Battles of Cyzicus (73 BC) and Tigranocerta (69 BC) - Mithridatic Wars DOCUMENTARY 

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Lucullus outflanking a cavalry flank with infantry is just top tier stuff

That "rebelious Roman general in Spain" - Quintus Sertorius - deserves a separate video here. He was an absolutely outstanding military commander running circles around Pompey and other Roman general despite being heavily outnumbered and defating them on multiple occasions. They could not defeat him in battle so finally, after many attempts, the Senate succeded with his assassinaton. Also, he was a bit of a victim there as he did not simply mutiny to become a "rebel" he was simply loyal to the pre-Sulla Senate and would not stand for all the shenanigans caused by the blatant power grab after Sulla's death and refused to bend a knee.

I see a long and prosperous relationship between Rome and Parthia. These great nations cannot possibly destroy their relationship and cause centuries of bloodshed.

Greatings from Armenia 😃

Armenia. One of very few states that existed then (and much earlier) with the same name, language and people as today.

Mithridates tends to be overshadowed by Hannibal and Attila, but he was definitely one of the Roman Republic's/Empire's most persistent enemies, fighting against them in 3 wars over 26 years. I think the reason he gets overshadowed by the 2 others is that, as powerful as he was, he never threatened the Roman state to the same degree as they did.

I love Luculus. He did the unthinkable, using roman legionaries to flank instead of cavalry

Pompei Magnus #1st kill-stealer in the world.

RIP the Seleucid Empire, 312-63 BC.

Holy shit, Armenia is huge on the map at around the 2 minute mark.

charging an entire army with two maniples of 120 men: absolute madlad

Great video. Makes me sad how overconfident Tigranes was before his first fight. Before the first fight he said "if it's a delegation, then it's too big. If it's an army, then it's too small" About the Roman army And then lost that battle. Ironic

A great documentary! I would like to comment, however, on details regarding the battles of Tigranocerta and Artaxata (Arsanias river, actually). I will try to remain as unbiased as possible, and will quote Greco-Roman sources and interpret them as much as I can. Also, I am going to keep this as short as possible, but should anyone have a question, I will gladly answer: 1) Lucullus' attack on Armenia caught Tigranes off guard, for the Roman Senate had not officially declared war on Armenia. It was a decision made by Lucullus himself: "No one told Tigranes that Lucullus was advancing" Appian, 1st-2nd c. AD " He [Lucullus] therefore left Sornatius thereas guardian of Pontus, with six thousand soldiers, while he himself, with twelve thousand footmen and less than three thousand horse, set out for the second war.He seemed to be making a reckless attack, and one which admitted of no saving calculation, upon warlike nations, countless thousands of horsemen, and a boundless region surrounded by deep rivers and mountains covered with perpetual snow. His soldiers, therefore, who were none too well disciplined in any case, followed him reluctantly and rebelliously, while the popular tribunes at Rome raised an outcry against him, and accused him of seeking one war after another, although the city had no need of them, that he might be in perpetual command and never lay down his arms or cease enriching himself from the public dangers. And, in time, these men accomplished their purpose. But Lucullus advanced by forced marches to the Euphrates. " Plutarch, 1st c. AD 2) Prior to the main battle of Tigranocerta, the Armenian cataphracts attacked the Roman camp twice, successfully entering the city and evacuating the royal treasury and the king's harem. Hence why Lucullus decided to deal with the Armenian cataphracts during the main battle: "Sextilius shut up Mancaeus in Tigranocerta, plundered the palace outside the walls, drew a ditch around the city and tower, moved machines against them, and undermined the wall. While Sextilius was doing this, Tigranes brought together some 250,000 foot and 50,000 horse. He sent about 6,000 of the latter to Tigranocerta, who broke through the Roman line to the tower, and seized and brought away the king's concubines." Appian 1st-2nd c. AD 3) The battle of Tigranocerta was actually a siege of many months, which endured well, until the treachery of the non-Armenian settlers who opened the gates to the Romans: "Lucius Lucullus at this time had defeated in battle the lords of Asia, Mithridates and Tigranes the Armenian, and after forcing them to avoid battle was besieging Tigranocerta. But the barbarians did him serious injury by means of their archery as well as by the naphtha which they poured over his engines; this chemical is full of bitumen and is so fiery that it is sure to burn up whatever it touches, and it cannot easily be extinguished by any liquid." Cassius Dio, 2nd c. AD "But in the city of Tigranocerta, the Greeks had risen up against the Barbarians and were ready to hand the city over to Lucullus; so he assaulted and took it." Plutarch, 1st. c. AD 4) During the battle of Artaxata (in reality battle of Arsanias river), when the Romans were chasing Tigranes and Mithridates, the Armenian and Pontic forces caused severe damage to the Romans for months, using guerilla tactics with the cavalry. Hence, the "battle" in itself is not a battle, a few months long guerilla war in Armenia. Plutarch's account of the "battle" is generally accepted by academia, yet Cassius Dio provides these events in a different light: "Lucullus entered upon his campaign when summer was already at its height, since in the spring it had been impossible to invade the enemy's country because of the cold. He devastated a part of their land, purposing to draw the barbarians imperceptibly into battle while defending it; but when even then they made no move, he marched against them. In this engagement the opposing cavalry gave the Roman cavalry hard work, but none of the foe approached the infantry; indeed, whenever the foot-soldiers of Lucullus assisted the horse, the enemy would turn to flight. Far from suffering any injury, however, they kept shooting back at those pursuing them, killing some instantly and wounding great numbers. Now these wounds were dangerous and hard to heal; for they used double arrow-points and moreover poisoned them, so that the missiles, whether they stuck fast anywhere in the body or even if they were drawn out, would very quickly destroy it, since the second iron point, not being firmly attached, would be left in the wound" Cassius Dio, 2nd c. AD Thus, after countless attacks by Armeno-Pontic forces, it is natural that Lucullus' army would mutiny and would want to retreat. 5) It took Rome, Parthia, and an internal rebellion led by Tigranes' son (Tigranes junior) to eventually force Tigranes to negotiate peace with Rome. Tigranes beat the rebellion and the Parthians, but decided to end hostilities with Rome to avoid further wars. Also, the Roman-Armenian truce was in favor of Armenia, for the title of King of Kings was still born by Tigranes and his followers, and extra territories were not handed to the Parthians. "While Pompey was thus engaged [with Mithridates], Tigranes, the son of Tigranes, fled to Phraates, taking with him some of the foremost men, because his father was not ruling to suit them; and though Phraates, in view of the treaty made with Pompey, hesitated about what he ought to do, he was persuaded to invade Armenia. So they came as far as Artaxata, subduing all the country before them, and even assailed that place too, for Tigranes the elder in fear of them had fled to the mountains. But when it appeared that time was required for the siege, Phraates left a part of the force with the young Tigranes and retired to his own land. Thereupon the father took the field against his son, who was now left alone, and conquered him. " Cassius Dio, 2nd. c. AD "Pompey, in view of the present situation and the hopes which it inspired, held him in contempt and replied haughtily to the ambassadors, among other things demanding back the territory of Corduene,2 concerning which Phraates was quarrelling with Tigranes. 4 When the envoys made no answer, inasmuch as they had received no instructions on this point, he wrote a few words to Phraates, but instead of waiting for a reply sent Afranius into the territory at once, and having occupied it without a battle, gave it to Tigranes. Afranius, returning through Mesopotamia to Syria, contrary to the agreement made with the Parthian, wandered from the way and encountered many hardships by reason of the winter and the lack of supplies. Indeed, his troops would have perished, had not the Carrhaeans, p109 Macedonian colonists who dwelt somewhere in that vicinity, received him and helped him forward.This was the treatment which Pompey in the fulness of his power accorded to Phraates, thereby indicating very clearly to those desiring to indulge their greed that everything depends on armed force, and that he who is victorious by its aid wins inevitably the right to lay down whatever laws he pleases. Furthermore, he showed contempt for the title of Phraates, in which that ruler delighted before all the world and before the Romans themselves, and by which the latter had always addressed him. 2 For whereas he was called "King of Kings," Pompey clipped off the phrase "of Kings" and addressed his demands merely "to the King" when writing" Cassius Dio, 2nd. c. AD All in all, however, I have to say good job in representing these events. I regularly follow you documentaries. Keep it up!

Tigran 2nd really has done Best job if to discuss about whole Armenian history. But it was really too difficult to battle at the same time with both Roman and Parthian empires being located between them. Honestly they both were really just giants. Very thanks for this video. Like)

Lucius Lucinius Lucullus has to be one of the most underrated generals in history ever!!

It’s fascinating how we still have a document that recorded the events of those years....

So sad at the number of posters whose internet won't let them search "Iberia Albania Caucasus".

I'm Armenian and I'm proud of my story🇦🇲💪 (🇬🇷🇦🇲🇮🇹) three countries that have a great history👑👑👑

Glad to see this up! Mithridates was such a fascinating figure..one of the last enemies rome had of real ability.

Thank you Mithridates. I think that your actions go a long way toward proving that if you properly lead a Phalanx, it is by no means an obsolete formation, as so many historians have argued. Still, Mithridates made some disappointingly avoidable mistakes.

The Romans are amazing in discipline, tactics and strategy. Awesome video. Thanks!

Saving this video for later, got a specific time I want to watch it. But, with confidence, I give it 10/10, perfect rating and like and all the usual. I expect and always get nothing less than perfect. Keep it up!

Rome created its own worst enemy, feeding Parthia.

I've read about Mithridates of Pontus before, but never really realised how much of a pain in the neck he was until I saw this video. He ruined it for everyone in the East lol

Thanks for the vid.Although there are several mistakes here.Romans lost near the river of artaxata,68 B.C.,which caused for lucullus to be replaced by pompeus.Pompeus was much slier than lucullus,and he allied with parthians.Parthians attacked Artashat,the second capital,but were defeated.Although armenians won against parthians,they didn't have a chance against the roman army(now they were the same sized).So they made a peace treaty with romans,giving romans All the conquered lands in the west.But in the same time,armenians remained independent,and all the conquered lands against parthians remained to armenians. P.S.Armenians didn't use cataphracts.It's a common mistake in rome 2 total war.Armenians were using shock cavalry the most(normal armored and mobile troops),that's why armenians won against the parthian cataphracts(very heavy troops,they were very slow,especially in the armenian mountains). And,in the battle of tigranocerta,Armenian army wasn't consisting only from armenians.There were many greeks,jews,arabs,etc.And unfortunately,the biggest army of armenian history was 95000.In the battle of tigranocerta,armenians were 95000,while romans were 65000-70000. Anyway,nice content,you did a huge work.You got your like and a sub. :)

Ես սիրում եմ Հայաստան

Hi from Western Armenia 🙋‍♂️🇦🇲❤️

FINALLY MITHADATIC WARS! been waiting for this forever!

Very informative and useful video with nice animations of battles 👍 I liked it, BUT… Actually in 68 BC Lucullus was trying to capture the second capital of Armenia Artashat, but he LOST the second battle against Tigran. That's why Tigran could afford to give Mithradates an army to take back his territory in Pontus. And finally that is the reason why Rome replaced FAILED Lucullus with Gnaeus Pompeius

This post of mine talks specially just a bit about alternative history for Artaxiad Armenia (AA) up to Tigran the Great. When Antiochus the Great was defeated by the Romans in late 190BC at the Battle of Magnesia, it seemed Artaxias I, the founder of the royal house Tigran the Great belonged to, took advantage of the difficult geography for Seleucid troops to attack Armenia and then the weakened Seleucid Empire by the Roman at the time to reign autonomously beginning in 189BC. In record, Hannibal was a fugutive again after his own naval defeat earlier in 190BC before the Seleucid defeat. Going east away from the Seleucid and hiding in the Armenian highland made sense for Hannibal. However, it seemed that Hannibal looked for a comeback even though he was a fugitive at the time. In record, Hannibal received hospitality from Artaxias I so Artiaxias seemed that he was a sensible ruler to gain autonomy at the right timing and imported human resources to improve his own domain. If Hannibal the fugitive in 190BC gave ideas for the construction of Artaxata in 176BC in an apocryphal story, why could not Artaxias I invite Hannibal to give idea and supervise the military reform of Armenia troops? Especially at the time, AA just rose against Antiochus the Great to reign automonously and Hannibal fled westward to Crete in fear of Antiochus the Great turning him to Rome. At the time of establishment of Artaxata in 176BC, Artaxias I had only reigned autonomously for only about 10 years; the timing of finishing up the military reform before the construction could have been suitable. Recalling that the Marian reforms had begun since 107 BC, an impact (unsourced) was that the loyalty of the troops shifted to the leader of the army. Artaxias I would have more authority over his subject to carry out construction of wall, roads in his domain If so, the Antiochus IV leadership who reigned 175 to 164 BC would have thought twice before campaigning in Armenia in about 164 BC. Again recalling that the Marian reforms had begun since 107 BC, an impact (unsourced) was that the loyalty of the troops shifted to the leader of the army. Given the fact that the AA was ruled by a king, that shift was fitting to that leadership structure, when Roman fought both Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes the Great. However, as noted in one of the comments, Tigran, one of the Tigranes the Great went against his own father. A "Marian reform by Hannibal" could change the situation for the better or worse for Armenia because that reform would not be a deciding factor. Analogously, the reform could have helped Artavasdes I, possibly the elder uncle of Tigranes the Great, to put a permanent military presence in Iberia/ Kartli and then went west into Colchis and east to Caucasian Albania. Also Artavasdes I could fend off MIthridates II of Parthia. The 64 years reigns of Artavasdes I and Tigranes I, possibly the father of Tigranes the Great, meant establishing the land bridge from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, establishing and acting as the middle man of trade between Greek settlements in Dacia (modern day Romania) and Crimea where Pontus controlled, via the two seas and reach Parthia. Then leadership of Parthia could then see the benefit of trading via Armenia to the Black Sea as long as Armenia was not interfering with Parthian business against the weakening Seleucid Empire. Then possibly during the reign of Tigranes I, Artaxiad Armenia (AA) gained prosperity thru trading and stability on the still fluid cooperation of convenience with Parthia. Then Tigranes the Great would not be a hostage in Parthia until age 45. Before his ascendance, Tigranes the Great could help Tigranes I on different projects. If the Wikipedia summary on Tigranes the Great's management could be taken, Niccolò Machiavelli attributed Tigranes' excessive use of cavalry. Also Tigranes' domain was multi-ethnic. By the time he ascended the throne, the following institutions would have been in place: 1) better military organization due to a "Marian reform by Hannibal" established by his grandfather Artaxias I and consolidated by Artavasdes I. 2) By a video of "Kings and Generals" (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-d8SXiwDzXp8.html), Hannibal managed multi-ethnic troops under his command. A "Marian reform by Hannibal" could have helped the Artaxiad military and political leadership to manage well the multi-ethnic people under reign 3) Result of 1 and 2, better military loyalty to Tigranes the Great himself, decreasing the chance of Tigran the son to going against his own father. Also, Tigranes' excessive use of cavalry could be curbed and possibly more use of a mixture of different types of cavalry and infantry, reminiscence of Hannibal's management. 4) more stable economy established by Artavasdes I and consolidated by Tigranes I 5) better relation with Parthia established by Tigranes I. In record, Tigranes the Great was hostage in Parthia until age 45 and Tigran the son had connection in Parthia for him to raise against his father, possibly as a result of the father and son staying. Here, it would be Tigran the son alone going to Parthia. Regardless of how Tigranes I manage the diplomatic relation, Tigran the son would still have connection in Parthia that he could use later against Rome. 6) Result of 4) and 5) better equipment for military, better education for the royal family members, better organization of sphere of influence of each royal family members. For example, Tigran the son could have been assigned an expeditionary force to help Mithradates VI and the more scholarly inclined Artavasdes II could be assigned a governor post in Iberia/ Kartli or Caucasian Iberia, spreading Greco-Armenian influence.

I think that what you and your crew are doing is a wonderful thing, bringing light to obscure history few people know about in a very entertaining way, keep up the good work and I wish all the best from Bulgaria!

Each time I heard Iberia, I kept thinking of the Iberian Peninsula and was totally caught off guard by Iberia being a nation around the corner. These wars sounded like "A Series of Unfortunate Events" or How Mithridates lost it all.

This is the golden age for ARMENIA but it was for very short period and militarily not successful

Gotta respect Mithradates, he stood up to the full power of Rome with a relatively small nation in comparison and inflicted some serious setbacks to the Romans over the years. Even though he ragequitted in the end, he was probably the last serious enemy of Rome for several centuries.

A Great Job done by the author, of course. However, could you also share the link to references in the description in future or (the best option) make footnotes during telling stories. Here is what I can cite from Plutarch (ibid., p. 233): " He (Lucullus) kept them (Fimbian legion indeed, with him, but without urging his authority upon them; nor did he lead them out to battle, being contented if they should but stay with him, though he then saw Cappadocia wasted by Tigranes and Mithridates again triumphing, whom not long before he reported to the Senate to be wholly subdues; and commissioners were now arriving to settle the affairs of Pontos, as if all had been quietly in his possession" This makes the hypothetical successful invasion of Armenia by Luccullus doubtful featuring the win of the second battle of Arasani river (near Artaxata). He indeed captured a city, nut not sure if it was the wealthy city of Tigranocerta (considering the above said). Another quote of Plutarch (ibid., II, p. 220): "Our own army , moreover, despite their capture of a city from the kingdom pf Tigranes and their successes in battle, began to feel the extreme remoteness of their position and to long for home." I have another information regarding the attack made by Partians... Best :)

I really want to see an episode about the Armenian empire

A nice video , I still remember the tales of the much underlooked general , Lucullus, who fell to the politics of the day, as Pompey, gained most of the credit and kudos politically. I think also that Pompey actually outmaneuvered him in the senate denying him , his trumph , which was delayed until very much later [when Lucullus support of his ex-veteran legions were needed in the massive in-fighting of the day, which was leading to Caesar taking power].....but still excellent viewing, and much enjoyed :D

Beautiful video, both great quality and informative as always. Thank you for always having amazing content.

Great work as always! My eyes were glued to the screen the whole video!

Mithridates is an overlooked history in popular history. Thank you for making this video.

In my home town there is a restaurant called Lucullus. In Rome (meaning in the city itself) he was famous for his feasts.

There's a rush of excitement I get every time K&G posts a video! I'm glad to see the completion of the Mithridatic Wars. I can't wait to see what his next video will be!! XP

Great video as usual, looking forward for more Roman wars. I hope someday you will make a documentary on Macromanic war

Machares: Welcome father, I'm glad to see you're safe. Mithridates VI: Treasonous villain, art thou truly my seed? Machares : yeah umm......about that please no *Gets throat cut*.

A little weird that you are going back in time; last week the episodes were exploring the Ottoman/Byzantine era? Nonetheless this video is good! Keep up the great work guys

Can't get enough of this channel, keep up the excellent work

This is amazing. Really educational, loving my grind on your videos!

Great video, again! You mentioned Sertorius, but he really deserves his own video in my opinion. His trick to defeat the mountain dwellers was inspired!

When Albania and Iberia were neighbours.

Excellent Video! Please keep doing Roman Wars. Sharing it with others! Keep up the good work!

This is the best historical narration on you tube, no conjecture just the facts, just the way it should be

Finally about my country) Thank you very much, great us always!)

I’m starting to think that Archelaus was a Roman spy, I can’t think of any other explanation for how he managed to lose that badly and repeatedly unless it was intentional.

Thanks for these videos. Since I have started watching these i want to be a history teacher because i want to teach people stuff like this. Plus I like the history part of the videos and the military aspect.

Excellent conclusion of the Mithridatic Wars cycle. Special gratitude for the content being made available with subtitles in Portuguese. Brazilian greetings.🇧🇷

amazing as always!!

Can you do documentary on Roman-Parthian war the strongest states of it's time And sorry again for bad words

Great content! Keep up the good work

Hi there I really like this channel It would be really wonderful if you guys covered some contemporary and modern battles like WW2 WW1 Afghanistan etc

If you are willing to expand kings and generals content beyond the realm of Europe and Asia then I suggest you look at the Abyssinian-Adal war fought in the 16th century. This also included the Portuguese and the Ottomans and would fit right in to your Ottoman series quite nicely.

This is one of the bests Chanels of RU-vid.

I love the ancient history so much. Please do more videos on that

great episode

Good shit my mate, keep it up.

ı lıve only 20 km away from cyzıcus and ı wasnt awere of thıs battle thank you guys for another great vıdeo

Mithradetes was some character. A full life of warfare against the superpower, and betrayals by his own. Poison too failed him! What a guy!

I wish to see a continuation of this videos.

Good job guys !!

I cringe whenever armies like the Armenian army break ranks...undisciplined troops are the causes of so many losses in history.

Great video as always! I'd be really interested in countries history ✨😎‼

Luculus did all the heavy lifting and Pompey came to get the credit. Crassus did all the heavy lifting and Pompey came to get the credit.

This is what I call an awesome video, good graphics, well explained, no stupid jokes.

Wish there were more videos covering the battles of my people 🇦🇲

You guys are the reason why I wake up in the morning. Actually something interesting I noticed is that when empires are rising they tend to repeatedly win but then start their decline after a large loss or when they run out supplies. Then they get their buts kicked and go up and down then finally after some battle they enter a terminal decline and then collapse. Kinda an interesting pattern

I hope there's going to be another doc in this series. I love the roman stuff :)

BUT I DON'T WANNA PLAY AS PONTUS!

2:14 uh could you explain what exactly happened in Armenia in 83bc??

I was waiting for this vedio. I really enjoyed your your previous vedio on the first mirtradatic war. Could you do a vedio on the roman parthian wars

Would love to see a video on the Third Crusade!

i feel like Mithradtes was the victim of incompetent subordinates and betrayal, moreso than his own incompetence. Should have killed Archeleus, because after describing the last battle he lost, one's only retort could be "Wait you did what with your cavalry and chariots?"

That was one kick ass move by Lucullus at Tigranocerta Battle....Isn't it. I mean, this is just pure military genius. Howcome no one mentions this among the great battles like Canae and Guagamela?? Out numbered and out flanked from superior enemy cavalry, he not only distracted them with a fake move.....but also was able to capture a hill right at their back flanking around the city. WOW. Now if this is not amazing achievement in a battle field, then i don't know what is. Lucullus looks as accomplished a Roman general as Pompey, Sulla or Ceasar. Too bad his soldiers mutinied and his name got tainted forever.

Great video and I had to wait all day because of work to watch it but it was well worth the wait! Seems like the population of Anatolia was able to replace troops on both sides at will?

when will you guys do another video regarding the roman campaigns on the Black Sea region? These pontic videos really peaked my interest.

Want to conquer the Mediterranean? Rome: Hold my wine!

6:19 tenedos is an island ....just a little bit to the right :)

Love those videos about pontic wars

I love this... Hope the next Rome 2 campaign is Mithridatic Wars

0 dislikes, let's keep it that way

Another reason to like sundays.

Great job, as always

another great episode

I never really liked history that much. I just love watching the tactics involved in these battles!

Pompey reaped where Lucullus sowed. But at least Lucullus collected a little money. =)

As always great job.

Thank you for the great work! A minor issue, I guess Chalcedon (modern day Kadıköy in İstanbul) misplaced in the map. (Should be in north of Nicomedia at least)

And the war was inevitable xd

ARMENIA FOREVER!!

Brilliant video

As I mentioned before, nothing less than perfect. Keep it up.