Spartacus (c. 111–71 BCE) Flashcards
Who was Spartacus?
A Thracian gladiator who led a major slave revolt against Rome known as the Third Servile War.
When did Spartacus live?
Around 111 BCE to 71 BCE.
What rebellion did Spartacus lead?
The Third Servile War (73-71 BCE).
Where was Spartacus originally from?
Thrace, likely in modern-day Bulgaria.
What was Spartacus’s profession before leading the rebellion?
He was a gladiator and possibly a Roman soldier before being enslaved.
How did Spartacus and his fellow gladiators initially escape?
They escaped from a gladiator school in Capua in 73 BCE.
How did Spartacus’s army acquire weapons?
By raiding Roman weapon depots and repurposing farming tools.
What was Spartacus’s most significant achievement?
Leading the largest and most successful slave rebellion against the Roman Republic.
What was the historical period like during Spartacus’s life?
It was the late Roman Republic, a time of social inequality, political instability, and expansion.
How did Spartacus’s rebellion end?
His army was eventually defeated by the Romans, and Spartacus likely died in battle in 71 BCE.
How did Spartacus’s rebellion impact Roman society?
It inspired fear among the Roman elite and highlighted the potential for slave uprisings.
What does Spartacus symbolize today?
He symbolizes resistance and the fight against oppression.
What major challenge did Spartacus face during his rebellion?
Maintaining cohesion among his diverse group of followers and facing the Roman military.
How did Spartacus use guerrilla tactics?
By hiding in the mountains and launching surprise attacks on Roman forces.
How did Spartacus and his army use humor against their captors?
They held a mock gladiatorial tournament with captured Romans, turning the tables on their former oppressors.
