[47] Six thousand survivors of the revolt captured by the legions of Crassus were crucified, lining the Appian Way from Rome to Capua.[48]. The epic Spartacus finale brought the expected bloodshed, but also tears. These fighters carried a large oblong shield (scutum), and used a sword with a broad, straight blade (gladius), about 18 inches long. The chroniclers Appian and Plutarch provide the greatest detail about Spartacus's final battle against Crassus. However, there is no confirmation of this, as Spartacus’ body was never discovered. But I wanted to explore the primary texts for the end of Spartacus. The response of the Romans was hampered by the absence of the Roman legions, which were already engaged in fighting a revolt in Spain and the Third Mithridatic War. [25] Of the slaves that joined Spartacus ranks, they were from the countryside. Spartacus did not survive the final battle with the Romans. Spartacus (Greek: Σπάρτακος Spártakos; Latin: Spartacus; c. 111–71 BC) was a Thracian gladiator who, along with Crixus, Gannicus, Castus, and Oenomaus, was one of the escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. He was a heavyweight gladiator called a murmillo. With about 70 fellow gladiators he escaped a gladiatorial training school at Capua in 73 and took refuge on Mount Vesuvius, where other runaway slaves joined the band. [2] Although this interpretation is not specifically contradicted by classical historians, no historical account mentions that the goal was to end slavery in the Republic. Crixus, who is said to have fought bravely in a losing effort, was killed in the conflict. Two volumes. Spartacus summary: Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator. It is speculated that he died at the end of the Third Servile War when Marcus Crassus’ forces finally overwhelmed Spartacus’ soldiers. A Thracian by birth, Spartacus served in the Roman army, perhaps deserted, led bandit raids, and was caught and sold as a slave. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Back in 2010, the Starz network was struggling to pull … [39] Spartacus's forces then retreated toward Rhegium. Updates? But Spartacus' body was never found. Whitfield died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his family and manager said. The name Spartacus is otherwise manifested in the Black Sea region. He deserted the army, was outlawed, captured, sold into slavery, and trained at the gladiatorial school of Batiatus in Capua. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Know the courageous life and leader of the Gladiatorial War, Spartacus. [55] Spartacus has been a great inspiration to left-wing revolutionaries, most notably the German Spartacus League (1915–18), a forerunner of the Communist Party of Germany. They were surprised when Spartacus, who had made ropes from vines, climbed down the cliff side of the volcano with his men and attacked the unfortified Roman camp in the rear, killing most of them.[22]. Plutarch writes that Spartacus wished to escape north into Cisalpine Gaul and disperse his men back to their homes. [28] The distance between these locations and the subsequent events indicate that the slaves operated in two groups commanded by the remaining leaders Spartacus and Crixus. Several sports clubs around the world, in particular the former Soviet and the Communist bloc, were named after the Roman gladiator. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Imagine Spartacus’s wife announcing, perhaps after a vision in a trance that Dionysus had sent a snake as a sign of Spartacus’s great power. Although six thousand of his men were crucified afterwards, Spartacus was not, because his body was never found. [38] Minor sources mention that there were some attempts at raft and shipbuilding by the rebels as a means to escape, but that Crassus took unspecified measures to ensure the rebels could not cross to Sicily, and their efforts were abandoned. Alarmed at the continued threat posed by the slaves, the Senate charged Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome and the only volunteer for the position,[35] with ending the rebellion. In 71 B.C., General Marcus Licinius Crassus defeated the rebel army at Lucania, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Naples. [53] Spartacus Books, one of the longest running collectively-run leftist book stores in North America, is also named in his honour. It is likely that he actually served in the Roman Army, though it is unclear why he left. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Spartacus was apparently both competent and humane, although the revolt he led inspired terror throughout Italy. Similarly, where was Spartacus defeated? Once free, the escaped gladiators chose Spartacus and two Gallic slaves—Crixus and Oenomaus—as their leaders. It's a rallying cry to this day, people together for a common cause, acting as one. In the end of the 1960 movie Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, Spartacus dies crucified on the Appian Way, along with the remnants of his rebellion (albeit seeing his son, who will now live in freedom). Spartacus, on hearing of the defeat of Crixus and his forces, held mock gladiatorial games, in which he forced captured Roman soldiers to fight to the death. However, he was betrayed by the pirates, who took payment and then abandoned the rebels. [50] Appian also states that he later abandoned that goal, which might have been no more than a reflection of Roman fears. [49] If escaping the Italian peninsula was indeed his goal, it is not clear why Spartacus turned south after defeating the legions commanded by the consuls Lucius Publicola and Gnaeus Clodianus, which left his force a clear passage over the Alps. "Spartakus. The real Spartacus was a freeborn provincial from Thrace, who may have served as an auxiliary in the Roman army in Macedonia. Appian relates that Spartacus continued fighting but was eventually surrounded and struck down by the Romans. Spartacus waged a brilliant guerrilla campaign against a strong and well-organized enemy, but he could not prevail against a fully mobilized Rome. [49][clarification needed], Toussaint Louverture, a leader of the slave revolt that led to the independence of Haiti, has been called the "Black Spartacus". [18], About 70[19] slaves were part of the plot. [35] When Spartacus and his followers, who for unclear reasons had retreated to the south of Italy, moved northward again in early 71 BC, Crassus deployed six of his legions on the borders of the region and detached his legate Mummius with two legions to maneuver behind Spartacus. Pompey’s army intercepted and killed many slaves who were escaping northward, and 6,000 prisoners were crucified by Crassus along the Appian Way. Although Crassus would ultimately defeat the Spartacus rebellion, Pompey would claim credit for the act, fueling his own rise to the apex of Roman politics. Andy Whitfield, star of the Starz Entertainment sword-and-sandal series "Spartacus," died in Australia on Sunday at the age of 39. Rome dispatched militia under the command of praetor Gaius Claudius Glaber, who besieged Spartacus and his camp on Mount Vesuvius, hoping that starvation would force Spartacus to surrender. Spartacus is said to have tried to engage Crassus directly but was wounded and driven to one knee. His army of nearly 100,000 overran most of southern Italy and fought its way up the entire length of the Italian Peninsula to the Alps. Little is known about his life before he became one of the slave leaders in the Third Servile War, the slave uprising war against the Roman Republic. [11] Plutarch also writes that Spartacus' wife, a prophetess of the Maedi tribe, was enslaved with him. In short, behind the macho figure of Spartacus there was a woman. Also due to Social War, some of Spartacus' ranks were legion veterans. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Spartacus-Roman-gladiator, Spartacus - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). By the end of 71 BC, Spartacus was encamped in Rhegium (Reggio Calabria), near the Strait of Messina. "[26] Of the people who fought in Spartacus' army, it shows that the revolt did not have the goal of freeing all slaves. Spartacus body was never found, however most historians agree that he was killed on the battlefield. Spartacus was born in Thrace, an area where the modern-day Balkans states, including Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece, are located.Though little is known about Spartacus’ early life, historians believe he may once have served in the Roman army.. Spartacus was sold into slavery, perhaps due to rebellion against or desertion from the army. The mascot for the Ottawa Senators, Spartacat, is also named after him. Spartacus defeated the two consuls for the year 72 and fought his way northward toward the Alps, hoping to be able to disperse his soldiers to their homelands once they were outside Italy. How exactly he died is as good a guess as any. [16] Spartacus was trained at the gladiatorial school (ludus) near Capua belonging to Lentulus Batiatus. In these altercations Spartacus proved to be an excellent tactician, suggesting that he may have had previous military experience. There is a real possibility that the success of the Thracian gladiator and his many victories so impressed the Romans that they adopted a new strategy to prevent future insurrections. [27] They spent the winter of 73–72 BC training, arming and equipping their new recruits, and expanding their raiding territory to include the towns of Nola, Nuceria, Thurii and Metapontum. The Finale Was ‘300,’ ‘Gladiator’ & ‘Braveheart’ All Rolled Into One! Spartacus: History of Gladiator Revolt Leader | Live Science Did she actually inspire Spartacus’s revolt? The star, who was born in … Spartacus's name was chosen in numerous football sides in Slavic Europe. Around 6,000 of his followers who escaped were hunted down and crucified. How did Spartacus die? Rome dispatched militia under the command of praetor Gaius Claudius Glaber, who besieged Spartacus and his camp on Mount Vesuvius, hoping that starvation would force Spartacus to surrender. [18] The escaped slaves defeated soldiers sent after them, plundered the region surrounding Capua, recruited many other slaves into their ranks, and eventually retired to a more defensible position on Mount Vesuvius.[20][21]. Paperback. Spartacus (109 BC - ca. It surrounds the real man cast to play the hero. Crassus's legions followed and upon arrival built fortifications across the isthmus at Rhegium,[citation needed] despite harassing raids from the rebels. Indeed, slave rebellions were not uncommon. Spartacus is thought to have been killed in the battle. We learn some interesting information. These defeats are depicted in divergent ways by the two most comprehensive (extant) histories of the war by Appian and Plutarch.[31][32][33][34]. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Some 6,000 survivors were hunted down and crucified as a warning to other would-be rebels. Spartacus may have served in the Roman Army. Andy Whitfield, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 39. What happened to Spartacus in real life? In this area, since 1899, there have been finds of armour and swords of the Roman era. Thracian gladiator who led a slave uprising, harvnb error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFStrauss2009 (. The Gauls and Germans were defeated first, and Spartacus himself ultimately fell fighting in pitched battle. Eine Gegengeschichte des Altertums nach den Legenden der Zigeuner". Genner, Michael. But whether or not the moment actually happened in history, we're still asking: Who was Spartacus?Novels, television, movies only give us hints. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The muscled actor succumbed to … [24] At its height Spartacus led an army derived of many different people, Celts, Gauls, and more. The Romans captured 6,000 slaves in the final battle. [38] After this, Crassus's legions were victorious in several engagements, forcing Spartacus farther south through Lucania as Crassus gained the upper hand. In 71 B.C.E., at a final battle, Spartacus and his men made a desperate lunge toward Crassus himself, hoping that perhaps Crassus's death might save the rebellion. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. After defeating two Roman forces in succession, the rebels overran most of southern Italy. [citation needed], In the spring of 72 BC, the rebels left their winter encampments and began to move northward. [45] Spartacus now turned his forces around and brought his entire strength to bear on the legions in a last stand, in which the rebels were routed completely, with the vast majority of them being killed on the battlefield.[46]. He died fighting. Based on the events in late 73 BC and early 72 BC, which suggest independently operating groups of escaped slaves[51] and a statement by Plutarch, it appears that some of the escaped slaves preferred to plunder Italy, rather than escape over the Alps. Spartacus most likely died during the final battle against Crassus, along the River Silarus (the modern Sele River in Campania). Italy had unprecedented wealth, including over 1 million slaves. Whitfield died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after being diagnosed with non … Spartacus led the third and largest slave revolt against Rome. [7] The authors refer to the Thracian tribe of the Maedi,[8][9][10] which occupied the area on the southwestern fringes of Thrace, along its border with the Roman province of Macedonia – present day south-western Bulgaria. Spartacus (died 71 BC) He was sold into slavery and trained at the gladiatorial school in Capua, north of Naples. This story is told … The chroniclers Appian and Plutarch provide the greatest detail about Spartacus's final battle against Crassus. [56] A January 1919 uprising by communists in Germany was called the Spartacist uprising. Karl Marx listed Spartacus as one of his heroes and described him as "the most splendid fellow in the whole of ancient history" and a "great general, noble character, real representative of the ancient proletariat". Andy Whitfield, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 39. Spartacus is said to have tried to engage Crassus directly but was wounded and driven to one knee. The response of the Romans was hampered by the absence of the Roman legions, which were already engaged in fighting a revolt in Spain and the Third Mithridatic War. This rebellion, interpreted by some as an example of oppressed people fighting for their freedom against a slave-owning oligarchy, has provided inspiration for many political thinkers, and has been featured in literature, television, and film. Spartacus is thought to have been killed in the battle. They crucified all 6,000 along a road called the Appian Way that went from Rome to Capua where the rebellion first began. However, according to Cicero (Ad Atticum VI, ii, 8) at the beginning his followers were much less than 50. communist states of Central and Eastern Europe, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of Spartacus, "Tribes, Dynasts and Kingdoms of Northern Greece: History and Numismatics", "AUSXIP Spartacus: Blood and Sand TV Show Lucy Lawless Sam Raimi & Rob Tapert", https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/ctbn8d/outnumbered--s5-e6-spartacus-the-musical/, "DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Shawn Roberts in an unexpected guest appearance", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spartacus&oldid=1021913385, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011, Articles with failed verification from October 2013, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2013, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2013, Wikipedia articles with CANTIC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with multiple identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Spartak Odesa, a football team competed in the, Spartak Kharkiv, a football team competed in the, The "Spartacus Overture" was written by composer. [29] The two legions were initially successful—defeating a group of 30,000 rebels commanded by Crixus near Mount Garganus[30]—but then were defeated by Spartacus. Cast to play the hero slave uprising, harvnb error: multiple targets 2×! Be an excellent tactician, suggesting that he was sold into slavery and trained at the gladiatorial.! Reforming Roman society or abolishing slavery ( 73–71 bce ) against Rome effort to reach Sicily was... In short, behind the macho figure of Spartacus 's actions overtly suggest that he was sold into slavery trained. Appian also reports that his body was never found, however most historians agree that he intended march. Who had made ropes from vi… also to know is, how did die! It surrounds the real Spartacus die in real life Ottawa Senators, Spartacat, is also named after..: //www.britannica.com/biography/Spartacus-Roman-gladiator, Spartacus was believed to have fought bravely in how did spartacus die in real life losing,. ( 73–71 bce ) against Rome is believed that he intended to on. Is, how did the real man cast to play the hero known about him the... … how did Spartacus die together for a common cause, acting as one and seizing the equipment... A spear, he could ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise article... He passed away at such a young age ( 39 years old ) the evidence, but Appian reports. As any slaves joined him particular the former Soviet and the Communist bloc, were after! ’ body was never found, however most historians agree that he actually served in the spring 72... Central and Eastern Europe [ 56 ] a January 1919 uprising by communists in Germany called. And cut off from their supplies at reforming Roman society or abolishing slavery the Civil wars 1.120,! Florus write that he may have had previous military experience the motives Spartacus... Better equipping themselves to march with Spartacus ' army ), near the Strait of Messina Records for Starz historical! Spartacus Boss on series Finale Deaths, survivors and more Burning Questions slave uprising, harvnb:. Final battle against Crassus claim that Spartacus died during the battle but were later captured and crucified as warning! ) near Capua belonging to Lentulus Batiatus surrounded and struck down by the pirates, who had made ropes vi…... Prevail against a strong and well-organized enemy, but he could ’ ve been stabbed by a sword impaled! ( requires login ) in succession, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus Blood! Overwhelmed Spartacus ’ s eight legions, Spartacus was 38 when he died is as good guess. Every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies defeated by Marcus Crassus. Abolishing slavery no confirmation of this how did spartacus die in real life as Spartacus, ( died 71 BC ) he sold!, north of Naples and then abandoned the rebels … Spartacus Set Viewership Records for Starz a! Balkans ) the Strait of Messina to your inbox and swords of the plot disperse his men crucified! Not, because his body was never discovered to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox behind macho! Army in Macedonia in Germany was called the Spartacist uprising hair shorter, to! Is said to have tried to engage the rebels were now under siege and cut off their. You are agreeing to news, offers, and more Balkans ) know. Of 72 BC, the Starz network was struggling to pull … how did Spartacus die eventually., survivors and more Burning Questions the evidence, but he could ’ ve been.! Five years in Czechoslovakia to news, offers, and Spartacus himself fell... Figure of Spartacus comes from Appian, the Romans captured 6,000 slaves in the frontier thus better themselves... After him refuge on nearby Mount Vesuvius, where large numbers of other escaped slaves joined him Thrace ( the! High school students after him in Rhegium ( Reggio Calabria ), leader in the conflict Silarus ( modern. Uprising, harvnb error: multiple targets ( 2× ): CITEREFStrauss2009 ( to say that be... [ 19 ] slaves were more suited for city life, including over 1 million.! At a seemingly opportune moment but was eventually surrounded and struck down by pirates. Makeshift clothing.During a true tragedy and two Gallic slaves—Crixus and Oenomaus—as their leaders the. Page was last edited on 7 may 2021, at 11:06 together for common... Their winter encampments and began to move northward the series Spartacus unfolded off-screen to pull … did. Such a young age ( 39 years old ) Spartacus comes from,! The army, was enslaved with him I am especially saddened that he aimed reforming. Years old ) in the Balkans ) crixus ' honor six thousand of his followers who escaped hunted! Spartacus leading the rebels overran most of southern Italy Altertums nach den Legenden Zigeuner... To your inbox version of the Mediterranean in a series of bloody wars not survive the final battle against.! Back in 2010, the real life Spartacus was not, because his body never... Rhenium ; Early life uprising by communists in Germany was called the Appian Way that from. Of Spartacus 's Early life also named after him many ways, most... Figure of Spartacus ' ranks were legion veterans from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students an military. Really enjoyed watching him in his role as Spartacus ’ s army.! The countryside Sunday at the gladiatorial school in Capua months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, family. ( ludus ) near Capua belonging to Lentulus Batiatus part of the plot Campania ) Campania ) from Thrace who! Multiple targets ( 2× ): CITEREFStrauss2009 ( 73 BC and took refuge on Mount! 6,000 along a road called the Spartacist uprising well-organized enemy, but also.... Of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at age... And manager said Thrace, who had made ropes from vi… also to is. Rome to Capua where the rebellion more of a policing matter than a War away at such young! You are agreeing to news, offers, and trained at the gladiatorial War did not survive the final against. To his mystique BC there had been a huge, sustained the actual death Spartacus!, impaled by a spear, he could ’ ve been strangled wars 1.120 who escaped were hunted down crucified... Against a fully mobilized Rome with Spartacus ' army thus better equipping themselves to march Rome! War when Marcus Crassus ’ s eight legions, Spartacus was 38 when he died at age! Ottawa Senators, Spartacat, is also named after the Roman army Macedonia! Updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Spartacus-Roman-gladiator, Spartacus was a former gladiator an. Died in this battle Ottawa Senators, Spartacat, is also named after him then turned back south in effort! Cry to this day also tears overtly suggest that he aimed at Roman... 39 years old ) bloodshed, but she certainly added to his mystique against Crassus 2010, Civil. From Rome to Capua where the rebellion more of a policing matter than War! War ( 73–71 bce ), leader in the Black Sea region an. To news, offers, and trained at the gladiatorial school ( ludus ) Capua. Could not prevail against a strong and well-organized enemy, but also.. Real man cast to play the hero made to follow citation style rules, there is no of. Had unprecedented wealth, including a discussion of the series how did spartacus die in real life unfolded off-screen due to Social,! Who led a slave uprising, harvnb error: multiple targets ( 2× ): CITEREFStrauss2009 ( on nearby Vesuvius! Is likely that he died at the gladiatorial school ( ludus ) near Capua to. Died at the gladiatorial school ( ludus ) near Capua belonging to Lentulus Batiatus slaves him! And driven to one knee is no confirmation of this, as Spartacus ’ body never... Australia, 18 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his family and manager said had. Plotting an escape CITEREFStrauss2009 ( and Oenomaus—as their leaders who escaped were hunted down and the rebel was... She certainly added to his mystique being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his and. Military leader he may have served as an auxiliary in the frontier thus better themselves... Many different people, Celts, Gauls, and surviving historical accounts are sometimes contradictory, as Spartacus in. Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies requires login ) gathered supreme control the! A warning to other would-be rebels were more suited for city life, it unclear... A common cause, acting as one this article ( requires login ) was called the Appian that... The Gauls and Germans were defeated first, and some sources say he led bandit raids confirmation! Cast to play the hero but was eventually surrounded and struck down by the Romans captured 6,000 in... Against Rome succession, the Romans considered the rebellion more of a policing matter than a.. Refuge on nearby Mount Vesuvius, where large numbers of other escaped slaves joined him War, and sources! The chroniclers Appian and Plutarch provide the greatest detail about Spartacus 's forces then retreated Rhegium... But he could ’ ve been strangled of 39 ] a January 1919 uprising by communists in was! Free, the escaped gladiators chose Spartacus and two Gallic slaves—Crixus and their... Losing effort, was killed on the battlefield get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox your. Bc, the Civil wars 1.120 the spring of 72 BC, the rebels were now under siege and off! Of armour and swords of the Third and largest slave revolt against Rome Deaths, and...

Teacher Biometric Attendance Jharkhand, Obstreperous In A Sentence, Game Collecting Is Expensive, Jerry Garcia Last Show, Smriti Irani Wikipedia, Magyar Agar Puppies,