Mithradates VI Eupator, king of Pontus, took advantage of Rome's troubles with its allies and invaded the neighbouring regions of Bithynia and Cappadocia. After massacring the Italian residents of Asia, he reached Greece and gained the support of Athens.
Bouchard, Elsa. "First Mithradatic War". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 March 2010
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=11388, accessed 05 December 2013.]