Picenum (72 BC)

Following the defeat of his lieutenant Crixus, Spartacus continued north for the Alps, passing through Picenum. Two Roman armies moved against him. From the south, the consul Lucius Gellius Publicola pursued with his army, fresh from his victory at Mount …

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Following the defeat of his lieutenant Crixus, Spartacus continued north for the Alps, passing through Picenum. Two Roman armies moved against him. From the south, the consul Lucius Gellius Publicola pursued with his army, fresh from his victory at Mount Garganus. To the north, his fellow consul Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus moved to block Spartacus’ path. The Roman plan was initially successful. Spartacus was cornered, and the two Roman armies advanced to within sight of each other. Unfortunately, the Roman commanders, disdainful of Spartacus’ abilities, became too clever for their own good. They left an inviting gap between the two Roman armies, as if in error, to invite Spartacus to attack between both armies. Spartacus had other ideas. He split his army, leaving a small force to keep Lentulus busy, while he led the main attack against Gellius. Outnumbered, this Roman army was defeated. Spartacus then turned his troops against Lentulus. The second army was also smashed. The Roman leaders escaped capture, but large numbers of prisoners and much equipment fell into the hands of the slave army. Spartacus sacrificed 300 Roman captives to avenge Crixus, and then resumed his march to the Alps and freedom.

Marche, Italy

The Third Servile War, also called by Plutarch the Gladiator War and The War of Spartacus, was the last in a series of slave rebellions against the Roman Republic, known as the Servile Wars. The Third was the only one directly to threaten the Roman heartland of Italy. It was particularly alarming to Rome because its military seemed powerless to suppress it.

Wikipedia: Third Servile War

Slave

Roman

Third Servile War