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The Second Mithridatic War was fought between the old King Mithridates VI of Pontus and the Roman consul Lucius Licinius Lucullus (consul in 74 BC). Lucullus was Sulla's former top aide and a veteran of many battles. The initial attacks went in Rome's favor. Western Asia Minor was captured, the Mithridatic fleet destroyed in the Aegean Sea, and by 70, the Romans were in control of nearly all of Pontus. However, the king was able to retreat to Armenia and when the Romans followed, they ran into trouble. Though undefeated in open battle, the Roman supply lines were long and war with the Armenian king, Tigranes, was more than the Roman Senate had bargained for.
A revolt, aided by troops of Mithridates, succeeded in destroying a weak Roman army in 67. This defeat, combined with massive pirate activity in the eastern Mediterranean, caused the Senate to withdraw the command from Lucullas. This was the end of the Second Mithridatic War. The Third War would be under the direction of Pompey (the Great).
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