Chapter 21 Chapter 20: From the Battle of Mount Gargaon to the Cremation of Clixus

No matter how heavy the loss caused to the Romans by the Battle of Subrakeway, and no matter how temporarily Crassus was unable to make up for the loss, Spartacus still could not gain any major benefits from this victory.After he defeated the Romans, Mamilius, who came back from scouting the banks of the Verinus River, knew that Crassus' main force had crossed the river that day.The Thracians understood that it would be disadvantageous to march on Rome with Crassus pinning him in the rear.He therefore left Subrakwe at once that same evening, and marched across the upper Lillis to the province of Compania.As for Crassus, he only set out on the night when the gladiator's army abandoned Subrakwe.And he didn't know the news of his lieutenant general's disastrous defeat until the evening of the next day.

The wrath of General Crassus was at its height, and he was not only displeased with the actions of Momius, but especially with the two legions under Momius, because the defeated soldiers fled as far as the city of Rome.When news of this new defeat reached the city, the inhabitants immediately panicked, and the panic continued until Crassus's messenger appeared.Those messengers finally convinced the Romans that the battle of Subrakwe was not of great significance to cause panic.They reported the actual situation of the battle to the Senate, and suggested that the Senate quickly send all the deserters in the Momius Legion back to the camp of General Crassus.

After a few days all the deserters returned to the camp. It is not difficult to imagine how ashamed and depressed they were. Crassus gathered all the troops on the general's execution ground and arranged them in a square formation.In the middle of the phalanx stood the disarmed, ashamed, and dejected deserters of the Legion of Momius.Crassus, gifted with oratory, began to spout speeches of reproach.He vehemently and harshly reprimanded the cowardice of the deserters, whom he said had disgraced themselves by fleeing from the field like a flock of cowardly wives, abandoning him to whom his ancestors had used in far more difficult circumstances. Weapons to conquer the world.He proves that it is necessary to completely eliminate the stupid panic, which is why for three years the armies of lowly gladiators and slaves have been able to roam freely throughout Italy, and it is precisely because of this that they have been able to control the whole of Italy. A reputation for valor and splendor was undeserved, and the honor which the Roman army had won by its invincibility was now the laughingstock of the world.

Never again, Crassus declared, would he suffer the disgrace of a rout: the time had come for heroic deeds and glorious victories.Since self-respect, a sense of self-importance, and the glory of the Romans were not enough to remove this disgrace, the victory was won by iron discipline and fear of preserving life under the threat of the cruelest punishment. I shall now reinstate the tithes, which our ancestors seldom practiced, Crassus concluded.Appius.Claudius first adopted this punishment in his army in AD 304.Almost two full centuries have passed since then, when this tragic punishment was abandoned.But since you have committed such a crime, fleeing from an enemy, especially from such a vile enemy, and disgracefully throwing away your arms; apply to you.Listen, everyone, I'm going to apply this punishment to these nine thousand cowards!They stand before everyone, and their consciences are feeling the weight of shame!Look, their faces are pale, their heads are too ashamed to lift up, and their eyes are filled with tears of regret that are too late.

Crassus was merciless and merciless despite the pleas of the most respected commander of the camp and many of the most famous enlisted nobles to refrain from this torture.Not only did he refuse to undo the harsh decision which he had taken, but he immediately ordered that it must be carried out before evening.Nine thousand people had to draw lots, and one out of every ten people who got the lottery for bad luck had to hand it over to the honor guard.First they flogged him and then cut off his head. But this dreadful punishment often fell upon the brave man who had fought so valiantly, and was not at fault for the rout of his companions, and made a deep and painful impression on the whole camp of the Romans.During this tragic execution, in which nine hundred heads were beheaded in a few hours, there were four or five sad episodes.Four or five of the most valiant warriors of the Momius legions gave their lives for the cowardice of others.The brave fighting spirit of these people in the battle of Subakwei is obvious to all.Among these four or five warriors, especially a twenty-year-old young man Amyrius.Grabrio evoked great sympathy and mourning from all.He had valiantly resisted the onslaught of gladiators until the last minute.He was wounded in two places, but did not leave the position.But the crowd that always collapsed rushed the injured warrior away.keep him away from the battlefield.This situation is well known.Everyone shouted for him to prove it.But the ruthless Fate struck him down. He failed the lottery and must suffer a tragic death.

This brave young man came to the front of the general amidst the cries of all the people.His face became deathly pale, but his expression was as calm and determined as that of Mocius.Stevra and Junius.Brutus.He said aloud: The tithe you have adopted is not only necessary but beneficial to the republic: we deserve it for the shameful conduct of our two legions in this last battle.The god of fate has not favored me, I should die.But General Crassus, you know as well as my comrades in arms that I am not a coward.I did not flee, but fought like a Roman.In spite of my wounds, which you also see (here pointing to his bandaged left hand, and the blood-stained bandages under his coat that bound his whole chest), I withstood the enemy's attack.Therefore, if you acknowledge my bravery, I beseech you; let not the officers of honor flog me, but let them chop off my head!

Everyone around the general wept.Crassus himself looked pale and agitated.He answered the brave youth: I agree with your request, heroic Aemilius.Grabrio.It is a pity that the harsh punishment of our ancestors does not allow me to save your life, although you deserve this right To die at the hand of the enemy on the field of battle, or to die here under the ax of the officer of honour, in the court of the general, is the same, for my life belongs to my country.I am glad that it is known here, my mother, the whole senate, and all the people in the city of Rome, that I am not a coward, that death is nothing if I have saved my honour. scary.

You cannot die, young hero!cried a soldier from the ranks of Momius' legion; he ran up to the general, and cried out in a trembling voice with tears in his eyes: Glorious General Crassus, my name is Van Lelius.Attalus.I am a citizen of Rome, and a soldier of the third cohort of the third legion which was defeated in the defense of Subrakwe.I happened to be at the side of this extremely brave young man.I saw with my own eyes that, though he was wounded, he continued to resist the enemy, until we all turned and fled for our lives, and he was involuntarily swept away from the field by the crowd.Since the guard of honor only wants to kill one deserter out of ten with his sharp axe, then I, the deserter, will be beheaded, and he must not be beheaded.I swear to all the patron saints of Rome, that his actions were in the full tradition of the fortitude of a true Roman warrior.

The soldier who had fled for his life in panic now showed noble qualities.His noble deed aroused all the more; but however touching the rivalry between Attalus and Grabrio, each of the two men demanded that the general cut himself down. Crassus remained stern and unmoved.Grabrio was sent to the guard of honour. The sighs of the soldiers of the two regiments who were tortured by the order of shiq grew louder; the faces of thousands of soldiers in the other regiments showed expressions of pity, and their eyes filled with tears; at that time, Grabrio shouted to his comrades: If you think my death unjust, if my doom arouses your sympathy, if you will make my soul happy, and give me sweet hope and consolation in the quiet Elysian bliss, I am grateful for peace. Goddess swear, I hope you would rather die than turn around and run for your life in front of the hateful gladiator!

We swear!We swear! We swear to all the gods!Sixty thousand people roared at the same time, like an earth-shattering rolling thunder. May the great god bless Rome!Now I am happy to die!cried the doomed young man. Then he thrust his bare neck under the axe of the officer of honour, and the officer of honour, who executed him, slashed at it with swift precision; It rolled down amidst the horrific and regretful cries of 60,000 people. Marcus.Crassus turned around immediately, hiding the tears rolling down his face. The execution is over.Marcus.Crassus redistributed the weapons to the soldiers of the two legions who had fled in the battle of Subrakwe.He gave a short lecture, hoping that they would never run away again in their lifetimes.

He ordered the burial of nine hundred dead.The next day, he set off from camp and began to chase Spartacus.Convinced of the impossibility of attacking Rome, the Thracian had led his army swiftly across the provinces of Compania and Shamni, and re-entered the province of Apulia.He hoped to lure this general further away from Rome, because the city of Rome might send Crassus reinforcements every hour.Spartacus planned to fight Crassus, completely defeat all his legions, and then march on the Tiber River. Spartacus moved very swiftly, but Crassus's army marched no less quickly than that of the gladiators; for after the execution of the shigi, they were not only willing to endure all hardships, but were eager for new battles. Fifteen days later, General Crassus overtook the gladiator's army at Daunia, which had encamped near Ciponte.Crassus went there and wanted to compress the gladiator's army to the sea, so he chose a camp for his army between Albi and Sipont, and prepared to wait for a favorable opportunity to attack Spartacus. Three days had passed since the confrontation between the two armies; A messenger came from the gladiator to discuss a very confidential matter with the general. Crassus jumped up: he was very alert and slept very little each night.He ordered the herald to bring the gladiator messenger to him. The envoy was not tall, and he wore a pair of beautiful armor and a helmet with the goggles down.As soon as he saw the general, he pulled up his goggles, and Crassus saw his snow-white, womanly face. This is Ai Fu Ji Pida, she came to see Crassus, ready to betray her comrades. Don't you recognize me, Marcus?Ricinius.Crassus?she asked mockingly. Well, I know your face very well, but the general murmured incoherently, digging in his memory, trying to recall the names of many people, to conjure up the images of these people.But you are not a boy, I swear to Almighty God, you are a woman!is it possible?I swear to Venus of hell!Love Fuji Pida!is it you? No man can forget Evkipeda's passionate kiss, did you forget it so quickly? Love Fuji Pida!Surprised Marcus.Crassus cried.I swear by Jupiter's Thunderfire!Love Fuji Pida!You are here?Where are you from?At such a time?Wearing such armor? Suddenly, he stepped back, folded his hands on his chest, and looked at Evkipeda with distrust.His hazy gray-yellow eyes suddenly shone, burning like flames. If you want to come and cast a net on me, he said sternly.I warn you: you've got the wrong guy.I am not Clotius, nor Valinius, nor Amphidius.Olesdus But that doesn't stop you from being a big fool too, poor Marcus.Crassus.The Greek whore cast a quick and vicious glance at the general, and boldly sneered at him.You are the richest Roman, continued Evegipeda after a moment's silence, but by no means the wisest Roman. What are you here for? What are your plans?Say it. Evegipeda was silent for a while, shaking her head, carefully observing the Roman general with a mocking smile, and continued: I swear to Jupiter of Olympus, I never imagined that I had brought you the hope of victory, to be treated like this by you!Who will serve you!I swear to all the gods, you will do the same to me when you are victorious! Are you going to tell me why you are here?Crassus said impatiently, still eyeing her with distrust. Thus, Eve Jippida explained to Crassus the reasons for her undying hatred for Spartacus; she also narrated how the Romans wiped out ten thousand people with her help. The history of the German gladiators; she told the general how after that fight she was honored among the gladiators as a valiant warrior, and now had great confidence in her.Finally, she said that she deeply believed that this trust, and her position as herald of Clixus, could be used to help the Romans destroy the gladiator army now divided in two, so that they could obtain Glorious victory. Crassus listened to Evkipeda's words with great attention, and stared at her probingly.When she had finished speaking, he said to her slowly and calmly: But perhaps all your nonsense is nothing but a trap: you must be trying to drag me into the snare of Spartacus.Yes or no?What do you say to this, beautiful Evkipeda?Who can assure me that what you say and what you express are true? Myself.I put my life into your hands: this is the true guarantee of everything I promise. Crassus seemed to be thinking about something, and after a while he said: But maybe, this is also a cunning military strategy?Maybe, you don't value your life, are you willing to sacrifice for the cause of these lowly slaves? I swear to your god, Crassus, you are so distrustful.This is not smart. But don't you think, said the Sicilian governor and general slowly, that it is better to have too much disbelief than too much faith? Evkipeda didn't answer anything.She just looked at Crassus, with an expression that seemed to be both mocking and inquiring in her eyes.She was silent for a while and said: Who knows?perhaps you're right.But anyway, listen to me, Marcus.Crassus, I have just told you that I can take advantage of the confidence of Spartacus, Clixus, and other gladiator leaders.I know the tricks that the damned Thracian has been planning to use against you since you came to Albi. Is what you said true?Crassus said half-seriously and half-sarcastically.What kind of tricks did he think of?Let us have a listen. Tomorrow there may be a great rumor, and it may reach you very quickly: two armies under the command of Granix and Artorix (including eight legions and cavalry, a total of 40,000 people) are in Sri Lanka. Bardacus left Sipont and advanced towards Barret, as if attempting to enter the country of the Biscens, while Clixus and his corps, which consisted of thirty thousand warriors, remained in Sipont. ; Clixus would spread rumors among the nearby inhabitants that he and Spartacus had irreconcilably opposed opinions and thus split.When you know that Spartacus is gone, you will naturally go to attack Kelixus.But Spartacus and his army are hiding in the forests on both sides of the Siponte to Barret road; and when you start to fight Clixus, he will attack you from the rear and kill your brave army. completely defeated ah ah!Crassus exclaimed, so they have such a plan! Yes. It depends on whether I am willing to fall into the trap. If there is no warning from me, Crassus, you have to trust me, you will definitely fall into the trap.But don't you want to go further than avoiding their traps?Won't you catch them in the snare they set for you?Don't you want to completely defeat and annihilate Clixus's 30,000 troops first, and then attack Spartacus with almost double the superior force? Well, all right!What should I do to make this happen? To-morrow you leave here for the West Pent before dawn; and when you get there Spartacus may be fifteen or twenty miles from the city.He will wait for me to report on your army's actions: whether you have set off, and whether you will soon fall into his snare (he entrusted me with this important task); But tell him you don't want to break camp and go.Then I went back to Clixus and said that Spartacus ordered him to go up Mount Galgon: if the Romans attacked him, he must defend his position with all his strength.As soon as Clixus leaves the Sipont and approaches Mount Gargaon, attack him suddenly.At that time, even if Spartacus knew that Kelixus was going to be in danger and rushed to reinforce him, it would be too late. Crassus listened in amazement to what this wicked woman told him, whose plans of battle, mingled with ingenious martial art and sophisticated stratagem, were far more perfect than he himself could have imagined. Crassus stared at this famous prostitute for a long time, her cheeks flushed with extreme excitement.Suddenly Crassus cried out: I swear to Jupiter, king of the gods, you are a terrible woman! This is the man who made me, Evkipeda retorted fiercely, but she suddenly restrained herself, smiled wryly, and replied in a calm tone: We don't need to talk about this, you have nothing to do with all my plans and plans. What do you think? Not even the ghouls of the most dreadful pits of hell could conceive of a plan more dreadful, more elaborate, and more bloody.But I say it again, I can't trust you, I can't trust you Well, hear me out.You can start out from the camp two or three hours before noon tomorrow.For prudence, you could send a party of spies to the Sipont, and what danger would that do you?If I betray you, at worst you'll run into the entire army of Spartacus.Don't you want to fight him?If I have told you lies, and you did not retreat to Clixus alone, but met him and Spartacus, what evil would it be to you? Crassus thought for a while, and then said: Well, I believe you. More precisely, I would like to believe you.I can promise you that if everything is realized according to your ingenious and clever idea, I will reward you heavily, and I will report to the Senate what you have done for them and the Roman people, and the Senate will Give you greater rewards. Who wants your reward?What do the people of Rome matter to me!Evegipeda cast a venomous and contemptuous glance at Crassus, and exclaimed angrily; her eyes gleamed with fury.I have come to help you to victory, not for the Romans nor for you but only to avenge myself.Can you understand the indescribably strange joy I feel at the misfortune of my hateful enemy?Tears of Spartacus, blood of Spartacus!What a comfort and joy this is to me!I wish I could kneel on the chest of the dying Spartacus on the battlefield full of gladiator corpses, and listen to his dying gasps!Who cares about your bounty!Who wants any reward from your senate! The Greek whore's face was pale, her eyes glowed like a fever, her lips trembled; and she uttered the above words in a low, gloomy voice, full of hatred and A bloodthirsty desire; her face contorted, her manner was terrible; she gave Crassus a sensation of extreme disgust, and a convulsion ran through the general's body, as if he, too, was frightened. However, Crassus seriously considered the battle situation and decided to take any means to win the victory. Evegipeda jumped on her horse and quietly left the Roman camp.Then she sent the fiery steed into full stride, galloping straight for the gladiator's camp. At dawn the next day, Crassus ordered to break camp and set off.He sent out five thousand cavalry in front of the host, and bade them advance cautiously three miles from the host, while scouting the surrounding country, that they should not encounter unexpected dangers and ambushes; and proceeded to West Pente.His army moved slowly, perhaps because he was afraid of falling into a trap, but perhaps because he did not want to tire his army too much to be ready for a surprise attack. At this time, Spartacus had also set out, and he led eight legions and a troop of cavalry to the direction of Barret.Clixus and his six legions remained at Sipont.A rumor was circulated in the country about the Cipontes that, through a quarrel between Spartacus and Clixus, the insurrectionary army had been divided into two parts: one part wanted to attack the Romans near Albi. camp, another part decided to advance to Rome via Benavente. Such rumors did spread everywhere, so the spies immediately reported the situation to Crassus. As far as the current situation is concerned, the report of Evkipeda is true.She did not deceive me, the Roman general thought to himself.This is a good omen. The development of the facts is indeed like this. The next night, just as Crassus's army came to a forested valley in the Galgon Mountains, four miles from Sipont, and laid an ambush silently and motionlessly, Evgipeda rode The horse galloped towards Barret with all its strength, passing the orders from Kleixas to Spartacus.The order said: The enemy has left Albi and fell into a trap, and Spartacus is asked to return to Sipont as soon as possible. Ai Fuji Pida came to Spartacus.The Thracian and his army were hiding in the woods on both sides of the road from Sipont to Barlet.He asked her in horror: Hello, how are you? Crassus had not yet set out from Albi.Although he sent his spies as far as the Siponts, our scouts reported to Clixus that the Roman army did not intend to break camp. I swear to all the gods, cried Spartacus, Crassus is much wiser and cunning than I thought! He thought for a while, then turned to Evkipeda and said: Go back to Clixus, and tell him not to leave his camp, no matter what happens; but if Crassus appears suddenly and begins to attack him, once the battle begins, tell him to attack him twice every quarter of an hour. Send three heralds here to warn me; so that, whatever happens, at least one of them will come to me.It's strange that Crassus would not take advantage of the opportunity to take down me and then Clixus, which I don't think bodes well for us. Then the Thracian passed his hand over his forehead a few times, as if trying to drive some tragic thought out of his mind.Then he asked Evkipeda: How long did it take you to get here from our camp? Less than two hours. Are you running with all your might? Look at my horse. Spartacus thought for a while, then said: Then you go back and run with all your strength. Evegipeda bid farewell to Spartacus, and then turned the horse's head and galloped silently towards Sipont. She came to the camp of the Siponts and told Clixus that Spartacus had ordered him to set out from the Siponts to Mount Gargaon, and try to take a formidable position there. Evegipeda rode to the camp of the Clixus legion two hours before dawn, and the Gauls immediately ordered the camp to be dismantled.Before the sun came out, they had already made their way quietly to Mount Gargaon. After four hours, they came to the foothills of the majestic Mount Gargaon.In front of their eyes was a vast picture of the clear and bright Adriatic Sea, and the sailboats of the fishermen along the coast were slowly shaking on the waves.Clixus came to the last slope of Mount Gargaon reaching the sea.Just as he chose a defensive position and ordered the construction camp, the gladiators suddenly shouted: Roman!Roman! This was Crassus's legion: they had come here long ago to attack the 30,000 warriors of Klixus, who was seven hours away from the main force of Spartacus. But Crixus was not dismayed by this unexpected attack; with the composure and firmness of a heroic commander, he placed his six legions in line on the uneven ground.He spread out the four legions facing the enemy, but in order to deal with the enemy, he stretched the front as far as possible, let the right wing of his army extend to the hill where he was originally going to camp, and at the same time sent the fifth and sixth The Legion remained there as a reserve.He extended the left flank of the battle line to the vicinity of an unclimbable cliff.The sea water is splashing gently at the foot of the cliff. After a while, six Roman legions rushed towards the gladiators in dense formation.The furious cries of the belligerents, and the clanging of swords and shields, shattered the eternal silence of the desolate wooded shore; From grotto to grotto, from cliff to cliff.Clixus galloped through his ranks on horseback, as did Crassus.Both commanders were boosting the morale of their men.Combat is scary.Both the Romans and the gladiators refused to take a step back. Their charge was not for survival but for a desperate fight. Since the Romans attacked in dense formation, the left flank of the Clixus army was not attacked by the enemy.Therefore, although the more than three thousand fighters of the Fourth Gladiator Legion, although eager to participate in the battle after taking up the battle position, became spectators of the battle standing still.Seeing this, Onazius the Shamnit, commander of the Fourth Legion, hastened to the front of the ranks, stood in front of three thousand warriors, and gave the order: Turn right!Then he led them to attack the right flank of the Romans.This team of gladiators attacked the enemy very violently. They kept sowing the seeds of death in the enemy's ranks. Soon, the legion on the far right of the Romans was completely disintegrated under the frontal and flank attacks of the opponent.But this was only a short-term victory; the right-wing commander of the Roman army, Lieutenant General Scrofa, stabbed his horse and rushed to the location of the Roman cavalry reserve, ordering the cavalry commander Gnaeus.Kundus led seven thousand cavalry against the left flank of the gladiator army, which, by the hasty actions of Onazius, was now exposed and unguarded by the Romans.Scrofa told Kundus to go around the gladiators' left flank first and get behind them.Kundus immediately galloped to carry out the order.A little later the third and fourth gladiator legions were attacked in the rear by Roman cavalry, which confused their ranks, panicked the warriors, and met a horrific massacre by the Romans. At this time Crassus sent two more legions and six thousand stone-throwers, and ordered them to outflank Clixus' right flank; there was a mountain behind the hill where the gladiator reserves hid.Immediately, with indescribable vigour, these Roman troops climbed to the top of the mountain with great speed; He ordered the right wing to extend to the right as far as the terrain allowed, forming a new line of battle, so that the two lines of the gladiator army formed the sides of a triangle whose base was the coast and whose apex was the hill. Brutal fighting also took place on new fronts. Crassus saw the commanders of the fifth and sixth legions of the gladiators, Mesemblius and Rivius.The skilful military maneuvers of Geminimus, knowing that his plan of outflanking the gladiator's right flank had not succeeded, resolved to double the error of Onazius, which Scrofa had so skillfully exploited, and thus, Crassus sent not only the rest of his cavalry but also two corps of reserves into the gap, ordering them to storm the gladiator army from the rear. In this way, no matter how miraculously brave these 30,000 gladiators showed in the battle against the 80,000 Roman army, in less than three hours, the six legions of Clixus surrounded the enemy with nearly three times the superior force. and all were annihilated; without even thinking of their own lives, they had fought and died with honor on this vast field, with desperate valor. Clixus fought to the end with all his old valor, and at the last moment hoped for reinforcements from Spartacus.When he saw that most of his comrades were dead, he reined in his steed (it was the third horse he rode that day, for the other two had already been stabbed to death by the enemy) and charged at the terrible The spectacle of massacre cast a glance of indescribable anguish; tears rolled down his cheeks, and he gazed in that direction where Spartacus might have come, with eyes full of great love for his comrades. cried a trembling voice: Ah, Spartacus!You couldn't get here in time!Now you can neither help us nor avenge us!How it pains your heart to see thirty thousand heroic comrades perish! Crixus raised his left hand to his eyes, wiped the tears resolutely, and told his heralds in a calm, sonorous voice that Evkipeda was no longer among them, for she slipped away as soon as the battle began, saying: : brothers!Now it's our turn to sacrifice! He grasped the dagger stained with the blood of the Romans, stabbed the horse, and rushed straight to the Roman infantry squadron, which surrounded eight or nine gladiators fighting there.Although the gladiators were wounded all over, they still tried their best to resist.Clixus swung the short sword with a loud voice : O you brave Romans, you are always bold when you have three against one!Stand up, let me fight with you! Clixus and his four heralds threw the Romans to the ground, trampled them with their horses, and slashed them with their short swords.Although there were as many as eighty or ninety Romans, it was difficult to resist their violent attack like hail.The Roman team was even a little confused, and retreated slightly.But as they saw their new companions coming in groups of two, four, ten, to aid them, they surrounded the five warriors more and more closely.Five of their horses had been killed by the Romans with daggers, and now these five knights were fighting on foot with incomparable valor; Hundreds of fatal blows finished them off in no time. Crixus also fell, covered with terrible wounds; and as he fell he turned suddenly and pierced a Roman soldier who had cut him in the back with his dagger, but the dagger was So it remained in the soldier's chest, for Crixus had not the strength to draw his sword; and a sharp arrow struck him in the breast from five paces away, and he cried softly: Spartacus, I wish you victory He closed his lips.But at that moment another Roman soldier pierced his bruised and bloody chest with a javelin, and cried: But now you should be content with your failure.die! I swear by the Kitchen God and the House God, cried one of the veterans, I have seen so many battles under Sulla, but I have never seen such a fierce man! I have never seen such a strong and fearless warrior when I followed Marius to conquer the Teutons and Sembri, another veteran echoed. 難道你們沒有看見，我對戰神馬爾斯發誓！第三個兵士指著克利克薩斯周圍一大堆羅馬人的屍體說。瞧，他殺死了我們多少人啊，但願地獄吞滅他的靈魂！ 持續三小時的迦爾岡山附近的激戰，就這麼結束了；羅馬人陣亡了一萬名，三萬名角鬥士卻完全消滅了。 只有八百名身受重傷的角鬥士做了羅馬人的俘虜。克拉蘇命令把他們全部活活釘死在十字架上，而那些十字架就豎立在當天晚上羅馬人行軍的大道兩旁。到了午後，克拉蘇很快地下令吹集合號，為陣亡的羅馬人的屍體舉行火葬。他命令部下不用紮營而且警告所有的統領和百夫長，叫他們的軍團和大隊準備在午夜前出發。 斯巴達克斯懷著無法形容的驚恐心情，整整地等待了一天一夜。他等待著克利克薩斯的傳令官，等待著他們帶來的關於羅馬人的行動消息，但結果卻連人影兒也不見；到了拂曉時分，他派他自己的兩個傳令官，每一個率領一百名騎兵，每隊相隔半小時向西滂特前進。他命令他們火速帶回有關敵人和克利克薩斯的情報。尤其糟糕的是，他部下的戰士離開營壘時只帶了三天乾糧，若是超過了這個期限就沒有東西吃了。 當斯巴達克斯的第一個傳令官來到西滂特附近營壘旁的時候，他感到十分吃驚，因為在那兒看不到一個角鬥士。他不知道怎麼辦才好，決定等待第二個傳令官來到後一起商量。但是，兩個傳令官還是非常懷疑，而且猶豫不決。突然，他們看見幾個騎士騎著幾匹渾身大汗頻頻喘息的戰馬向著營壘沒命地跑來；這是克利克薩斯一看到羅馬人出現就立刻派到斯巴達克斯處來的幾個傳令官：克利克薩斯根據愛芙姬琵達的報告，認為斯巴達克斯早已向西滂特前進了，因此他派人來催促色雷斯人火速前進。 不難想像，當斯巴達克斯的幾個傳令官明白了愛芙姬琵達的叛逆陰謀以及克利克薩斯所處的可怕境地，他們是多麼的驚惶啊。在這樣嚴重的情勢下，他們只剩下一個辦法，那就是：竭盡全力飛跑，趕快去警告斯巴達克斯。 他們就按照這個辦法去做；但是，當他們趕到斯巴達克斯和他的軍隊藏匿的地方，迦爾岡山的戰鬥已經快要結束了。 啊，地獄裡的神啊！斯巴達克斯一聽到這個不幸消息，立刻變得臉色慘白，並且明白這一卑鄙的叛變會引起什麼樣的可怕後果，他哀叫道。趕快行軍，向西滂特前進！ 他縱身上馬，叫來了葛拉尼克斯，用哽咽的聲音對他說： 我命令你率領八個軍團強行軍出發：要讓每一個人的腳上都像長出翅膀似的今天是我們極其不幸的日子讓每一個人的心好像金剛石一般堅硬你們要飛要飛過去克利克薩斯快要覆滅了！我們的弟兄已經在成千地死亡我得立刻去援助他們；我先帶著騎兵隊出發為了我們的神聖事業，你們要飛過去，飛過去！ 他這樣說過以後，就率領了八千名騎兵，傾全力循著通西滂特的大路飛跑。 過了一個半鐘頭，這隊騎上終於騎著渾身大汗而且極其困乏的戰馬來到了目的地；但是，當斯巴達克斯趕到克利克薩斯不久前紮營的地方，他只看到七、八個鮮血淋漓半死不活的角鬥士，不知是什麼奇蹟使他們從可怕的地獄裡逃了出來！ 看在復仇之神朱庇特的份上，你們快告訴我這兒發生了什麼事？斯巴達克斯喘息著問。 我們被打垮了我們被殲滅了我們的軍團只留下了一個番號！ 呵，我的不幸的弟兄們啊！我的心愛的克利克薩斯啊！斯巴達克斯哀叫了幾聲，就用兩手掩住臉哭起來了。 騎兵隊的指揮官和傳令官們默默地圍住了斯巴達克斯，與他一起經受那崇高而又神聖的悲痛；在所有人的臉上都顯出了惶惑和驚慌的神色，尤其是當他們看到他們那位精神和肉體都十分堅強的首領竟然哭泣起來，他們驚惶的程度就更加厲害了。 大家沉默了很久，最後，站在斯巴達克斯身邊的瑪米里烏斯抑制了激動的感情，用充滿熱愛和尊敬的聲音說： 理智一點吧，高貴的斯巴達克斯在不幸的境況中必須堅強 啊，我尊敬的克利克薩斯！我的可憐的克利克薩斯啊！色雷斯人絕望地叫道，他摟住了瑪米里烏斯的脖子，把自己的頭靠在騎兵隊長的肩上又哭起來了。 他這樣地痛哭了幾分鐘；然後抬起他慘白的、流滿了淚水的臉，用自己的手背擦了擦眼睛。瑪米里烏斯對他說： 鼓起你的勇氣來，斯巴達克斯！我們必須考慮，怎樣才能挽救留下來的八個軍團。 是的，你說得對！我們應當竭力避免可能會使我們全軍覆沒的厄運，對這個卑劣的復仇女妖用她無恥的叛賣行為造成的後果，我們應當竭力減低它的危害程度。 斯巴達克斯開始陷入沉思之中，他好久默默地不作一聲，他的眼光穿過附近壘牆上的防柵，死死地注視著那一邊的大營門。 最後，他清醒過來說： 必須撤走！克拉蘇的軍隊經過這場屠殺我們弟兄的流血戰鬥，至少得經過八、九小時的休息才能從迦爾岡山出發；我們必須爭取時間，改變我們的處境。 接著，他回過頭來對一個傳令官說： 你得飛也似地跑到葛拉尼克斯那兒，告訴他不要繼續前進，叫他趕快率領軍隊從原路回去。 當那個傳令官縱馬疾馳時，他又對瑪米里烏斯說： 我們要用一天三十英里的速度，在五、六天之內循著山路經過密妮爾瓦和維納西亞進入魯康尼亞省。到了那兒，將有新的奴隸弟兄來投奔我們。那時候如果我們還沒有力量與克拉蘇作戰，我們可以進入布魯丁省，再從那兒渡海到西西里，使那邊還沒有熄滅的奴隸起義的火焰重新燃燒起來。 他讓那些由於瘋狂奔馳疲乏不堪的戰馬休息了半小時之後，就命令騎兵隊帶著那八個從迦爾岡山屠場中逃出來、受盡折磨的受傷角鬥士，一起回到八個軍團在半路上逗留的地方。 斯巴達克斯叫來了葛拉尼克斯。他把葛拉尼克斯叫到一邊，把自己的計劃告訴了他。伊里利亞人覺得這個計劃很好；斯巴達克斯就把執行這一計劃的任務交給了他，並且囑咐他在十二小時之內不停地向海爾頓尼亞進軍，而斯巴達克斯本人則決定率領三百名騎兵上迦爾岡山給克利克薩斯收屍去。 葛拉尼克斯竭力想說服斯巴達克斯，向他指出可能遭到極大的危險；如果他是一個普通人，他可以不顧這一切，但他是起義者的首領，是這一偉大而又神聖的事業的靈魂，他就沒有權利冒險。 我相信我不會遭到危險，而且最遲不超過三天就可以在亞平寧山趕上你們。如果我竟然犧牲了，我的英勇剛毅的葛拉尼克斯，你具有足夠的經驗、智慧和威望，可以繼續頑強而又堅決地領導我們這些被壓迫的弟兄反抗壓迫者的戰爭。 不論葛拉尼克斯怎樣勸阻斯巴達克斯，角鬥士的首領還是不肯改變他的決心。 斯巴達克斯叫來了那隊騎兵，擁抱了葛拉尼克斯和阿爾托利克斯，叮囑年輕的高盧人必須絕對執行勇敢的伊里利亞人的命令。沉默而又淒慘的斯巴達克斯並沒有跟他的妹妹密爾查告別，只是把她託付給他的戰友們。就離開大隊人馬走了。角鬥士的軍隊就按照他的命令離開了司法官大道，從田野和葡萄園之間穿過去，向海爾頓尼亞出發。 當天晚上，斯巴達克斯來到西滂特的郊外。他向迦爾岡山的方向派出一小隊騎兵，叫他們去偵察敵人的行動。他在得到確實的令人放心的消息後，就命令他的騎兵們下馬。他自己首先拉著馬韁，率領他們一起進入由西滂特經過迦爾岡山直到海濱的那條大路旁的森林中去。他們為了隱伏到密林深處去，不得不用短劍砍掉灌木叢和樹木的枝椏。他們緩慢而又艱苦地開闢道路前進，經過兩小時的努力，終於來到樹林深處一片圍繞著橡樹與樅樹的空地上；那片空地上有幾所樵夫的茅屋，住在屋子裡的那些樵夫差不多是一年之中的大部分時間都是在這座樹林中度過的。 斯巴達克斯首先扣留了所有的樵夫，派衛兵監視他們，使他們不能向羅馬人報告角鬥士的騎兵已經來到這兒的消息；接著，他向樵夫們說明，他絕不會有任何不利於他們的舉動。他下令熄滅所有的篝火，以免引起敵人的注意，又叫大家保持極度的肅靜，傾聽極微細的響聲。 一切事情正如斯巴達克斯所預見那樣地產生了。在第一枝火炬燃著後一小時，克拉蘇就命令他的軍隊離開戰場循著通西滂特的大路出發；天邊剛出現熹微的晨光，被夜寒凍得麻木、但還是在樹林深處傾聽著司法宮大道上動靜的角鬥士們，突然聽到了步兵的腳步聲、馬蹄的得得聲和千萬個人的喧鬧和哄響：羅馬人的軍隊並不十分小心地循著大路過來了；羅馬的兵士認為他們是勝利者，而且知道敵人已經逃走了，他們相信角鬥士的軍隊已經離開他們很遠很遠了。 可是，角鬥士的騎兵隊的戰馬，因為感到羅馬人戰馬的逐漸接近突然高聲嘶叫起來了；幸而，被勝利沖昏了頭腦的羅馬人正得意洋洋鬧吵吵地行進著，否則他們一定會很快地發現樹林裡的敵人。 在迦爾岡山血戰中獲得全勝的羅馬軍隊，一直走到太陽出來才走完。蒼白而又沮喪的斯巴達克斯和他的三百名騎兵，終於能夠從樹林裡出來了。他們縱馬飛跑，過了兩小時才來到那片從迦爾岡山的山麓一直伸展到海濱的戰場上。 斯巴達克斯一看到這可怕的情景，他的心一下子收縮了。他覺得他的眼前發黑了：在這片廣闊的戰場上，不論你怎樣縱目遠望，到處都布滿了三萬名角鬥士的屍體；一大堆一大堆的篝火還在冒煙，散發出刺鼻的焦肉臭味，這證明了不久之前這兒同樣地散布著幾千具羅馬兵士的屍體。在這片淒慘而又荒寂的戰場上，在這片不久前無數生命曾經沸騰和活躍過的地方，現在卻已被冷酷而又緘默的死神統治了。可怕的疑慮一下子攫住了斯巴達克斯；他是否有權利奪去這許多人的生命，雖然他們的生命是痛苦的，而且被剝奪了人的尊嚴，但究竟也是生命，他是否有權利把它們投到死神的懷抱裡去呢？他有這一權利嗎？他過去的行動是否正確呢？ 當他的同志們沉浸在悲哀和痛苦中時，他的心被這一突然攫住他的殘酷的懷疑感覺壓榨得發痛，他覺得連氣也透不過來了。 他竭力想從這一痛苦的念頭中掙扎出來，就猛烈地刺著他的馬向戰場上飛跑，直到成堆的屍體使他不能再前進才止。於是他下了馬，把馬交給身邊的一個騎兵。他命令騎兵隊中的一半人繼續跟隨著他，其餘一百五十個人留在戰場的邊緣看守馬匹。斯巴達克斯懷著絕望的心情在這一悲慘的原野上走，每一步他都看到他所熟識的、但是已經罩上了死白色而且毀傷得不像樣子的戰友們的臉。他的兩眼不禁含滿了熱淚。 他看到了可憐的菲薩朗尼烏斯，這個生氣勃勃的忠厚的伊比鳩魯派學說的信徒：他的身體被許多創口中流出來的鮮血染紅了。他正側著身子僵臥在那兒，他的手中還緊緊地握著短劍。 斯巴達克斯好不容易才認出了勃烈卓維爾，他的胸前插著八、九把短劍，腦袋已被馬蹄踏爛了。在另一個地方，色雷斯人碰上了勇敢的沙姆尼特人第六軍團指揮官里維烏斯．葛朗台尼烏斯的屍體，敵人的死屍幾乎把他的屍體給蓋沒了；接著，他看到了奧納齊烏斯的屍體。再過去些，他發現了渾身負傷的第三軍團指揮官卡斯杜斯還活著躺在那兒。卡斯杜斯發出微弱的聲音向同伴們求救。角鬥士們把他扶了起來，盡可能包紮他的傷口，然後把他扛到看守馬匹的一百五十個同伴那兒去。大家圍住了卡斯杜斯，盡心竭力地照顧著他。 斯巴達克斯懷著絕望的心情，在這片鋪滿了死屍的戰場上又徘徊了兩個鐘頭，終於，找到了鮮血淋漓、幾乎被剁成肉醬的克利克薩斯的屍體；只有他的臉沒有受到傷害，這張臉雖然毫無生氣，卻還是保持著他生前那種出類拔萃的高傲而又勇敢的神情。 一看到克利克薩斯的樣子，斯巴達克斯的心又由於痛苦和熱愛而突然收縮了。他猛地撲到地上，發狂一般地吻著他的戰友的臉，哽咽地叫道： 我的心愛的朋友呀，你做了最卑賤的女叛徒手中的犧牲品！克利克薩斯，你犧牲了，我竟不能及時趕來救你！你倒下了，到現在還沒有人替你報仇，我的高貴的、心愛的克利克薩斯呀！ 他不作聲了，他把英勇犧牲的高盧角鬥士的手壓到了自己的胸部上。突然，斯巴達克斯發出了一陣詛咒，怒沖沖地把臉漲得通紅，高聲叫道： 我在這兒對天堂與地獄中的一切神靈發誓，我對傅林娜復仇女神和地底下的海葛特女神發誓，我的兄弟，我對著你沒有呼吸的屍體發誓，我一定要為你的死亡，找到那個萬惡的女叛徒復仇，不論她躲進大海的深淵或者鑽到地獄的無底洞穴裡去，我都要找到她！我對所有的神靈發誓，請他們替我作證，為了使你的靈魂安息，我要帶三百個最有名望、最光榮的羅馬人到你的火葬場上來，把他們當作犧牲祭你！ 他站了起來，他的兩眼充著血，迸射出憤怒的光芒。接著他抬起頭來，把兩手伸向天空。然後，他抱起克利克薩斯的屍體，在騎兵們的陪伴下一直走到海灘上；他在同伴們的幫助之下，脫去屍體上血淋淋的衣服和砍得粉碎的鎧甲，把屍體浸到海浪中洗淨了，然後脫下他披在自己鎧甲外面的黑色寬袍，把高盧角鬥士的屍體包起來。他命令戰士們把屍體扛到正在戰場邊緣等候他們的、看守馬匹的夥伴們那兒去。 卡斯杜斯的傷勢非常嚴重，不可能用馬在崎嶇的山路上運送，因此斯巴達克斯把他託付給西滂特附近一個貴族別墅的管家。那個管家對角鬥士們的事業是極其同情的，他答應竭力照顧卡斯杜斯。接著，角鬥士們把仔細包紮好的克利克薩斯的屍體捆到色雷斯人身邊另一匹戰馬的背上，由斯巴達克斯自己拉住了那匹馬的馬韁。這隊騎兵就開始向阿爾比和海爾頓尼亞前進。 斯巴達克斯來到阿爾比以後，知道克拉蘇已經率領大軍向卡內前進，色雷斯人就立刻急行軍向梅爾頓尼亞前進。但是，他離開阿爾比才一英里路，他前面就展開了一幅可怕的圖畫：在大路兩旁的樹上，吊著克拉蘇在迦爾岡山戰鬥中俘獲的角鬥士的屍體。 斯巴達克斯的臉，頓時由於極度的憤怒變得慘白而且扭歪了。他用燃燒著怒火的兩眼，望著這一新的可恥的屠殺。他終於不得不相信，沿路的每一棵大樹上都吊著一具角鬥士的屍體：原來克拉蘇把八百名俘虜全部吊死了。 斯巴達克斯在吊死的人中間認出了他的同鄉，英勇的色雷斯人梅賽姆勃利烏斯，他的身體是血淋淋的，而且滿是傷痕。斯巴達克斯一看到他不禁用手掩住了眼睛，咬著牙發出一陣好像獅子吼叫一般的呻吟；角鬥士的首領刺著馬想趕快脫離這一可怕的慘象，一面高聲叫道： 啊，瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇！你竟吊死俘虜？好啊，瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇！你不願意讓你的軍隊在行軍時負擔額外的輜重！啊，我對一切神靈發誓，你們羅馬人是軍事藝術的大師，別人可以向你們學到很多東西，我索性向你們學全現在我要把你們這一點也學會！好一個深謀遠慮的克拉蘇，以後我也要把俘獲到的你的兵士全送上十字架釘死！ 他默默地想了一會，接著用轟雷一般的聲音叫道： 啊，羅馬人是不把我們角鬥士當作受法律保護的人的！他把我們當作野獸，當作卑微的爬蟲和供人屠宰的畜牲！對我們來說，法律是不存在的，因為我們不是人！好啊，我對地獄中吞滅一切的火焰發誓，就這樣好了！我們角鬥士也要宣布羅馬人是不受任何法律保護的人，我們要把他們當作骯髒的畜牲！that's all!以淚還淚，以血還血，以屠殺對付屠殺！ 整整一夜，斯巴達克斯毫不憐惜馬兒的力氣，循著崎嶇的山路疾馳。當他們經過海爾頓尼亞時，知道角鬥士的軍隊已經經過那兒，就毫不停留地向阿普里亞︱阿斯古爾疾馳，直到第二天正午趕到那兒，他們的馬經過十二小時接連不斷的飛跑，都變得疲乏不堪了。 角鬥士的軍隊已經在阿普里亞︱阿斯古爾城外紮了營，他們興高采烈地出來歡迎他們的首領。 但是到了半夜裡，四萬個角鬥士又拔營向密妮爾瓦出發了。他們到那兒後只休息了四小時，又立刻向維納西亞出發。在艱困的長途行軍之後，角鬥士的軍隊已累得人疲馬乏，他們終於在黃昏時分趕到了那兒。 第二天，斯巴達克斯命令他的戰士拔營出發，離開了前一天晚上他們在維納西亞附近一座形勢險要的丘崗上建成的營壘。他率領他們爬到附近山峰的頂上。色雷斯人說，為了不讓克拉蘇追上和打敗他們，他們必須在山上忍受一下寒冷和困苦。 當角鬥士開始行軍的時候，羅馬將軍也隨後迅速地趕到阿爾比，接著又經過卡內和卡努西亞到達魯比，在那兒設立了他的司令部，他在安德利亞留下四個軍團、一萬名輔助部隊和五千名騎兵給副將斯克羅發。按照克拉蘇的計劃，斯克羅發必須領兵循著大路向維納西亞前進，而克拉蘇本人則從另一條路向角鬥士進軍。他派出使者到巴利、布隆的西和附近別的城市中去徵集兵士，至少要用這些兵士再組成一個軍團，以便彌補迦爾岡山戰鬥中陣亡了的一萬名兵士。 他在他送給元老院的信中報告了他的勝利，大大地誇張了它的重要性。他使元老們相信，角鬥士們已經喪了膽，逃到魯康尼亞去了。他準備在那兒分兵兩路包圍角鬥士的軍隊，把他們徹底消滅。 斯巴達克斯讓戰士們休息了兩天，然後派出騎兵探聽敵人的消息。過了兩天，他得到了確實的情報，就在黑夜裡離開了維納西亞，整天整夜地向東行軍，突然出現在魯比城外。在那兒，他把他的軍隊嚴密地隱蔽在樹林中，只讓戰士們休息了六個鐘點。他在正午時分突然攻打克拉蘇，這時候那位將軍還以為斯巴達克斯仍舊在維納西亞。色雷斯人猛烈地攻打克拉蘇，在三小時的激戰中打垮了羅馬人的軍隊，強迫他們亂紛紛地向安德利亞退卻。羅馬人在這次戰鬥中陣亡了六千多人，還有三千多人做了角鬥士軍隊的俘虜。 八小時以後，斯巴達克斯到了葛拉維納附近，接著又向美塔旁特前進，他下令把魯比戰鬥中俘獲的兩千六百名羅馬兵吊死在大路兩旁；卻讓四百個最有名的貴族活了命。 他釋放了其中的一個貴族，命令他轉告克拉蘇，說是斯巴達克斯已經仿照羅馬將軍的榜樣處置了俘虜，而且保證以後還要這樣做。除此之外，斯巴達克斯還託這個年輕的貴族向克拉蘇提出，說是斯巴達克斯願意用留在角鬥士軍營中的四百個貴族中的一百個來交換希臘女人愛芙姬琵達，因為色雷斯人相信她一定躲在羅馬人的營壘裡。 過了四天，斯巴達克斯來到了美塔旁特，又從那兒向修利愛城進軍，一下子占領了它，在那兒設下了鞏固的防務。他在修利愛駐紮了一個時期，徵集和訓練新的奴隸軍團。 一星期還不到，就有一萬六千多個奴隸投奔到他的營壘中來。他收受了他們，開始匆匆地對他們進行軍事訓練。然後，他從八個軍團的每一個軍團中抽調了兩千名戰士，成立了四個新的軍團，使軍團的總數達到十二個；那一萬六千名新戰士就平均分配到各個軍團中去；這樣，每一軍團就有了四千七百名戰士；聚集在斯巴達克斯戰旗下的全體戰士的總數，又上升到五萬六千名步兵和八千名騎兵。 斯巴達克斯剛剛這樣改編好他的軍隊，就立刻把他們領出了修利愛城。他讓他們在城外寬廣的山谷中圍成一個圓圈，接著下令在圓圈中間架起一個很高的柴堆，把克利克薩斯擦過香油和香料的屍體放到柴堆上。 斯巴達克斯下令把三百個羅馬貴族領到火葬場上。他們已經改換了裝束，一半穿著色雷斯人的衣服，另一半穿著沙姆尼特人的衣服；角鬥士的首領命令他們在他的前面列成隊伍。他的臉色慘白，眼睛閃爍著怒火，嘴唇被怒氣激動得發抖。他穿著大元帥的服裝，站在火葬克利克薩斯的柴堆旁的一個高墩上。 那批年輕的羅馬貴族的臉由於羞慚而變得慘白。他們站在那兒，把頭直垂到胸前。其中的大部分都懷著絕望和怨恨的心情默默地哭泣著。 喂，高貴的青年們，斯巴達克斯辛辣地嘲諷道。你們出身最有名的羅馬大族，你們的祖先曾經用他們赫赫有名的掠奪、高貴的叛賣、規模宏大的搶劫、出奇制勝的欺騙、光輝的卑劣手段和崇高的無恥行為，征服別的民族、燒毀城市、搶光一切，使他自己名聞世界。他們用其他民族的血和淚，用對別人的大規模屠殺，使羅馬變成一個偉大而又不朽的城市。而現在，高貴的青年們，你們竟擺脫了你們那荒淫城市的亞細亞式的柔弱風氣，用你們光滑潤澤的手握起了對你們來說實在太沉重的短劍，出來征討我們這批卑賤的、在你們的眼中比畜生還不如的角鬥士；高貴的青年們，在你們美麗的祖國的圓劇場和鬥技場上，你們曾經縱情地欣賞流血的角鬥，而被迫參加這些角鬥的就是我們角鬥士一群可憐的人形野獸；當盲目的蒙面角鬥士用致命的流血角鬥娛樂你們時，你們快樂地縱聲大笑；當追擊角鬥士的短劍刺傷了魚網角鬥士的時候，你們就高聲狂叫，一齊把大拇指向下彎，要求追擊角鬥士結果魚網角鬥士的生命：當一百個色雷斯人和一百個沙姆尼特人只是為了滿足你們的欲望，像野獸一般殘忍地在角鬥場上互相角鬥流血時，你們就欣賞他們臨死前的痙攣；傾聽他們痛苦的呻吟，陶醉在這一悲慘的景象之中；現在就讓你們來向我們證明你們那赫赫有名的勇敢精神，來娛樂一下這批已經娛樂了你們這許多年的人吧，即使是一次也好：你們互相角鬥吧，互相殺戮吧，不愧為羅馬人那樣地倒斃吧。就在這個可憐、卑微的角鬥士的火葬堆旁倒斃吧。他那下賤、可惡的靈魂要求平靜與安寧，因此渴望著高貴、純潔的羅馬貴族的鮮血！ 斯巴達克斯的話變得愈來愈有力量、愈來愈激昂了。他那憤怒的表情是可怕的。他的心中沸騰著復仇的渴望，那彷彿使他的臉罩上了一圈神奇的靈光；似乎，他的兩眼正迸射出一股股憤怒的火焰；他在六萬個角鬥士和幾千個被迫參與葬禮的修利愛公民的心目中，充分地顯露了他那英勇的、高傲的美。 斯巴達克斯結束了他的演說，六萬角鬥士的胸中頓時迸發出一陣粗獷、有力的狂暴呼喊；他們的眼睛發出喜悅的光輝。他們這樣做雖然是殘酷的，但同時也是公正的，因為他們可以用這場角鬥替他們以前所遭受的一切侮辱和輕蔑復仇，替他們以前為了娛樂羅馬人在鬥技場上流血角鬥所受到的恥辱和痛苦復仇。 斯巴達克斯的抱負是偉大的：他把奴隸們從他們不應遭受的屈辱地位提升到人的地位，它使被壓迫者變成反抗壓迫的起義戰士，使弱者變成了強者和勇士。他目前這一舉動對角鬥士們來說也是具有重大意義的；使他們的劊子手降到野獸的地位，也就是替他們過去被蹂躪的人的尊嚴復仇；他們可以在一小時之內，以觀眾的身分來欣賞這些貴族互相殘殺的情景，正如那些貴族在以前欣賞他們的角鬥一般；但他們之間的位置突然顛倒過來了奴隸一下子變成了主人，角鬥士們可以欣賞這些高傲、驕橫的貴族以奴隸的身分互相殺戮，而親眼欣賞這批發明荒謬而又殘忍的娛樂節目的人自相殘殺，又是多麼痛快啊；讓角鬥士們親自坐在由他們自己圍成的鬥技場裡，欣賞這批一向坐在鬥技場上看他們角鬥的人進行角鬥，那又是多麼快樂啊；欣賞這些貴族在這場角鬥中怎樣流淚，欣賞他們怎樣流血，傾聽他們怎樣發出臨死的呻吟，怎樣發出絕望而又痛苦的慘叫啊，這一切對可憐的角鬥士簡直是絕對不可能實現的事情簡直是奇蹟這樣痛快的復仇，也許只有萬能的神才能辦到！ 角鬥士們對斯巴達克斯那番演說的反應，就是他們那粗野而又瘋狂的呼喊以及他們的鼓掌聲，那情景簡直是無法形容的。他們那狂喜的程度是空前的，那好似角鬥士們在慶賀三年來打垮羅馬人的許多次勝仗中最光輝的一次勝仗。 三百個羅馬人中間，有三十多個是屬於元老階級的貴族，一百多個是普通貴族，其餘一百多個是騎士階級的子弟，他們默默地動也不動地站在那兒，眼睛看著地面，站在這片野地上，站在這個由人群圍成的圓圈中間。 喂，勇敢些，名門大族的光榮子孫，高貴的後裔，法拉維烏斯、傅利烏斯、杜伊里烏斯、海努齊烏斯、法烏尼烏斯、里維烏斯、摩齊烏斯和普洛齊里烏斯族的子弟們！斯巴達克斯以轟雷一般的聲音叫道。Be brave!拿起短劍來角鬥啊！我馬上就要把火葬的柴堆點燃了！快搏鬥啊！我對一切神靈發誓，我們很需要娛樂一番呢！ 斯巴達克斯說完了話，就從傳令官的手中接過一支火炬，點著了那個柴堆；接著，所有的指揮官、統領和百夫長立刻按照他的樣子行動起來。 當那座用含松脂和乾燥木柴架成的火葬柴堆熊熊燃燒起來的時候，羅馬人還是站在人圈中間不動。他們並不拒絕角鬥，但是也不願意自動地服從這一他們覺得極其恥辱的命令。 ah!cried Spartacus.原來你們只願意欣賞角鬥士們的玩意兒，輪到你們自己站在角鬥士的位置上就不高興了嗎？嘿，那有什麼關係！斯巴達克斯轉過頭來向角鬥士的軍團叫道，讓充任打手的同志們出來，強迫他們角鬥！ 九百名用長長的梭標和燒紅了尖刃的長槍武裝起來的角鬥士，按照斯巴達克斯的命令從軍團的隊伍中出來了。他們向那批羅馬人撲去，開始用梭標去刺他們，用燒紅了的槍尖去烙他們。不管他們願意不願意，把他們趕過去，趕到一塊兒去。 不論羅馬人怎樣不願意執行這一殘殺同胞的可恥角鬥，他們在槍刺的驅迫之下還是愈來愈近了；燒紅的槍尖強迫他們撲到自家人的身上去，殘酷的自相殘殺的流血角鬥就這麼開始了。 從四周角鬥士隊伍中發出來的喊聲、笑聲和轟雷一般的鼓掌聲，交織成一片無法形容的哄鬧聲。這無比的歡樂就是復仇欲望得到滿足的證明。 衝上去啊，衝上去啊！ 殺死他！kill! 砍啊，刺啊，殺啊！ 砍得好！打得有勁！殺得痛快！ Good kill!一個也不留！kill! 六萬四千個人的喊聲，六萬四千個人的咒罵，交織成一陣陣可怕的怒吼和恐怖的嚎叫，交織成一陣驚天動地的詛咒聲！ 過了半小時，火葬克利克薩斯的柴難終於化成了灰燼。三百個出身高貴的羅馬青年有的傷，有的死，有的斷手缺腿，有的半死不活，也統統橫七豎八地躺在這堆灰燼旁的血泊中了。 啊，我們的復仇是多麼的公正啊！斯巴達克斯滿意地叫道，他在羅馬人流血角鬥的時候，沒有放過角鬥者的一個動作。這樣的復仇，真有說不出的甜蜜和痛快！