Spartacan War

Breakout

73 BCE

200 gladiators in a school in Capua plotted to escape. However, only about 70 of them managed to escape and seized weapons and armour from guards, people on the street and weapon carts. The gladiators made their way to Mount Vesuvius, where they were joined by tens of thousands of slaves. Three leaders were chosen, the first being Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who allegedly led the escape. The next two were his officers, Crixus and Oenomaus.

Training and Preparation

Period: 73 BCE to 72 BCE

Spartacus' forces train for battle and gather equipment. Weapons, shields and armour are plundered from towns that they raid. As well as this, material is taken from the towns to make their own equipment. Equipment is also taken from the Roman armies which were crushed by the Spartacan revolt.

Romans take Spartacan revolt more seriously

72 BCE

The Romans send two armies to defeat Spartacus, as they now perceived him as a threat. The armies were led by the consuls Lucius Gellius and Gnaeus Lentulus, who brought with them four legions. Two of the legions managed to surround Crixus' army and destroyed about two thirds of it along with Crixus.

Spartacus defeats the two armies sent towards him

72 BCE

Spartacus had spent his time raiding towns and increasing his forces. In spring, 72 BC, the revolt moved North, being followed by the Roman Legions. In three different battles, Lentulus was defeated after attempting to surround Spartacus: Gellius was defeated, who killed Crixus. In honour of Crixus, 300 Roman soldiers were forced to fight each other as gladiators.

Rome's preparation to defeat Spartacus

71 BCE

Rome was in a tough situation. The Spartacan revolt was advancing on Rome while all of their most experienced generals were pre-occupied. Finally, the praetor Crassus was given military command after no-one else was willing to take the role in fear of the revolt. To discipline his soldiers, Crassus decimated troops accused of deserting. This prevented his soldiers from deserting in future engagements.

Spartacus trapped at the Italian Peninsula

71 BCE

Crassus, leading eight new legions was able to pursue Spartacus, weakening his army in every engagement. Eventually, the slaves were driven to the edge. Spartacus attempted to pay some Sicilian pirates to take his slaves to Sicily to help a rebellion over there. However, the pirated pranked Spartacus and just took the gold. With the slaves trapped, Crassus ordered the building of a wall, to hold the rebellion under siege and starve them to death.

The defeat of Spartacus

71 BCE

Spartacus managed to break through the wall and led his army to freedom. However, after a few months, the revolt found itself surrounded by Roman forces. They advanced on Spartacus and eventually defeated him.