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[[File:673px-Roman Legionaries-MGR Lyon-IMG 1050.jpg |thumbnail|300px250px|left|Roman legionaries 1st century BCE]]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 One of the population were slaves. The institution of slavery had a legal status best-known figures in the Roman law and any slave antiquity 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 conditionSpartacus. The role of slaves varied in Roman society and they worked His brilliance as domestic servants, agricultural workers, miners a military tactician and strategist was recognized even artisansby his enemies. Many slaves were educated He was a gladiator and worked as administrators or as teachers. Their numbers had greatly expanded during the 2nd and 1st century last great slave revolt to shake the Roman Empire (73-71 BCE. <ref> Appian, The Civil wars (Penguin Classics; New Ed edition, London, 1996), p. 12</ref>. This His uprising 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 crushed, and Pompey 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 Crassus's combined armies annihilated both him and Sicily <ref> Holland, Tomhis followers. The Rubicon (Longman, London, 2005), p. 23</ref>. Because defeat of their large numbersSpartacus and his followers was complete, but there is some argument over the Romans could use many as gladiators. The Romans ensured legacy of the obedience of their slaves by brutal and draconian measuresslave revolt. HoweverTo many ancient historians, this had not prevented two Servile Wars in Sicily in 135 BC and in 140 BC. These involved the escape rebellion of thousands of slaves who fought the Romans and devastated large areas of the Sicilian countryside <ref> Holland, p. 13</ref>73-71 BCE was a complete failure.

===Third Servile War===[[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann Vogel.jpg|300px|thumb|left|A 19th century illustration of Howe, despite the death military defeat of Spartacus]]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, 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 revolt changed 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>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> Plutarchmove away from slavery, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref>. Crassus attacked the slaves and annihilated them and it is believed that Spartacus died especially 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>landed estates.

===The rise of Crassus=Slavery====[[File: 512px-Fedor Bronnikov 002Slavery was widespread in the Roman world.jpg|300px|thumb|left|A 19th century painting It seems that a significant proportion of Crassus execution of Spartacus ex-the population were slaves]]. The defeat institution of Spartacus slavery had legal status in Roman law, and any slave was largely a result of the leadership of Crassustheir owner's property. His strategy was to contain Spartacus The owners had immense power over their ‘property’ and then weaken him by defeating elements of his army. He was able to restrict the Thracian controlled life and his forces to a small area before forcing death over them into a decisive battle. Unlike otherTheir masters exploited slaves in every conceivable way, but many slaves were also released by their masters and became freedmen. The role of slaves varied in Roman commanders he did not underestimate the Thracian society, and this was key. <ref>Straussthey worked as domestic servants, Barry. <i>The Spartacus War</i> (Londonagricultural workers, Simon & Schusterminers, 2009)</ref> In the aftermath of the defeat and death of Spartacus, the leadership of Crassus was widely praisedeven artisans. Many slaves were educated and worked as administrators or as teachers. Previously, Crassus Their numbers had been influential in Roman public life on account of his vast wealthgreatly expanded during the 2nd and 1st-century BCE.<ref>PlutarchAppian, <i>The Life of Crassus<[https:/i>. Vii</ref> After his role in the defeat of Spartacus many hailed him as the saviour of Rome and became popular with manywww. 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 Republicamazon.<com/gp/product/0140445099/ref> Plutarch, <i>=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140445099&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2b92b7cc100dd5442a529a512340b570 The Life of CaesarCivil wars]</i>(Penguin Classics; New Ed edition, London, iii1996), p. 12</ref>

===Impact on Rome===[[File: 622px-Ancient bronze greek helmet -South Italy.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|A Gladiator’s helmet c 2nd century BCE]]The Third Servile War number of slaves grew as it was known was the largest slave revolt Rome conquered various kingdoms in the ancient worldMediterranean. It seemed at one time Rome often took slaves from the armies that Spartacus could bring the Roman Republic to its kneesthey conquered. The war devastated much These wars led to an increase in the number of southern slaves in Rome and Italy and many towns and . Large numbers of them worked on large landed estates as agricultural laborers. There were destroyed. Many significant populations of slaves had been freed or escaped and many local herdsmen had joined the insurrection. It took many years for in the South of Italy to recover and banditry became endemic. The revolt by Spartacus even if it was defeated possibly helped to undermine the system of landed estates that had dominated much of the Italian countrysideSicily.<ref>PlutarchHolland, Tom. <i>The Life of Crassus<[https://i>www.amazon. Viii<com/gp/product/1400078970/ref> In the wake of the revolt, many landowners in the south of Italy were bankrupt or had their properties destroyed. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6f7e30d2b25a455f29d02ab14cfd48d5 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.Rubicon]<ref/i>Shaw(Longman, London, 2005), p. 11623</ref>

Because of their large numbers, the Romans also used many of them as gladiators. The years after Spartacus coincided with a sharp fall in Romans ensured the slave population. It seems that instead obedience of using their slaves that they instead rented out portions of their land and in return received rent with brutal and a share of the crops growndraconian measures. This was a system that was similar However, these measures failed to the feudal system prevent two Servile Wars in medieval Europe. While there were many estates that used slave labor, they began to decrease Sicily in number135 BC and140 BC. It seems that This war involved thousands of escaped slaves who fought the revolt by Spartacus had so shaken the confidence Romans and devastated large areas 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 labor force.Sicilian countryside <ref>MatyszakHolland, p 114. 13</ref> .

They were rebellious at the best of time and parties searching for escaped slaves were a common sight in many Italian districts====Third Servile War====[[File: Tod des Spartacus by Hermann Vogel. This persuaded many in the elite to move away from slave labor and this led to the emerge of a semijpg|300px|thumbnail|left|A 19th-feudal system in many areas century illustration of Italy. This ultimately may have led to an overall fall in the number of slaves which had grown dramatically in the previous decades. It should be noted that some historians disagree with this assessment. However, the revolt death of Spartacus did not undermine the institution of slavery and it continued to flourish until the fall of Rome.<ref>Bradley, Keith. <i>Slavery and Rebellion in the Roman World</i> (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156 </ref>]]

== Perceptions of Slavery==It has been argued that Spartacus revolt changed the way that the Romans viewed slavery. In the Roman histories, there is certainly was a great deal of respect and even admiration for the Thracian. Plutarch stated that Spartacus was a gifted leader , and general and compared him favourably to he had once fought with the Roman generals he facedRomans. There are later writers who argue that the revolt of Spartacus led According to long-term attitudes to slavery in Roman society. After the end of the Third Servile WarPlutarch, there were to be no more great slave revolts. It has been argued that the Roman elite were so shaken he was enslaved by the revolt of 73-71 BC that they them after he had a new view of slavesdeserted. They were more inclined to see them He was trained as beings endowed with reason and a soul.<ref>Bradley, Keith. <i>Slavery gladiator but due to his strength and Rebellion in the Roman World</i> (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989), p. 156</ref>combat skater.

In 73BC, he plotted an escape from his gladiatorial school near Capua in southern Italy. He was joined in the conspiracy by up to 100 other gladiators.<ref> Plutarch. <i>[https://www.amazon.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>, v </ref>  The plot was discovered, and only 50 of the gladiators escaped. The escapees elected Spartacus and Crixus a Gaul as their leaders.<ref> Shaw, Brent. <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 the Slave Wars: A Brief History with Documents]</I> (London, Palgrave-MacMillan,2001), p 111 </ref> Spartacus emerged as the leader of the slaves, but other commanders were essential to the revolt. Spartacus and his men established a camp on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in the south of Italy.<ref> Plutarch, <i>[https://www.amazon.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>  The Romans sent two armed expeditions to subdue the ex-gladiators and 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 because 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 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.<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. 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 person 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=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d166e75084f232112d2cccbbbdfccecf The Life of Crassus]</i>. Vii</ref>  Spartacusordered 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 encountered someone had effectively confined Spartacus to a small area with dwindling supplies.<ref> Plutarch, <i>[https://www.amazon.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 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.<ref> Plutarch, The Life of Crassus. Vii</ref> Crassus attacked the slaves and demolished them. It is believed that Spartacus died in this 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 all 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 virtues Roman elite's confidence that they admired 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 menmany 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 them to reconsider their 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 classsoul.<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. It seems unlikely, this can be seen in their pleasure in the gladiatorial games and the fact that most slaves were still treated as objects. However, it is undeniable that the revolt by Spartacus was the last of the great Servile Wars.<ref>Bradley, p 117</ref> This is 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 success of 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 very important significant in the history of Rome. It led to instability and economic contraction in southern Italy and in politics it . It led to the rise of Crassus. It seems that the The revolt did manage may have even managed to change the way that masters treated their slaves.  The revolt demonstrated that slaves could be dangerous , and the person of Spartacus showed that they could be the Romans' equals of the Romans. This changed the view of many and they began 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 and this . 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 might have led to a reduction in reduced the slave numbers in many regions.{{Mediawiki:Roman History}}====References====