The TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand, is the latest work to highlight the career and death of Spartacus. Much about the early life of Spartacus is not known, but the role he played as a rebel leader in the great slave rebellion against the Roman Republic, is well documented in historical sources. Spartacus, and his rebellion, have been an inspiration to enslaved peoples, and to authors and screenwriters, up to the present day.
Historians agree that Spartacus came from Thrace, a region in the Balkans, and a part of the Roman Empire at that time. He had been made into a slave of the Romans, but as he seemed to possess some military experience, he was sent to gladiator training school, in Capua in Italy, run by Lentulus Batiatus.
In 73 BC Spartacus organized an escape attempt from the school. The escape was betrayed, but Spartacus and his companions were able to arm themselves with kitchen implements, and fight their way out. During their escape they captured a great deal of weaponry and armor intended for the use of the gladiators. Spartacus and his force then defeated a small detachment of Roman troops, and retreated to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius where they set up defensive positions.
During the next two years Spartacus defeated every attempt by the Roman Republic to crush the slave revolt. Over this time his forces built up to almost 70,000 men.
Finally the Roman Senate chose Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, to crush the revolt. Crassus was given a force of 40,000 soldiers organized into eight legions. With great brutality Crassus crushed the rebellion. Spartacus probably died in one of the final battles, although his body was never identified. The Romans took 6000 prisoners, all of whom were crucified alongside the road from Capua to Rome.
The story of Spartacus has been the subject of numerous literary works including poems, novels and movies. It has also been an inspiration to enslaved peoples and revolutionary leaders throughout history.
In culture the best known portrayal of Spartacus was by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film, Spartacus. English actors Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivier played the Romans. Ustinov was the gladiator school owner, Lentulus Batiatus, and Olivier was the high ranking, and brutal Crassus.
More recently the story is being told again in the TV series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which premiered in January 2010. The part of Spartacus is played by Andy Whitfield. The first series only covered the time up to the escape from the gladiator school, and unfortunately Whitfield has become ill, so the second series has been delayed.
More Information:
The complete initial season of Spartacus is now for sale as a
Spartacus DVD set. Young men and teen boys are clearly enthused about the
TV Show Spartacus with its heroic violence. Parents of teenagers may want to check its content.
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