Siege of Heraclea

Siege of Heraclea
Part of the Third Mithridatic War
Date 72–71 BC Location Heraclea Pontica, Bithynia (modern-day Karadeniz Ereğli, Zonguldak, Turkey) 41°17′5″N 31°24′53″E / 41.28472°N 31.41472°E / 41.28472; 31.41472 Result Roman victory Excessive plunder and destruction of Heraclea
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Kingdom of Pontus
Commanders and leaders
Marcus Aurelius Cotta Gaius Valerius Triarius	Connacorex
Strength
	4,000 men (Mithridatic garrison)
class=notpageimage| Location within Turkey

The siege of Heraclea (72–71 BC) was a military investment of the city of Heraclea Pontica during the Third Mithridatic War. The siege was conducted by the Roman proconsul Marcus Aurelius Cotta (by land) and the legate Gaius Valerius Triarius (by sea). They were besieging the adherents of Mithridates of Pontus, who held the city for the Pontic king. Heraclea was located on the strategically important northern land route into the kingdom of Pontus and had been taken and garrisoned by Mithridates on his retreat from the Siege of Cyzicus. The 4,000-man strong Mithridatic garrisoned was commanded by Connacorex, one of the king's generals, and held out for almost two years. After taking Heraclea, the Romans plundered the city extensively.^[1]