O'lthacus
(
Ὀλθακός), a chief of the Scythian tribe of the Dandarians, who served in the arny of Mithridates the Great, and enjoyed a high place in the favour of that prince, but subsequently deserted to the Romans.
This was, however, according to Plutarch, a mere feint, for the purpose of obtatiinng access to Lucullus, and thus effecting his assassination; but being accidentally foiled in this project, he again returned to the camp of Mithridates. (
Plut. Luc. 16.) Appian, who also relates the same story (
Mlithr. 79), writes the name Olcabas.
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E.H.B]