Battle of Orchomenus

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Battle of Orchomenus
Part of First Mithridatic War
Date 85 BC
Location Orchomenus, Beotia (modern Greece)
Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic Pontus
Commanders
Sulla Archelaus

The Battle of Orchomenus was fought in 85 BC between Rome and the forces of Mithridates VI of Pontus. The Roman army was led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla, while Mithridates' army was led by Archelaus. The Roman force was victorious, and Archelaus later defected to Rome.

Archelaus, who had received reinforcements from Mithridates and from his Greek allies, again outnumbered Sulla by about the same margin as at Chaeronea. Sulla, contemptuous of his adversaries, but exercising judicious care in his plans and preparations, again used field fortifications to assist him in advancing against the sluggish foes, defeating by a decisive envelopment. Sulla now prepared to invade Asia.