Mithridatic War Mithridates VI.
Formerly part of the Roman Empire, Commagene and its governor, Mithridates I, declared independence.
After losing the Third Mithridatic War, Mithridates VI retreated and prepared to wage a
new war against the Romans.
Mithridates I of Parthia(r. c. 171-138 BC)
greatly expanded the empire by seizing Media and Mesopotamia from the Seleucids.
For instance, Mithridates VI, King of Pontius(around 100BC)
had a recipe for counteracting certain poisons with the principle ingredient being carrot seeds.
Mithridates reasoned that, by drinking the blood of these animals, he could acquire the similar
resistance to the snake venom as the animals feeding on the snakes.
When Mithridates I died in 64 BC,
his son Antiochus I claimed the crown and took his tiny kingdom's independence further, signing treaties with both Rome and the Parthians.