to Pompey's assistance, and to him was given the command by which he
became virtually dictator in the East. His operations there were
thoroughly successful, and, though he doubtless owed much to the
previous victories of Lucullus, he showed himself an able soldier.
Mithradátes was obliged to flee across the Black Sea to Panticapaeum
(Kertch).

In the year 64 Pompey went to Syria, took possession of the country in
the name of Rome, and made it a province.

Next he was invited to act as judge between Hyrcánus and Aristobúlus,
two aspirants to the Jewish throne. His decision was contrary to the
wishes of the people, and to enforce it he led his army against
Jerusalem, which he captured after a siege of three months. He
installed Hyrcánus on the throne on condition of an annual tribute.

Meanwhile Mithradátes had returned to Pontus for the prosecution of
his old design; but so great was the terror inspired by the Roman
arms, that even his own son refused to join him. Desperate at the turn
affairs had taken, the aged monarch put an end to his own life in 63,
after a reign of fifty-seven years. With him ceased for many years all
formidable opposition to Rome in Asia.

Besides Syria, Pontus, to which Bithynia was joined, and Crete were
now made provinces. Cilicia was reorganized, and enlarged by the
addition of Pamphylia and Isauria. The three countries in Asia Minor
not yet provinces, but dependencies, were Galatia, ruled by Deiotarus;
Cappadocia, by Ariobarzánes; and Paphlagonia, by Attalus.

After an absence of nearly seven years, Pompey returned to Rome,