How long did spartacus revolt last

There is some speculation that the slaves split into two groups, one commanded by Spartacus and the other by Crixus. In 72 BCE, the slaves defeated a force of praetorian guards under the command of two consuls. This defeat caused panic in Rome, and many expected Spartacus to march on the city.

Instead, Spartacus marched to the south to search for loot. When they did march towards Roman again, they defeated another Roman force. Crassus, one of Rome's leading figures and probably the richest, offered his service to the Senate. He raised several legions and advanced upon Spartacus and his rebel army.

Crassus was a shrewd tactician, and he engaged the slaves in several small encounters, which he won. By 71 BC, the former were encamped by the Strait of Messina. Plutarch states that Spartacus planned to ferry his army to Sicily. However, he was unable to secure the necessary ships. Spartacus ordered his army to turn back north, but as they made their way, Crassus and his legions met them.

The Romans had built a series of fortifications, and they had effectively confined Spartacus to a small area with dwindling supplies. Spartacus tried to reach an agreement with the Romans, but Crassus was eager for battle. At the same time, Pompey was also approaching with his legions.

Crassus ordered a general attack, and after fierce fighting, the army of Spartacus broke and fled. The army's remnants made a last stand at the River Sele. It is believed that Spartacus died in this battle.

Pompey the Great mopped up some of the stragglers from the battle and tried to claim the credit for Spartacus' defeat. The defeat of Spartacus was largely a result of the leadership of Crassus. His strategy was to contain Spartacus and then weaken him by defeating elements of his army.

He could restrict the Thracian and his forces to a small area before forcing them into a decisive battle. Unlike other Roman commanders, he did not underestimate the Thracian, and this was essential. In the aftermath of the defeat and death of Spartacus, the leadership of Crassus was widely praised. Previously, Crassus had been influential in Roman public life on account of his vast wealth. This popularity allowed him to become consul and later establish the First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey.

The First Triumvirate was a political arrangement that dominated Rome for several years and was a crucial step in the fall of the Roman Republic. As it was known at the time, the Third Servile War was the largest slave revolt in the ancient world. It seemed at one time that Spartacus could bring the Roman Republic to its knees. The war devastated much of southern Italy, and many towns and landed estates were destroyed. Many slaves had been freed or escaped, and many local herdsmen had joined the rebellion.

It took many years for the South of Italy to recover, and banditry became endemic. Even if it was defeated, the revolt by Spartacus possibly helped to undermine the system of landed estates that had dominated much of the Italian countryside. The latifunda system, as it was known in the south of Italy, was undermined. It appears that in the wake of the revolt that many landlords adopted a new strategy.

He was sent to the gladiatorial training school in Capua in 73 B. Soon after, he escaped with about 70 other gladiators and gathered his followers on nearby Mount Vesuvius. Gradually, more escaped slaves joined their ranks. It is estimated that there were 90, to , men in all.

Together they used guerrilla tactics to fight off Roman attacks. After about a year, the group mobilized and started traveling throughout the Roman Empire. They marched as far north as Gaul modern-day France. Rome initially considered the revolt a nuisance. In 71 B.

Spartacus was believed to have died in this battle. Around 6, men survived the battle but were later captured and crucified by the Roman army. Spartacus has long served as an inspiration to those seeking to revolt against oppressive rule.

He was considered a brave and able leader who fought against tremendous odds with remarkable success. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit.

The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. National Geographic Society. Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Spartacus is thought to have been killed in the battle. Around 6, of his followers who escaped were hunted down and crucified. Thousands of others were killed by the army of the Roman general Pompey, who then claimed the credit for suppressing the rebellion.

Spartacus's struggle has been inspirational to revolutionaries, politicians and writers since the 19th century. The Spartacist League was a revolutionary socialist group, formed in Germany in , which unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the government in Search term:.

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