The Spartacus War: The Revolt of the Gladiators

The Spartacus War: The Revolt of the Gladiators

by Barry Strauss (Author)

Synopsis

Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who started a prison breakout with 74 men, armed with kitchen knives. It grew into a full scale rebellion against Rome, the most famous slave revolt in history. With an army of gladiators, ex-slaves and other desperadoes, he managed to defeat a succession of Roman armies and bring the Republic to its knees. Today, he is best known from Stanley Kubrick's 1960 feature film, SPARTACUS, starring Kirk Douglas. The real Spartacus certainly had the charisma of the chisel-chinned actor, and he was a star gladiator (he appears on a fresco found at Pompeii). However, Spartacus was a good deal more ruthless than a Hollywood hero. He had one of his Roman prisoners crucified before a battle, to remind his followers what they could expect if they lost! Barry Strauss has explored the areas of Italy where Spartacus fought and died. Professor of History at Cornell University, he is an authority on Ancient Rome, whose popular histories of TROY and THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS have won him worldwide recognition. SALAMIS has been translated into six languages.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Published: 12 Mar 2009

ISBN 10: 0297852671
ISBN 13: 9780297852674
Book Overview: One of the most famous stories in History Spartacus is one of the few 'brand names' of ancient history, and this is the first popular history of his life and times. SPARTACUS is one of the great Hollywood spectaculars

Media Reviews
'With his trademarks of extensive knowledge, insights and great story-telling ability, Barry Strauss brings us as close as we can get to the enigmatic Spartacus, the slave who defied the Roman Republic.' Adrian Goldsworthy - pre-publication quote This is a colourful and thrilling account that deserves the widest possible readership -- Christopher Silvester DAILY EXPRESS - 03.04.09 Barry Strauss adds an ironic twist to this story of political competition...offers a racy narrative of the rebellion. -- Mary Beard THE SUNDAY TIMES - 12.04.09 Strauss makes every last scrap of information count...fine biography. -- Tom Hollland THE WASHINGTON POST 05.04.09
Author Bio
Barry Strauss read History at Cornell and gained a Ph.D at Yale in 1979. He is now Professor of History and Classics at Cornell University. The author of nine books, he has appeared in many TV documentaries, and has contributed op-ed pieces to the WASHINGTON POST and LOS ANGELES TIMES.