First Mithridatic War — The Asian Vespers
Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus on the Black Sea coast, had been expanding his kingdom for decades. Rome's attention was absorbed by the Social War, and Mithridates judged the moment ripe for a decisive move. In 88 BCE he invaded the Roman province of Asia and sent secret orders to every Greek city simultaneously: on a given day all Italians — men, women, children — were to be killed. The cities obeyed. Ancient sources put the dead at 80,000. The massacre was unprecedented and bound the Greek cities to Mithridates' cause through shared guilt. Mithridates sent his general Archelaus with 120,000 troops to Greece, where Athens welcomed Pontic support. Sulla, despite the civil war with Marius raging in Italy, crossed to Greece in 87 BCE. He besieged Athens; the city fell in March 86 BCE and was partially sacked. Sulla then crushed Archelaus twice in open battle — at Chaeronea and Orchomenus in 86 BCE. Mithridates sued for peace. The Peace of Dardanus (85 BCE) required him to evacuate all Roman territory, pay indemnities, and hand over ships. He retained his kingdom — a result that many Romans considered too lenient.
- Year: 88 BCE
- Category: Military
