Spartacus

Spartacus (113-72 B.C.), leader of the Italian gladiatorial revolt, was a Thracian by birth, and was originally a shepherd. Very little is known of his career, but it is certain that after the conquest of Macedonia he was forced to serve in the Roman army, and his size and strength was the reason of his being selected for training as a gladiator. In 72 B.C. he organised a rebellion of his fellow-slaves, and their number, originally 70, increased, it is believed, to 70,000. For a time they were brilliantly successful, but at length, after a struggle which has earned the admiration of the world, they were defeated by Crassus, and Spartacus was killed.