 100 ships and a very large military force in the Pontic sea. The storm so battered it that it looked like it had been done by a real naval battle.''
4168. The pilot of the large ship in which Mithridates was, did not think it possible to beach the ship in so boisterous a storm since it already leaked and was almost full of water. Mithridates against the advice of his friends leaped into the ship of Selemus a pirate and the pirate helped him get on board. Mithridates trusted himself with the pirates who brought him safely to Heraclea in Pontus. (Plutarch) They first went to Sinope and later to Amisus. (Appian and Orosius)
4169. Cotta wanted to atone for his former losses and moved his forces from Chalcedon where he then camped to Nicomedia. He camped 18 miles from the city and was cautious how he engaged the enemy. Triarius of his own accord, quickly brought his army by running marches to Cotta. Then both the Roman armies prepared to attack the city. The king knew that Lucullus had obtained already two notable victories over the Pontics at sea and that he was no match for the Roman forces. He moved his fleet back into the river where he lost some ships with 3 tiers of oars in a storm. However, he escaped with most of his ships to the Hypius River. (Memnon, c. 44.)
4170. Mithridates remained here because of the storm. He heard that Lamachus of Heraclea, a trusted old friend of his, ruled that state. Thereupon he flattered him by many fair promises to allow him into the city and to do the best he could for him. Mithridates also sent him some money because of this. Lamachus prepared a large feast for the citizens outside the city. During this feast he promised Mithridates that the gates would not be shut. He made the people drunk so that Mithridates might come as planned on the very day. He came and took them by surprise as they were sleeping. So the city became his own, and no one even dreamed of his coming. Next day the king summoned the city together and spoke very friendly to them. After he had exhorted them to remain loyal to him, he committed the city to Connacoriges and placed a garrison there of 4000 men. His pretence was merely to defend and protect the citizens in case the Romans should attack the place. From there, he sailed directly toward Sinope. Before he left he distributed some money among the citizens and especially among the magistrates. (Memnon, c. 44.)
4171. After Lucullus had recovered Paphlagonia and Bithynia, he passed through Bithynia and Galatia and invaded Mithridates' kingdom. He joined his forces at Nicomedia with the troops of Cotta and Triarius so that they might attack Pontus. (Eutrop. l. 6. Plutarch, & Memnon, c. 45.) They received news of the taking of Heraclea when as yet they knew nothing of the plot. They thought it was surrendered when the citizens voluntarily abandoned the whole city. Lucullus thought it best that he with the whole power of his army, should march through the Mediterranean and Cappadocia against the king and his whole kingdom. Cotta thought they should try to recapture Heraclea. Triarius thought they should take the fleet and intercept Mithridates' ships which were sent into Crete and Spain when they returned through the Hellespont and Propontis. (Memnon, c. 45.)
4172. When Mithridates knew of their plans, he prepared for war. He quickly sent for forces from his son-in-law Tigranes the Armenian and to his son Macharus who was reigning in Bosphorus and from the Parthians. He also ordered Diocles to go to the bordering Scythians to solicit them with many gifts and a great weight of gold. However, he ran away with the gifts and the gold to Lucullus. The others also refused to meddle. Tigranes delayed for a long time. (A letter of Mithridates to Arsaces inserted in the 4th book of Salust's histories, confirmed that this war was begun and he refused to help from the start.) However, he promised to send supplies. Mithridates' daughter wore on him until he yielded. (Memnon, c. 45. cf. Appian.)
4173. The ambassador which Mithridates sent to Tigranes was Metrodorus Scepsius who left his philosophy and became a politician. Mithridates had him as such a close friend that he was called the king's father. He was made a judge and it was not lawful for any man to appeal his sentence to the king. Tigranes asked the king's ambassador what he thought of this business of sending forces against the Romans. The ambassador replied:
``As I am an ambassador I advise you to send, as I am a counsellor I am against it.''
4174. Tigranes sent Metrodorus with his answer back to Mithridates but Metrodorus died on the way. Either the king had him killed or he died of some disease, for there was talk of both. Tigranes had informed the king of what Metrodorus had said and thought that Mithridates would never think any the worse of Metrodorus. To express his sorrow for what he had done, Tigranes interred his body very nobly and spared for no cost for him whom he had betrayed when he was alive. (Strabo, l. 13. p. 609, 610. Plutarch in Lucullo.)
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4175. Mithridates sent several generals against Lucullus. They fought some battles but the Romans won most of them. (Memnon, c. 45.) At the first Lucullus was very short of food. There were 30,000 Galatians who followed the camp who were to each bring a measure of grain on their shoulders. After he had marched a little farther, he subdued and plundered all the way. Shortly after this, he came to a country that had not been ravaged by war for many years. A slave was sold for 4 drachmas and an ox for one drachma. Goats, sheep, clothes and other things were equally cheap. They were not able to carry away all the booty because there was so much. Some of it was left behind and the rest destroyed. (Plutarch & Appian.)
4176. After this, Lucullus attempted to subdue Amisus and Eupatoria which Mithridates had built near it. He had called it by his own surname and made it his royal palace. A brigade of Lucullus' army was sent to take Themiscyra that was on the Thermodoon River. They used towers against the Themiscyrians and cast up works and dug such large mines that the sides often fought underground. The townsmen opened their mines from the top and through the holes let down bears, other wild beasts and swarms of bees among the invaders. They met stiff resistance at Amisus. The Amisians fought bravely in their own defence. They sometimes sallied out in force and other times just a few went out. (Appian.)
4177. Lucullus spent much time before Amisus in a long siege. His army began to complain at the delay and grumbled quite a bit that they were not allowed to plunder all the cities they captured. It did not matter whether the city surrendered freely or was taken by storm. Lucullus replied that he had good reasons for drawing out the seige. By this, he hoped to wear down Mithridates' forces little by little. He did not want Mithridates to think he overpowered him lest he go to Tigranes for help and thus make another enemy for them to fight with. Plutarch said Lucullus spoke this:
``It is but a few days march from Cabirae into Armenia where Tigranes lives who is that lazy king of kings. He is so powerful, that he wrests Asia from the Parthians, carries the Greek cities into Media, holds Syria and Palestine, dethrones the kings, Seleucus' successors and steals their daughters and wives from their mansions and takes them with him as prisoners. This Tigranes is a neighbour to Mithridates and is his son-in-law.''