The Spartacus Rebellion

 The Spartacus Rebellion (73–71 BCE) was a major slave revolt against the Roman Republic. It began when Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator, and around 70 other gladiators escaped from a gladiator school in Capua. Spartacus became the leader of the uprising. Initially a small group, the rebels quickly grew in numbers, attracting slaves, runaways, and poor people from across southern and central Italy.

The rebels posed a significant threat to Rome, but eventually, the Roman armies, under leaders like Crassus and Pompey, defeated them. Important rebel leaders such as Crixus and Gannicus fought alongside Spartacus. The revolt ended in 71 BCE, with Spartacus killed in battle and many of the rebels crucified along the Appian Way. The rebellion was one of the largest challenges to Roman slavery and economic systems.