Archaeologists have identified a 2.7-km- (1.7-mile) long Roman defensive wall and ditch — initially constructed by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus to contain the Thracian gladiator and slave revolt leader Spartacus and his forces — in Calabria, southern Italy.
The 2,070-year-old Roman wall in the Dossone della Melia forest in south-central Calabria, Italy. Image credit: University of Kentucky.
Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who became one of the most famous leaders of a major slave revolt against the Roman Republic, known as the Third Servile War (73-71 BCE).
Born around 103 BCE in present-day Bulgaria, he initially served in the Roman army before being captured and sold into slavery.
In 73 BCE, Spartacus, along with about 70 fellow gladiators, escaped from a gladiatorial training school in Capua. They took refuge on Mount Vesuvius, where they were soon joined by other runaway slaves.
Spartacus proved to be a capable leader and tactician, successfully defeating several Roman forces and growing his army to an estimated 70,000 enslaved people and others.
He was not the sole leader of the rebels — Crixus and Oenomaus, two other escaped gladiators, formed the other two legs of the slave triumvirate.
The rebellion posed a significant threat to Rome, prompting the Senate to send multiple legions to suppress it.
Despite initial successes, Spartacus and his army were eventually cornered by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus.
In 71 BCE, Spartacus’ forces were defeated in a final battle in Lucania, and Spartacus himself was killed, although his body was never found.
Spartacus’ revolt, while not aimed at social revolution, has inspired many throughout history as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
“We believe that Spartacus attacked the newly-discovered wall in his bid to break free of the trap that Crassus had constructed for him,” said University of Kentucky archaeologist Paolo Visona.
The ancient stone wall and earthwork extending over 2.7 km are located in the Dossone della Melia forest in south-central Calabria, Italy.
The archaeologists also unearthed numerous broken iron weapons, including sword handles, large curved blades, javelin points, a spearhead, and other metal debris.
“The discovery was made possible by a tip from a local group of environmentalists who knew of the wall’s existence but were puzzled as to what it could be,” Professor Visona said.
“We investigated the wall and ditch using ground-penetrating radar, LIDAR, magnetometry, and soil core sampling.”
