1When he thought he had established this firmly enough, he informs Datames that it was time for greater undertakings to be prepared and for war to be undertaken against the king himself, and that, if he agreed, he should come to a conference about the matter at whatever place he wished. 1The proposal being approved, a time for the conference is chosen and a place where they were to meet. 2Mithridates came here some days beforehand with one man whom he trusted most, buried swords separately in several places, and carefully marks those places. 2On the very day of the conference, each side sends men to examine the place and to search the two principals themselves; 2then they met in person.
3When they had been in conference here for some time and had parted in different directions, and Datames was already far off, Mithridates, before he reached his own men, so as not to arouse any suspicion, returns to the same place and sat down at the spot where a weapon had been buried, as if he wished to rest from weariness, and called Datames back, pretending that he had forgotten something in the conference. 4Meanwhile he brought out the weapon that lay hidden, drew it from its sheath and covered it with his clothing, and said to Datames as he approached that, as he was leaving, he had noticed a certain spot, which was in view, that was suitable for pitching a camp.
5While he was pointing to it with his finger and Datames looked round, he ran him through from behind with the sword, and killed him before anyone could come to help. 5So that man, who had taken many by strategy but none by treachery, was taken by pretended friendship.