who was spartacus and what did he do

Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who became the leader of a major slave revolt against the Roman Republic known as the Third Servile War, which took place from 73 to 71 B.C.E. Initially enslaved after deserting the Roman army, Spartacus was trained as a gladiator in Capua. He, along with about 70 fellow gladiators, escaped their gladiatorial school, sparking a rebellion that grew to include tens of thousands of escaped slaves and followers. Spartacus led several military successes against Roman forces, capturing territory and resources. His rebellion posed a serious challenge to Roman authority and was eventually suppressed by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus. Spartacus was killed in battle in 71 B.C.E., and thousands of his followers were crucified along the Appian Way as a grim warning. Although Spartacus primarily sought freedom for himself and his followers rather than aiming to abolish slavery or reform Roman society, his leadership and revolt have inspired many as symbols of resistance against oppression and injustice throughout history.