Jordan Drummond
Ms. Aiken
English
16 January 2014

Who is Spartacus? In ancient Rome, a man by the name of Spartacus was feared throughout Rome due to his army and strength. It is believed that the life of Spartacus began in 109BC. He was born a free man in Thrace which is an ancient country that was located in the modern day Balkan Peninsula. Not much is known about his early years but later in life he became a brave Gladiator who led a famous slave revolt. Today he is known and inspired all over the world for his impact on Ancient Rome and his willingness to fight for what was right: freedom.
After being in the Roman army, Spartacus was captured and taken into slavery. During this time he was forced into gladiator school where he had no other choice but to learn how to fight till death. Slaves were not treated like humans and Spartacus could not stand the mistreatment any longer. He led a now famous slave revolt against the Romans to escape bondage.
Once escaping in 73BC, Spartacus took refuge on Mount Vesuvius with other escaped slaves. Runaway slaves from other places soon joined them. Spartacus’s small army began to train for what they knew was going to be an upcoming fight. Even though the slaves lacked
Drummond 2 military training, they displayed skillful tactics and they made good use of local materials. After the original army members were trained, the winter of 73-72BC was spent arming and equipping the newly joined army members.
Soon, word of Spartacus’s daring escape got to the Roman army. At first the slaves were of no threat to the Romans so a small army was sent to defeat Spartacus and the other escaped slaves. The Romans had no clue that Spartacus built an army of over 100,000 men that were willing to fight and die for freedom. Spartacus and his army used tactics that we now know as guerrilla warfare to defeat a series of Roman attacks. This began the 3rd Servile War or the Gladiator’s war.
Since the word of the slave’s successful attacks, the name “Spartacus” struck fear in Rome. In 72BC, the army of slaves led by Spartacus marched toward Gaul and fought off several Roman attacks. Soon after these victories they marched south and camped at Kenenium. The Romans