A Home Fit For Heroes To Live In- Part Two

Who was their leader? Historians believe he was a Thracian, born in 111BC in Strymon, near the Sturma river in Bulgaria. He seems to have once been a Roman soldier, before deserting and being sold as a gladiator. Many people now picture him as Kirk Douglas. Yes he was the legendary hero, Spartacus.




This incredible escape alone from such a place is surely more than enough to make Spartacus a true hero in anyone's eyes.

But there's more. Spartacus' band defeated the Roman legions sent after them, enlisting many other slaves into their group. They camped on Mount Vesuvius- probably after Mount Tifata. They escaped being starved out by descending the mountain on vine ropes and raiding the Roman camp. They then went on to defeat a second legion sent against them, persuading many locals to join them, to increase their army to about 70,000.


A skilled military strategist, he went on to have a number of other victories against the Roman legions.Finally the Rome senate was so alarmed by the threat to Rome posed by Spartacus' forces that they enlisted the help of the wealthiest Roman of the time, Crassus, to come to their aid. It took the combined forces of  Pompey and Crassus to finally defeat him in 71BC. Spartacus, we are told, died in battle ; whilst the survivors of his army were crucified along the Via Appia from Capua to Rome. Heroes every one of them.

 Back in the museum cafe. Another coffee. It's dark now. I can no longer see the amphitheatre outside so clearly now. But it is no longer remote. It's strangely part of my new home.A home that was fit for heroes to live in.