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Besides his real-estate holdings, Crassus also owned silver mines and many slaves whom he hired out as laborers. Although covetous, he was not unkind, and part of his success was due to his amiable nature. His great rival for power was Pompey, and although Crassus was far richer than Pompey, Pompey was recognized as a better general. Crassus did distinguish himself however in the slave uprising against Spartacus, who, by the time Crassus became involved, had defeated every Roman army sent against him. By luck however, some of Spartacus's troops became separated, and Crassus was quick to attack the isolated remnant. His victory over Spartacus was impressive enough to get him elected consul in 70 B.C., along with Pompey. About this time, Crassus befriended Julius Caesar, who had already proven himself a talented statesman and fearless in battle. All that Caesar lacked was money, and Crassus had plenty of that. Together they worked to overcome the influence of Pompey, and eventually formed the First Triumvirate with him.
Once Caesar set off for Gaul, Crassus was re-elected consul with Pompey. He saw that Caesar was attaining great wealth and glory for himself in Gaul, and he accepted a proconsulship in Syria with the idea of doing likewise in Parthia, but his ambition overran his abilities. Against the better judgment of some of his advisors, he followed a local guide into a trap at Carrhae. His army was cut to pieces and both he and his son were killed.
Served with Sulla during first Mithradatic War. | |
Dealt in real estate during era of Sulla's proscriptions, bought confiscated property. | |
Made a great deal of money buying land. Became the richest man in Rome. | |
Defeated Spartacus; put down slave revolt. | |
Elected Consul with Pompey. | |
Involved, but not directly, with Catiline Conspiracy. | |
First Triumvirate. | |
Loaned Caesar money, so that he could pay his debts before going to Gaul. | |
Elected Consul with Pompey. | |
Assigned Proconsul to Syria; raised an army to send against the Parthians. | |
After suffering reverses, defeats, and treachery, Crassus and his son are killed at Carrhae. |
Across the Euphrates in | Helmet and Spear by Alfred J. Church |
Man Who Loved Gold in | Tales of the Romans: The Children's Plutarch by F. J. Gould |
Revolt of the Slaves in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Pompey's Conquests in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Crassus in | Our Young Folks' Plutarch by Rosalie Kaufman |
Gladiators' Revolt in | The Story of Rome by Mary Macgregor |
Revolt of the Gladiators in | Historical Tales: Roman by Charles Morris |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Crassus defeated by the Parthians in Helmet and Spear |
![]() The Banquet of Crassus in Greatest Nations - Rome |
Very renowned general. Defeated pirates. Led opposition to Caesar in civil war. | |
Defeated Mithradates in Greece. Marched on Rome, defeated the party of his enemy Marius. | |
Gladiator who led a slave revolt. Held out for two years. | |
Conquered Gaul, prevailed in civil war. Mastermind of Roman empire. Killed by senators. |