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his absence； was made lord of almost all that power which Sylla only
obtained by force of arms； after a conquest of the very city itself。
When Pompey had advice by letters of the decree； it is said that
in the presence of his friends； who came to give him joy of his
honour； he seemed displeased； frowning and smiting his thigh； and
exclaimed as ore over…burdened and weary of government； 〃Alas； what
a series of labours upon labours！ If I am never to end my service as a
soldier； nor to escape from this invidious greatness and live at
home in the country with my wife； I had better have been an unknown
man。〃 But all this was looked upon as mere trifling； neither indeed
could the best of his friends call it anything else； well knowing that
his enmity with Lucullus； setting a flame just now to his natural
passion for glory and empire； made him feel more than usually
gratified。
As indeed appeared not long afterwards by his actions； which clearly
unmasked him； for； in the first place； he sent out his proclamations
into all quarters； commanding the soldiers to join him； and summoned
all the tributary kings and princes within his charge； and in short；
as soon as he had entered upon his province； he left nothing unaltered
that had been done and established by Lucullus。 To some he remitted
their penalties； and deprived others of their rewards； and acted in
all respects as if with the express design that the admirers of
Lucullus might know that all his authority was at an end。
Lucullus expostulated by friends； and it was thought fitting that
there should be a meeting betwixt them； and accordingly they met in
the country of Galatia。 As they were both great and successful
generals； their officers bore their rods before them all wreathed with
branches of laurel； Lucullus came through a country full of green
trees and shady woods； but Pompey's march was through a cold and
barren district。 Therefore the lictors of Lucullus； perceiving that
Pompey's laurels were withered and dry； helped him to some of their
own； and adorned and crowned his rods with fresh laurels。 This was
thought ominous； and looked as if Pompey came to take away the
reward and honour of Lucullus's victories。 Lucullus had the priority
in the order of consulships； and also in age； but Pompey's two
triumphs made him the greater man。 Their first addresses in this
interview were dignified and friendly； each magnifying the other's
actions； and offering congratulations upon his success。 But when
they came to the matter of their conference or treaty； they could
agree on no fair or equitable terms of any kind； but even came to
harsh words against each other； Pompey upbraiding Lucullus with
avarice； and Lucullus retorting ambition upon Pompey； so that their
friends could hardly part them。 Lucullus remaining in Galatia； made
a distribution of the lands within his conquests； and gave presents to
whom he pleased； and Pompey encamping not far distant from him； sent
out his prohibitions； forbidding the execution of any of the orders of
Lucullus； and commanded away all his soldiers； except sixteen hundred；
whom he thought likely to be unserviceable to himself； being
disorderly and mutinous； and whom he knew to be hostile to Lucullus；
and to these acts he added satirical speeches； detracting openly
from the glory of his actions； and giving out that the battles of
Lucullus had been but with the mere stage…shows and idle pictures of
royal pomp； whereas the real war against a genuine army； disciplined
by defeat； was reserved to him； Mithridates having now begun to be
in earnest； and having betaken himself to his shields； swords； and
horses。 Lucullus； on the other side； to be even with him； replied；
that Pompey came to fight with the mere image and shadow of war； it
being his usual practice； like a lazy bird of prey； to come upon the
carcass when others had slain the dead； and to tear in pieces the
relics of a war。
Thus he had appropriated to himself the victories over Sertorius；
over Lepidus； and over the insurgents under Spartacus； whereas this
last had been achieved by Crassus； that obtained by Catulus； and the
first won by Metellus。 And therefore it was no great wonder that the
glory of the Pontic and Armenian war should be usurped by a man who
had condescended to any artifices to work himself into the honour of a
triumph over a few runaway slaves。
After this Lucullus went away； and Pompey having placed his whole
navy in guard upon the seas betwixt Phoenicia and Bosphorus； himself
marched against Mithridates； who had a phalanx of thirty thousand
foot； with two thousand horse； yet durst not bid him battle。 He had
encamped upon a strong mountain where it would have been hard to
attack him； but abandoned it in no long time as destitute of water。 No
sooner was be gone but Pompey occupied it； and observing the plants
that were thriving there； together with the hollows which he found
in several places； conjectured that such a plot could not be without
springs； and therefore ordered his men to sink wells in every
corner。 After which there was； in a little time； great plenty of water
throughout all the camp； insomuch that he wondered how it was possible
for Mithridates to be ignorant of this； during all that time of his
encampment there。 After this Pompey followed him to his next camp； and
there drawing lines round about him； shut him in。 But he； after having
endured a siege of forty…five days； made his escape secretly； and fled
away with all the best part of his army； having first put to death all
the sick and unserviceable。 Not long after Pompey overtook him again
near the banks of the river Euphrates； and encamped close by him；
but fearing lest he should pass over the river and give him the slip
there too； he drew up his army to attack him at midnight。 And at
that very time Mithridates； it is said； saw a vision in his dream
foreshowing what should come to pass。 For he seemed to be under sail
in the Euxine Sea with a prosperous gale； and just in view of
Bosphorus； discoursing pleasantly with the ship's company； as one
overjoyed for his past danger and present security； when on a sudden
he found himself deserted of all； and floating upon a broken plank
of the ship at the mercy of the sea。 Whilst he was thus labouring
under these passions and phantasms； his friends came and awaked him
with the news of Pompey's approach； who was now indeed so near at hand
that the fight must be for the camp itself； and the commanders
accordingly drew up the forces in battle array。
Pompey perceiving how ready they were and well prepared for
defence began to doubt with himself whether he should put it to the
hazard of a fight in the dark； judging it more prudent to encompass
them only at present； lest they should fly； and to give them battle
with the advantage of numbers the next day。 But his oldest officers
were of another opinion； and by entreaties and encouragements obtained
permission that they might charge them immediately。 Neither was the
night so very dark； but that； though the moon was going down； it yet
gave light enough to discern a body； and indeed this was one
especial disadvantage to the king's