SPARTACUS
Arguably the most famous Roman gladiator, this tough fighter led a massive slave rebellion. After being enslaved and put through gladiator training school, an incredibly brutal place, he and 78 others revolted against their master Batiatus using only kitchen knives. The movement eventually accumulated 70,000 followers, pillaging towns across Italy. Spartacus attempted to lead his rowdy band back home to their native lands, but they preferred to stay and increase their ill-gotten gains. The Roman legions eventually defeated and crucified thousands of them, and Spartacus was killed in battle in 71 BC.
Spartacus is now associated with political upheaval, as in the 1919 Spartacist uprising
ALAMY X3, GETTY X6, MOVIESTILLS X2