---
title: Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18467/map-of-the-roman-republic-on-the-eve-of-the-mithri/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-12-30
---

# Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18467.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18467.png)

## Image Caption

By the late 2nd century BCE, following its victories in the [Punic Wars](https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic_Wars/) (264–146 BCE), the [Roman Republic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Republic/) had become the dominant power in the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) world. [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) authority extended from the Iberian Peninsula and North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) to [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/), and western [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/), transforming a [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) republic into a far-reaching imperial system. This expansion was driven by sustained military campaigns, the creation of overseas provinces, and the growing influence of Roman elites whose power increasingly rested on [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/), wealth extraction, and control of [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) routes.

Yet [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)’s supremacy masked growing instability. In Asia Minor, [Mithridates VI](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mithridates_VI/) Eupator of Pontus (reign c. 120–63 BCE) emerged as the most serious challenger to Roman dominance, uniting regional opposition and exploiting local resentment toward Roman taxation and administration. Simultaneously, Mediterranean [piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) expanded dramatically, with pirate networks forming semi-autonomous power structures that disrupted commerce and exposed the limits of Roman naval control. These pressures revealed the vulnerabilities of Rome’s overstretched republican system and set the stage for the Mithridatic Wars (88–63 BCE), a series of conflicts that would reshape Roman foreign policy, accelerate internal political crises, and [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) a decisive step toward the end of the Republic.

*Special thanks to Joel Bellviure for sharing his knowledge and critical input.*

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2024, February 13). Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18467/map-of-the-roman-republic-on-the-eve-of-the-mithri/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 13, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18467/map-of-the-roman-republic-on-the-eve-of-the-mithri/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Roman Republic on the eve of the Mithridatic Wars." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Feb 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18467/map-of-the-roman-republic-on-the-eve-of-the-mithri/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 13 February 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.