BATTLE // -72 BCE
Siege of Cyzicus
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Source · Wikipedia
Significance
The Siege of Cyzicus was a decisive engagement of the Third Mithridatic War, pitting the forces of Mithridates VI of Pontus against the Roman-allied citizens of Cyzicus and a Roman Republican army under Lucius Licinius Lucullus. The disparity in recorded force sizes — 300,000 for the Pontic side against 30,000 Romans — underscores the scale of the Pontic commitment to reducing Cyzicus, a strategically significant city in Mysia. The outcome, a decisive Roman victory, checked Mithridates' capacity to project power in the region and reinforced Roman dominance over their allied communities in Asia Minor during this phase of the war.
Tactics
The battle took the form of a siege and counter-siege: Mithridates invested Cyzicus while Lucullus simultaneously moved to cut off and pressure the besieging Pontic forces, turning the operation into a dual containment effort rather than a straightforward assault or relief action.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Roman Republic30,000medium
- Kingdom of Pontus300,000medium
Kingdom of Pontus fielded a 10.0 : 1 numerical advantage
Commanders (2)
Kingdom of Pontus
Roman Republic
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