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gave light enough to discern a body； and indeed this was one
especial disadvantage to the king's army。 For the Romans coming upon
them with the moon on their backs； the moon； being very low； and
just upon setting； cast the shadows a long way before their bodies；
reaching almost to the enemy； whose eyes were thus so much deceived
that not exactly discerning the distance； but imagining them to be
near at hand； they threw their darts at the shadows without the
least execution。 The Romans therefore； perceiving this； ran in upon
them with a great shout； but the barbarians； all in a panic； unable to
endure the charge； turned and fled； and were put to great slaughter；
above ten thousand being slain； the camp also was taken。 As for
Mithridates himself； he at the beginning of the onset； with a body
of eight hundred horse； charged through the Roman army； and made his
escape。 But before long all the rest dispersed； some one way； some
another； and he was left only with three persons； among whom was his
concubine； Hypsicratia； a girl always of a manly and daring spirit；
and the king called her on that account Hypsicrates。 She being attired
and mounted like a Persian horseman； accompanied the king in all his
flight； never weary even in the longest journey； nor ever failing to
attend the king in person； and look after his horse too； until they
came to Inora； a castle of the king's well stored with gold and
treasure。 From thence Mithridates took his richest apparel； and gave
it among those that had resorted to him in their flight； and so to
every one of his friends he gave a deadly poison； that they might
not fall into the power of the enemy against their wills。 From
thence he designed to have gone to Tigranes in Armenia； but being
prohibited by Tigranes； who put out a proclamation with a reward of
one hundred talents to any one that should apprehend him； he passed by
the headwaters of the river Euphrates and fled through the country
of Colchis。
Pompey in the meantime made an invasion into Armenia upon the
invitation of young Tigranes； who was now in rebellion against his
father； and gave Pompey a meeting about the river Araxes； which
rises near the head of Euphrates； but turning its course and bending
towards the east； falls into the Caspian Sea。 They two； therefore；
marched together through the country； taking in all the cities by
the way； and receiving their submission。 But King Tigranes； having
lately suffered much in the war with Lucullus； and understanding
that Pompey was of a kind and gentle disposition； admitted Roman
troops into his royal palaces； and taking along with him his friends
and relations； went in person to surrender himself into the hands of
Pompey。 He came as far as the trenches on horseback； but there he
was met by two of Pompey's lictors； who commanded him to alight and
walk on foot； for no man ever was seen on horseback within a Roman
camp。 Tigranes submitted to this immediately； and not only so； but
loosing his sword； delivered up that too； and last of all； as soon
as he appeared before Pompey； he pulled off his royal turban； and
attempted to have laid it at his feet。 Nay； worst of all； even he
himself had fallen prostrate as an humble suppliant at his knees had
not Pompey prevented it； taking him by the hand and placing him near
him； Tigranes himself on one side of him and his son upon the other。
Pompey now told him that the rest of his losses were chargeable upon
Lucullus； by whom he had been dispossessed of Syria； Phoenicia；
Cilicia； Galatia； and Sophene； but all that he had preserved to
himself entire till that time he should peaceably enjoy； paying the
sum of six thousand talents as a fine or penalty for injuries done
to the Romans； and that his son should have the kingdom of Sophene。
Tigranes himself was well pleased with these conditions of peace；
and when the Romans saluted him king； seemed to be overjoyed； and
promised to every common soldier half a mina of silver； to every
centurion ten minas； and to every tribune a talent； but the son was
displeased； insomuch that when he was invited to supper he replied；
that he did not stand in need of Pompey for that sort of honour； for
he would find out some other Roman to sup with。 Upon this he was put
into close arrest； and reserved for the triumph。
Not long after this Phraates； King of Parthia； sent to Pompey； and
demanded to have young Tigranes； as his son…in…law； given up to him；
and that the river Euphrates should be the boundary of the empires。
Pompey replied； that for Tigranes； he belonged more to his own natural
father than his father…in…law； and for the boundaries； he would take
care that they should be according to right and justice。
So Pompey； leaving Armenia in the custody of Afranius； went
himself in chase of Mithridates； to do which he was forced of
necessity to march through several nations inhabiting about Mount
Caucasus。 Of these the Albanians and Iberians were the two chiefest。
The Iberians stretch out as far as the Moschian mountains and the
Pontus； the Albanians lie more eastwardly； and towards the Caspian
Sea。 These Albanians at first permitted Pompey； upon his request； to
pass through the country； but when winter had stolen upon the Romans
whilst they were still in the country； and they were busy
celebrating the festival of Saturn； they mustered a body of no less
than forty thousand fighting men； and set upon them； having passed
over the river Cyrnus； which rising from the mountains of Iberia；
and receiving the river Araxes in its course from Armenia；
discharges itself by twelve mouths into the Caspian。 Or； according
to others； the Araxes does not fall into it； but they flow near one
another； and so discharge themselves as neighbours into the same
sea。 It was in the power of Pompey to have obstructed the enemy's
passage over the river； but he suffered them to pass over quietly； and
then leading on his forces and giving battle he routed them and slew
great numbers of them in the field。 The king sent ambassadors with his
submission； and Pompey upon his supplication pardoned the offence； and
making a treaty with him； he marched directly against the Iberians；
a nation no less in number than the other； but much more warlike；
and extremely desirous of gratifying Mithridates and driving out
Pompey。
These Iberians were never subject to the Medes or Persians； and they
happened likewise to escape the dominion of the Macedonians； because
Alexander was so quick in his march through Hyrcania。 But these also
Pompey subdued in a great battle； where there were slain nine thousand
upon the spot； and more than ten thousand taken prisoners。 From thence
he entered into the country of Colchis； where Servilius met him by the
river Phasis； bringing the fleet with which he was guarding the
Pontus。
The pursuit of Mithridates； who had thrown himself among the
tribes inhabiting Bosphorus and the shores of the Maeotian Sea；
presented great difficulties。 News was also brought to Pompey that the
Albanians had again revolted。 This made him turn back； out of anger
and determination not to be beaten by them； and with difficulty and
great danger passed back over the C