On the way, he heard reports that Dorylaeus had landed at Chalcis with a sizeable fleet transporting eighty thousand of Mithridates' best troops to reinforce Archelaus.

After a skirmish with Sulla's troops, Dorylaeus began to rethink the idea of giving battle and instead promoted a strategy designed to wear the enemy down.

On the other hand, Archelaus' confidence was raised by the flat terrain around their camp at Orchomenus, which favoured their superior cavalry.

Archelaus recognized Sulla's strategy, and launched several attacks on the soldiers digging the trenches and ditches.

Sulla saved his army by making his stand on the earthworks and bellowing to his wavering troops:[2] "Orchomenos!

Sulla had his army arranged in three lines, though there were spaces between the files through which light infantry, and even cavalry could rush.

In the close quarters of the enemy camp the Roman legionaries with their short stabbing swords had a distinct advantage.

[8] While Sulla was away fighting Mithridates, Rome was suffering from civil disorder at the hands of the two consuls of 85 BC, Lucius Cornelius Cinna and Gnaeus Papirius Carbo, prompting eminent members of Roman society to flee to Sulla's camp, including his wife Metella and their children.