Rome Panics
Spartacus spent the winter of 73-72 BC in Thurii, Southern Italy. He seemed to make good use of his time by raiding towns and increasing his army to approximately 70,000 men. All freed slaves capable of fighting were given basic training. There is some confusion over what happens next as the two most important ancient sources, Appian and Plutarch, offer different accounts. It is important to note that neither historian contradicts the other.
It does appear as if Spartacus fought three separate engagements in the spring of 72 BC. Lentulus tried to surround the slaves but was defeated. Then the combined forces of Gellius and Arrius were also beaten. Finally, Gaius Cassius tried to halt the rebels with an army of 10,000 men at Mutina but met the same fate as his counterparts. It is said that Spartacus took 300 prisoners and sacrificed them or forced them to fight in gladiatorial combat.
With the latest Roman legions out of the way, the rebels were free to climb the Alps and advance to Thrace, Gaul or another area not under Roman control. However, Spartacus elected to lead his men back to Italy. The reasons for this decision are not clear although it seems as if his ragtag group didn’t want to leave Italy. After the split with Crixus, Spartacus was aware that further division of his army would be a disaster. It is also possible that the insurgents entertained ideas of invading Rome itself.
The Senate was extremely nervous at this stage because there were reports that the slave army now numbered 120,000. Rome was short of experienced commanders as generals such as Pompey and Metellus were in Spain while Lucullus was in Asia Minor. Crassus stepped forward in Rome’s hour of need. He was one of the wealthiest men in the city and offered his help to the Senate which was eventually accepted. Crassus had military experience as he served under the command of Sulla. He was given remnants of those who had fled during Varinius’s disastrous campaign along with new legions. Spartacus was to face his strongest enemy yet.