slaves in Italy, who were rebelling.

But intrigues and jealousies arose in his camp. The outcome of these
was that he was treacherously murdered by Perperna at a banquet in 72,
and with his death fell the Marian party in Spain.

Meanwhile a dangerous enemy was threatening Italy within her own
borders. In 73 a band of gladiators, under the leadership of one of
their number, named SPARTACUS escaped from the training school at
Capua and took up a strong position on Mount Vesuvius. They were
joined by large numbers of slaves and outcasts of every description,
and were soon in a position to defeat two Praetors who were sent
against them.

The next year they assumed the offensive; and Spartacus found himself
at the head of 100,000 men. Four generals sent against him were
defeated; and for two years he ravaged Italy at will, and even
threatened Rome. But intestine division showed itself in his ranks;
his lieutenants grew jealous of him, and his strength began to wane.

In 71 the command of the war was given to CRASSUS, who finished it in
six months. Spartacus fell, fighting bravely, near Brundisium. Pompey,
returning from the Sertorian war in Spain, met five thousand of those
who had escaped from the array of Spartacus. These he slew to a man.
Crassus pointed the moral of his victory by hanging, along the road
from Rome to Capua, six thousand captives whom he had taken.

Mithradátes meanwhile, taking advantage of the troubles at Rome, was
again in arms, and in 74 LUCIUS LICINIUS LUCULLUS was sent against
him.