Mithridates V., of Pontus, the son and successor of Rome's ally, had, between B.C.112 and B.C.93, built up an Empire of vast extent, numerous population, and almost inexhaustible resources.

He had established his authority over Armenia Minor, Colchis, the entire east coast of the Black Sea, the Chersonesus Taurica, or kingdom of the Bosporus, and even over the whole tract lying west of the Chersonese as far as the mouth of the Tyras, or Dniester.

Nor had these gains contented him.

He had obtained half of Paphlagonia by an iniquitous compact with Nicomedes, King of Bithynia; he had occupied Galatia; and he was engaged in attempts to bring Cappadocia under his influence.

In this last-named project he was assisted by the Armenians, with whose king, Tigranes, he had (about B.C.
96) formed a close alliance, at the same time giving him his daughter, Cleopatra, in marriage.