In 72 BC. the days of underestimating Spartak and his army are over. “Spartacus was now great and formidable … it was not only the unworthy shame of the slave uprising that disturbed the Roman Senate. He was afraid of Spartacus,”says Plutarch. “The state felt no less fear than when Hannibal stood menacingly at the gates of Rome,” testifies Orosius.
Kirk Douglas as Spartacus, 1960 film
The Senate of Rome understood the danger of the situation. All the available forces of the Republic were thrown into the fight against the insurgents. Mark Licinius Crassus became the commander of the new army.
Laurence Olivier as Mark Crassus, 1960 film
His appointment was largely due to the fact that Gneus Pompey, Lucius Licinius Lucullus, and his brother Marcus Licinius Lucullus, who were considered the best commanders of Rome, fought outside the Apennine Peninsula. In addition, among the remaining generals, there was no excess of those wishing to go to war with gladiators and slaves: the risk of suffering another defeat was very great, while a victory over such an "unworthy" rival did not promise much glory.
Appian reports:
"When the election of other praetors was called in Rome, fear held back everyone, and no one stood for office until Licinius Crassus, outstanding among the Romans for his origin and wealth, agreed to take on the title of praetor and commander of the troops."
Crassus already had combat experience: during the II Civil War, he fought against Maria in the army of Sulla. Together with Pompey, he then won a victory at Spoletius, later, commanding the right wing, overturned the enemy's left flank in the battle at the Collin Gate. Now Crassus received the post of praetor and 6 legions, which were joined by the consular legions of Gellius and Lentulus. Thus, he had from 40 to 50 thousand soldiers under his command, and all 60 thousand with auxiliary units.
The Roman army in the movie "Spartacus", 1960
The first loud act of Crassus in this war was the ancient decimation procedure - the execution by lot of every tenth soldier of the retreating units: thus, he clearly showed everyone that he did not intend to spare the "cowards". According to Appian, 4,000 people were executed, and "now Crassus was more terrible for his soldiers than their enemies who defeated them." According to the same author, these executions were carried out as follows: one of the junior commanders touched the soldier on whom the lot fell, and the other nine soldiers of a dozen beat him with sticks or stones until he died. The survivors did not have the right to spend the night within the camp, instead of wheat bread they were given "shameful" barley bread - which was fed to gladiators.
But soon after the appointment of Crassus, the situation on the fronts of the Republic changed. During a feast in Spain, the talented Marian commander Quintus Sertorius was treacherously killed, after which Pompey easily defeated the rebels who remained without a recognized leader. In Thrace, Marcus Lucius Lucullus won a victory and was preparing to return home. And so in the fall of that year, the Roman Senate decided to appoint a second general for the war against the rebellious slaves. The choice fell on Pompey. This appointment was extremely disliked by Crassus, who was always jealous of the glory of Pompey and therefore was in a hurry to put an end to the rebels on his own. He laid siege to the army of Spartacus in Regia (according to another version - north of the Furies). However, according to some historians, Spartak was simply waiting in a camp prepared by him in advance for the winter storms to pass and pirate fleets to come to his aid.
Cilician pirate, still from the movie "Spartacus", 1960
Many researchers now believe that with the help of pirates Spartacus planned to organize a landing in the rear of Crassus (to surround the Romans, and not to evacuate his army at all, as the author of the wonderful novel Rafaello Giovagnoli believed). The fact is that the rebellious slaves, in general, had nowhere to leave. Near Sicily was just a large cage with limited human and material resources. The Romans would not have left daring slaves alone and would not have given them this island. By the way, Plutarch understood this, arguing that Spartacus planned to transfer only 2,000 people to Sicily - in order to raise an uprising there, this detachment was quite enough. It was unlikely, perhaps, to establish their own state in Cisalpine Gaul, and the rebels did not have the strength to stay in it. The way to "Shaggy" Gaul lay through the Alps, and there they would not be very happy with the Latinized Gauls of Spartacus (especially the Thracians and people of other nationalities). In addition, the powerful Gallic tribe of the Aedui at this time acted as an ally of the Romans, sending their soldiers to them as mercenaries. The Gauls and the Germans of the army of Spartacus, who initially did not fully trust their comrades-in-arms, and, in the end, separated from them, there was nothing to do in Thrace. And it was too late to go there - Marcus Licinius Lucullus had already finished off the last rebels. No one expected the rebels in Spain, pacified by Pompey. And there was absolutely nowhere to go for the natives of Italy - both free people who joined Spartacus, and slaves. However, information about the appointment of Pompey forced Spartacus to abandon his original plans and start hostilities. Part of his army broke through the defensive line of Crassus and demonstratively moved towards Rome. The losses of the rebels were great (up to 12 thousand people), but Crassus "was afraid that Spartacus would not dare to swiftly move to Rome" (Plutarch). Rushing after the Spartacus units, Crassus wrote a letter to the Senate demanding to urgently summon Lucullus from Thrace and expedite the return of Pompey from Spain. The remaining "unattended" part of the insurgent army, not restrained by anyone, went out into the operational space. But at the same time the army of Spartacus was divided: part of it remained in Bruttia, part of it was at Silar, and at that time the detachment of Gaius Gannik appeared in Lucania, which, probably, had been acting independently for a long time: some data suggest that the leaders of the rebellious gladiators, Spartacus and the Crixus, from the very beginning, formed two different armies. Orosius writes:
"Crixus had an army of 10,000 men, and Spartacus had three times that number."
Later, he will also report that Mark Crassus defeated the "auxiliary troops" of Spartacus, and he says this exactly about the army of Crixus - a detachment of Gauls and Germans. And auxiliary troops in Rome were called independent units, which were temporarily attached to the army performing the main task. And, it is very likely that Spartacus and Crixus had completely different views on the war with Rome, different plans, and their alliance was temporary. When the contradictions between the armies of the rebels reached their maximum, Crixus began to implement his, unknown to us, plan. Spartacus led his army north to Cisalpine Gaul, while Crixus finally separated from him and headed south. On the way, his detachment underwent a flank attack in the most unfavorable conditions - on a small peninsula surrounded on three sides by water. Crixus died in the battle at Mount Gargan, but the Romans were unable to destroy his army, which escaped from the trap and was now retreating south, leading the army of the consul Gellius. The consul pursued them for a while, but then turned north to meet Spartacus, who had already defeated the army of Lentulus (another consul):
"When Lentulus surrounded Spartacus with a large number of troops, the latter, striking with all his forces in one place, defeated the legates of Lentulus and captured the entire train."
(Plutarch.)
Then it was the turn of Gellius's army, hurrying to meet him:
"Consul Lucius Gellius and Praetor Quintus Arrius were defeated by Spartacus in open battle."
(Titus Livy.)
Having defeated the consuls, Spartacus honored the memory of Crixus and the Gauls who died with him by staging gladiatorial battles in which 300 noble Roman prisoners of war were forced to participate. At the same time, Spartak allegedly said then:
"Crixus was a brave and skillful warrior, but a very poor general."
Paul Kinman as Crixus in Spartacus, 2004
Spartacus honored the memory of the fallen comrades by staging gladiatorial battles in which noble Roman prisoners of war were forced to participate, still from the movie "Spartacus", 1960
Crixus was replaced by Gall Cannicas, who was more often called by the Roman name Guy Gannicus, which means that he had the rights of a Roman citizen: not one of the Roman historians reproached him for assigning this name and not one doubted Gannik's right to wear it. Most likely, Crixus, Guy Gannicus and his deputy Kast were Gauls from the Insubrian tribe, who lived earlier in the province of "Cisalpine (Pre-Alpine) Gaul", whose capital was Mediolan (Milan). This province was also called Near Gaul and Gaul Togata (since its inhabitants wore togas like the Romans).
Cisalpine Gaul
Gaul in the 1st century BC
But some researchers, ignoring the numerous indications that Crixus was a Gaul, consider him a Hellenized Italic from the Samnite tribal union.
Tribes of Italy on the map
Roads of Ancient Rome in Italy, scheme
In 89 BC. all personally free residents of Cisalpine Gaul received Roman citizenship, the Samnites received citizenship in the same year. Therefore, it is likely that Crixus, Gannicus and Cast (regardless of their nationality) were Roman citizens. And all three fall under the definition of Plutarch and Sallust:
"Thrown into the dungeon for gladiators, Roman citizens who heroically defended freedom from the tyranny of Sulla."
(Plutarch.)
"People free in spirit and glorified, former fighters and commanders of the army Maria, illegally repressed by the dictator Sulla."
(Sallust.)
So, part of the soldiers of the army of Spartacus, indeed, could have previously been free people, opponents of Sulla, after whose victory they were unjustly sold into slavery. This may explain their unwillingness to be close to "real" slaves and the desire to act apart. Even the defeat and death of Crixus did not force them to join the army of Spartacus.
Let's go back to 71 BC. and we will see the detachment of Gannik and Kast, standing separately from the army of Spartacus - at Lake Lucan. It was this detachment of the rebels that was closest to the main forces of Crassus, who tried to strike him with superior forces on the move. Spartak, who came up in time, prevented him from doing this:
"Approaching the detached unit, Crassus pushed it back from the lake, but he did not manage to defeat the rebels and put them to flight, since Spartacus, who quickly appeared, stopped the panic."
(Plutarch.)
But in this case Crassus showed himself to be a skillful commander. Frontin reports:
“Having divided the cavalry, he ordered Quinctius to send part of it against Spartacus and lure him with a pretended form of battle, and with the other part of the cavalry, try to lure the Gauls and Germans from the detachment of Castus and Gannicus into battle and, under the pretense of a battle, lure them to where he himself had previously stood with his troops in battle formation."
So, Crassus managed to divert the attention of Spartacus by an imitation of an offensive, and at this time the main forces of the Romans defeated the army of Gannicus:
"Mark Crassus first happily fought with a part of the fugitive slaves, which consisted of Gauls and Germans, killing thirty-five thousand slaves and killing their leader Gannicus" (Titus Livy).
Dustin Claire as Guy Gannicus, Spartacus, Gods of the Arena, 2011
Despite the inequality of forces, the battle was extremely fierce - according to Plutarch, “12,300 slaves were killed. Of these, only two were wounded in the back, all the rest fell in line, fighting against the Romans."
But the main surprise awaited Crassus in the Gannicus camp. Frontin reports:
"Five Roman Eagles were taken back, twenty-six military badges, a lot of war booty, between which there were five lictor bonds with axes."
The list of trophies is fantastic. Because in the famous battle in the Teutoburg forest (9 AD), the Romans lost three Eagles, in the wars with Parthia - two. And these losses in battles with "full-fledged" enemies were considered a disaster. And then it turns out that only the detachment of Crixus-Gannicus-Castus defeated 5 Roman legions.
Aquila - Roman eagle, bronze, Oltenia Museum, Bucharest, previously gilded
Having learned about the defeat of Gannik and Kast, Spartacus retreated to the Petelia mountains. On the way, he defeated the legate Quintus and the quaestor Scrofa who were pursuing him:
“When he (Spartacus) turned and moved on them, there was a panicky flight of the Romans. They managed to escape with difficulty, carrying away the wounded quaestor."
(Plutarch.)
The same author reports:
“Success ruined Spartacus, as the fugitive slaves became extremely proud. They did not want to hear about the retreat, did not obey the commanders and, with weapons in their hands, forced them to go back through Lucania towards Rome."
It is difficult to say how it really was, but Spartak moved to Lucania. A number of historians suggest that Spartacus's goal was still not a campaign against Rome: he probably intended to turn to Brundisium. This city was a strategically important port - all-weather, protected from storms. Brundisium had a large supply of supplies, and it was also the site of the most likely landing for Lucullus's army. In addition, in this way Spartacus led Crassus away from Pompey, whose troops were already in Cisalpine Gaul, and received the opportunity to defeat the enemy commanders in turn. However, the troops of the governor of Macedonia Mark Lucullus (brother of Lucius Lucullus) had already landed in Brundisium and the leader of the rebels found himself in the position of Napoleon at Waterloo.
"Spartacus … realized that everything was lost, and went to Crassus."
(Appian.)
This was his last chance - to smash the Romans piece by piece before their armies unite.
Orosius reports that the last battle of Spartacus took place in Lucania - at the source of the Silar River. Eutropius claims that Spartacus gave this battle near Brundisium - in Apulia. Most researchers prefer this particular version. Anyway, in January 71 BC. at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Spartak's cavalry stumbled upon the army of Crassus, which was engaged in the arrangement of the camp (half of the army was building a camp, half of the army was in combat escort) and attacked it without permission. This was the only battle of Spartacus that did not develop according to his plan, and it was not at all the battle that the great commander would like to give.
"As more and more people were hurrying to help from both sides, Spartak was forced to build his army in battle formation."
(Plutarch.)
Plutarch claims that in his last battle, Spartacus fought on foot:
“The horse was brought up to him. Drawing out his sword and saying that in case of victory he will have many beautiful enemy horses, and in case of defeat he will not need them, Spartacus stabbed the horse."
However, if the commander of the rebels killed the horse before his last battle, then, probably, for ritual purposes - by sacrificing it. Knowing that Spartacus led the blow against Crassus's headquarters, it is logical to assume that his detachment was mounted. Appian reports: "He (Spartacus) already had enough horsemen." He also writes that Spartak was wounded by the doration spear, which was used by the cavalry. Probably, Spartak himself fought on horseback at the time of receiving the wound. This version is confirmed by a fragment of a wall fresco found in Pompeii, in which a horseman, named Felix, inflicts a wound in the thigh of another with a spear, with the inscription "Spartacus" above his head.
Modern reconstruction of a wall fresco found in Pompeii
In the second part of this fresco, a Roman warrior strikes an enemy in an unnatural posture from behind - perhaps this is a depiction of the last minutes of Spartacus's life.
So, realizing that in case of defeat, his army is doomed, Spartak decided to take a chance and strike in the center, where the enemy commander stood:
“He rushed at Crassus himself, but because of the mass of fighting and wounded, he could not get to him. But he killed two centurions who entered the battle with him."
(Plutarch.)
“Spartacus was wounded in the thigh with a dart; kneeling down and putting up a shield, he fought off the attackers until he fell down with a large number of his people who were around him, surrounded by enemies."
(Appian.)
"Spartacus himself, fighting bravely in the front row, was killed and died, as befits a quasi imperator - a great emperor."
(Flor.)
"Defending himself with great courage, he did not fall unavenged."
(Sallust.)
"He, surrounded by a large number of enemies and courageously repelling their blows, was finally chopped to pieces."
(Plutarch.)
"The death of Spartacus". Engraving by Hermann Vogel
Spartacus's body was not found.
Perhaps, personal participation in the attack of the enemy was Spartak's mistake. It was the panic that gripped the troops of the rebels after the news of the death of the leader, and led to their complete defeat. There was no one to gather the retreating troops, there was no one to organize a correct retreat. However, the rebels were not going to surrender: they perfectly understood that death awaited them in any case - no one would buy slaves who had fought against Rome for two years. Therefore, according to Appian, after the defeat:
“A large number of Spartacists still took refuge in the mountains, where they fled after the battle. Crassus moved towards them. Divided into 4 parts, they fought back until all were killed, with the exception of 6000, who were seized and hanged along the entire road leading from Capua to Rome."
Appian Way (modern photo), along which 6,000 slaves were crucified on crosses
Flor writes about their death as follows:
"They died a death worthy of brave people, fighting for life and death, which was quite natural in the troops under the command of a gladiator."
Pompey also managed to take part in the "hunt" for the scattered slaves:
“Fate still wanted to make Pompey a participant in this victory in some way. 5000 slaves, who had managed to escape in the battle, met with him and every last man was exterminated."
(Plutarch.)
However, for a long time, the remnants of Spartacus' army bothered the Romans. Only 20 years later, according to Suetonius, their last detachment was defeated at Bruttius by the propraetor Guy Octavius - the father of the future emperor Octavian Augustus.
