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→Third Servile War
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, <i>The Life of Crassus</i>. Vii</ref>
Spartacus 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, <i>The Life of Crassus</i>. 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> <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 the defeat of Spartacus.<ref> Plutarch, Life of Pompey, iii</ref>
===The rise of Crassus===
