- The Servile Wars, (Servus means Slave in Latin), refers to three Slave Rebellions that took place during the Roman Republic between 135-71 BCE.
- The Second Servile War was an unsuccessful Slave Rebellion that took place on the island of Sicily and lasted for four years.
The Reason for the Revolt
- The Senate had issued orders for Manumission of all Slaves who were Allies of Rome, in order to raise soldiers for the War against the Cimbri and the Teutones. The Governor of Sicily freed 800 slaves, but the wealthy Latifundia owners objected to losing their workforce, as did the other slaves from various countries who did not qualify for manumission.
- When the Governor quickly cancelled the Manumission, it triggered the Slave Revolt.
Description (104-100 BCE)
- In 103 BCE, a Slave Army of 40,000 under Salvius Tryphon confronted a Roman Army of 17,000 men under the Praetor Lucullus at the Battle of Scirthaea. The Slave Army was defeated and 20,000 slaves died according to Diodorus Siculus.
- In 102 BCE, however, Lucullus’ army was routed by a new Leader, Athenion.
- In 101 BCE, Consul Manius Aquillius arrived and defeated Athenion’s army, ending the Revolt.
The Outcome
- 1,000 captured slaves were sent to Rome to fight the beasts in the arena. They refused and killed each other instead.
The Servile Wars
- First Servile War (135-132 BCE)
- In Sicily led by Eunus and Cleon.
- Second Servile War (104-100 BCE)
- Also in Sicily led by Athenion and Tryphon.
- Third Servile War (73-71 BCE)
- Led by Spartacus.
Sicily