Changes

They were rebellious at the best of time and parties searching for escaped slaves were a common sight in many Italian districts. This persuaded many in the elite to move away from slave labor and this led to the emerge of a semi-feudal system in many areas 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 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>

It has been argued that Spartacus revolt changed the way that the Romans viewed slavery. In the Roman histories, there is certainly 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 the Roman generals he faced. There are later writers who argue that the revolt of Spartacus led to long-term attitudes to slavery in Roman society. After the end of the Third Servile War, there were to be no more great slave revolts. It has been argued that the Roman elite were so shaken by the revolt of 73-71 BC that they had 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>

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 in the history of Rome. It led to instability and economic contraction in southern Italy and in politics it led to the rise of Crassus. It seems that the revolt did manage 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 equals of the Romans. This changed the view of many and they began 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 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.

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*[[Angels of the Underground: Interview with Theresa Kaminski]]

*[[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?]]

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