Crassus and the Revolt of Spartacus

Spartacus led his slave army south to the very toe of Italy, and began to negotiate for passage across the Straits of Messina to Sicily. Crassus saw his chance to win some of that glory that had so eluded him by putting down the revolt himself. He convinced the Senate to give him the title of Prater and command of 50,000 troops. It was more than enough he said to defeat the rabble once and for all.