Battle of the Rhyndacus (73 BC) facts for kids

The Battle of the Rhyndacus was an important fight that happened in 73 BC. It was part of a bigger war called the Third Mithridatic War. In this battle, the powerful Roman Republic fought against the army of Mithridates VI of Pontus, a king from a place called Pontus. The Romans, led by their general Lucius Licinius Lucullus, won this battle.

The Battle of the Rhyndacus

This battle was a key moment during the Third Mithridatic War. It showed the strength of the Roman army and helped them gain an advantage over King Mithridates.

Why the Battle Happened

Before the Battle of the Rhyndacus, the Roman general Lucius Licinius Lucullus was supposed to invade Pontus from the south. However, he changed his plans. He heard that his fellow Roman leader, Marcus Aurelius Cotta, was in trouble. King Mithridates had surrounded Cotta's army at a city called Cyzicus, near the Sea of Marmara.

Lucullus quickly moved his army north to help Cotta. His army surprised Mithridates' forces. Lucullus then managed to trap Mithridates' army on the Cyzicus peninsula. This was like turning the tables on Mithridates!

The Fight at the River

As winter arrived, Mithridates' army started running out of food and supplies. Many of his soldiers were sick or wounded. So, Mithridates decided to send his sick, wounded, and cavalry (soldiers on horseback) away. He sent them east into a region called Bithynia. This group was led by a commander named Neoptolemus.

In the middle of a snowstorm, General Lucullus and ten groups of Roman soldiers (called cohorts) met these Pontic forces. They met along the banks of the Rhyndacus River. The Romans had a small group of scouts and cavalry already on the other side of the river.

The combined Roman forces attacked the Pontic column. The Pontic soldiers tried to defend themselves bravely. The fighting was tough, but they couldn't stand up to the strong Roman attack. Ancient writers like Plutarch and Appian wrote that the Romans captured 15,000 men and 6,000 horses during this battle.

What Happened Next

Losing so many soldiers and horses at the Rhyndacus River was a huge problem for Mithridates. On top of that, his main army was suffering from hunger and sickness. Because of these disasters, King Mithridates had to give up his position completely. He sailed north with some of his forces, while the rest of his army marched overland.

Lucullus continued to pursue them. He defeated them again where the Aesepus and Granicus Rivers meet. This second defeat caused even more losses for Mithridates' army. These battles were important steps in the Roman victory during the Third Mithridatic War.