Although much of the evidence for Spartacus existence is anecdotal, there are some coherent themes that emerge. Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon Brilliant Rivals, Hitler vs Stalin: The Battle for Stalingrad, How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Humanity, Hasdrubal Barca: How Hannibals Fight Against Rome Depended on His Brother, Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage, Bones in the Attic: The Forgotten Fallen of Waterloo, How Climate and the Natural World Have Shaped Civilisations Across Time, The Rise and Fall of Charles Ponzi: How a Pyramid Scheme Changed the Face of Finance Forever. Though the rebels lacked military training, they displayed skilful use of available local materials and unusual tactics against the disciplined Roman armies. Legend tells that when the Romans defeated the slave revolt led by the gladiator Spartacus in 71 BCE, they searched in vain for the real Spartacus. Hearing of Pompey's involvement, Spartacus tried to make a truce with Crassus. Gradually, more escaped slaves joined their ranks. Spartacus, (died 71 bce), leader in the Gladiatorial War (7371 bce) against Rome. Thracians were known to be good horseman, able to tame even wild horses. Rural slaves lived a life that better prepared them to fight in Spartacus's army. The Roman force under Gellius caught up with Crixus, killing the leader along with many of his rebels. Why he did this is a mystery. Spartacus eventually managed to break through Crassuss trap by filling in one his trenches (allegedly with human bodies) and using his cavalry to punch through. Hemmed in by Crassuss eight legions, Spartacuss army divided. The slaves not only annihilated this army as well but "Spartacus himself actually . In 71 B.C.E., General Marcus Licinius Crassus defeated the rebel army at Lucania, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Naples. The writer Plutarch, who lived in the second century A.D., wrote that she was a prophetess who was possessed by ecstatic frenzies that were part of the worship of the god Dionysus. After Spartacus woke up with a snake coiled around his head she declared that this was the sign of a tremendous and fearsome power that would bring him to an unfortunate end (translation by Brent Shaw, from the book "Spartacus and the Slave Wars: Brief History with Documents," Bedford/St.Martins, 2001). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Once again, the first season of the show reflects a lot of accurate history. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. Only a few key changes were made to wrap up some of the shows story arcs. NEXT:5 Things That Are Historically Accurate In Peaky Blinders (& 5 That Aren't). Pompey? His army of nearly 100,000 overran most of southern Italy and fought its way up the entire length of the Italian Peninsula to the Alps. He defeated Roman forces over half a dozen times, marching his people up and down the Italian peninsula until he was killed in battle in April 71 B.C. As each round of treatment raises hopes of remission, and each round of news disappoints those hopes, we watch Andy and Vashti responding, and finally conceding to the inevitable. It is known that Spartacus was of Thracian origins and eventually captured and enslaved by the Roman army. Though few in number, they seized kitchen utensils, fought their way free from the school, and seized several wagons of gladiatorial weapons and armour. [citation needed], In the spring of 72 BC, the rebels left their winter encampments and began to move northward. Andy Whitfield, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand. The response of the Romans was hampered by the absence of the Roman legions, which were engaged in fighting a revolt in Hispania and the Third Mithridatic War. [29] They spent the winter of 7372 BC training, arming and equipping their new recruits, and expanding their raiding territory to include the towns of Nola, Nuceria, Thurii and Metapontum. Find out more about how the BBC is covering the. Support my efforts at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com//keithmasseyOr visit my website:https://www.keithmassey.net It is possible that they needed to stay on the move to sustain resources, or to corral more support. The punishment for deserting the legion was to be sold into slavery. But we do know that he was sent to a gladiator school in Capua where he was trained to fight . Once free, the escaped gladiators chose Spartacus and two Gallic slavesCrixus and Oenomausas their leaders. While it may have made for good drama, it is also one of the shows biggest inaccuracies. Human beings are creatures who form beliefs about our lives and the world in which we live and die. The accounts vary about Spartacus' death though it is most likely he died in battle, though the film Spartacus depicts him as being cruxified along the Appian way with 6,000 other escaped slaves. Sources differ on why Spartacus took this course of action. Although his uprising was not an attempt at social revolution, his name has frequently been invoked by revolutionaries such as Adam Weishaupt in the late 18th century and Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxemburg, and the other members of the German Spartacus League of 191619. [27] Of the slaves that joined Spartacus ranks, many were from the countryside. Surprisingly enough, however, much of the TV series holds true to the historical time frame. Spartacus, Crixus, and Oenomaus led their army efficiently and cleverly. All of this is admirable, some readers will say. When the Romans fled, the slaves seized their camp, Plutarch wrote. Likewise, most major battles that take place in the show actually took place in real life. He is part of an ARC project on modern engagements with Philosophy as a Way of Life. Which is better only God knows. Regardless of his true death, the story of Spartacus ends after the Third Servile War. NASA warns of 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids headed toward Earth this week. This rebellion, interpreted by some as an example of oppressed people fighting for their freedom against a slave-owning oligarchy, has provided inspiration for many political thinkers, and has been featured in literature, television, and film. Gannicus was a Celtic slave, who together with the Thracian Spartacus, Crixus, Castus and Oenomaus, became one of the leaders of rebel slaves during the Third Servile War (73-71 BC). Image Credit: Gautier Poupeau from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons. Born in Gaul, he was enslaved by the Romans under unknown circumstances and trained as a gladiator in Capua. Furthermore, a group of escaped slaves were not seen as posing a serious challenge to Roman soldiers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [42] Crassus feared that Pompey's involvement would deprive him of credit for defeating Spartacus himself. Many theories have been proposed, but the best explanation was already hinted at in the ancient sources. The Romans despatched a praetor named Gaius Claudius Glaber to form an army to crush the slaves. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. "Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace," he added. He was a Thracian who joined the Roman army as a young man. Socrates, on trial for his life, protested that all his philosophising had aimed at doing was turning the Athenians attention away from the pursuits of money, power and fame towards taking care, first of all, of their inner lives. (Image credit: ), 'Runaway' black hole the size of 20 million suns found speeding through space with a trail of newborn stars behind it, Artificial sweetener may increase risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. Updated on July 28th, 2022 by Stuart Kilmartin: Almost ten years since Spartacus concluded its three-season run with Spartacus: War of the Damned, the series continues to be one of the best sword-and-sandal television shows set during the Ancient Roman period. With about 70 fellow gladiators he escaped a gladiatorial training school at Capua in 73 and took refuge on Mount Vesuvius, where other runaway slaves joined the band. There was a bit of Graffiti found in Pompeii showing Spartacus fighting written in the local Oscan language. By the end of 71 BC, Spartacus was encamped in Rhegium (Reggio Calabria), near the Strait of Messina. Destined for the arena, in 73 bce he, with a band of his fellow gladiators, broke out of a training school at Capua . Even though their actual roles differ between the show and the actual events, it is still nice to know that the role these people played in history is still being acknowledged. NY 10036. Due to the previous Social War (9187 BC), some of Spartacus's ranks were legion veterans. How did Spartacus die in real life? Eine Gegengeschichte des Altertums nach den Legenden der Zigeuner". Historical Trips - Book your next historical adventure, 6 Secret Historic Gardens in the United Kingdom, Join Dan Snow for the Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, War of The Worlds: The Most Infamous Radio Broadcast in History, The King Revealed: 10 Fascinating Facts About Elvis Presley, 10 Facts About American Poet Robert Frost. Spartacus. Happily married, a father of two beautiful children, his casting as Spartacus had propelled him to fame and fortune. The rebels were now under siege and cut off from their supplies. Stay in the now and enjoy every moment.". While Spartacuss uprising was ultimately crushed his memory lives on, more so than the Romans who fought against, or otherwise opposed, him. None of Spartacus's actions overtly suggest that he aimed at reforming Roman society or abolishing slavery. [39] After this, Crassus's legions were victorious in several engagements, forcing Spartacus farther south through Lucania as Crassus gained the upper hand. Around 6,000 of his followers who escaped were hunted down and crucified. [39] Minor sources mention that there were some attempts at raft and shipbuilding by the rebels as a means to escape, but that Crassus took unspecified measures to ensure the rebels could not cross to Sicily, and their efforts were abandoned. "After the initial shock - I was a healthy young man and had no idea this could happen - it was frustrating that the first season was ending on such a high note. Two volumes. Ultimately their numbers grew to at least 90,000. The pirates, however, had other plans. The final battle took place in April 71 BC. Spartacus was sold into slavery, perhaps due to rebellion against or desertion from the army. Corrections? With around 3,000 Romans in pursuit, the escapees headed for Mount Vesuvius, where heavy forest provided cover. At first, Rome did not regard the slave army as a serious force and did not send front-line troops against it; Spartacus' army defeats and defeats the first four armies. People worship the gods Ceres and Bacchus for the external bounties of grain and wine. Genner, Michael. 283", "Tribes, Dynasts and Kingdoms of Northern Greece: History and Numismatics", A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, page 494", "AUSXIP Spartacus: Blood and Sand TV Show Lucy Lawless Sam Raimi & Rob Tapert", "DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Shawn Roberts in an unexpected guest appearance", Spartacus' Uprising and Soviet Historical Writing, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spartacus&oldid=1140917772, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2013, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Spartak Odesa, a football team competed in the, Spartak Kharkiv, a football team competed in the, The "Spartacus Overture" was written by composer, In the expandable miniature wargaming system. Read about our approach to external linking. In his poem explaining the Epicurean worldview, On the Nature of Things, the Roman philosopher-poet Lucretius begins each of the books with hymns to his teacher which condense this fundamental idea of philosophy as a way of life. She or he will best know the preferred format. Whether Spartacus really wanted this, or whether his men decided this for him, is not known. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. According to the surviving sources, Spartacus was from Thrace, an area in southeast Europe that the Romans were often trying to subjugate during the first century B.C.. Spartacus: 5 Things That Are Historically Accurate (& 5 Things That Are Completely Fabricated), 15 Best Movies Set In Ancient Rome, Ranked (According To Rotten Tomatoes), Quintus Batiatus might not make a lot of sense in the show, 14 Movies To Watch If You Love The Roman Empire, whether he needed this large amount of screen time or not, The Most Historically Accurate Movies, According To IMDb, 5 Things That Are Historically Accurate In Peaky Blinders (& 5 That Aren't). This dynamic allowed for some very interesting relationships to form which only added to the drama of the series. They were taken by surprise when Spartacus used ropes made from vines to climb down the steep side of the volcano with his men and attacked the unfortified Roman camp in the rear, killing most of the militia. Indeed, slave rebellions were not uncommon. Whitfield's Spartacus co-star Lucy Lawless also paid tribute to the actor in a statement to EW: "Andy Whitfield left an indelible mark on all of us in the Spartacus family," she said. Though some of the relationships themselves would have been dramatized for entertainment purposes, a lot of lifestyle practices hold true to history. The chroniclers Appian and Plutarch provide the greatest detail about Spartacus's final battle against Crassus. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. The series is surprisingly truthful with many of its finer details surrounding the life of Spartacus, including his escape from Capua, and his role in the Third Servile War; both of which are heavily inspired by real historical events. The move against Spartacus on Mount Vesuvius unfolded in a very similar manner to real life. . Whether the pirates had been bribed by the Romans, or just didnt want to be involved, is not known. It moulds and constructs the soul; it orders our life, guides our conduct, shows us what we should do and what we should leave undone Without it, no one can live fearlessly or in peace of mind. Best known for: Leading a slave uprising against Rome. One of the people Spartacus escaped with was his wife, a Thracian woman whose name is lost to history. Around 6,000 men survived the battle but were later captured and crucified by the Roman army. Most known for: the leader of the slave revolt against Rome in the first century BC. However, things didn't work out. He undertakes, in total, some eleven rounds of chemotherapy, and one bout of radiography: exhausting every possible therapeutic avenue. Spartacus tells him of how Sura told him that he would never love another woman, and how her death is why he feels compelled to defend the innocent against Roman oppression, but now realises that doing that is not by how many Romans he kills, but by how many slaves he saves. I will always be with you and will always be watching over you. Gellius then proceeded to advance on Spartacus from the south while Lentulus, who was apparently ahead of Spartacus, drove in from the north. Why were the legionaries so successful, and how did they maintain that success for several centuries? He is thought to have been born in Thrace (modern day Balkan region) and it has been suggested he was in the Roman army. This story is told in the extraordinary documentary: Be Here Now: the Andy Whitfield Story. Spartacus was born in Thrace, an area where the modern-day Balkans states, including Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece, are located. A Thracian by birth, Spartacus served in the Roman army, perhaps deserted, led bandit raids, and was caught and sold as a slave. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Spartacus was trapped between two armies likely equipped with better arms and armor then he had. Be Here Now, in this ancient light, gives a very different kind of answer to the Romans question: who is the real Spartacus?, or where you might find him. Spartacus Other characters, such as Gannicus and Castus, were also real-life individuals who participated in Spartacus rebellion. What Did People Wear in Medieval England? What Was the Atlantic Wall and When Was It Built? On their way, Spartacus and his co-leaders, Crixus and Oenomaus, raided for supplies and recruited slaves in the countryside. Pompeys army intercepted and killed many slaves who were escaping northward, and 6,000 prisoners were crucified by Crassus along the Appian Way. Legend tells that when the Romans defeated the slave revolt led by the gladiator Spartacus in 71 BCE, they searched in vain for the real Spartacus. and a brilliant actor. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Not much is known about the birth and early life Spartacus. [4], The Greek essayist Plutarch describes Spartacus as "a Thracian of Nomadic stock",[5] in a possible reference to the Maedi tribe. Andy Whitfield, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 39. He even speaks briefly of her before she died, and he then accepts the wine in good faith, collapsing after he has had his cup. Based on the events in late 73 BC and early 72 BC, which suggest independently operating groups of escaped slaves[52] and a statement by Plutarch, it appears that some of the escaped slaves preferred to plunder Italy, rather than escape over the Alps. Here, Marcus Crassus made his final stance against Spartacus, and with vastly superior numbers. [26] At its height, Spartacus's army included many different peoples, including Celts, Gauls, and others. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 12:15. Instead, they blocked off the main route up Vesuvius, pitched camp and tried to starve him out. In reality, his forces had sneaked off and were able to orchestrate an ambush.. Spartacus was eventually defeated by a much larger, 8-legion army under the leadership of Crassus. By the spring of 72 B.C., Spartacus may have had 40,000 troops, some of which stayed in south Italy with his co-leader Crixus while the remainder advanced towards the Alps under the command of Spartacus. Spartacus is written into history as a significant enemy who posed a very real treat to Rome. In the end they stayed, and roamed up and down Italy. At one point, explaining why he is not raging at his fate, Whitfield explains simply that there are two ways he could respond. Reflecting Platos paradox, considerable interest was taken in the ancient doxographic literature in the deaths and last words of ancient philosophers. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Part of the shows grand appeal was the dramatic lifestyle featured in the show, especially between the wealthy and the slaves. The show's attention to detail really helped build the narrative in a believable fashion, making the show all the more appealing. In the winter of 71 BC, Gannicus, along with Castus, broke off from Spartacus, taking a large number of Celts and Germans with them, marking the second detachment of the rebellion. Though the show finds a clever way to spin the ending of the show with the actual theories around his death, audiences still get to see Spartacus final moments. There seem to be a small number of fundamental attitudes of reason available to people from all cultures, Hadot came to suppose. , If you should live three thousand years, yet remember this, that no man loses any other life than that he now lives; and that he now lives no other life than what he is parting with, every instant . Gradually, more escaped slaves joined their . Crassus built trenches to block Spartacuss cavalry prompting a wild melee when Spartacuss men jumped in and tried to stop their construction. Spartacus attempted to lead his rowdy band back home to their native lands, but they preferred to stay and increase their ill-gotten gains. In actuality, his wife actually spent time with him at the house and even escaped with him and the other slaves. Now seriously alarmed, the Romans sent in a second military force under Publius Varinius. "[28], In these altercations, Spartacus proved to be an excellent tactician, suggesting that he may have had previous military experience. His wife, Vashti, described him as "our beautiful young warrior". Whitfield died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his family and manager said. Spartacus waged a brilliant guerrilla campaign against a strong and well-organized enemy, but he could not prevail against a fully mobilized Rome. After defeating another Roman force, this one led by a Roman governor named Gaius Cassius Longinus, Spartacuss force was now free to climb the Alps and go to Gaul, Thrace or other areas not controlled by Rome. They also advertise for all who see the film the merits of its informing philosophy. He tried to leave the army. Deakin University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. Whitfield died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after being diagnosed with. [24], The rebels also defeated a second expedition against them, nearly capturing the praetor commander, killing his lieutenants, and seizing the military equipment. Whitfield played the title role in all 13 episodes of the first series, screened in 2010, and was about to shoot the second series when he was diagnosed with cancer. Spartacus was a citizen of Rome, which means he was a free male. Furthermore, the Romans considered the rebellion more of a policing matter than a war. When did Spartacus sell slavery? "He was a gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, a gifted photographer, engineer (no really!) Despite this, the show still finds a very clever way to incorporate Glaber into a larger role in the show (whether he needed this large amount of screen time or not) despite his small mark on history. They marched as far north as Gaul (modern-day France). Spartacus was a Thracian who had served in the Roman army but seems to have deserted. Spartacus. However, very little is known about Glaber in real life aside from his humiliating defeat at the hands of Spartacus. For the most part, the show does a fantastic job of incorporating characters from Spartacus actual background into the TV show in a way that works with the narrative. Gellius was then either defeated by Spartacus or forced to retreat. The show featured a very large supporting cast, many of whom audiences grew attached to. Spartacuss force was now divided and increasingly surrounded and the stage was set for the final battle. Died: 71 BC. Andy Whitfield as Spartacus. [1] His name means "one with curly hair" in Gaulish. Spartacus and his small band of escapees acquired gladiator weapons from a passing cart and made their way to Mount Vesuvius. Hecontinues to embody class struggle in a very clear and resonant way. Under the leadership of the former gladiators, the slave army dealt Glaber a crushing defeat. [18] Spartacus was trained at the gladiatorial school (ludus) near Capua belonging to Lentulus Batiatus. Spartacuss rebel army swelledas it became a magnet for the disaffected. Furthermore a split emerged in the rebel camp. Omissions? The final battle that saw the assumed defeat of Spartacus in 71 BC took place on the present territory of Senerchia on the right bank of the river Sele in the area that includes the border with Oliveto Citra up to those of Calabritto, near the village of Quaglietta, in the High Sele Valley, which at that time was part of Lucania. Spartacus led the third and largest slave revolt against Rome. But none of it is philosophical. In one sense of the word, of course, this objection is true. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.". Rather than try and openly battle Spartacus in southern Italy he built a system of fortifications centred on the Melia Ridge in an effort to trap Spartacus and starve his troops. If you separate from yourself the future and the past, and apply yourself exclusively to living the life that you are livingthat is to say, the presentyou can live all the time that remains to you until your death, in calm, benevolence, and serenity. Anthropology, Archaeology, Arts and Music. In one of the more powerful moments in Be Here Now, Vashti reminds her husband of how, before each scene in the Spartacus series, Andy would steel or rev himself up for the combat. He is remembered for his rebellion against the oligarchical Roman reign during 73-72 BC. [53][54], Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, often referred to himself as Spartacus within written correspondences.[55]. [41], At this time, the legions of Pompey returned from Hispania and were ordered by the Senate to head south to aid Crassus. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Born: Around 109 BC. Undeterred Spartacus, at the head of his troops, and on foot, led a charge aimed at Crassus himself. Why did this happen to me, and not to others? According to Plutarch, Spartacus made a bargain with Cilician pirates to transport him and some 2,000 of his men to Sicily, where he intended to incite a slave revolt and gather reinforcements. The name Spartacus is otherwise manifested in the Black Sea region. Spartacus responded to the situation by offering Crassus a peace treaty which Crassus swiftly rejected. He joined the Roman legion when he was a teenager, but he really didn't like life in the legion, so he deserted. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The real Spartacus was a freeborn provincial from Thrace, who may have served as an auxiliary in the Roman army in Macedonia. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Andy Whitfield, the British star of US TV drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 39. Spartacus was believed to have died in this battle. Several sports clubs around the world, in particular the former Soviet and the Communist bloc, were named after the Roman gladiator. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point. They fought off a series of attacks from Roman forces, but then turned south. He notes that other factors may also have been involved. Appian and Florus write that he intended to march on Rome itself. 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