The Roman Revolution

Marcus Crassus

Marcus Crassus was one of the wealthiest men in Rome. A member of the equestrian order, he had made a fortune in finance and investing. He longed, however, for military glory. He was a competent commander with political ambitions, and any ambitious Roman could climb to the top only after having won some signal victory on the battlefield.

Marcus Crassus

In the late 70s, Crassus got his opportunity. In the year 73, a Greek slave in Sicily, Spartacus, led a slave rebellion. The local garrisons proved unable to quell the revolt, which quickly spread throughout Sicily and southern Italy. By 72 there was real fear in Rome of a general slave rebellion seizing all Italy.

This slave rebellion was yet another after-effect of the acquisition of empire. In the past century and a half, slaves had poured into Italy as the result of conquest. By Crassus' time, they were truly numerous and a general rebellion stood a real chance of success.

Spartacus was able to cross the straits and land in southern Italy, where he garnered even more support and his army soon numbered in the thousands. Some of their commanders were runaway gladiators, who were skilled in combat and who trained the others.

But Spartacus was doomed from the start. He failed to win the resounding victories he needed and the rebellion began to stall. It was here that Crassus entered. He was in the right place at the right time to deliver a crushing blow to Spartacus, and it was Crassus who put the revolt to rout.

Crassus, by 71, was the military hero he longed to be. He was hailed as the savior of Rome. He had an army of veterans to call upon. And he was ready for big-time political games.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

Comments and questions