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CHAPTER
Spartacus in the Slave Revolt
The frenzied fans jostled for the best view as the
muscular gladiators marched into the amphitheater. It seemed as if all of Rome had turned out for
the spectacle even though the midday sun beat
down unmercilessly on the panting crowds. But
who wanted to miss seeing the lions as they lunged
against these men armed with the crudest of
weapons? And besides, even if the gladiators
killed the beasts, the men would turn on each other
for the final phase of the fight. And that fight to the
death was perhaps what the crowds loved even
more than the sight of a starving lion feasting on a
fallen gladiator.
Today’s games were even more popular than
usual because the gladiators had come from
Lentulus Batiates’ gladiator school in Capua, southeast of Rome. Batiates had a reputation for training
his slaves in the deadly sport. Seldom did any of his
gladiators show cowardice. And they always
rewarded the crowds with what they wanted most—
bloody combat. As long as the gladiators entertained the crowds, no one seemed to care how cruel
conditions were at Batiates’ school. After all, gladiators were only slaves and convicted criminals, and
masters could treat these slaves as they wished.
The Beginnings of the Revolt
Facing a future of almost certain death, the gladiators seemed powerless to resist Batiates and his
cruel staff. Powerless, that is, until a remarkable
leader—Spartacus, a slave from Thrace—
emerged in their midst.
According to the Roman historian Plutarch,
Spartacus was destined for fame. When he was
first brought to the slave market in Rome, a snake
coiled itself on his face while he slept—a sure
omen that Spartacus would hold great power but
would meet a tragic fate.
Whether Plutarch’s story is true or false,
Spartacus did indeed rise to great power. Unwilling
to meekly submit to the cruelty of Batiates’ school
any longer, Spartacus led 78 gladiators in a bold
escape in 73 B.C. The escapees crept through the
city of Capua stealing gladiatorial weapons and
hiking to nearby Vesuvius where they set up camp.
Early Successes
Spartacus drilled his men into a superb fighting
force that defeated legion after legion that the
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Romans sent to return them to a life of bondage.
With each victory, the slaves looted the fallen
legionaries of weapons and armor and prepared
for the next onslaught of soldiers.
Terrified, the Romans dispatched the praetor
Clodius and a force of 3,000 to annihilate the
troublesome slaves. Clodius’ force besieged the
gladiators, closing the only pass up the mountainside. Facing certain starvation on the mountain, Spartacus craftily ordered his men to cut
down the sturdy vines that grew there and fashion ladders. Stealthily using the vines along the
steep precipices, all of Spartacus’ men escaped
the mountain and attacked the unsuspecting
Romans from the rear. Once again, a motley
band of slaves had defeated the forces of the
Roman Republic.
And so it went throughout the rest of 73 B.C.
and 72 B.C. As word of the revolt spread, slaves
throughout Italy crept away from their masters to
join the rebels. Almost overnight it seemed,
Spartacus had become the leader of 70,000 men
hungering for revenge and liberty.
The men labored night and day to manufacture
their own weapons and to learn military maneuvers that would defeat the legions that they knew
the terrified Romans would send. And their labors
paid off. Legion after legion of mighty Rome fell
before the slaves as Spartacus led his troops
toward the Alps.
Divisions Among the Gladiators
Spartacus wanted to lead his men to freedom outside Italy, but something happened along the way.
The formerly well-disciplined troops suddenly
refused to obey their leader. Flushed by the
excitement of victories over the Romans, the men
broke away to loot the cities of northern Italy.
Suddenly Spartacus, with reduced manpower,
found his way north blocked by formidable
legions. With no place left to turn, Spartacus
ordered his men south.
For a while the slaves were again unified and
defeated more legions. But yet again the slaves
rejected Spartacus as leader and divided. Seizing
upon this opportunity, the Roman Crassus surrounded a force of 12,300 slaves and hacked them
to death in a fierce battle.
PROFILES IN HISTORY
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PROFILES IN HISTORY
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Final Defeat
Reviewing Profiles
On a separate sheet of paper, write the answers to
the questions below.
1. Interpreting Ideas Why was Spartacus considered a hero?
2. Evaluating Ideas Why did Spartacus terrify
the Romans?
3. Analyzing Ideas How do you think the history of Rome would have been different if
Spartacus had succeeded in crossing the Alps?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
As Spartacus’ cause became even bleaker, the
Romans sent reinforcements. Faced with such
overwhelming opposition, Spartacus led his men
into a final battle rather than surrender. Surrounded
by Roman soldiers, Spartacus fought bravely.
Mortally wounded, he continued to fight. Finally,
he collapsed, his body so mutilated by this last
combat that it could not even be identified.
Most of Spartacus’ troops died beside their
leader. Those who did escape were savagely
hunted down and rounded up. As a warning to
other slaves who might revolt, the Romans crucified 6,000 slaves on the Appian Way—the main
highway of Italy—and left the bodies hanging in
their tortured agony for months.
The revolt had been crushed. And the slavery
on which Rome so depended continued to play a
role in Roman society as it changed from republic
to empire.
PROFILES IN HISTORY
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proposed a sentence. The jury chose one of the
two proposals.
4. Answers will vary. Students who agree may
suggest that Socrates chose to die, since he refused
to compromise on his sentence or escape prison
when given the chance. Students who disagree
may suggest that the blame for Socrates’ death
should be put on his accusers or the jury who
condemned him.
5. Historians should be cautious concerning the
information on Socrates written by Plato and his
other students because they may have been biased
regarding their former teacher.
Profiles in History Chapter 7
1. Spartacus was considered a hero because he
bravely led a revolt of slaves fighting for their
freedom against overwhelming odds.
2. The Romans were terrified of Spartacus and his
vast number of slaves because they feared that if
the slaves were victorious, they might turn on the
population of Rome. Also, the Roman economy
depended heavily on slavery, and if the slave
revolt was successful, the Roman economy would
collapse.
3. Answers will vary. Students may suggest that
Spartacus and his followers could have set up their
own country separate from Rome, which might
have undermined the Roman Empire.
Profiles in History Chapter 8
1. Justinian had a strong personality, which was seen
in the type of leadership he provided for his country. He apparently had an autocratic side, which
was evidenced by the way in which he initially
handled the trouble between the Blues and Greens.
However, he also had a compromising side, seen
in his later attempt to reach an agreement with the
rebels.
2. The Nika Rebellion began over competition
between the Blues and Greens, two competing racing teams. When the competition turned into
full-scale riots between fans, Justinian punished
the leaders. The fans on both sides demanded pardon for two of their leaders, and when Justinian
refused, a riot broke out.
3. Constantinople was called the “wonder of the
world” because of its great wealth. It could resist
attackers because taxes and custom duties paid for
ships, soldiers, and peace treaties. This allowed its
power to grow. Constantinople was also a beautiful
city with majestic palaces and public buildings,
and its citizens were able to enjoy many cultural
and athletic events.
4. Answers will vary. Students may mention some
of Justinian’s qualities such as courage, determination, and the ability to compromise when
necessary.
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ANSWER KEY
Profiles in History Chapter 9
1. Things such as the political impact of the
wedding, the assessment of Arjumand’s dowry
and family, and the time that the court astrologers
deemed favorable, had to be taken into consideration before Prince Khurram and Arjumand could
be married.
2. Following Mumtaz Mahal’s death, Shah Jahan
locked himself in his room for eight days, and
when he emerged, his black hair had turned white.
Jahan’s appearance stunned his courtiers and
advisers.
3. Mumtaz Mahal’s dying request to her husband
was to build a monument to her that was so
perfect and pure that anyone looking at it would
be reduced to tears.
4. The building of the Taj Mahal could be considered
an international achievement because artists,
craftworkers, and artisans from all over the known
world took part in its construction. In addition,
precious stones and metals used in the construction
of the Taj Mahal came from many different
countries.
5. The Taj Mahal may be called a “dream in marble”
because of its breathtaking and magical visual
qualities, particularly when sunlight or moonlight
reflect off the marble.
Profiles in History Chapter 10
1. Duke William of Normandy was angry about
Harold Godwinson’s ascending the throne of
England because originally William was named
heir to the throne by his cousin Edward the
Confessor, king of England. Also, Harold had
previously sworn an oath to William that he would
help him gain the throne.
2. Halley’s Comet was the natural phenomenon
seen by people in 1066 and interpreted as an
omen foretelling great changes.
3. Harold’s victory at Stamford Bridge was due to
speed the of Harold’s army, which led to a surprise
attack.
4. Harold believed that his claim to the English
throne was stronger than William’s because Harold
was named heir by Edward on his deathbed, and
Harold believed deathbed wishes to be sacred.
5. Answers will vary. Students may suggest that
Harold might have won had he been better prepared, or waited a few days longer in London to
increase the size of his army. They may also add
that he should have warned the troops against the
Norman tactic of false retreat. Students may also
suggest that William’s tactics, such as having his
archers fire high in the air, were the reasons for
Harold’s defeat.
Profiles in History Chapter 11
1. The longbow originated in Wales.
PROFILES IN HISTORY
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