Mithridates, king of Pontus, a bold and able soldier, formed the design
of uniting the Asiatic states and Greece in a vast confederacy against
the Roman dominion. He began by causing about eighty thousand Romans who
dwelt in the cities of Asia Minor to be massacred in one day (88 B. C.).
He then invaded Greece.
The command in this important war was eagerly sought by both Marius and
Sulla. Sulla prevailed; he was elected consul and put in command.
Marius, being chagrined at this, succeeded in having the popular party
set aside Sulla. But the aristocratic general marched to Rome and
compelled Marius to flee into Africa. Sulla then set out for Greece, all
of which submitted to him, the army of Mithridates being defeated (86-84
B. C.)