The Last Stand of Spartacus

By 71 BCE, Spartacus and his forces, numbering around 30,000–50,000, were trapped in southern Italy by the legions of Marcus Licinius Crassus. With his escape to the Alps or Sicily blocked, Spartacus chose to make a final stand. He and his army faced overwhelming odds against Crassus’ well-trained legions near the Silarus River (modern Sele River).

Before the battle, Spartacus reportedly killed his own horse, declaring that if he won, he would have Roman horses to choose from, and if he lost, he would have no need for one. This act symbolized his determination to fight to the death.