Siege of Kyzik

The siege of Kizik (73 BC) - the siege of the city of Kizik by the Pontic forces during the Third Mithridates War . The unsuccessful completion of the siege for the Pontians marked the beginning of a turning point in the war in favor of Rome.

Siege of Kyzik
Main Conflict: Third Mithridates War
Kizik and surroundings
date	73 year BC e.
A place	Kyzik , Bithynia
Total	victory of the Romans
Opponents
Pontic Kingdom Roman republic
Commanders
Mithridates VI is unknown

In 74 BC e. the Pontic king Mithridates invaded Bithynia , thus beginning the third Mithridates war. He managed to defeat the Roman troops at Chalcedon . A new Roman army led by Lucullus approached Chalcedon. Lucullus avoided battle, preferring to drag out the war. Mithridates moved from Chalcedon to Kisik, hoping to quickly take him and continue the rapid offensive.

Pontians surrounded the city with moats and mounds. The first attack from the sea ended unsuccessfully. The assault from land was initially successful, but then, after the retreat of the Pontians, the Kizikis were able to close up a breach in the wall. The Kyzikites stubbornly resisted.

In the winter of 73-72 years BC e. the Pontic king faced a shortage of food for his army. Therefore, he decided to evacuate part of the army. At first, the cavalry began to retreat to Bithynia, however, it was attacked by Lucullus at the Rindak River and suffered heavy damage. After that, Mithridates decided to lift the siege and began to retreat with the main forces.