Changes

==Introduction==__NOTOC__One of the best[[File:673px-known figures in antiquity was Spartacus. His brilliance as a military tactician and strategist was recognized even by his enemies. He was a gladiator and the leader of the last great slave revolt to shake the Roman Empire (73Legionaries-71 BCE). His revolt was crushed and he and his followers were annihilated by the combined armies of Pompey and Crassus. The defeat of Spartacus and his followers was complete but there is some argument over the legacy of the slave revolt. To many ancient historians’ the revolt of 73MGR Lyon-71 BCE was a complete failure. However, there are those who believe that despite the military defeat of Spartacus that his revolt changed the Roman Empire. It led to the rise of Crassus and the devastation of much of southern Italy. This article will argue that Spartacus’ revolt succeeded in changing the Romans perception of slaves that led to improvements in the lives and status of slaves and a move away from slavery, especially in landed estates. ==Slavery==Slavery was widespread in the Roman world. It seems that a significant proportion of the population were slaves. The institution of slavery had a legal status in the Roman law and any slave was the property of their owner. The owners had immense power over their ‘property’ and had the power of life and death over them. Slaves were exploited by their masters in every conceivable wayIMG 1050. Many slaves were released by their masters and became ‘freedmen’. They were born and died in that condition. The role of slaves varied in jpg |thumbnail|250px|left|Roman society and they worked as domestic servants, agricultural workers, miners and even artisans. Many slaves were educated and worked as administrators or as teachers. Their numbers had greatly expanded during the 2nd and legionaries 1st century BCE. <ref> Appian, The Civil wars (Penguin Classics; New Ed edition, London, 1996), p. 12</ref>. This was because the Romans enslaved many of the peoples that they had conquered in the Mediterranean. This led to a great increase in the numbers of slaves in Rome and Italy. Large numbers of them worked on large landed estates as agricultural laborers. There were significant populations of slaves in the South of Italy and Sicily <ref> Holland, Tom. The Rubicon (Longman, London, 2005), p. 23</ref>. Because of their large numbers, the Romans could use many as gladiators. The Romans ensured the obedience of their slaves by brutal and draconian measures. However, this had not prevented two Servile Wars in Sicily in 135 BC and in 140 BC. These involved the escape of thousands of slaves who fought the Romans and devastated large areas of the Sicilian countryside <ref> Holland, p. 13</ref>. ]]

[[File:673pxOne of the best-known figures in antiquity was Spartacus. His brilliance as a military tactician and strategist was recognized even by his enemies. He was a gladiator and the last great slave revolt to shake the Roman LegionariesEmpire (73-MGR Lyon71 BCE). His uprising was crushed, and Pompey and Crassus's combined armies annihilated both him and his followers. The defeat of Spartacus and his followers was complete, but there is some argument over the legacy of the slave revolt. To many ancient historians, the rebellion of 73-IMG 105071 BCE was a complete failure.jpg |thumbnail|200px|Roman legionaries 1st century BCE]]

==Third Servile War==Spartacus was a Thracian and he had once fought with the Romans. According to PlutarchHowe, he was enslaved by them after he had deserted and because his great strength and skills he was trained as a gladiator in 73BC he plotted to escape from his gladiatorial school, near Capua in southern Italy and was joined in despite the conspiracy by up to 100 other gladiators <ref> Plutarch. Life military defeat of CrassusSpartacus, v </ref>. The plot was discovered and only some 50 gladiators escaped. The escapees elected Spartacus and Crixus a Gaul as their leaders<ref> Shaw, Brent. Spartacus and the Slave Wars: a brief history with documents (London, Palgrave-MacMillan,2001), p 111 </ref>. Spartacus emerged as the leader of the slaves but other commanders were also important and it seems believe that the Thracian was first among equals. He and his men established a camp on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in the south of Italy <ref> Plutarch, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. The Romans sent two armed expeditions to subdue the ex-gladiators to end revolt changed the rebellion. The ex-gladiators who by now have been joined by other escaped slaves were a formidable force. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they managed to defeat both Roman expeditions. The rebels were fortunate and many Roman legions were engaged in the War against Mithridates <ref> Shaw, p. 56</ref>Empire. Their success against the two Roman forces It led to even more slaves joining their ranks. There is speculation that the slaves split into two groups, one commanded by Spartacus rise of Crassus and the other by Crixus. In 72 BCE, the slaves defeated a force devastation of praetorian guards under the command much of two consulssouthern Italy. This caused panic article will argue that Spartacus’ rebellion succeeded in Rome and many expected Spartacus to march on changing the city with his army Romans' perception of ex-slaves. Instead Spartacus marched that led to the south, possibly improvements in the search for loot. When they did march towards Roman again they defeated another Roman force. Crassus, one of the leading figures in Rome lives and probably the richest offered his service to the Senate. He raised some legions and advanced upon Spartacus and his rebel army<ref> Shaw, p. 71</ref>. Crassus was a shrewd tactician and he engaged the slaves in several small encounters which he won. He forces Spartacus to retreat further south, into the ‘Toe’ status of Italy. The former slaves by 71 BC 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<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. The Thracian ordered his army to turn back north but as they made their way they were met by Crassus and his legions. The Romans had built a series of fortifications and they had effectively confined Spartacus to a small area, with dwindling supplies<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. Spartacus tried to reach an agreement with the Romans. Crassus was eager for battle as Pompey was approaching with his legions. Crassus ordered a general attack and after fierce fighting the army of Spartacus broke and fled. The remnants of the army made a last stand at the River Sele<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. Crassus attacked the slaves and annihilated them and it is believed that Spartacus died in this battle. The Romans later crucified some ‘six thousand slaves on the main road to Rome’<ref> Appian, p. 114</ref>. This was to deter future slave revolts. Pompey the Great mopped up some of the stragglers move away from the battle and tried to claim the credit for the defeat of Spartacus<ref> Plutarchslavery, Life of Pompey, iii</ref>. [[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann Vogel.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A 19th century illustration of the death of Spartacus]]==The rise of Crassus==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 was able to 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 key <re>Strauss, Barry. The Spartacus War (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, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. After his role in the defeat of Spartacus many hailed him as the saviour of Rome and became popular with many. This allowed him to become consul and later to establish the First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey, a political arrangement that dominated Rome for several years and was a crucial step especially in the fall of the Roman Republic<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Caesar, iii</ref>landed estates. [[File: 512px-Fedor Bronnikov 002.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A 19th century painting of Crassus execution of Spartacus ex-slaves]]

==Impact on Rome==Slavery====The Third Servile War as it was known Slavery was the largest slave revolt widespread in the ancient Roman world. It seemed at one time seems that Spartacus could bring a significant proportion of the Roman Republic to its kneespopulation were slaves. The war devastated much institution of southern Italy slavery had legal status in Roman law, and many towns any slave was their owner's property. The owners had immense power over their ‘property’ and controlled life and landed estates were destroyeddeath over them. Many Their masters exploited slaves had been freed or escaped and in every conceivable way, but many local herdsmen had joined the insurrection. It took many years for the South of Italy to recover slaves were also released by their masters and banditry became endemicfreedmen. The revolt by Spartacus role of slaves varied in Roman society, and they worked as domestic servants, agricultural workers, miners, and even if it was defeated possibly helped to undermine the system of landed estates that artisans. Many slaves were educated and worked as administrators or as teachers. Their numbers had dominated much of greatly expanded during the Italian countryside2nd and 1st-century BCE.<ref> PlutarchAppian, The Life of Crassus. Viii<i>[https:/ref>/www. In the wake of the revolt many landowners in the south of Italy were bankrupt or had their properties destroyedamazon. 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 <ref> Shawcom/gp/product/0140445099/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140445099&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2b92b7cc100dd5442a529a512340b570 The Civil wars]</i> (Penguin Classics; New Ed edition, London, 1996), p. 11612</ref>.  The years after Spartacus coincided with a sharp fall number of slaves grew as Rome conquered various kingdoms in the slave populationMediterranean. It seems that instead of using Rome often took slaves from the armies that they instead rented out portions conquered. These wars led to an increase in the number of their land and slaves in return received rent Rome and a share Italy. Large numbers of the crops grown. This was a system that was similar to the feudal system in medieval Europethem worked on large landed estates as agricultural laborers. While there There were many estates that used slave laborsignificant populations of slaves in the South of Italy and Sicily.<ref>Holland, they began to decrease in numberTom. <i>[https://www.amazon. It seems that the revolt by Spartacus had so shaken the confidence of the Roman elite that they turned to new strategies for controlling their labor. Spartacus and his men had shown that slaves made an unreliable and even a dangerous labour force com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6f7e30d2b25a455f29d02ab14cfd48d5 The Rubicon]<ref/i>Matyszak(Longman, London, p 1142005), p. 23</ref> Because of their large numbers, the Romans also used many of them as gladiators. They were rebellious at The Romans ensured the best obedience of time their slaves with brutal and parties searching for escaped slaves were a common sight draconian measures. However, these measures failed to prevent two Servile Wars in Sicily in many Italian districts135 BC and140 BC. This persuaded many in war involved thousands of escaped slaves who fought the elite to move away from slave labour Romans and this led to the emerge of a semi-feudal system in many devastated large areas of Italythe Sicilian countryside <ref> Holland, p. 13</ref>. This ultimately may have led to an overall fall in the number  ====Third Servile War====[[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann Vogel.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|A 19th-century illustration of slaves which had grown dramatically in the previous decades. It should be noted that some historians disagree death of Spartacus]] Spartacus was a Thracian, and he had once fought with this assessmentthe Romans. HoweverAccording to Plutarch, the revolt of Spartacus did not undermine the institution of slavery he was enslaved by them after he had deserted. He was trained as a gladiator but due to his strength and it continued to flourish until the fall of Rome <ref>Bradleycombat skater.  In 73BC, Keithhe plotted an escape from his gladiatorial school near Capua in southern Italy. Slavery and Rebellion He was joined in the Roman World (Bloomingtonconspiracy by up to 100 other gladiators.<ref> Plutarch. <i>[https: Indiana University Press, 1989), p//www.amazon. 156 <com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie= Perceptions of SlaveryUTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf Life of Crassus]</i>, v </ref> It has been argued that Spartacus revolt changed The plot was discovered, and only 50 of the way that the Romans viewed slaverygladiators escaped. In the Roman histories, there is certainly The escapees elected Spartacus and Crixus a great deal of respect and even admiration for the ThracianGaul as their leaders.<ref> Shaw, Brent. Plutarch stated that Spartacus was a gifted leader and general <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312183100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312183100&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d67bc798efd524fa4f08bc1fa5ff510b Spartacus and compared him favourably to the Roman generals he faced. There are later writers who argue that Slave Wars: A Brief History with Documents]</I> (London, Palgrave-MacMillan,2001), p 111 </ref> Spartacus emerged as the revolt leader of Spartacus led the slaves, but other commanders were essential to long-term attitudes to slavery in Roman societythe revolt. After Spartacus and his men established a camp on the end slopes of Mount Vesuvius in the Third Servile Warsouth of Italy.<ref> Plutarch, there were to be no more great slave revolts<i>[https://www.amazon. It has been argued that the Roman elite were so shaken by the revolt com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The Life of 73-71 BC that they had a new view of slavesCrassus]</i>. They were more inclined to see them as beings endowed with reason and a soul Vii</ref>Bradley, Keith. Slavery  The Romans sent two armed expeditions to subdue the ex-gladiators and Rebellion in end the Roman World (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156 </ref>rebellion. The ex-gladiators who by now have been joined by other escaped slaves were a formidable force. In Under the person leadership of Spartacus, they encountered a person with all managed to defeat both Roman expeditions. The rebels were fortunate because many Roman legions were engaged in the virtues that they admired in menwar against Mithridates. This led them to reconsider <ref> Shaw, p. 56</ref> Their success against the two Roman forces led to even more slaves joining their view of slaves as a classranks. It  There is impossible to state with any degree of certainty if some speculation that the slaves split into two groups, one commanded by Spartacus changed and the Roman elite’s views of their slavesother by Crixus. It seems unlikely In 72 BCE, this can be seen in their pleasure in the gladiatorial games and slaves defeated a force of praetorian guards under the fact that most slaves were still treated as objectscommand of two consuls. However This defeat caused panic in Rome, it is undeniable that and many expected Spartacus to march on the revolt by city.  Instead, Spartacus was marched to the last of the great Servile Wars <ref> Bradleysouth to search for loot. When they did march towards Roman again, p 117</ref>they defeated another Roman force. This is even though many more slaves were imported into Rome from Gaul and elsewhere in Crassus, one of Rome's leading figures and probably the richest, offered his service to the following decadesSenate. There is a real possibility that the success of the Thracian gladiator He raised several legions and advanced upon Spartacus and his rebel army.<ref>Shaw, p. 71</ref>  Crassus was a shrewd tactician, and his many victories so impressed he engaged the Romans that they adopted a new strategy to prevent future insurrectionsslaves in several small encounters, which he won. There was a conscious effort by the elite He forces Spartacus to treat their slaves in a more humane way to prevent a repeat retreat further south, into the ‘Toe’ of Spartacus revolt <ref> BradleyItaly. By 71 BC, 189the 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.</ref>Plutarch, <i>[https://www. amazon.com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=Conclusionas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The revolt by Spartacus is one Life of the most well-known events in the ancient worldCrassus]</i>. Vii</ref>  Spartacus ordered his army to turn back north, but as they made their way, Crassus and his legions met them. It was in many ways The Romans had built a decisive defeat series of fortifications, and slavery remained very common in its aftermaththey had effectively confined Spartacus to a small area with dwindling supplies. However<ref> Plutarch, the revolt was very important in the history of Rome<i>[https://www.amazon. It led to instability and economic contraction in southern Italy and in politics it led to the rise com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The Life of Crassus]</i>. It seems that the revolt did manage Vii</ref>  Spartacus tried to change reach an agreement with the way that masters treated their slavesRomans, but Crassus was eager for battle. The revolt demonstrated that slaves could be dangerous At the same time, Pompey was also approaching with his legions. Crassus ordered a general attack, and after fierce fighting, the person army of Spartacus showed that they could be the equals of the Romansbroke and fled. This changed The army's remnants made a last stand at the view River Sele.<ref> Plutarch, The Life of many Crassus. Vii</ref> Crassus attacked the slaves and they began to treat their demolished them. It is believed that Spartacus died in this battle. The Romans later crucified some ‘six thousand slaves with more compassion on the main road to prevent another slave insurrectionRome. The revolt ’<ref> <i>Appian</i>, p. 114</ref> This was to deter future slave revolts. Pompey the Great mopped up some of 73-71 BCE may even have led in the longer-term stragglers from the battle and tried to changes in claim the legal system that gave some rights to slavescredit for Spartacus' defeat. The devastation caused by the ex<ref> Plutarch, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018TX5F18/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018TX5F18&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-slaves and gladiators in southern Italy led to a temporary slave shortage and this led to a move away from slave labor on landed estates to an early form 20&linkId=004592aa58fc4b584a24ccf64fdb947e Life of feudalism. Pompey], iii</ref> <dh-ad/> ====The significance rise of this was that it may have led to a reduction in the slave numbers in many regionsCrassus====[[File: 512px-Fedor Bronnikov 002.jpg|250px|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=References==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 famous.  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> ====Impact on Rome====[[File: 622px-Ancient bronze greek helmet -South Italy.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|A Gladiator’s helmet c 2nd century BCE]] 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.<ref>Plutarch, <i>The Life of Crassus</i>. Viii</ref> In the wake of the revolt, many landowners in the south of Italy were bankrupt or had their properties destroyed. 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.<ref>Shaw, p. 116</ref>  The years after Spartacus coincided with a sharp fall in the slave population. Instead of using slaves, landowners instead rented out portions of their land and received rent and a share of the crops grown in return. This was a system that was similar to the feudal system in medieval Europe. While many estates used slave labor, they gradually reduced the number of slaves. Spartacus's revolt had shaken the Roman elite's confidence that they turned to new strategies for controlling their labor. Spartacus and his men had shown that slaves made an unreliable and even dangerous labor force.<ref>Matyszak, p 114</ref>  They were rebellious at the best of times, and parties searching for escaped slaves were a common sight in many Italian districts. This persuaded the elite to move away from slave labor, which led to the emergence of a semi-feudal system in many Italian areas. This may have led to an overall fall in the number of slaves grown dramatically in the previous decades. It should be noted that some historians disagree with this assessment. However, the revolt of Spartacus did not undermine the institution of slavery, and it continued to flourish until the fall of Rome.<ref>Bradley, Keith. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0253211697/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0253211697&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=93a9cd5def40a41a687b38624d6d4cae Slavery and Rebellion in the Roman World]</i> (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156 </ref> ==== Perceptions of Slavery====Spartacus's revolt changed the way that the Romans viewed slavery. There is certainly a great deal of respect and even admiration for the Thracian in Roman histories. Plutarch stated that Spartacus was a gifted leader and general and compared him favorably to the Roman generals he faced. Some later writers argued that the revolt of Spartacus led to long-term shifts in Roman society's view of slavery.  After the end of the Third Servile War, there were no more great slave revolts. It has been argued that the revolt of 73-71 BC so shook the Roman elite that they adopted a new view of slaves. They were more inclined to see them as beings endowed with reason and a soul.<ref>Bradley, Keith. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0253211697/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0253211697&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=93a9cd5def40a41a687b38624d6d4cae Slavery and Rebellion in the Roman World]</i> (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156</ref> With Spartacus, they encountered someone with all the virtues that they admired in men. It is impossible to state with any degree of certainty if Spartacus changed the Roman elite’s views of their slaves. However, it is undeniable that the revolt by Spartacus was the last of the great Servile Wars.<ref>Bradley, p 117</ref> Rome avoided future wars even though many more slaves were imported into Rome from Gaul and elsewhere in the following decades.  There is a real possibility that the Thracian gladiator's success and his many victories so impressed the Romans that they adopted a new strategy to prevent future insurrections. There was a conscious effort by the elite to treat their slaves in a more humane way to prevent a repeat of the Spartacus revolt.<ref>Bradley, 189</ref> ====Conclusion====The revolt by Spartacus is one of the most well-known events in the ancient world. It was in many ways a decisive defeat, and slavery remained very common in its aftermath. However, the revolt was significant in the history of Rome. It led to instability and economic contraction in southern Italy and politics. It led to the rise of Crassus. The revolt may have even managed to change the way that masters treated their slaves.  The revolt demonstrated that slaves could be dangerous, and Spartacus showed that they could be the Romans' equals. Some elite members were encouraged to treat their slaves with more compassion to prevent another slave insurrection.  The revolt of 73-71 BCE may even have led in the longer-term to changes in the legal system that gave some rights to slaves. The devastation caused by the ex-slaves and gladiators in southern Italy led to a temporary slave shortage. This led to a move away from slave labor on landed estates to an early form of feudalism. The significance of this was that it might have reduced the slave numbers in many regions. ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Military History]]{{Contributors}} Updated January 19, 2019