Battle of the Lycus facts for kids

The Battle of the Lycus was a major fight in 66 BC. It happened between the powerful Roman Republic army, led by Pompey the Great, and the forces of Mithridates VI of Pontus. The Romans won this battle easily, with very few losses. This victory was a turning point. Mithridates had to escape to the Kingdom of the Bosporus, north of the Black Sea. He died a few years later in 63 BC, which finally ended the long Third Mithridatic War.

Preparing for Battle

In 67 BC, after an earlier battle at Zela, King Mithridates VI had taken back control of his kingdom, Pontus. Roman commanders were busy with their own political issues. This gave Mithridates time to rebuild his army. He knew a big fight was coming.

Soon, the famous Roman general Pompey arrived with a huge Roman army. Pompey was Rome's best commander. He quickly took action to weaken Mithridates.

Pompey's Smart Moves

First, Pompey blocked all the ports along the coast of Asia Minor. This stopped Mithridates from getting supplies or help by sea.

Next, Pompey convinced the new king of Parthia, Phraates III of Parthia, to attack Armenia. Armenia was Mithridates' main ally. This forced the Armenian king, Tigranes II of Armenia, to focus on defending his own land. He could no longer help Mithridates.

Finally, Pompey sent three Roman legions to secure Cappadocia. This area was south of Pontus. With these steps, Pompey had Mithridates surrounded.

Mithridates' Retreat

Pompey then marched his large army into Mithridates' kingdom. Mithridates decided to pull back into the mountains. He wanted to lead Pompey deeper into his territory. He also burned crops to deny the Romans food. Mithridates used his strong cavalry to bother the Roman army as they followed him.

Eventually, Mithridates reached the Lycus valley. He set up his camp on a well-watered hill called Dasteira. This spot was hard to reach.

The Battle Begins

As Pompey's army got close to Mithridates' camp, a small fight broke out. This happened between Pompey's lead soldiers and Mithridates' rearguard (the soldiers protecting the back of his army).

Surprise Night Attack

Some of Mithridates' cavalry (horse soldiers) were fighting on foot. They were doing well until many Roman-allied cavalry arrived. The Pontic cavalry ran back to their camp to get their horses. But their friends in the camp didn't know why they were running. This caused a general retreat among Mithridates' troops.

Pompey saw this chance. He knew Mithridates' soldiers were scared. He also worried Mithridates might escape during the night. So, Pompey decided to attack Mithridates' camp right away, under the cover of darkness.

Roman Victory

The Romans attacked with the moon behind them. This made it hard for the Pontic troops to see them clearly. The Pontic soldiers fired their arrows and spears too early. This allowed the Romans to get very close to the camp.

Once the skilled Roman legionaries got inside the Pontic camp, the fight was almost over. Roman soldiers were excellent at close-range fighting. Mithridates had chosen a camp that was hard to get into. But his desperate troops soon found it was also very hard to get out of.

Mithridates managed to escape with about 800 horsemen. He cut his way out of the trap. But more than 10,000 of his soldiers were lost.

After the Battle

With his army destroyed, Mithridates first wanted to go back to Armenia for safety. But King Tigranes of Armenia refused to help him. Tigranes suspected Mithridates was plotting with one of his own sons. He even offered a huge reward for Mithridates' capture. Tigranes likely knew Mithridates' cause was lost and didn't want to be involved.

Mithridates' Last Journey

Pompey was to the west, Cappadocia was controlled by Rome in the south, and the Black Sea was blocked by Roman ships. Armenia was no longer friendly. Mithridates' only way out was north, to the Bosporan Kingdom. This kingdom included parts of Crimea and was ruled by his son, Machares.

Mithridates had a very difficult journey around the eastern side of the Black Sea. He finally arrived in the Bosporan Kingdom. There, he took control of the kingdom from his son and became its new king. Pompey was busy setting up Roman rule in the east and left Mithridates alone for a while.

The End of Mithridates

In 63 BC, Mithridates was planning another war against Rome. But his own army rebelled against him. They crowned Pharnaces II of Pontus, one of Mithridates' many sons, as their new king.

Mithridates was trapped. He tried to take his own life, but it didn't work. He had built up a resistance to such things over time. Instead, his Gallic bodyguard ended his life. This marked the final end of the long wars between Rome and Mithridates.