The Revolt of Spartacus

A few dozen gladiators break out of the school at Capua and dig in on Vesuvius; slaves from the surrounding estates stream to them, and the band grows into an army of tens of thousands. For two years they defeat the forces sent against them and march Italy end to end; where they were going — home across the Alps, or against Rome — the ancient authors already dispute. Crassus with several legions pins them to the south of the peninsula; the rebels are defeated, and six thousand prisoners are crucified along the Appian Way. The slave economy does not change — but the rising will be remembered as the most dangerous Rome ever faced.