The Siege of Mytilene occurred in 81 BC on the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea. Mytilene had been in revolt against Rome and was suspected of actively or tacitly aiding so called pirates in the region. Suetonius credits Marcus Minucius Thermus with the victory, but the siege may have been conducted by or in coordination with Lucius Licinius Lucullus. Julius Caesar began his military service during the siege after his pardon by Sulla during the proscriptions of 82 BC.