The recent re-release of the Stanley Kubrick epic "Spartacus", starring Kirk Douglas. sparked off several great ideas for the Gaming possibilities inherent in the story. Within one framework we have golden opportunities for games ranging from one-on-one gladatorial contests to the clash of mighty armies. First, some background.

The movie version of the story of the slave fighting to be free differs in several details from the historical events. In the movie, Spartacus was "born a slave, the son and Grandson of slaves". He was from Thrace. and was rescued from death by starvation in a Libyan quarry for hamstringing a guard) by the owner of a gladitorial school" played with wondrous unctiousness by Peter Ustinov). After being humiliated and oppressed in various ways during training, Spartacus was forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of a high ranking Roman, Crassus. Spartacus' opponent beat him, but rather than kill him, attacked the Romans instead. This sparked off the revolt of the gladiators in the school.

Because they were tougher than the guards, and more skilled in single combat, the gladiators won. Spartacus led them out of the school, where they engaged in various forms of brigandage to support themselves. After an indeterminate period, Spartacus inspired the gladiators to form an army. free as many slaves as they could, and fight their way out of Italy back to their homes. They embarked on a journey across Italy to the port of Brindisium, where they were to be transported out of Italy by Cilician pirates.

Meanwhile, back in Rome, there was an amazing amount of political intrigue going on over the crisis that Spartacus and his slave army created. Crassus was maneuverinc to be declared dictator; he was opposed by another Roman (played by Charles Laughton) whose name escapes me. the Senate sent out six cohorts of the "garrison of Rome" to deal with the slave rabble arm's, because they held the slaves in contempt, the Romans did not properly entrench their night camp, and were deservedly slaughtered by Spartacus. Spartacus made an impassioned speech to the captured commander of the Roman troops, to the effect that all they want from Rome is to be left alone.

Of course. Roman honor could not allow this to happen. The Romans began to negotiate with the pirates to keep the slaves in Italy. Two separate armies were recalled from Spain and the East to deal with the threat. Spartacus learned of the trap being set for him. His only course of action was to turn back: north and defeat the army of Crassus outside Rome before the re-inforcinq armies can surround and annihilate him. In the climactic battle, Spartacus took on Crassus, and was winning, when a second Roman army enveloped his flank. This was one of the recalled, pursuing armies, that came upon him by secret passes through the Appenines. Spartacus was defeated and his dream of freedom died.

In the closing scenes of the movie Crassus (played by Laurence Olivier) was keen to identify Spartacus. He offered the few slave prisoners their lives, if they would identify Spartacus. In a tremendous display of loyalty and Defiance. they all claimed to be Spartacus. the result was that all the survivors were crucified. Six thousand bodies lined the Appian way and the revolt was over. Spartacus lives on in his son, who managed to escape the slaughter.

Spartacus: The History

The history of Spartacus is somewhat different, though no less interesting. The few sources available to me identify him as a Thracian, though one source says he was from Thessaly. He was a soldier in the Roman army and apparently deserted, whereupon he began a life of banditry.

Upon his capture, he was sold into slavery. He was sent to the gladiator school outside of Capua. In 73 B.C., he and 70 companions broke out of the school. They made their headquarters in the caldera of Mt. Vesuvius. The rough terrain gave them a natural fortress and they preyed on the surrounding countryside.

About this same time, there were several slave revolts starting up or in progress across Italy and Sicily. Spartacus and his band of robbers began to attract runaway slaves to their mountain lair. Eventually, his followers numbered as many as 90,000 people. I have not been able to determine how many of these might have been fighters. Discounting females, children and those too old or infirm to fight, we might put his fighting strength no higher than 5,000 to 20,000 (this is a guess based on figures for similar sized tribes of Gauls and Germans). Many of the slaves were from the East, but a significant portion were from the North, from Gaul and Germania.

Spartacus' army defeated two Roman forces sent to root them out of Vesuvius. This allowed them to re-equip many of their people with Roman weapons. Apparently Spartacus did contact Cilician pirates and attempt to move to Brindisium, with the object of leaving Italy. This plan was thwarted by Roman counter-intrigue and Roman forces. The ill-disciplined slave army then attempted unsuccessfully to move to Sicily, to support a slave revolt in full swing there. Spartacus also attempted to pursuade his followers to try to move over the Alps and return to Germania. He was over-ruled by his men, who wanted to stay in Italy where the pickings were easier.

After two years of this kind of bouncing around Italy, part of Spartacus' force split off in an attempt to move over the Alps. They were caught by a pursuing Roman army and destroyed. Spartacus himself was soon after brought to bay by Crassus and, in a pitched battle, died fighting. As in the movie, 6,000 survivors of the fight were crucified on the Appian Way as a reminder to slaves of the might and power of Rome. Spartacus - deserter, bandit, ano general - was transformed into a symbol for oppressed men everywhere.

Spartacus of Thrace

Part 1: The Movie Background
Part 2 The Games