The Mithradatic Army: At War with the Sources

Mithradates VI Eupator of Pontus (133/2-63 BCE) was a ruler who caused significant trouble for the Roman Republic during the 1st century BCE. The three wars that he fought with Rome are well documented, although there are only a few contemporary sources, and one must rely on a good number of authors writing centuries after the events. Accordingly, these sources produced a literary output with multiple layers of interpretations regarding the intentions of those who overthrew the ruler, as well as propagandistic themes and stereotypes associated with the Persian and Achaemenid world. The aim of this paper is to assess the reliability of the data concerning the ruler’s army and to determine if they are influenced by biases passed on by the sources. The analysis aims to identify the elements that require careful evaluation for historical reconstruction. Firstly, it will examine the armaments, troops and strategies employed on the battlefield. Then, it will consider the reported figures on the size of forces, casualties, and populations enrolled by the ruler in the conflicts. Finally, the roles of mercenaries and pirates will be evaluated to determine if they were manipulated by ancient authors to serve their own interests.