Lucullus has by early 68 won victories in many battles against Mithridates, including those at Cyzicus, Cabira, and Tigranocerta.

Lucullus marches against Tigranes in the summer of 68 BCE.

Crossing the Ante-Taurus range, he forces his way north, heading for the old Armenian capital Artaxata.

Once again Tigranes is provoked to attack and in a major battle at the Arsanias River, Lucullus once again routs the Armenian army.

He now prepares to subjugate the rest of Armenia, but he had launched this campaign too late in the year.

When the wintry season comes on early in the Armenian Tablelands, frustrated by the rough mountainous terrain and inhospitable winter climate, and seeing the worsening morale of his troops, Lucullus moves back south.