<P> The revolt began in 73 BC , with the escape of around 70 slave - gladiators from a gladiator school in Capua ; they easily defeated the small Roman force sent to recapture them . Within two years , they had been joined by some 120,000 men , women and children ; the able - bodied adults of this band were a surprisingly effective armed force that repeatedly showed they could withstand or defeat the Roman military , from the local Campanian patrols , to the Roman militia , and to trained Roman legions under consular command . The slaves wandered throughout Italia , raiding estates and towns with relative impunity , sometimes dividing their forces into separate but allied bands under the guidance of several leaders , including the famous gladiator - general Spartacus . </P>
<P> The revolt began in 73 BC , with the escape of around 70 slave - gladiators from a gladiator school in Capua ; they easily defeated the small Roman force sent to recapture them . Within two years , they had been joined by some 120,000 men , women and children ; the able - bodied adults of this band were a surprisingly effective armed force that repeatedly showed they could withstand or defeat the Roman military , from the local Campanian patrols , to the Roman militia , and to trained Roman legions under consular command . The slaves wandered throughout Italia , raiding estates and towns with relative impunity , sometimes dividing their forces into separate but allied bands under the guidance of several leaders , including the famous gladiator - general Spartacus . </P>
where did the third servile war take place
where did the third servile war take place
Italia
Italia