Public Domain Super Heroes
Advertisement
Spartacus
Spartacus
From Blue Beetle v3 #54

Real Name

Spartacus

Born

109 BC

Died

71 BC

Historical Background[]

Spartacus (Greek: Σπάρτακος, Spártakos; Latin: Spartacus) (c. 109–71 BC) was a Thracian gladiator, who, along with the Gauls Crixus, Oenomaus, Castus and Gannicus, was one of the slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Little is known about Spartacus beyond the events of the war, and surviving historical accounts are sometimes contradictory and may not always be reliable. All sources agree that he was a former gladiator and an accomplished military leader. The rebellion, interpreted by some as an example of oppressed people fighting for their freedom against a slave-owning oligarchy, has been an inspiration to many political thinkers, and has been featured in literature, television, and film. Although not contradicted by classical historians, no historical account mentions that the goal of the rebels was to end slavery in the Roman Republic, nor do any of the actions of rebel leaders, who themselves committed numerous atrocities, seem specifically aimed at ending slavery.

Public Domain Comic Appearances of Spartacus[]

  • Real Life #50
  • Blue Beetle v3 #54

See Also[]

Advertisement