met MITHRADÁTES.

This monarch, who ruled over Pontus, was an extraordinary man. He
spoke many languages, was the idol, of his subjects, and had boundless
ambition. He doubted the durability of the Roman Empire, and began to
enlarge his own territory, with no apparent fear of Rome's
interference.

Cappadocia, a neighboring country, was under Roman protection, and was
ruled by a prince, ARIOBARZÁNES, that Rome had recognized. This
country Mithradátes attacked. He killed the prince, and placed on the
throne his own nephew.

Rome interfered, and Sulla was instructed to visit the monarch. He
accomplished his mission with his usual adroitness, and returned to
Rome with new honors. He took an active part in the Social War,
eclipsing the fame of his rival, Marius. He was now the recognized
leader of the conservative and aristocratic party. The feeling between
the rivals was more bitter than ever, for Marius, though old, had by
no means lost his prestige with the popular party.

It was at this time that Mithradátes, learning of the Social War,
thought it a good opportunity to advance his own interests and extend
his realm. He collected all his available forces, and invaded
Bithynia. With his fleets he sailed through the Dardanelles into the
Archipelago. The extortions of the Roman governors had been so great,
that Ionia, Lydia, and Caria, with all the islands near Asia Minor,
gladly revolted from Rome, and accepted his protection. All the Roman
residents with their families were massacred on a single day. It is
said that 80,000 persons perished. Mithradátes himself next crossed