Mithridates VI. Eupator Dionysos führte im 1. Jhdt. v.u.Z. drei Kriege gegen die Römer. Im Jahre 88 geriet der römische Legat Manius Aquillius, der andere Könige zum Krieg gegen Mithridates aufgestachelt hatte, in dessen Gefangenschaft, nachdem er nach einer schweren Niederlage nach Mytilene auf Lesbos geflohen und von dort ausgeliefert worden war.
[quote]1. Appian: Die Mithradatischen Kriege

Not long afterward he [Mithradates] captured Manius Aquilius, the prime instigator of this embassy and this war. Mithridates led him around, bound on an ass, and proclaiming himself as Manius to all who saw him. Finally, at Pergamus, Mithridates poured molten gold down his throat, thus rebuking the Romans for their bribe-taking.

[21]


2. Plinius der Ältere: Naturgeschichte

Nor was it now some Roman citizen, but King Mithridates who disgraced the whole name of Roman when he poured molten gold into the mouth of the General Aquilius whom he had taken prisoner.

[III 48]


3. Athenaios von Naukratis: Das Gelehrtenmahl (= Poseidonios)

[...] while the ex-consul Manius Aquilius, who celebrated a triumph after his campaign in Sicily (1), is dragged along on foot by a horseman, bound together by a long chain with a Bastarnian five cubits tall.

[213 B]

(1) für die Niederschlagung des dortigen Sklavenaufstandes 104-101 v.u.Z.