The Rise of Spartacus

Spartacus was the most famous gladiator of all time, mainly because he led one of the greatest slave rebellions in history; however, little is known about his origins. Spartacus was a Thracian (who were a group of tribes that inhabited Southeastern Europe), born in 112 BCE. Before being forced into slavery, he served in the Roman Army. Historians believe he deserted the Army, and, after being captured, he was sold as a slave. Spartacus was bought by Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Batiatus (or Vatia) the owner of a gladiatorial school (known as ludus) located in Capua (north of Naples), where he trained to become a gladiator. 

Gladiators were slaves, constantly training under harsh conditions to participate (and survive) in the most popular sport of ancient Rome. The most successful gladiators enjoyed some level of fame and were even depicted in decorative artifacts. There is also evidence of the existence of female gladiators. Still, the gladiators themselves didn't enjoy this fame since they were still slaves, having to obey their master. 

As a man who was born free, Spartacus wanted to escape his enslavement. In 73 BCE, Spartacus, together with Crixus, Oenomaus (with whom Spartacus later shared leadership of his rebel army) and other 70 gladiators, escaped with weapons and armor, and took refuge on Mount Vesuvius. This marked the beginning of the Third Servile War.

At the height of the rebellion, Spartacus' army had 120,000 followers. He managed to defeat a number of Roman legions, mainly because Rome didn't see this revolt as a serious issue and because they were already fighting a revolt in Hispania and the Third Mithridatic War. Only in 71 BCE, under the command of general Marcus Licinius Crassus (the richiest man in Roman history), the Romans defeated Spartacus in the Battle of the Siler River. Crassus crucified 6,000 of his followers. Spartacus is said to have died in the battle, but his body has never been found. 

Although his goal wasn't to abolish slavery, Spartacus remains one of the most well-known figures of Roman history. His rebellion has inspired revolutionaries, writers and artists. His feats impressed even other Romans; Plutarch (a historian who lived almost a century after Spartacus) wrote "Spartacus, a Thracian of Nomadic stock, possessed not only of great courage and strength, but also in sagacity and culture superior to his fortune."