Spartacus

Born 111 BC in modern-day Bulgaria

Died 71 BC

Most famous & skilled gladiator ever. 

Thracian soldier taken captive by Romans, sold as slave, trained at gladiatorial school in Capua.  Used straight blade sword 18” long. 

Masterminded rebellious escape of 70 gladiator slaves all well-armed with makeshift weapons.

Defeated many Roman legions during Third Servile War.  Killed in 71 BC when Marcus Licinius Crassus attacked his rebel forces with 50,000 well-trained legions.

Said: “When a free man dies, he loses the pleasure of life… Death is the only freedom a slave knows.”