[33]
And when two
consuls had been sent to that war, with the view of one pursuing Mithridates, and the other
protecting Bithynia, the disasters which befell one of them by land and sea greatly increased
the power and reputation of the king. But the exploits of Lucius Lucullus were such that it is
impossible to mention any war which was more important, or in which greater abilities and
valour were displayed. For when the violence of the entire war had broken against the walls of
Cyzicus, and as Mithridates thought that he should find that city the door of Asia, and that
if that were once broken down and forced, the whole province would be open to him, everything
was so managed by Lucullus that the city of our most faithful allies was defended, and all the
forces of the king were wasted away by the length of the siege, what more need I say? Do you
think that that naval battle at Tenedos, when the enemy's fleet were hastening on with rapid
course and under most eager admirals towards Italy, full of hope and courage, was a trifling
engagement—an insignificant contest? I will say nothing of battles; I pass over the
sieges of towns. Being at length expelled from his kingdom, still his wisdom and his influence
were so great that combining his forces with those of the king of Armenia, he reappeared with
new armies and new resources of every kind.
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