1. And Rome, because it needed to deal with Mithridates, would be able to have a sphere of influence in the territory to the west.

2. "And the more, madame, " said Monte Cristo, "as the Orientals do not confine themselves, as did Mithridates, to make a cuirass of his poisons, but they also made them a dagger.

3. He reminded his audience of events in 88BC, when the same Mithridates invaded the Roman province of Asia, on the western coast of Turkey.

4. Cicero was arguing that Pompey the Great should be given military command against Mithridates VI, king of Pontus on the Black sea coast of what is now Turkey.

5. He went east because of problems in Asia Minor perpetrated by Mithridates VI of Pontus, who had designs on territory within Rome's sphere of influence.

6. "I have often read, and read again, the history of Mithridates, " said Madame de Villefort in a tone of reflection, "and had always considered it a fable.