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==Introduction==One 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 leader of the last great slave revolt to shake the Roman Empire (73-71 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 73-71 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 way. Many slaves were released by their masters and became ‘freedmen’. They were born and died in that condition. The role of slaves varied in 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 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>. __NOTOC__[[File: 024px673px-Detail of Gladiator mosaic, a Thraex (left) fighting a Murmillo (right), Römerhalle, Bad Kreuznach, Germany (8196070427).jpg|200px|thumb|left|Two gladiators from a mosaic]]==Third Servile War==Spartacus was a Thracian and he had once fought with the Romans. According to Plutarch, 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 the conspiracy by up to 100 other gladiators <ref> Plutarch. Life of Crassus, 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, PalgraveRoman Legionaries-MacMillan,2001), p 111 </ref>. Spartacus emerged as the leader of the slaves but other commanders were also important and it seems 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 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>. Their success against the two Roman forces led to even more slaves joining their ranks. There is 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 caused panic in Rome and many expected Spartacus to march on the city with his army of exMGR Lyon-slaves. Instead Spartacus marched to the south, possibly 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 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’ 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 from the battle and tried to claim the credit for the defeat of Spartacus<ref> Plutarch, Life of Pompey, iii</ref>. [[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann VogelIMG 1050.jpg|200pxthumbnail|thumb250px|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 in the fall of the Roman Republic<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Caesar, iii</ref>. [[File: 512px-Fedor Bronnikov 002.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A 19th legionaries 1st century painting of Crassus execution of Spartacus ex-slavesBCE]]

==Impact on Rome==The Third Servile War as it was One of the best-known figures in antiquity was the largest slave 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 in to shake the ancient worldRoman Empire (73-71 BCE). It seemed at one time that Spartacus could bring the Roman Republic to its kneesHis uprising was crushed, and Pompey and Crassus's combined armies annihilated both him and his followers. The war devastated much defeat of southern Italy Spartacus and many towns and landed estates were destroyedhis followers was complete, but there is some argument over the legacy of the slave revolt. Many slaves had been freed or escaped and To many local herdsmen had joined ancient historians, the insurrectionrebellion of 73-71 BCE was a complete failure. It took many years for  Howe, despite the South military defeat of Italy to recover and banditry became endemicSpartacus, some believe that his revolt changed the Roman Empire. The revolt by Spartacus even if it was defeated possibly helped It led to undermine the system rise of Crassus and the devastation of landed estates that had dominated much of southern Italy. This article will argue that Spartacus’ rebellion succeeded in changing the Italian countryside<ref> Plutarch, The Life Romans' perception of Crassus. Viii</ref>. In the wake of the revolt many landowners slaves that led to improvements in the south lives and status of Italy were bankrupt or had their properties destroyed. The latifunda system as it was known slaves and a move away from slavery, especially in the south of Italy was underminedlanded estates. It appears that  ====Slavery====Slavery was widespread in the wake Roman world. It seems that a significant proportion of the revolt that many landlords adopted a new strategy <ref> Shaw, p. 116</ref>population were slaves. The years after Spartacus coincided with a sharp fall in the institution of slavery had legal status in Roman law, and any slave populationwas their owner's property. The owners had immense power over their ‘property’ and controlled life and death over them. It seems that instead of using Their masters exploited slaves that they instead rented out portions of in every conceivable way, but many slaves were also released by their land masters and became freedmen. The role of slaves varied in return received rent Roman society, and a share of 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 crops grown2nd and 1st-century BCE. This was a system that was similar to the feudal system in medieval Europe<ref>Appian, <i>[https://www.amazon. While there were many estates that used slave laborcom/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), they began to decrease in p. 12</ref>  The numberof slaves grew as Rome conquered various kingdoms in the Mediterranean. It seems Rome often took slaves from the armies that they conquered. These wars led to an increase in the revolt by Spartacus had so shaken the confidence number of the Roman elite that they turned to new strategies for controlling their laborslaves in Rome and Italy. Spartacus and his men had shown that Large numbers of them worked on large landed estates as agricultural laborers. There were significant populations of slaves made an unreliable in the South of Italy and even a dangerous labour force <Sicily.<ref>MatyszakHolland, p 114Tom. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref>. They were rebellious at the best =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6f7e30d2b25a455f29d02ab14cfd48d5 The Rubicon]</i> (Longman, London, 2005), p. 23</ref>  Because of time and parties searching for escaped slaves were a common sight in their large numbers, the Romans also used many Italian districtsof them as gladiators. This persuaded many in The Romans ensured the elite to move away from slave labour obedience of their slaves with brutal and this led draconian measures. However, these measures failed to the emerge prevent two Servile Wars in Sicily in 135 BC and140 BC. This war involved thousands of a semi-feudal system in many escaped slaves who fought the Romans and devastated large areas of Italythe Sicilian countryside <ref> Holland, p. This ultimately may have led to an overall fall in 13</ref>. ====Third Servile War====[[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann Vogel.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|A 19th-century illustration of the number death of slaves which Spartacus]] Spartacus was a Thracian, and he had grown dramatically in once fought with the previous decadesRomans. It should be noted that some historians disagree with this assessmentAccording to Plutarch, he was enslaved by them after he had deserted. He was trained as a gladiator but due to his strength and combat skater. However In 73BC, he plotted an escape from his gladiatorial school near Capua in southern Italy. He was joined in the revolt of Spartacus did not undermine the institution of slavery and it continued conspiracy by up to flourish until the fall of Rome 100 other gladiators.<ref> Plutarch. <refi>Bradley, Keith[https://www.amazon. Slavery and Rebellion in the Roman World (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989)com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf Life of Crassus]</i>, p. 156 v </ref>. == Perceptions The plot was discovered, and only 50 of Slavery==It has been argued that Spartacus revolt changed 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. Plutarch stated that Spartacus was a gifted leader and general and compared him favourably to the Roman generals he faced<ref> Shaw, Brent. There are later writers who argue that the revolt of Spartacus led to long<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312183100/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312183100&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-term attitudes to slavery in Roman society. 20&linkId=d67bc798efd524fa4f08bc1fa5ff510b Spartacus and the Slave Wars: A Brief History with Documents]</I> (London, Palgrave-MacMillan,2001), p 111 </ref> After Spartacus emerged as the end leader of the Third Servile Warslaves, there but other commanders were essential to be no more great slave revoltsthe revolt. It has been argued that Spartacus and his men established a camp on the Roman elite were so shaken by slopes of Mount Vesuvius in the revolt south of 73-71 BC that they had a new view of slavesItaly. They were more inclined to see them as beings endowed with reason and a soul <refref> Plutarch, <i>Bradley, Keith[https://www.amazon. Slavery and Rebellion in the Roman World (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156 <com/gp/product/B018U5O552/ref>. In the person of Spartacus, they encountered a person with all the virtues that they admired in men=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The Life of Crassus]</i>. This led them Vii</ref>  The Romans sent two armed expeditions to reconsider their view of slaves as a classsubdue the ex-gladiators and end the rebellion. It is impossible to state with any degree The ex-gladiators who by now have been joined by other escaped slaves were a formidable force. Under the leadership of certainty if Spartacus changed the , they managed to defeat both Roman elite’s views of their slavesexpeditions. It seems unlikely, this can be seen in their pleasure The rebels were fortunate because many Roman legions were engaged in the gladiatorial games and the fact that most slaves were still treated as objectswar against Mithridates. However<ref> Shaw, it p. 56</ref> Their success against the two Roman forces led to even more slaves joining their ranks.  There is undeniable some speculation that the revolt slaves split into two groups, one commanded by Spartacus was and the other by Crixus. In 72 BCE, the last slaves defeated a force of praetorian guards under the great Servile Wars <ref> Bradleycommand of two consuls. This defeat caused panic in Rome, p 117</ref>. This is even though and many more slaves were imported into Rome from Gaul and elsewhere in expected Spartacus to march on the following decadescity.  Instead, Spartacus marched to the south to search for loot. There is a real possibility that the success of the Thracian gladiator 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 many victories so impressed service to the Romans that they adopted a new strategy to prevent future insurrectionsSenate. He raised several legions and advanced upon Spartacus and his rebel army.<ref>Shaw, p. There 71</ref>  Crassus was a conscious effort by shrewd tactician, and he engaged the elite to treat their slaves in a more humane way several small encounters, which he won. He forces Spartacus to prevent a repeat retreat further south, into the ‘Toe’ of Spartacus revolt <ref> BradleyItaly. By 71 BC, the former were encamped by the Strait of Messina. Plutarch states that Spartacus planned to ferry his army to Sicily. However, 189he 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=ConclusionB018U5O552&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The revolt by Spartacus is one Life of the most well-known events in the ancient worldCrassus]</i>. It was in many ways a decisive defeat Vii</ref>  Spartacus ordered his army to turn back north, but as they made their way, Crassus and slavery remained very common in its aftermathhis legions met them. HoweverThe Romans had built a series of fortifications, the revolt was very important in the history of Romeand they had effectively confined Spartacus to a small area with dwindling supplies. It led to instability and economic contraction in southern Italy and in politics it led to the rise of Crassus<ref> Plutarch, <i>[https://www.amazon. It seems that the revolt did manage 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>. 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 and At the person of Spartacus showed that they could be same time, Pompey was also approaching with his legions. Crassus ordered a general attack, and after fierce fighting, the equals army of Spartacus broke and fled. The army's remnants made a last stand at the Romans. This changed the view of many and they began to treat their slaves with more compassion to prevent another slave insurrectionRiver Sele. <ref> Plutarch, The revolt Life of 73-71 BCE may even have led in the longer-term to changes in Crassus. Vii</ref> Crassus attacked the legal system that gave some rights to slavesand demolished them. The devastation caused by the ex-slaves and gladiators It is believed that Spartacus died 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 of feudalism. The significance of this was that it may have led to a reduction in the slave numbers in many regions.battle. The Romans later crucified some ‘six thousand slaves on the main road to Rome.’<ref> <i>Appian</i>, p. 114</ref> This was to deter future slave revolts. Pompey the Great mopped up some of the stragglers from the battle and tried to claim the credit for Spartacus' defeat.<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-20&linkId=004592aa58fc4b584a24ccf64fdb947e Life of Pompey], iii</ref> <dh-ad/> ====The rise of Crassus====[[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=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}} ==References==Updated January 19, 2019