10-11-2013, 06:26 PM
According to Plutarch (Life of Crassus), the rebels first used gladiatorial weapons and equipment, but discarded it after defeating the first troops sent against them:
"... the gladiators repulsed the soldiers who came against them from Capua, and getting hold of many arms of real warfare, they gladly took these in exchange for their own, casting away their gladiatorial weapons as dishonourable and barbarous." (Plutarch, Crassus, 9.1)
Presumably the 'dishonorable' part relates to the rebels' desire to be seen as soldiers rather than runaway slaves.
"... the gladiators repulsed the soldiers who came against them from Capua, and getting hold of many arms of real warfare, they gladly took these in exchange for their own, casting away their gladiatorial weapons as dishonourable and barbarous." (Plutarch, Crassus, 9.1)
Presumably the 'dishonorable' part relates to the rebels' desire to be seen as soldiers rather than runaway slaves.
Nathan Ross
