Re: Oltak

From: Torsten
Message: 67073
Date: 2011-01-11

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "tgpedersen" <tgpedersen@...> wrote:
>
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Piotr Gasiorowski
> <piotr.gasiorowski@...> wrote:
> > OK, just this once.
> >
> > (I'm back)
> >
>
> from Plutarch: Life of Lucullus
>
> There was in Mithridates's camp one Olthacus, a chief of the
> Dandarians, a barbarous people living near the lake Maeotis, a man
> remarkable for strength and courage in fight, wise in council, and
> pleasant and ingratiating in conversation. He, out of emulation,
> and a constant eagerness which possessed him to outdo one of the
> other chiefs of his country, promised a great piece of service to
> Mithridates, no less than the death of Lucullus. The king commended
> his resolution, and, according to agreement, counterfeited anger,
> and put some disgrace upon him; whereupon he took horse, and fled
> to Lucullus, who kindly received him, being a man of great name in
> the army. After some short trial of his sagacity and perseverance,
> he found way to Lucullus's board and council. The Dandarian,
> thinking he had a fair opportunity, commanded his servants to lead
> his horse out of the camp, while he himself, as the soldiers were
> refreshing and resting themselves, it being then high noon, went to
> the general's tent, not at all expecting that entrance would be
> denied to one who was so familiar with him, and came under
> pretence of extraordinary business with him. He had certainly been
> admitted had not sleep, which has destroyed many captains, saved
> Lucullus. For so it was, and Menedemus, one of the bedchamber, was
> standing at the door, who told Olthacus that it was altogether
> unseasonable to see the general, since, after long watching and
> hard labour, he was but just before laid down to repose himself.
> Olthacus would not go away upon this denial, but still persisted,
> saying that he must go in to speak of some necessary affairs,
> whereupon Menedemus grew angry, and replied that nothing was more
> necessary than the safety of Lucullus, and forced him away with
> both hands. Upon which, out of fear, he straightway left the camp,
> took horse, and without effect returned to Mithridates. Thus in
> action as in physic, it is the critical moment that gives both the
> fortunate and the fatal effect.
>
> cf. from Appian: Mithridatica
>
> XII, 79
>
> "
> ... At this junture, a Scythian, named Olcaba, who had been
> deserted to Lucullus some time before and had saved the lives of
> many in the recent cavalry fight, and for that reason was deemed
> worthy to share Lucullus' table, his confidence, and his secrets,
> came to his tent while he was taking his noonday rest and tried to
> force his way in. He was wearing a short dagger in his belt as was
> his custom. When he was prevented from entering he became angry and
> said that there was a pressing need that the general should be
> aroused. The servants replied that there was nothing more needful
> to Lucullus than his safety. Thereupon the Scythian mounted his
> horse and went immediately to Mithridates, either because he had
> plotted against Lucullus and now thought that he was suspected, or
> because he considered himself insulted and was angry on that
> account. He exposed to Mithridates another Scythian, named
> Sobadacus, who was meditating to Lucullus, and Sobadacus was
> accordingly arrested.
> "
>
> and ibd.
>
> XVII, 117
>
> "
> Before Pompey himself, at the head of the procession, went the
> satraps, sons, and generals of the kings against whom he had
> fought, who were present (some having been captured and others
> given as hostages) to the number of 324. Among them were ... .
> Olthaces, chief of the Colchians, was also led in the
> procession, ....
> "
>
Found another source to the same incident:
Frontinus, Strategemmata, II, 5, 30
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Frontinus/Strategemata/2*.html
'Mithridates, after repeated defeats in battle at the hands of Lucullus, made an attempt against his life by treachery, hiring a certain Adathas, a man of extraordinary strength, to desert and to perpetrate the deed, so soon as he should gain the confidence of the enemy. This plan the deserter did his best to execute, but his efforts failed. For, though admitted by Lucullus to the cavalry troop, he was quietly kept under surveillance, since it was neither well to put trust at once in a deserter, nor to prevent other deserters from coming. After this fellow had exhibited a ready and earnest devotion on repeated raids, and had won confidence, he chose a time when the dismissal of the staff-officers brought with it repose throughout the camp, and caused the general's headquarters to be less frequented. Chance favoured Lucullus; for whereas the deserter expected to find Lucullus awake, in which case he would have been at once admitted to his presence, he actually found him at that time fast asleep, exhausted with revolving plans in his mind the night before. Then when Adathas pleaded to be admitted, on the ground that he had an unexpected and imperative message to deliver, he was kept out by the determined efforts of the slaves, who were concerned for their master's health. Fearing consequently that he was an object of suspicion, he mounted the horse which he held in readiness outside the gate, and fled to Mithridates without accomplishing his purpose.'


Olthaces and Adathas may be versions of the same name.


Torsten