Spartacus Slave Revolt
The revolt led by Spartacus (73-71 BCE) was the largest slave rebellion in Roman history and the third of the Servile Wars. Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator, escaped from a gladiatorial school at Capua with about seventy followers and established a camp on Mount Vesuvius, attracting runaway slaves until his force swelled to an estimated 70,000-120,000. He defeated several Roman armies in pitched battle, demonstrating tactical skill unusual for a slave leader. The ultimate goal of the rebels remains debated: some sources suggest Spartacus intended to lead his followers out of Italy across the Alps, but was prevented by his own army's refusal to abandon the profitable raiding of Italy. Marcus Licinius Crassus eventually cornered and destroyed the rebel army in Lucania; six thousand captured rebels were crucified along the Appian Way from Capua to Rome. Spartacus himself died in the final battle; his body was never identified.
- Category: Military
