The Spartacus Slave Revolt
Rome's Tardy Reaction Resulted in a Costly Effort
The last great slave revolt took place in Italy, 125 years after Hannibal ravaged much of the same area. Led by Spartacus, a Thracian slave with superb leadership skills, the revolt was only crushed after Rome took it seriously and several armies had been defeated by the slaves. Many questions remain regarding the Spartacus revolt and historians often differ on the answers.
Beginning of the Slave Revolt
The slave revolt began in Capua when Spartacus and Crixus, a Gaul, escaped from the gladiatorial school with several dozen other slaves. Spartacus had been sold into slavery to train as a gladiator. Although there is no dispute as to his Thracian origin, historians speculate as to how he came to be a slave.
Oxford historian Philip Matyszak speculates that Spartacus might have been captured by the Romans during their Greek battles but concedes that he may have also served as a Roman auxiliary soldier who deserted and took up banditry. Historian Michael Grant accepts the view that Spartacus was indeed a product of Roman military training. This may explain why Spartacus knew Roman tactics and weaponry.
The escaped slaves made their way to Mt. Vesuvius, setting up a camp near a steep ridge. As word spread, other slaves and even some free men joined the group, swelling its numbers to 70,000. A dilatory Senate dispatched 3,000 men to destroy the encampment and end the revolt. Spartacus, however, outwitted them, attacked from the rear, and defeated the Romans.
Goals of the Slave Revolt
From all accounts it seems clear that Spartacus wanted to return home, planning to march north to the Alps and guiding the runaways to paths taking them back to their lands of origin. Crixus, however, convinced Spartacus to turn south and plunder the large estates, the latifundia.
By 72 BC, Rome, now sufficiently concerned, sent three armies against the slaves. Crixus, leading a separate group was defeated and killed. Two consular armies, however, were decisively defeated by Spartacus who then proceeded to kill all prisoners. Commanding over 100,000 men, he again marched north, threatening Rome itself.
Crassus and the Defeat of Spartacus
Although defeating a veteran Roman army, Spartacus again turned south, encamping at Rhegium. Having paid the Cilician Pirates to transport his army, which included wives and children (as well as his own wife), the slaves were betrayed when the pirates left them stranded. Some speculation exists – despite hard evidence, that Crassus had paid off the pirates.
Marcus Crassus, a protégé of Sulla and one of the wealthiest Romans, received the baton of leadership from the Senate with the full intent of destroying once and for all the slave army. Advancing south, his troops encircled Spartacus, constructing fortifications and barriers.
Although Spartacus broke through, he was defeated by Crassus. Spartacus died in the melee yet his body was never identified. Crassus, intending to deliver a harsh message, crucified 6,000 slaves along the Appian Way from Capua to Rome.
Another 5,000 slaves that had managed to elude Crassus and make their way north were slaughtered by Pompey, who had been recalled from Spain to help deal with the slave revolt. Part of the First Triumvirate, Pompey was as ambitious as Crassus, taking the credit for ending the slave revolt.
Why the Revolt Failed
Neither Spartacus nor any of his immediate leaders had any definite goals, other than the desire to return to their homelands. As the slave army grew, it lacked sustaining resources or allies. Like Hannibal a century earlier, the prolonged foray through Italy eventually wore down the army while the resolve of Rome only grew stronger.
Sources:
- Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel J. Gargola, and Richard J. A. Talbert, The Romans From Village to Empire: A History of Ancient Rome from Earliest Times to Constantine (Oxford University Press, 2004)
- Michael Grant, History of Rome (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1978)
- Philip Matyszak, The Enemies of Rome From Hannibal to Attila the Hun (Thames and Hudson, 2004)
Spartacus trained to become a gladiator
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