Mithradatic Wars and Roman Weapons from Kurul Fortress

Abstract

Kurul Fortress in Ordu is one of the many fortresses constructed during the reign of Mithradates VI Eupator Dionysus (120-63 BC), a significant figure in the Hellenistic Pontic Kingdom in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea regions. The large number of these fortresses is due to the king’s struggle with the Roman Republic. Three major wars occured between Mithradates VI and Rome. The last of these wars (74-63 BC), known as the Mithradatic Wars, mostly consisted of the battles that took place in the Black Sea region. During this last war, Pontos was exposed to two major Roman invasions, first under the command of Lucullus and then under the command of Pompeius. While the initial damage to Mithradates’ fortresses occurred during Lucullus’ campaign, the real destruction occurred as a result of Pompey’s campaign. The Roman army commanded by Pompey destroyed all the fortresses of Mithradates VI and made them unusable. Kurul Fortress is one of the most important settlements that contains traces of this destruction. The large number of weapons and missiles found in the Kurul Fortress, which was never inhabited again after the Roman invasion, is evidence of what happened at that time. Most of the weapons and missiles associated with the last building phase, which coincided with the invasion of Pompey. The presence of traditional Roman weapons such as pila, javelin and spear-sickle (Falx muralis) among these weapons are the most important military technologies that point to the perpetrators of the destruction in the Kurul Fortress.