The 81 BC siege of Mytilene was Julius Caesar's first documented military action, during which he earned the Civic Crown for saving a fellow soldier's life.
Key Facts
- Date
- 81 BC
- Conflict
- Second Mithridatic War
- Roman commander
- Marcus Minucius Thermus (governor of Asia)
- Caesar's honor
- Civic Crown (Corona Civica)
- Caesar's prior pardon
- Pardoned by Sulla during proscriptions of 82 BC
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Mytilene, capital of Lesbos, had revolted against Rome during the First Mithridatic War and was suspected of aiding pirates in the Aegean. When the island failed to surrender at the war's end, Rome determined that punitive action was required during the subsequent Second Mithridatic War.
Roman forces under Marcus Minucius Thermus, possibly coordinated with Lucius Licinius Lucullus, besieged and captured Mytilene in 81 BC. Julius Caesar, newly pardoned by the dictator Sulla, participated in his first military campaign and was awarded the Civic Crown for saving the life of a fellow Roman citizen during the fighting.
Mytilene was taken and brought back under Roman control. Caesar's receipt of the Civic Crown marked the beginning of his military reputation; the honor was among the most prestigious in the Roman military and recognized soldiers who directly preserved a citizen's life in battle.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Marcus Minucius Thermus, Lucius Licinius Lucullus, Julius Caesar.
Side B
1 belligerent