Cost of Glory 81 - Spartacus — with Barry Strauss
Feb 14, 2024
Spartacus expert Barry Strauss discusses how the slave revolt almost failed, leadership lessons from Spartacus, and his influence on modern leaders.
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Inspiration for Spartacus Book
- Barry Strauss was inspired to write about Spartacus by the 1960 movie and the post-9/11 focus on irregular warfare.
- Time in the Italian countryside also motivated him.
Context of Spartacus Revolt
- The late Roman Republic saw frequent power struggles between the optimates and populares, often turning violent.
- Rome's vast slave population, fueled by conquests, led to major revolts due to brutal conditions and lack of effective law enforcement.
Gladiators in Early Roman Republic
- Gladiators, mostly slaves, were trained fighters, often former soldiers.
- They were well-treated by Roman slave standards and could gain fame, fortune, or even freedom.