Spartacus Rebellion: Part 2

After the defeat of the Romans entrusted the conduct of the war to Mark Licinius Crassus, although not differing natural endowments, but acquired in the school of Sulla’s experience in the military. Crassus was one of the leaders of the then dominant oligarchy; so he could have a much larger number of troops than all his predecessors, and enjoyed the influence needed to restore the given in extreme disorder of discipline that the Romans had inevitably all the unfortunate wars. One of these conditions was enough to give the suppression of the revolt of Spartacus a different turn. Also Crassus was then considered a great General, and in Rome, believed that Sulla was indebted to him for his last and most significant victory. Using his reputation, Crassus could easily call to arms the veterans of Sulla, and thus to give his numerous army force, which had no army of his predecessors.

Spartacus soon saw that he was dealing not with the old generals and the army; he immediately left the plan of the movement in Rome and went with the rebels in droves to Lucania. Crassus followed them closely. Both commanders with the same art have avoided a decisive battle; but Crassus has destroyed all enemy units, dared to separate from the main force, cut off them to bring up the food and drove of slaves still further to the South. Then Spartak have been in talks with the pirates, hoping, through them, to transport the army revolt in Sicily, where the slaves was even more than in Italy.

The pirates took the agreed fee for the move to Sicily, but withdrew from the Bank, but only treasure to rebellious slaves were loaded on their ships, and left Spartacus with his rebellious crowds on the Italian shore. The deceived slaves headed for the forested mountain Power (Sila) in Bruttia. Here Crassus so closely surrounded the camp ramparts and trenches that Spartacus could only die of starvation or quickly break through enemy fortifications. He chose the latter and happily made their way through the trenches of Crassus. The Romans came first in such confusion, that even the thought to call from Spain Pompey, but soon calmed down when he saw that, still agree among themselves, the slaves broke, and the Gauls are again separated from the troops.

After receiving this news, Crassus tried to eliminate the arrival of Pompey, which in this case would shake the fruits of his labors. Initially, the attacking Gauls, and absolutely destroying them, put Crassus Spartacus ‘ army in this critical situation that he had no other outcome, as voluntarily surrender into the hands of the enemy, or to join in battle under the most adverse circumstances for themselves. Spartacus decided on the latter, but was defeated and died a welcome death. Crassus pursued the scattered crowd of slaves, exterminating them without mercy. The Roman General did not even spare the prisoners, and hanged or crucified six thousands of them in the trees on the high road from Capua to Rome (71 BC). The number of slaves killed during revolt of Spartacus, stretched to more than seventy thousand.

Crassus returned to Rome with full confidence that liberated the country from great danger. He foresaw that Pompey, who was then from Spain through Upper Italy, would have to collect the remains of his harvest. In the remote parts of Lucania was a small number of rebellious slaves, which joined the large crowd of fugitives, survivors from the last battle, so that the whole mass of them stretched to five thousand people. This crowd of former troops of Spartacus sought refuge in the Alps, completely by accident but was overtaken and defeated by Pompey. For this empty fight Pompey, openly make claim to his share in the glory to Crassus. Informing the Senate about his imaginary heroic exploits, Pompey said that Crassus had defeated the slaves in the right battles, but that he ripped out the root of the revolt of Spartacus. It must have been to sow discord between Pompey and Crassus, especially since they are first out of jealousy and ambition are not quite friendly looked at each other.