Under ordinary circumstances the general would have asked and obtained from his government the despatch of a second army; but as Lucullus wished, and was in some measure compelled, to take up the war over the head of the government, he found himself necessitated to renounce that plan and--although he himself incorporated the captured Thracian mercenaries of the Pontic king with his troops--to carry the war over the Euphrates with not more than two legions, or at most 15,000 men.

This was in itself hazardous; but the smallness of the number might be in some degree compensated by the tried valour of the army consisting throughout of veterans.

A far worse feature was the temper of the soldiers, to which Lucullus, in his high aristocratic fashion, had given far too little heed.

Lucullus was an able general, and--according to the aristocratic standard-- an upright and kindly-disposed man, but very far from being a favourite with his soldiers.

He was unpopular, as a decided adherent of the oligarchy; unpopular, because he had vigorously checked the monstrous usury of the Roman capitalists in Asia Minor; unpopular, on account of the toils and fatigues which he inflicted on his troops; unpopular, because he demanded strict discipline in his soldiers and prevented as far as possible the pillage of the Greek towns by his men, but withal caused many a waggon and many a camel to be laden with the treasures of the east for himself; unpopular too on account of his manner, which was polished, haughty, Hellenizing, not at all familiar, and inclining, wherever it was possible, to ease and pleasure.