Mithridates the Great: Rome’s Indomitable Enemy by Philip Matyszak (PDF)

Description

This military biography of the ancient King of Pontus, one of the Roman Republic’s greatest rivals, draws on a wealth of new scholarly evidence. Fought between the Roman Republic and the Kingdom of Pontus, the Mithridatic wars stretched over half a century and two continents. Their story is one of pitched battles, epic sieges, double-crosses, world-class political conniving, assassinations and general treachery. Through it all, one rogue character stands out among the rest. Mithridates VI of Pontus was a connoisseur of poisons, arch-schemer and strategist. He was as resilient in defeat as he was savage in victory. Few leaders went to war with Rome and lived to tell the tale, but in the first half of the first century BCE, Mithridates did so three times. At the high point of his career his armies swept the Romans out of Asia Minor and Greece, reversing a century of Roman expansion in the region. Even after fortune had turned against Mithridates, he did not submit. Up until the day he died, a fugitive driven to suicide by the treachery of his own son, he was still planning an overland invasion of Roman itself.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I knew of Mithridites, but I didn’t know that much besides him trying to recreate the legions. I read lots of military histories and have been on a rampage binging ancient Greek/Roman/Byzantine/Venetian military histories this year. I was pleasantly surprised to find this is one of—if not the—best book I’ve read this year.So for starters, this book is excellently written. Moreover, despite not knowing the author or much about Mithridites, this book is probably the best book I’ve read this year—which says a lot given how many great books I’ve read this year (runner up is either Frankopan’s Silk Roads or Adrian Goldworthy’s Fall of Carthage).Aside from an epic story, the author does a best-in-class job setting the stage and explaining the landscape of Asia Minor at the turn of the first century BC. He mentioned Adrian Goldworthy—whose books I love—helped edit, but this author really edited his text to make this book extremely easy to follow. Also, it’s short. I find most books to be significantly longer than they need to be. The author is absurdly efficient in his writing. There’s no wasted space.Aside from being exceptionally written, the underlying material is exceptional, and I’m stunned it doesn’t get the same treatment by historians as the Punic Wars or Caesar’s Gaullic wars.I’m a little stunned there isn’t an Audible version of this. The good news: this book is so well written that it’s a breeze on kindle.Good job Philip Matyszak. I’m so impressed that I will read every other book this guy writes.

⭐I can’t say enough about this book. Philip Matyszak has taken the rather obscure figure of Mithridates and managed to relate a tale so compelling and entertaining that I would go so far as to call it a page-turner. The ancient world during this period seems rather a mess. After the breakup of Alexanders short-lived empire there ensued the wars of succession, with countries and boundaries shifting rapidly. Rome had yet to ascend to the all-powerful entity it would become and it seemed anyones game. Mithridates was a major player in this game and gave Rome a run for her money for a time. I had heard Mithridates mentioned in other reading I’ve done on this period, but had no idea of the details of his reign. This book brings to life the story of that reign.

⭐We all know Of Hannibal Alexander Caesar. Maybe Pompey and Scipio. But for over 100 years the reigns of Mithradites down to Mithradites IV had year after year truce after truce treaty after treaty pop out from Asia Minor with an army sometimes over twice as large as Rome and invade Territories of Greece. Scipio Africanus deafeater of Hannibal subdued him. Sulla the first dictator to march on rome subdued mithradites. Until finnaly Pompey stopped settling for terms and killed him.Mithradites came from Asia. And his recources for war were right on the borders of the territory of Rome furthest from her empire. In other words by the time raised enough money and troops to confront him. Mithradites sacked greek cities making him rich which would have gone in the roman treasury and forced alliances with Greeks by intimidation recruiting from these people. In other words gaining military expense at the cost of Rome before Rome could march out to meet him.Mithradites is almost as an important part of History as Hannibal. Arguably Pyrrhus of Epirus. But more than any of these two more capable generals he may be the best example as to how the roman government/military dealt with invasions at the borders of their empire when the cost of supporting an army. Marching them. Policy of natives in the area and overall recruitment and preporations required to maintain an empire with borders stretching over vast territories terrains and hardships before the enemies of Rome ever layer eyes on those they had invaded.

⭐Another compelling and readable book on ancient history by Matyszak. Literally can”t wait to purchase another.Where were these books when I was majoring in history 45years ago ??

⭐A wonderful book that is both easy and compelling to read. The author brings ancient history to life and we can see that humanity has changed very little over thousands of years. Read this and then read The Expedition of Cyrus by Xenephon which takes place in the same region but some centuries before. If you like history you will really enjoy both these books.

⭐This book is a good introduction to the Mithridatic Wars for young readers. Matyszak’s writing style, as always, is engaging and humourous, but there are some errors and inconsistencies. The very first sentence of the book is incorrect–giving Mithridates’ birth date as 120 BC. That is the actually the year that his reign began

⭐I didn’t know much about Mithridates before I read this book only that he was one of Rome’s great foes, so this book was new to me. It is well written and very informative and gives you a good history of the time.

⭐Philip Matyszak book is wonderful great detail and understanding about one of the ancient worlds most fascinating characters and his relentless pursuit of Rome and detailed account of Sulla and Lucullus campaign against Mithridates is the work of a first class historian. I would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in the history of the Roman Republic.

⭐Read it three times.

⭐Very interesting and comprehensive coverage.

⭐delivered as described

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