The king ordered that the women of the royal harem--his sisters, his numerous wives and concubines--as it was not possible to secure their flight, should all be put to death by one of his eunuchs at Pharnacea (Kerasunt).

The towns alone offered obstinate resistance.

It is true that the few in the interior-- Cabira, Amasia, Eupatoria--were soon in the power of the Romans; but the larger maritime towns, Amisus and Sinope in Pontus, Amastris in Paphlagonia, Tius and the Pontic Heraclea in Bithynia, defended themselves with desperation, partly animated by attachment to the king and to their free Hellenic constitution which he had protected, partly overawed by the bands of corsairs whom the king had called to his aid.

Sinope and Heraclea even sent forth vessels against the Romans; and the squadron of Sinope seized a Roman flotilla which was bringing corn from the Tauric peninsula for the army of Lucullus.

Heraclea did not succumb till after a two years' siege, when the Roman fleet had cut off the city from intercourse with the Greek towns on the Tauric peninsula and treason had broken out in the ranks of the garrison.