Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/120

 to lay siege to the city of Cyzicns, nenr the tea of Marmora, belonging to the Romans. With his usual promptitude he commenced a ▼igorous attack upon it, but the works being strong he was unable to make any impression upon them. He therefore turned the siege into a blockade.

BuU unfortunately^ provisions began to be scarce^ and famine and its consequent effect, disease, broke out in his army. At this juncture Lucullus arrived with a powerful army, and at- tacking the troops of MithridateSy easily obtained a victory, by reason of their enfeebled condition. Great slaughter was made by the Romans amongst the troops of Mithridates. He, with a chosen body of men, succeeded in breaking through the main body of the enemy, which had hemmed him in, and retreated to Pontus.

Lucullus hereupon marched through Asia 3939;

5131*

Minor, taking possession of all the places which were in the interest of Mithridates, who was unable to offer any opposition.

The Roman soldiers who were with Lucullus, seeing no enemy with whom they could contend, began to murmur, expressing their dissatis* faction that he did not lead them against Mithridates. But Lucullus was unwilling to force the latter to extremity, saying, in answer to the murmurs of his troops, '' If we persist in

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