Chapter 20 Chapter XIX The Battle of Magina; Rebellion; Crassus' Conspiracies

The outcome of the battle between Spartix and Helius is not difficult to guess.When Evegipeda passed through the battlefield full of corpses at nearly noon, she saw from a distance that the resistance of the Romans to the irresistible onslaught of the Gladiator Legion was already very weak, and that of Spartacus The troops had begun to stretch out to the left and right of the consul's army; their aim was evidently to attack the flank of the consul's army. The brave Greek girl watched the battle.When she thought that the rout of the Romans would deprive her of the chance of revenge she longed for, a white horse with a sky-blue saddle and extremely beautiful harness suddenly rushed past her.The frightened horse, with its ears raised high, showed a wild look, galloping wildly across the battlefield, rushing eastward and westward for a while.When it stepped on a dead body, it would suddenly step back or jump over it, but its hoof would inadvertently step on another dead body.

Evgipeda recognized the horse as belonging to Uziagus, the young herald of Enomay.The Greek maiden had seen its master fall with the first slain warriors in the bloody battle of the morning.One of Ephgipeda's war-horses was also a white horse, and the Greek girl, with her all-seeing wisdom and foresight, immediately thought that capturing this white horse would be of some benefit to her cunning schemes. She walked cautiously towards the frightened horse, calling to him, clicking her tongue loudly, and snapping her fingers, trying to calm him down and lure him to her. But the terrified noble warhorse seemed to have a premonition of the doom that awaited him. Not only did he not calm down and approached the prostitute, but he was even more frightened by her calling, so he ran away farther and farther away.Suddenly, the white horse stumbled over the dead body and fell to the ground, unable to get up anyway. Evkipeda ran over, grabbed its reins, and helped it stand up.

After the white horse stood up, it tried hard to break free from the grasp of Aifujipida.It shook its head crazily, pulling Evekipeda to pull its bridle.It jumped up and down for a while, raised its front hooves to stand up for a while, and raised its hind hoofs frantically for a while.But the Greek girl held him tightly and tried her best to calm it down with gestures and voices. Finally, the fiery warhorse regained its reason and bowed its head to fate.It no longer felt frightened, and let the Greek girl stroke its neck and back, and then obediently followed Evkipeda, who was pulling the bridle.

At this time, Helius' army was surrounded and attacked by a superior army of gladiators.A chaotic retreat began towards the field where they had annihilated the Germanic legions.The Spartacus warriors uttered earth-shattering, wild, bal-la-la cries.Some pursued the retreating Romans, while others swooped fiercely at the enemy from behind.The same desire burned in their hearts, that is, to avenge ten thousand oppressed brothers who were brutally wiped out in this bloody battle.The clash of shields, the clang of daggers, and the terrible cry of the belligerents drew nearer.The picture of the fierce battle was blurred at first, and then became more and more vivid.Evkipeda watched the battle with hateful and ferocious eyes, clenched her white teeth tightly in anger, and whispered to herself:

O, I swear by the great Jupiter of Olympus!Where is justice?It was with great difficulty that I made the Germans leave the camp of the gladiators. I thought the Gauls would follow them, but the Gauls stayed in the camp. I managed to get Helius to annihilate the ten thousand. The Germans hoped that these two consuls would work together to surround Spartacus in iron hoops, but Spartacus rushed here with all his troops at once, defeated Helius, and then , he will definitely rush to attack Lendurus and defeat the consul, perhaps, he has already defeated Lendurus.What is going on here!Is he really an invincible person?Ah, Vengeful Jupiter, is he really the invincible and ever-victorious general?

The besieged Romans, resisting the onslaught of their enemies, retreated ever nearer to the spot where the morning's terrible massacre had taken place.Evkipeda, pale with rage, disappointment, and rage, left the place where she stood observing the battle, and led the herald's white horse, which followed tamely behind her, to the cold and dying The place where the Enomayi lay.She paused among the corpses of several victims, drew from its scabbard the dagger which she had picked up while lying here feigning death, and suddenly stabbed the poor white horse twice violently in the chest. Down.The wounded animal gave a long, desperate hiss and jumped back, trying to get away, but Evkipeda held on to the reins tightly.After jumping twice, the white horse suddenly knelt down, and then fell down on the place that was stained red by the blood flowing from the two large and deep wounds on its body. After a while, it trembled and twitched convulsively. The whole body is finally dead.

So Evegipeda lay down on the ground next to the dead horse, and inserted her feet under the horse's neck, so that people who walked by could clearly see that the knight and the horse were the masters who fell together after being attacked by the enemy. Seriously wounded, the horse was stabbed to death by the enemy. The noise of the battle grew louder and drew nearer to the place where Evekipeda lay.The Gauls cursed the Latins and the pitiful wails of the Latins became more and more clear.So Ai Fu Ji Pi Da more convinced: the Romans completely defeated. Evegipeda remembered the unexpectedly untimely appearance of Spartacus, and how her own hopes had been dashed by Helius' rout.She thought of her plan of revenge which had failed, of the new series of vengeful plots she was contemplating, treacherous plots which would finally destroy Spartacus and the whole cause of the Rebellion.At last she thought of the difficulties and dangers to which these new plans would be met.All this made her feel quite flustered.The violent struggle of conflicting feelings consumed her mental and physical strength, and she felt very weak.An indescribably morbid feeling seized her, weakening both her hatred and her impertinent courage.

Suddenly, she felt that the sun seemed to be covered by a thick fog, and her eyes became dark, and she felt a sharp pain in her left arm.She touched it with her right hand, only to realize that her left arm was completely soaked in blood.So she propped herself up slightly on her right elbow, and glanced at her injured left arm: the cloth dressing the wound was completely soaked in blood.Evekipeda's pale face began to look like white wax, and her vision blurred.She wanted to call for help, but there was only a slight moan from her pale lips. She tried to get up, but couldn't, and then she threw her head back and fell to the sky.She lay there utterly unable to utter a word, and never to move again.

By then the Romans had begun to flee in disarray, and the gladiators pursued furiously, frantically destroying their enemies at the sight of the corpses of their comrades who had been killed in that morning's astonishing massacre.Helius' army has been completely defeated.The gladiators slashed and killed more than 14,000 Roman soldiers.Helius himself was wounded, and escaped only by relying on his swift horse.The remnants of the Archon's army began to flee in all directions.This seemingly powerful and terrifying army was defeated so badly that it couldn't even keep its supplies and flags.They no longer cared about military formations, and had lost all combat effectiveness.

But the excitement of this brilliant victory for the rebels was dimmed by the terrible losses.Spartacus ordered everyone not to regard this day as a festival of victory, but as a day of mourning for the victims. On the second day, the gladiators began to cremate their fallen brethren; in the nearby fields, huge piles of bonfires were lit, each stacked with the corpses of hundreds of gladiators ready to be cremated. Around the pyre where only Enomayi's body was placed, the mournful commanders and the soldiers of the four legions in a square formation were standing there silently. On the body of the heroic Germanic giant there were twenty-seven wounds.The gladiators first washed his body, and then painted it with sesame oil and spices.The spices were sent by the panicked inhabitants of the nearby city of Nursia at the behest of Spartacus.Then, the body was wrapped in a very thin shroud and placed on the pyre, and flowers were sprinkled on it.Spartacus walked to Enomayi's body and kissed his comrades several times.The chief gladiator's face was pale, and he delivered his speech, which was often interrupted by weeping, with the utmost grief.He extolled Enomayi's indomitable fortitude, integrity, and bravery, then took a torch and lit the pyre first.Hundreds of commanders and soldiers following him simultaneously lit the pyre with torches.Thousands of bright red flames suddenly burst out from the firewood pile, piercing through the thick fragrant smoke, and burning blazingly.

Enomayi's ashes were wrapped in noncombustible asbestos cloth and placed in a bronze urn sent by Nurcia residents.Spartacus kept it in his camp as the most precious souvenir. Of the 10,000 Germanic warriors who fought with the Enomay, only fifty-seven survived, and they were found in the field, all badly wounded, but only nine of them survived.One of the nine was Evkipeda.It was believed that she had fought so valiantly that she fell because of a severe wound to her left arm.And the white horse was undoubtedly killed by the enemy when Aifu Jipida was riding it to convey the order of Enomayi to other commanders in a hurry, so its heavy body was crushing its daughter. Owner. In the gladiator's legions, the heroic deeds of this noble girl are praised everywhere, and everyone admires her fortitude; Spartacus himself, who has a generous and noble character, has always respected noble behavior. , he gave the Greek girl a great honor: he awarded her a citizen laurel.The award ceremony was held on the twenty-second day after the battle in the outskirts of Nursia, on the field where she was wounded, to the warm applause of all the gladiators. Evkipeda accepted the precious prize with great emotion, and she tried to restrain it with all her strength: she was as pale as Xiabu, and trembled all over.The gladiators took this agitation to be a sign of humility and embarrassment.How do you know that it may be caused by regret! Evegipeda accepted the prize for her self-sacrifice and bravery.Her wounds have not fully healed, and her left arm is still slung over her chest in a bandage hanging from her neck.She publicly declared her willingness to follow the army of the oppressed.She asked her superiors to honor her as Clixus's herald, and her request was agreed by Spartacus and Clixus. Spartacus restored the strength of the soldiers, and on the twenty-fifth day after the battle on the outskirts of Nursia, he led the whole army to the Apennines.They crossed the Apennines, and then followed the province of the Bisanians towards the province of the Seno.Spartacus was going to follow the Via Aemilius to the Bardes River, and then cross the river into Gaul. Spartacus came near Ravenna after two days' march, and he built his camp a few miles from the city, and prepared to raise three new legions; There were about fifteen thousand gladiators and slaves in the army. The three new legions also appointed three commanders: Gaius the freeman-born gladiator.Conix, Casdus the Gaul, and Idumeus the Thracian; for they were especially valiant in the battles of Cahailing and Nursia.In this way, Spartacus's army amounted to seventy-five thousand men, and he led his army to the Bards River. At this time, Gaius Cassius, who was the consul last year and is now the governor of southern Gaul in the Alps, knew that the consuls Londulus and Helius had been defeated and that Spartacus was leading a terrible army. After news of the advance on Gaul, the Roman garrison and auxiliaries were hastily assembled as far as possible.He quickly acquired ten thousand garrisons and an equal number of auxiliaries.He then led this 20,000-strong team across the Bades River near Paracentia, trying to stop the gladiators from advancing. The gladiatorial army came to Baunonia after two marches, and that night, according to the old custom, built a fort outside the city, for they were not going to surround the city.Spartacus was prepared to wait here for a few days, until his cavalry scouts sent out definite and reliable information on the enemy's intentions, plans, and actions of the enemy and their commanders. At dawn the next day, the gladiators performed their prescribed drills in the camp.The 15,000 new fighters were trained by a group of old fighters who had previously served as gladiators at the Ravenna or Capua gladiator schools, and who have now become the core of the Spartacus army.Every old warrior teaches a new warrior.At this time, Evkipi came to the camp of the gladiator leader and asked to meet with Mircha. Mircha came out to meet her, and received her kindly and happily.The Thracian girl regarded Evkipeda as an extraordinary woman, because all the soldiers in the army praised her for her bravery and fortitude. So the two began to talk, the simple Miercha poured out sincere words, and the cunning Greek girl pretended to love Spartacus's sister very much.Evkipeda told Mirza that she had always had a deep affection for her, and this was because there were only two women in the army, and she took it for granted that a close and tender friendship should be formed between them. Mircha, with a lofty heart, gladly took Evkipeda's words seriously.They swear to God that they will always be friendly to each other, and they guarantee this bond of life and death with passionate kisses.They chatted heartily for more than two hours, telling each other their secret thoughts and various trivial matters.This lovely chatter.It was the trifles of women whose voices were as sweet, as melodious, and as inexplicable as two birds chirping together. In the end, Evekipeda decided to break up with Mircha temporarily.Evkipeda embraced Miercha, kissed Miercha goodbye, and promised Miercha that if the army does not leave the army, it will definitely come to see her again.The Greek girl was gone, and she delighted her new friend very much, and was totally charmed by her.During this interview, Evegipeda displayed all her charms, so that the Thracian girl had no doubts about her. What full-fledged intrigue was going on in the mind of this whore.What it was that made her need Mirchard's friendship for her purpose, we shall see later; but for now, let us follow Affhippi to the place where the legions of Gallic encamped. In the open space between one row of tents and another row of tents, five thousand fighters of the Fourteenth Legion, composed of gladiators from the Sano provinces, were practicing combat positions.The gladiatorial army which had been formed at Compania consisted of ten legions, was added at Apulia with two more, and not so long ago with three new ones near Ravenna.Thus, when they encamped near Nonia, the gladiatorial army actually consisted of thirteen legions; for the first and second legions, composed entirely of Germans, had been destroyed by the consul Helius. Thus they conducted their military training in the camp; opposite each new warrior armed with a wooden sword stood an old warrior armed with the same wooden sword; he taught the new warrior how to attack and defend according to the rules of chopping Actions.In this vast field in the camp, five thousand teachers issued various orders at the same time, and these voices resounded in the air. Take your place! Raise your shield higher! Lower your blade! Look into my eyes! Keep your head up! Look forward bravely! Use your shield to deflect the blows coming at your head!Stab with a sword! Hurry up, for Terrana's sake!In your hand is a dagger, not a spinning wheel! Take a step forward!Take a step back!quick!For the sake of God of War Haissus, act fast! Take your place! I stab your head, you quickly block this blow! Jump to the right! Chop! Swing a half circle to the left with the sword! Take your place! Jump backwards! quick!forward!attack me!forward! Five thousand old soldiers shouted the password vigorously with resolute and majestic voices.Ten thousand people waved twenty thousand arms at the same time.This training made the Gaul camp look extremely lively, and it also presented a strange and thrilling picture to those who admired it from a distance. Evkipeda came to the avenue that divided the camps of the Third and Fourth Legions from the Camps of the Fifth and Sixth Legions, and stood there, admiring the unusual picture, but suddenly her attention was caught by her. He was attracted by the conversation in a nearby camp.According to the battle flag of the Fifth Army that was planted aside, Evegipeda knew that it was the camp of Arvinius the Gaul, the commander of the Fifth Army. Evkipeda heard lively conversations going on in the camp, and more likely arguments; several voices competed at the same time, and then all fell silent.A louder voice overwhelmed the rest with hasty and convincing eloquence. For Evkipeda, almost all the voices were familiar, and she gradually recognized who was speaking more clearly and clearly.So, with an air of innocence fascinated by the amusing sight of the Gauls' military training, she approached nearer and nearer the tent. After all, someone shouted in a hoarse voice (Evkipeda knew that it was the voice of Alzil, commander of the Tenth Legion, composed of Numidians and Africans).After all, we are not sheep at the mercy of the shepherd! What is he without us?There came another familiar voice of Evkipeda (the speaker was Gaius Conix, who was born as a free man, commander of the Thirteenth Legion).What kind of a guy was he before? The most common man is not even a common man, he is only a lowly gladiator despised by all, cried Brett-Ville viciously. I will not go to Gaul with my Africans, I swear to the great Vaer!I swear we will never go!Alzil cried out. Einomayi yelled at Kasdus.He was the commander of the Fourteenth Legion, that is, the commander of five thousand young Gauls who were at that time undergoing military training outside the camp. Poor Enomay!He was a victim of Spartacus' apparent rebellious actions.Now we fully understand, said Onazius of Shamnit.He was appointed commander of the Eighth Legion after the death of Lutilius. Ah, I speak instead of the almighty force of nature!Physalonius, the commander of the Seventh Legion from Epirus, yelled angrily in a thunderous voice.Is Spartacus a traitor?Hey, this is too much, too much Yes, the traitor, with his accomplices Clixus and Granix, who have betrayed us to the Roman Senate. You guys are traitors, all who try to lead us north of the Bards far from Rome are traitors! to Rome!We must go to Rome! Then seven or eight people shouted in unison: to Rome!to Rome! I believe that Spartacus was the noblest and most righteous of them all.I also believe that Clixus and Granix have noble souls, the best people in our camp besides Spartacus.I will lead the legion entrusted to me to go with Spartacus, not with you! And I!cried Bartholix. Well, you go with him.But our seven legions, Gaius.Conix insisted that he would drive to the Via Ravenna tomorrow morning, and from there march on to Rome. Ah, great and worthy deeds can be accomplished by you without the wisdom and experience of Spartacus who has always led us! ?Baltolix sneered. The first Roman general to come across you will chop you all into mincemeat!Fessalonius agreed. We took up arms and revolted for liberty, Gaius.Conix retorted.But now a slave to a slave like you and me, and your idol, Spartacus, may be even more humble than you. If you think that freedom is freedom from disorder, discipline and chaos, we do not need such freedom!cried Phissaronius.We think discipline and order are far better than your kind of freedom.We must follow this wise and resolute commander. The facts of the past two years have proved this point. At this time, the furious sound of the horn ordering the gladiators of the third legion to take up arms interrupted the quarrel between the two sides, and also woke up Evkipeda from her happy mood, because she had been opposed by so many legion commanders. The hatred and resentment of Spartacus was overwhelmed with joy. The Greek whore shuddered, turned her head to the side of the camp where the siren was sounding, and then she walked towards it.At this time, the commanders of the various legions gathered in the tent of Alvinius had heard the unexpected sound of the sirens, and they rushed out of the tent together, and hurried to the camps of the various legions. The trumpeter of the Fourth Legion quickly repeated the siren, and the trumpeter of the Fifth Legion followed up. After a while, all the bugles in the entire gladiator camp were blown. The warriors ran into their tents, put on their armor and helmets, grabbed their weapons, and formed into squadrons and cohorts. Then came a new blast of trumpets.That, too, came from the Third Legion, and was immediately repeated by the buglers of the rest of the legions.That was the signal to order everyone to break camp. Two hours later, the gladiators had rolled up their tents, and all the legions were in order and obeyed strict discipline and were ready to go.At this moment a new trumpet sounded, ordering the commanders of the legions to gather to the leader of the gladiators. All the commanders hurried to the general's execution ground on horseback.Spartacus reported to them; Governor Gaius.Cassius has come to them with an army, and will reach Madina at the evening of this day.The gladiatorial army, therefore, must set out at once, and attack the governor on the morrow, before his follow-up troops arrive, lest he prevent them from crossing the Bardes. When Spartacus finished his speech, no one answered his call.Gaius.Conix hesitated for a while, and finally broke the silent situation.He looked down at the ground and said softly in an extremely frightened voice: We are willing to go to fight Cassius, but not to cross the Bardes. What?exclaimed Spartacus in astonishment, and then, he seemed not to understand Gaius.What did Conix say? He frowned, stared at the Shamnit people with bright eyes and asked repeatedly: What did you just say? He said we would not go up the north bank of the Bards with you, replied Alzil the Numidian, looking boldly at Spartacus. Warrior of the Seven Legions, Gaius.Conix said.refused to go back to their country, and they demanded that we march on Rome. Ah, so it is!Spartacus cried angrily and sadly.Another rebellion?Poor souls, is not Enomay's tragic end not enough for you? There was a murmur of dissatisfaction, but no one answered his question. I swear to all the gods, Spartacus said firmly after a moment of silence.You are either lunatics or traitors! The mutinous commanders fell silent, and after a short silence the Thracian said: Now the enemy will attack us, so you must obey me until we defeat Cassius' army.Then we have another meeting and let us all decide what is best for our cause.But now, let's go together. With an indisputable gesture, Spartacus ordered the commanders of the legions to go back.Then, just as they were riding off, he called to them again in a loud voice: You must take heed, that in marching and in battle you must not show the slightest act of disobedience; otherwise, I swear to Jupiter, king of the gods, whoever first disobeys his orders by word and deed will be punished by me. The dagger that never fails dies. Then, with gestures, he ordered the commanders to go back.Overwhelmed by the power of Spartacus, they returned to their respective legions silently. The army of gladiators set out for Madina and reached their destination an hour before dawn after a night's march.Cassius had already built his camp between two high hills, and surrounded it firmly with a strong fence and a wide outer ditch. Near noon, Spartacus led six legions and set out to attack the troops of the Governor of Southern Gaul in the Alps.Cassius had led his army outside the camp, and had formed itself at the foot of the hill, occupying a fairly favorable position.But the numerical superiority of the gladiator army and the enthusiasm for attacking the enemy quickly overwhelmed the perseverance of the twenty thousand Roman soldiers.Although the governor's army, most of which were veterans who had fought under the command of Marius and Sulla, desperately resisted the enemy's attack, after two hours of fierce fighting, they were not only defeated by the gladiators, but surrounded by them.So the Roman soldiers began to flee in all directions, but they were turned and wiped out by the gladiator troops who attacked more and more fiercely. In this battle, which lasted only a few hours, almost ten thousand Roman soldiers died on the battlefield, and the rest scattered and fled to the nearby countryside.The governor's horse was killed, but the governor himself escaped by luck.The Roman tents and supplies fell into the hands of the victors, but the gladiators suffered little in this battle. This victory was the third consecutive victory for Spartacus in January.On the second day of this victory the legions of the gladiators formed a phalanx on the plain of the Skultonna: they were ordered to assemble here in order to decide whether to proceed across the Bards to their respective The motherland, or turn around and march to Rome. Spartacus, in his fiery speeches, vividly described to the gladiators the benefits and virtues of the first claim and the inevitable ruinous consequences of realizing the second.He spoke of his service to the oppressed in a sacred cause for which he had fought desperately for ten years.But Spartacus mentioned this not out of vanity, but to better convince his unfortunate brothers and comrades-in-arms who shared adversity and joy and victory.He wanted to persuade them that if he advocated leaving Italy, it was only because this country was to be the tomb of gladiator armies; as it had been the Gauls of Brennes, the Greeks of Pyrrhus, It is like the tomb of the many alien races who invaded its territory and wanted to subjugate it within its territory.Spartacus swore a solemn oath that the happiness of the gladiators had and still compelled him to justify the plan: but now it was left to everyone to decide, and he was prepared to submit to the opinion of the majority.Whether he is a military commander or an ordinary soldier, he will always fight side by side with his comrades, and take it for happiness, and if fate dooms him, he is willing to die with them. Thunderous applause answered Spartacus' speech.If his proposal had been put to a vote immediately at that time, it would have been accepted by everyone.But the succession of glorious victories won by the gladiators over the Romans in these two years (though thanks to the leadership of Spartacus) has created a crude overconfidence in them; The fighters, though loyal to the Thracians in their hearts, often rebelled against the iron discipline he had instituted in the army because discipline forbade stealing and pillage.Dissatisfaction and complaints arose.Few at first, and in secrecy, but gradually they spread like a plague, right down to the masses of warriors of the various legions.That which had made Evkipeda feel that her time of vengeance and victory had come, she could now take advantage of the discontent of the many to stir up the legions against Spartacus.We have seen how she subtly subdued such an important figure as the Enomay for this purpose, since many insurgents might have recognized the Germans as the proper heirs of Spartacus, at least in terms of bravery and courage. Such is the case with fortitude.But Clixus, with his inexhaustible energies, controlled the legions of the Gauls, and they did not go out to follow the Germans, so that the plot of Ephgepida was defeated. However, the lesson of the Germanic legion being annihilated by the enemy not only failed to wake up the rest of the legion, but aroused the desire of many people to march into Rome: some wanted to avenge the Germanic brothers who died, while others were eager to plunder, because That would bring them rich wealth.Finally, there are still a large number of people who think that this plan of marching on Rome was once supported by the beloved Enomay and his German legions, and sacrificed their lives for it. Supporting this plan can show their respect and love for him. The march to Rome was not only a joy to his soul, but a valuable commemoration of his deed. Gaius.Conix took advantage of the seething desires and fleeting passions of the warriors of the various regiments.Before selling himself as a gladiator, Conix often wandered in the big forum and made all kinds of friends, so he could speak eloquently, and he could often make people believe what he said.Now he comes out to speak to everyone after Spartacus's speech.In order to avoid the suspicion that he harbored malice against the Thracians and weaken the effect of his words, he deliberately praised Spartacus' foresight and bravery at the beginning, but then he began to describe the tragic situation of the Romans in a vivid and colorful way. , indicating that under the current situation, it is impossible for them to effectively resist this terrifying uprising army composed of 70,000 heroic sword-wielding warriors. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Finally, he suggested that the entire army of the oppressed should set out tomorrow for the Tiber. to Rome!to Rome!When Conix finished his speech, the roar of fifty thousand people broke out like rolling thunder. to Rome!to Rome! The result of the vote was: seven legions unanimously supported Conix's proposal, the remaining six legions rejected this proposal with a narrow majority, and only the cavalry almost unanimously supported Spartacus's proposal.Therefore, a total of more than 50,000 gladiators expressed their willingness to enter Rome, while less than 20,000 supported Spartacus' proposal. It is not difficult to understand how sad Spartacus felt at this unexpected result of the vote.That destroyed all his plans.He understood that instead of bringing them close to the goal of the uprising to overthrow Rome's tyrannical rule, it took them far away from it. Spartacus stood for a long time in gloomy and melancholy silence, and at last raised his head, and turned his pale face, as shocked as his Clixus and Granix, who stood silently aside. and Artorix.Ah, I swear to all the gods of Olympus, he said with a wry smile, I have suffered so much for all my gladiator brethren, only to win such a small number of them People who support me!Seriously, if it weren't for the sense of responsibility and conscience controlling my will, I should really reject Marcus now.Terenzius.Vallo.Regret Luculus' suggestion!Good! That's great!I swear to Hercules! He fell into deep thought again, then woke up suddenly, shot at the legions silently waiting for the result of the meeting with his eyes, and then said loudly: So be it, I submit to your resolution: You may march on Rome, but another man will lead you.Please remove me from the title of supreme leader, please take back the glory you have bestowed on me, and please choose another better leader. For God's sake!The Commander of the Twelfth Legion, Rivius the Shamnit.cried Grandinius.你將永遠是我們的最高首領，因為在我們中間沒有一個人比得上你。 讓我們再一次確認斯巴達克斯是我們的最高首領！鮑爾托利克斯用全力叫道。 斯巴達克斯我們的最高首領！斯巴達克斯最高首領！周圍七萬名角鬥士高高地搖著盾牌叫道。 最後，叫聲平息了，斯巴達克斯用盡所有的力量叫道： 不絕不！我反對進軍羅馬，因此不能領導你們！選舉一個相信進軍會勝利的人吧。 你是領袖！你是領袖！Spartacus!你是領袖！三、四萬個聲音重複地叫道。 克利克薩斯為了使喧嘩停止，做了一個想跟大家說話的手勢。當喊聲靜下來的時候，他就說： 不論我們有十萬個手執武器的角鬥士不論我們只剩下一百個人不論如何，只有一個人可以做我們的領袖那就是在阿昆納、芬提、卡梅陵、努爾西亞和摩季那戰鬥中獲得勝利的統帥，只有他才能夠做我們的領袖！我們的大元帥斯巴達克斯萬歲！ 一陣驚天動地的喊聲，循著那個角鬥士們聚集在它邊緣上的斯古爾頓納河的河谷向遠處衝去： 大元帥斯巴達克斯萬歲！ 惶惑的色雷斯人竭力推辭、抗議，不願意接受角鬥士們給他的稱號，他竭盡一切可能拒絕戰友們的執拗的請求。但他終於被大家說服了。所有軍團的指揮官，其中首先是阿爾維尼烏斯、奧爾齊爾和蓋烏斯．康尼克斯，一起過來包圍了他，而且苦苦地勸他；另外還有全部六個統領、百夫長和十夫長，他們受了中隊和大隊的委託，堅決要他繼續充任角鬥士軍團的總指揮。終於，斯巴達克斯被同志們對他的暴風雨一般熱烈的愛戴和尊敬感動了，雖然他們的意見跟他不一致，而且反對他的計劃。He said: 你們一定要這樣嗎？我就答應你們的要求吧。我接受指揮權，因為我明白，另外選一個人不可避免地會引起我們內部的糾紛，我同意和你們一起並肩作戰，死也要率領著你們一起戰死。 他在大家對他表示感謝、吻他的衣服和手、頌揚他的勇敢和功績時，露出了悲哀的苦笑說： 我不能許下頷導你們走向勝利的諾言，因為在這一輕率地決定的戰爭中，我對勝利沒有把握。但是，我們無論如何還是要向羅馬進軍。明天我們就向鮑諾尼亞出發。 斯巴達克斯不得不著手執行他認為不可能實現的計劃。到了第二天，角鬥士們拔營出發了，他們經過鮑諾尼亞向阿利明納前進。 但是在角鬥士大軍的隊伍中，開始出現了愈來愈多的不服從命令和破壞紀律的行動。這一支可怕的、曾經在英明的統帥斯巴達克斯領導下好幾次戰勝世界上最強暴的民族的討伐隊的大軍，由於縱欲和搶劫開始腐化和削弱了。 不論斯巴達克斯怎樣努力禁止這些行動，還是毫無效果：在他們經過的賽諾人的地區中，一會兒是這一個軍團，一會兒是那一個軍團，有時甚至是好幾個軍團合起來攻入賽諾人的城市，然後對他們進行搶劫。害處是雙重的：放肆的搶掠欲望使角鬥士軍團喪失了過去所獲得的組織嚴密的威望，現在居民看到他們的時候，就像看到大隊的強盜一般，因為他們激起了被他們凌辱過的居民們的仇視和詛咒。另一方面，經常的停留阻滯了行軍的速度，而這一點卻一向是斯巴達克斯獲勝的主要條件。 這紀律的敗壞使斯巴達克斯十分難受。這是用不著說的，只要想像一下就行了。起先他非常惱怒，把蓋烏斯．康尼克斯指揮的第十三軍團痛罵了一頓，因為他們首先給別人做出了搶劫的壞樣子。角鬥士的首領對他們大聲地叱罵，對他們發出了詛咒；的確，他曾經使他們略微安靜了一陣子，但卻無法消除犯罪的根源。過了兩天，當斯巴達克斯上法文齊亞去時，替大軍作後衛的第五軍團和第六軍團又衝進了考爾涅里烏斯大議場，把它搶掠一空。斯巴達克斯和克利克薩斯急忙率領了三個色雷斯軍團趕回來，想制服那批搶掠的人。可是，正當他執行這樣悲慘的任務時，阿非利加人組成的第十一軍團又擅自離開營壘，衝進了賽諾人住的小城倍爾蒂諾爾，並且把它洗劫了一番。斯巴達克斯不得不在趕到那邊以後又趕回這邊，懲辦那些不守紀律的戰士。 那時候，兩位執政官和阿爾卑斯山南高盧省總督被擊潰的消息，已經先後傳到了羅馬。元老院和羅馬居民都大起恐慌，尤其是當角鬥士的軍隊決定進軍羅馬的消息傳來時，所有的人都嚇壞了。 選舉下一年執政官的公民大會還沒有召開，自從倫杜魯斯和海里烏斯被擊潰以後，自願候選這一高貴官職的人數已大大地減少了。但是羅馬人最近的潰敗正好鼓舞了蓋烏斯．Amfidius.奧萊施杜斯，驅使他去獵取執政官的職位。按照他的意見，他所率領的兵力薄弱的軍隊在芬提附近被斯巴達克斯以優勢兵力打敗並不是他的過錯，因為兩位執政官統率的六萬大軍也遭到了同樣的命運。卡梅陵與努爾西亞之戰，按照他的說法，同樣可以作為他失敗的理由，因此，他那曾經被不公平地斥責而且不被承認的功績，應當重新予以肯定和承認；因為，他斷言道，跟執政官的大軍被斯巴達克斯迎頭擊潰的卡梅陵與努爾西亞之戰比較起來，芬提之戰對羅馬人來說損失較小，而對角鬥士們來說，他們所遭受的損失就要大得多了。 安菲提烏斯．奧萊施杜斯的見解不但非常奇特，而且違背了常識；因為，他所說的當時曾使祖國比較少受損失的情況，並不足以證明他對所有別的情況都能應付裕如。但當時羅馬的民心對征討角鬥士的戰爭感到非常失望，大家覺得安菲狄烏斯．奧萊施杜斯的推論似乎極有理由，何況獵取執政官職位的候選人又是出奇的少。這就是為什麼公民大會要把上面提起的這位安菲狄烏斯．奧萊施杜斯和另一位普勃里烏斯．Cornelius.Lendurus.富勒（他是那個被斯巴達克斯在卡梅陵擊潰的執政官倫杜魯斯．克洛提昂納斯的親族）選舉為下年執政官的緣故。 但那時候斯巴達克斯並不能繼續向羅馬挺進，因為恰恰就是那些要求他率領全體角鬥士進軍羅馬最激烈的軍團，用他們胡亂的不服從命令的行為妨礙了大軍的移動。他們不得不整月地滯留在阿利明納附近。斯巴達克斯不願意繼續擔負指揮的責任，他不管別人怎麼懇求，接連好幾天不出營帳一步，直到最後，全軍的指揮人員和戰士一起來到將軍法場上。他們在斯巴達克斯的營帳前排列起來，開始大聲懺悔他們所犯的卑劣罪行，請求他饒恕他們。 於是，臉色蒼白、身體消瘦、精神疲憊不堪的斯巴達克斯，在他的軍隊前面出現了。他那坦率而又崇高的臉上，留下了痛苦的烙印。那是他的戰士的可恥行為促成的。他的眼睛是紅的，眼皮是腫的，那是長久地痛哭的結果。斯巴達克斯一出現，懺悔的呼喊和對他表示敬愛的叫聲就變得格外響亮了。 斯巴達克斯做了一個想跟大家說話的手勢。當大家靜下去以後，他開始嚴厲地斥責各軍團違法亂紀的行動。他說，由於他們卑劣的行為，他們已經不是追求自由的真正的人，而是一批最下賤的專幹壞事的盜匪，如果他們不能把無限制的全權付託給他，使他能用任何刑罰處置搶劫和叛亂的教唆者，他堅決不願意繼續負起指揮的責任，而且也不願意再隨著他們一起前進了。 最後，直到所有的軍團一致同意了斯巴達克斯的要求，他才重新負起了指揮的責任。接著，他開始用嚴厲的手段使角鬥士心中快要熄滅的責任感重新燃燒起來，而且使他們自覺地認識到在軍隊中建立嚴明紀律的必要性。 他判處努米底亞人奧爾齊爾死刑，因為他是所有軍團指揮員中最蠻橫最不服從命令的人。他在倍爾蒂諾爾犯下了可恥的罪行，玷汙了他自己的身分。斯巴達克斯當著所有的軍團，命令奧爾齊爾軍團中的努米底亞戰士，把他們的指揮官釘上十字架。接著，色雷斯人又命令戰士們鞭打另外兩個軍團指揮官，把他們逐出營壘，那兩個指揮官就是：高盧人阿爾維尼烏斯和沙姆尼特人凱烏新．康尼克斯。除此之外，斯巴達克斯又下令把兩百二十名角鬥士釘上十字架，因為他們的同伴證實，他們在劫掠居民的時候，曾經犯下了野獸一股殘酷的罪行。 斯巴達克斯執行了這些刑罰以後，便解散了所有軍團，予以重新改編。但不再按照民族區分，相反地，現在的每一個中隊和每一個大隊中，包括了適當數量的不同民族的戰士。這樣，在一百二十人的中隊中，現在包括四十個高盧人，三十個色雷斯人，二十個沙姆尼特人，十個伊里利亞人，十個希臘人和十個阿非利加人。 這樣一來，改編了的大軍一共劃分為十四個軍團，下列各角鬥士被委派為新軍團的指揮官： 第一軍團勃烈單維爾，高盧人。 第二軍團菲薩朗尼烏斯，愛庇魯斯人。 第三軍團卡斯杜斯，高盧人。 第四軍團奧納齊烏斯，沙姆尼特人。 第五軍團梅賽姆勃利烏斯，色雷斯人。 第六軍團里維烏斯．葛朗台尼烏斯，沙姆尼特人。 第七軍團伊杜梅依，色雷斯人。 第八軍團鮑爾托利克斯，高盧人。 第九軍團阿爾塔克斯，色雷斯人。 第十軍團的指揮官委任了勇敢的馬其頓人埃羅斯頓。 第十一軍團的指揮官是努米底亞人維斯巴爾德。他是一個嚴厲、認真、外貌威風凜凜、蔑視一切危險的人。第十二軍團的指揮官是埃里亞爾，那是一個上了年紀的無畏的高盧角鬥士，五十歲的他身上就有五十處劍傷。率領第十三軍團的指揮官是一個年輕的伊里利亞人，他只有二十五歲，名叫台烏洛比克斯。他的出身很高貴，生在里布爾尼亞一個富裕家庭裡，後來淪為羅馬人的奴隸，被出賣為角鬥士。這個伊里利亞人跟葛拉尼克斯有深摯的友誼，以驚人的勇敢著名；被委派為第十四軍團也是最後一個軍團的指揮官的，是一個身材魁梧、相貌粗野、滿生著大鬍子的高盧人。他的名字叫做印杜提奧瑪爾。他在軍中以非凡的力氣和勇敢著名，那使他在他的同族人中間負有很大的威望。 斯巴達克斯把所有這些軍團分成三個軍：第一軍包括最前面的六個軍團，它的司令官由克利克薩斯擔任；第二軍包括第七、第八、第九、第十軍團，由葛拉尼克斯統率；第三軍包括最後的四個軍團，由阿爾托利克斯擔任司令官。 那支包括八千人的騎兵隊，仍舊由瑪米里烏斯繼續擔任指揮官。 斯巴達克斯在完成了改編軍隊的工作以後，堅決認為必須在進軍羅馬之前加強和鞏固這些新的軍團。他率領著它們從阿利明納經過薛帕朗尼烏斯大議場和阿萊季亞，用短程的行軍向烏姆勃里亞省迸發，使戰士們有時間互相熟識，也同樣地讓他們逐漸熟識他們的新指揮官。 這時候，角鬥士軍隊搶劫賽諾人的消息已經傳到了羅馬，那些消息被大大地誇大了，因而羅馬人一聽到角鬥士的名字，就感到極其憎恨，而且也感到非常害怕。居民們的恐懼和波動愈來愈厲害了。護民官們也開始在大議場上大喊大叫，說是考慮怎樣把祖國從危難中拯救出來的時候已經到了。 元老院召開了會議。一部分人對過去元老院把一些庸碌無能的統帥派去征討角鬥士表示遺憾，正是由於這一原因使他們到現在不得不認真地重新考慮對付角鬥士叛亂的辦法。這一叛亂本來是不值一笑的，但到了現在已轉變為真正的戰爭，威脅了羅馬本身的生存。另一部分人卻高喊，局勢既然已經發展到這麼可恥的地步，發動全共和國的武裝力量去討伐角鬥士的時候已經到了。 但從另一方面說，元老院明白：兩個吃敗仗的現任執政官，曾經可恥地被斯巴達克斯迎頭擊潰，而兩個新近當選的下一年的執政官，其中的一個也曾被角鬥士打敗，另一個也由於不懂軍事不能對他有過高的希望。因此元老院在考慮了這一切情況以後就發布了約束令（Ｓｅｎａｔｕｓ Ｃｏｎｓｕｌｔｕｍ），禁止執政官干涉這一戰爭。他們準備把進行戰爭的任務交給一位經驗豐富的統帥，讓他統率一支強大的軍隊，而且賦予他無限的大權，使他可以迅速地打敗斯巴達克斯這個大膽的角鬥士對他過去獲得的好多次勝利還不滿足，現在竟敢來威脅羅馬的城牆了。 因此，元老院決定把征討斯巴達克斯的任務，付託給在最近幾天內就要選出來的新任西西里總督。可是逐獵這一官職的競爭者一知道元老院有這樣的決議，就趕忙從候選人的名單中把自己的名字撤消了，因為他們害怕這一近在眼前的真正的嚴重戰爭。召開選舉西西里總督的公民大會的日子近了，大家都感到惶惑萬狀，因為候選人都逃光了。 大部分羅馬公民對梅台拉和龐培不在本國感到可惜：前者具有豐富的軍事經驗，而後者以他的勇毅聞名於時，如果他們在這兒就很可能順利地解決這一戰爭難題。另一部分人卻建議當局從亞細亞召回盧古魯斯，因為他是當時有名的英明而又勇敢的統帥，征討角鬥士的任務可以付託給他。 Julius.凱撒的朋友們竭力慫恿他出去領導這一戰爭，他們答應替他向元老院和羅馬公民要求八個軍團。他們向凱撒證明，當他擁有一支包括四萬八千名正規兵士和兩萬或者兩萬兩千名輕裝步兵以及同盟軍騎兵的軍隊時，他就可以毫無困難地打敗角鬥士。 但是凱撒，這一看到龐培的勝利與凱旋夜裡會睡不著覺的人，竟堅決地拒絕參與這一戰爭。因為這一戰爭的困難程度並不下於在阿非利加征討馬略派貴族陀米齊烏斯和雅爾巴王的戰爭（葛涅烏斯．龐培恰好就是由於阿非利加的戰爭獲得了凱旋的榮譽），但同時它的好處卻很小；勝利者不但不能獲得凱旋的榮譽，而且會連公民們的歡呼聲也聽不到，因為驕傲的羅馬人絕對不肯承認卑賤的角鬥士可以成為他們交戰的對手。 不，如果由我來領導戰爭，那就只能是使我在勝利以後能夠獲得凱旋榮譽的戰爭，因為那可以成為我獲得執政官職位的階梯。 凱撒就這麼回答他的朋友們。但是很可能，在他的心中還隱藏著使他拒絕別人建議的另一種原因。凱撒那山鷹一般的高瞻遠矚的目光，已經看到了在當時腐蝕共和國根基的癰，他發現了過去造成這些災害的原因，同時也估計了它們未來的可能後果。他清楚地看到：手執武器起義的角鬥士，投奔他們的不幸奴隸以及聚集在起義旗幟下的沙姆尼省的貧苦牧民，剛巧代表了三個貧苦的被壓迫階級，而他們的意願和力量恰巧是他想利用的。他準備利用他們的力量永遠消滅驕傲的豪門貴族的暴政。他明白，如果他想獲得這些不幸的人的同情和愛戴，並且企圖在他們面前以救主的面目出現，他就不應當讓自己的雙手染上角鬥士的鮮血。因此，當召開公民大會的那一天到來時，瑪爾庫斯．Ricinius.克拉蘇代替凱撒在大議場上出現了，他披著白色的寬袍來到會上，把自己提名為西西里總督的候選人。他之所以這樣做，可能是因為許多最有勢力的元老和他手下無數門客的慫恿和勸說，但事實上，主要的原因還是那使他日夜不安的個人野心的推動：他的財富和勢力在羅馬居於第一位的情況已經不能再使他滿足了，像龐培一樣獲得勝利桂冠的貪婪欲望不斷地折磨著他。 這時候瑪爾庫斯．Ricinius.克拉蘇將近四十歲了。正如我們在前面曾經說過的，他曾經在蘇拉的麾下打過好幾年仗首先在內戰時期，然後在叛亂時期他在那些戰事中不僅表現了驚人的頑強、非常的英勇和超群的智慧，而且還顯露了卓越的統帥才能。 當克拉蘇披著總督候選人的寬袍在大議場上出現時，全場的公民立刻發出一陣經久不息的掌聲來歡迎他。這陣掌聲表現了他們在這騷亂而又恐慌的時日中，對他無上的信任和極大的希望，那也就是把未來征討角鬥士的軍事行動的重大責任放在他的肩上了。 最後，大議場上變得一片靜寂。護民官盧齊烏斯．阿克維里烏．列諾開始演說。他號召元老和公民們一致投克拉蘇的票，因為在這一危急的局勢中，在討斯巴達克斯的統帥不可能希望有比克拉蘇更好的人選。但是無論如何，護民官繼續指出，必須盡可能保證克拉蘇獲得足夠的武裝力量，使他有可能結束這一持續了三年的可恥戰爭。 所有的人對阿克維里烏斯的演說都表示同意，接著克拉蘇就在轟雷一般的掌聲中當選為西西里總督。他具有徵集六個軍團和相當的輔助兵的權利，而且還可以收集和改編倫杜魯斯和海里烏斯被打垮的軍團的殘餘。這些殘部經過改編以後又可以編成四個新的軍團。這樣一來，克拉蘇就有了一支包括六萬名正規兵士和兩萬四千名輔助兵的軍隊，總數共達八萬四千人。這是一支戰鬥力極其強大的軍隊，這樣的大軍，自從蘇拉與米特里達梯斯王作戰後回到義大利以來還不曾有過。 克拉蘇在當選以後的第二天出了一個布告，號召公民們武裝起來，參加討伐斯巴達克斯的戰爭。元老院也通過了一個特殊的決議案：過去馬略與蘇拉的老兵，如果願意參加這次遠征，元老院將予以崇高的褒獎。 元老院的決議和克拉蘇的布告，使原來沮喪萬分的羅馬公民們振奮起來了。公民們的心被戰鬥的熱情所燃燒，在最有名望的世家子弟之間引起了崇高的競賽：他們爭先恐後地趕到克拉蘇那兒，要求他把他們登記為他的兵士。 克拉蘇開始緊張地用全副精力從事編練軍隊的工作，他從全羅馬最有名的軍人中間，不管他們的社會地位如何，挑選了一批能幹的副將和統領。就這樣，他委任了普勃里烏斯．艾里烏斯．斯克羅發為副將。斯克羅發本是第伯爾近郊的一個地主。他是一個老兵，曾經參加過十一次戰爭，一百三十餘次大小戰鬥。他身上有二十二個傷疤。他曾獲得無數次褒獎和好多個桂冠，現在他正太太平平地住在家裡。 克拉蘇不惜親自屈尊去拜訪他，請求他參加這次一勞永逸地消滅角鬥士的戰爭。斯克羅發被克拉蘇的拜訪感動了，他很願意地答應在克拉蘇的軍隊中擔任副將。他拋棄了安寧的生活，離開了第伯爾近郊美麗的丘崗，跟著克拉蘇來到了羅馬。克拉蘇在當選為西西里總督兼將軍以後，過了二星期就率領了四個由他從羅馬和附近地區挑選出來的老兵組成的軍團，從羅馬出發到奧特利古爾去。奧特利古爾是愛奎人和烏姆勃爾人區域交界處的城市，克拉蘇的一個代理人奧魯斯．庫米烏斯正在那兒徵集和編練另外兩個軍團和輔助兵。 當克拉蘇從羅馬出發時，全城的公民都來歡送。他們一直把他送到拉杜曼門外的營壘裡。克拉蘇將軍不但受到各階層公民們的祝福，根據祭司們按照祭神畜牲的內臟占卜的結果，他本人和他的事業似乎也得到了所有羅馬保護神的庇佑。 他的第一個軍團有兩個大隊，其中有成千個精選的戰士；這些年輕的小夥子都出身於富裕有名的貴族之家，他們甘願以普通兵士的身分追隨克拉蘇出征。其中有：瑪爾庫斯．Polzius.卡因，季杜斯．Lucretius.卡魯斯，蓋烏斯．尤金努斯．卡西烏斯，蘇拉的兒子法烏斯特．阿尼烏斯．米洛，考爾涅里烏斯．Lendurus.克魯蘇斯，普勃里烏斯．瓦梯尼烏斯，考西尼烏斯．勒比普斯，維比烏斯．龐薩，瑪爾齊烏斯．曾卓林，諾爾巴．法拉古斯，葛涅烏斯．阿齊尼烏斯．波里奧等幾百個出身於執政官之家，而且以後自己也當選為執政官的小夥子，以及幾百個出身於騎士之家的青年。 這些青年的親友和門客，一直把克拉蘇的軍團送到米里維烏斯橋。軍隊過了橋從法拉米尼烏斯大道來到卡西烏斯大道上，向巴庚那方面前進。克拉蘇經過四天的行軍，來到了奧特利古爾，並且在這兒紮了營。他決定在這兒訓練他的軍隊，因為他相信在這兒可以保護羅馬，並使羅馬不致受到角鬥士軍隊的攻打，不論斯巴達克斯直接從烏姆勃里亞出發或者穿過畢賽恩人的地區都一樣。 幾乎整整一個月，克拉蘇在奧特利古爾，斯巴達克斯在阿萊季亞都按兵不動。雙方只是在準備作戰。兩人都在考慮新的計劃、新的巧計和新的捕捉敵人的陷阱。 終於，斯巴達克斯認為行動的時機已經到了，他在一個漆黑的暴風雨的夜晚命令自己的軍隊拔營出發，保持極度的肅靜前進。他只留下了瑪米里烏斯統率的七千名騎兵在營壘中，其餘一千名騎兵就派到大軍前面去進行偵察。他利用暴風雨整夜地行軍，第二天又整天地向前行軍，來到了伊古維亞，他想從那兒率領大軍經過卡梅陵、阿斯古爾、蘇里莫、富青湖和蘇布拉克威直搗羅馬。 留在阿萊季亞附近營壘中的騎兵，繼續他們奔襲和偵察的工作。他們按照原來規定的計劃，向附近的城市徵集七萬大軍所必需的糧食，使驚慌萬狀的居民們相信角鬥士的大軍仍舊駐紮在阿萊季亞附近。斯巴達克斯認為一定會有人把這情形報告克拉蘇，這樣就可以使這位將軍陷入錯誤。 這時候斯巴達克斯已經用疲勞的行軍沿著亞平寧山脈前進：他的軍隊每天至少要走二十五三十英里路。他們在穿過畢賽納省以後又向羅馬疾進，如果不是一樁偶發的變故使瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇發現了斯巴達克斯的戰略計劃，他們就會出人意料地在羅馬城牆邊出現。 角鬥士軍隊離開阿萊季亞之後的第四天，克拉蘇相信敵人仍舊沒有離開他們的營壘，他就想突然進攻敵人，經過這次決定性的戰鬥一下子結束戰爭。 他用最快的行軍速度從奧特利古爾出發有遠見的克拉蘇明白：對付斯巴達克斯必須以其人之道還諸其人之身的辦法才能消滅他過了四天就趕到了阿萊季亞營壘附近。瑪米里烏斯得到了羅馬大軍迫近的消息，就按照角鬥士最高首領的命令，在半夜裡率領著全部騎兵悄悄地從營壘中撤走了。當克拉蘇的探子在第二天早晨到達起義者營壘的壕溝旁時，他們不得不相信斯巴達克斯的軍隊已經離開了營壘。 這消息使克拉蘇大吃一驚，接著，他為了探取斯巴達克斯所選擇的進軍道路，就立刻派遣部下的騎兵從阿萊季亞出發，向周圍三十英里地區內的所有道路進行偵察。 克拉蘇很快就知道，當他逼近阿萊季亞時就離開的角鬥士騎兵經過伊古維亞上卡梅陵去了，當他經過伊古維亞時，探子又報告他，在幾天之前斯巴達克斯和他的全部軍隊曾在這兒經過。於是，克拉蘇以卓越的統帥所具有的遠見想出了對策。因為斯巴達克斯是沿著亞平寧山東面的道路行軍的，克拉蘇就決定立刻循著亞平寧山西面的道路趕回羅馬。這樣一來，克拉蘇與斯巴達克斯雖然都是在平行地前進，但是克拉蘇的路線差不多是直線，因此他的行軍就要比斯巴達克斯的短得多。克拉蘇一次行軍抵得上斯巴達克斯三次行軍的路程，克拉蘇就利用這一優勢來奪回角鬥士軍隊在這之前所取得的時間與空間上的優勢。 羅馬軍隊以令人讚歎的熱情進行了五天極其疲勞的行軍，終於到達了萊埃特，克拉蘇讓大軍在這兒休息了一天。 這時候，斯巴達克斯以極大的速度前進到達了富青湖附近的克里台爾納。但是，不幸得很，他在這兒遇到了不曾預見的阻礙：由於滂沱大雨接連不斷地下了好幾天，維林納斯河泛濫了。為了建造一座橫跨河面的浮橋，他不得不停留兩天，接著又花費了一天一夜的時間，讓所有的軍隊過橋到達對岸。 這時候，克拉蘇經常掌握著一萬名騎兵。他把他們遠遠地派遣到營壘所在地以外的地區去。於是探子就來報告他，斯巴達克斯的軍隊已經逼近了克里台爾納。克拉蘇就命令奧魯斯．摩米烏斯率領兩個正規軍團與六千名輔助兵，在萊埃特附近渡過維林納斯河，循著左岸用急行軍趕到阿里發布采爾，在那兒渡河到右岸，然後向克里台爾納前進。但是克拉蘇將軍命令他的代理人摩米烏斯千萬不可與斯巴達克斯交戰，而要不斷地退卻，直到克拉蘇本人率領大軍趕來進攻斯巴達克斯的後方才停止。 摩米烏斯確切地執行了克拉蘇的命令，他在第二天早晨就來到了阿里發布采爾。但是他不能在這兒紮營而且不得不被迫離開，因為斯巴達克斯已經臨近了。 雖然兵士們已經被急行軍折磨得疲勞不堪，摩米烏斯還是率領他們穿過亞平寧山的峽谷，來到了蘇布拉克威。他在峻峭的、岩石嶙峋的山坡上占領了極其有利的陣地，準備在下一天離開這兒。 但是他手下的兩位統領過來勸他，說不能再在敵人的面前退卻了。他必須利用命運之神賦予他的好機會，可以不要克拉蘇的幫助單獨打垮斯巴達克斯。因為在狹窄的峽谷中，斯巴達克斯是無法利用他軍隊數量上的優勢的；摩米烏斯被他們說服了，就開始在這一極其險要的陣地上等待著斯巴達克斯的到來。兩位統領代表他們的軍團對他預言，說他一定會獲得勝利。 摩米烏斯充滿了勝利的希望，他覺得那是極有把握的事。到了第二天，斯巴達克斯到來的時候，摩米烏斯就開始與他交戰。色雷斯人已經發覺，在這一陣地上作戰，他的十四個軍團並不能為他取得任何優勢，因此他命令第十三軍團與第十四軍團與敵人交戰，另外抽調一個軍裡面的全部輕裝步兵與擲石兵，命令他們爬到周圍山峰頂上，從後方攻打羅馬人，用巨大的石塊投擲他們，用箭射他們。 一隊隊輕裝的角鬥士極其認真地執行了斯巴達克斯的命令。戰鬥開始後三小時，正當雙方以同樣頑強的精神殺得難解難分的時候，羅馬人突然又驚又怕地看見周圍的山頭都已布滿了敵方的擲石兵與輕裝步兵，各種彈丸像一片烏雲那樣飛下來，接著，那批角鬥士從山峰頂部衝下來，迂迴到羅馬人的後方和側翼來了。羅馬人一看到這情形就開始潰逃，為了逃竄時可以快一些，他們把武器、盾牌以及所有的盔甲都在路上拋棄了。 但這時候，與他們交戰的兩個角鬥士軍團卻開始向他們猛攻。輕裝的角鬥士步兵也已從周圍的岩石後面和山峰上下來了。戰鬥頓時變成了流血的殺戮。羅馬人在這場殺戮中陣亡了七千人以上。