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An international team of archaeologists has uncovered a moat and ramparts along a 2.7-kilometer wall in the Dosone-della-Melia forest in south-central Calabria. Around 2,070 years ago, these were part of a defensive system ordered by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus to stop Spartacus’s forces.
The discovery was reported by Dr. Paolo Visona of the University of Kentucky, who led the research. He says the find was possible thanks to a local group of ecologists who knew the wall existed but didn’t realize its historical significance.
Visona said his team studied the fortifications with ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR, and magnetometry, and analyzed soil samples. During the excavations, archaeologists uncovered numerous fragments of broken iron weaponry, including sword handles, large curved swords, spear tips, and a javelin head.
“We believe Spartacus attacked this wall while trying to escape the trap Crassus set for him,” Visona said.
A Bit About the Legendary Leader of the Slave Uprising
Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who became one of the most famous leaders of a massive slave uprising against the Roman Republic from 73 to 71 B.C.
Born around 103 B.C. in what is now Bulgaria, Spartacus initially served in the Roman army before being captured and sold into slavery.
In 73 B.C., Spartacus escaped from a gladiator school in Capua with several dozen followers. They took refuge on Mount Vesuvius and were soon joined by other runaway slaves.
Spartacus proved to be a skilled leader and tactician. He defeated several Roman armies and grew his forces to roughly 70,000 men. The uprising posed a serious threat to Roman authority, prompting the Senate to send several legions to suppress it. Despite initial successes, Spartacus and his army were eventually cornered by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus. In 71 B.C., Spartacus’s forces were defeated in the final battle in Lucania.
Historical accounts say Spartacus was killed, although his body was never found. While the uprising wasn’t aimed at a social revolution, it became a lasting symbol of resistance against oppression.
