Spartacus
Spartacus, the leader of the greatest slave revolt in Roman history, was most likely of Thracian origin, as evidenced by his fighting style in the arenas. He was incorporated into the Roman army as a soldier of auxiliary units.
Trying to evade service, he defected, for which he faced the only possible punishment – demotion to slave status. But he probably wasn’t sold into slavery right away; instead he turned to robbery. Eventually, he was captured and sent to the Capua Gladiator School.
There he distinguished himself as an excellent fighter. For some time he even held the position of a fencing teacher (doctore). Hatred of the Romans and universal injustice pushed him to organize and lead a slave rebellion.
Sources
- Philip Matyszak, Wrogowie Rzymu: od Hannibala do Attyli, króla Hunów, 2007
