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====The rise of Crassus====
[[File: 512px-Fedor Bronnikov 002.jpg|300px|thumb|left|A 19th century painting of Crassus execution of Spartacus ex-slaves]]
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. <ref>Strauss, Barry. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416532064/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416532064&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f72cd7ef29a3ba2e7265dbe4adf57a7f The Spartacus War]</i> (London, Simon & Schuster, 2009)</ref> 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.<ref>Plutarch, <i>The Life of Crassus</i>. Vii</ref> After his role in Spartacus' defeat, many hailed him as Rome's savior, and became popular.
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.<ref> Plutarch, <i>The Life of Caesar</i>, iii</ref>
