The first century BC was a turning point for the Eternal City. The clock of history was striking the last minutes of the old Roman Republic, and the empire was rushing to replace it. But what is only a moment for history is a whole life for a person. Changing the political system is an extremely long and painful procedure, and Rome paid too high a price for it.

It was a time of great victories and terrible defeats; a time when ancient foundations and traditions collapsed, and laws were violated for the sake and benefit of one person; a time when human blood was valued no more than wine.

What happened in the 1st century. BC e., the law-abiding Romans in former times could not see even in a nightmare. Europe, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, the neighborhoods and streets of the Eternal City - everything became a battlefield where Roman citizens fought with their own compatriots. Mutinies, uprisings and internecine wars among Roman generals became commonplace. The losses in the civil wars were such that they can only be compared with the losses in the Second Punic War, the bloodiest in the history of Rome.

It would seem that a state torn apart by unrest and strife should become easy prey for its neighbors. But here is one of the phenomena of Rome’s extraordinary vitality. It was in the 1st century. BC e. The most significant conquests of the Roman state were accomplished. Solving internal problems with the help of fire and sword, the Romans “in the meantime” conquered many peoples in three parts of the world: Europe, Asia and Africa.

In the 1st century BC e. Rome annexed eighteen new provinces. Here they are: Cilicia - formed in 92 BC. e., Crete and Cyrenaica - in the 75th, Pontus and Bithynia - in the 74th, Syria and Palestine - in the 63rd, Gallia Lugudunskaya - in the 52nd, Belgica - in the 52nd, Aquitaine - in the 52nd m, Numidia - in the 46th, Egypt - in the 30th, Illyricum - in the 27th, Achaia - in the 27th, Galatia - in the 25th, Lusitania - in the 19th, Raetia - in the 15th , Noricum - in the 15th, Moesia - in the 15th, Pannonia - in the 10th, Dalmatia - in 6 BC. e.

Rome fought several opponents at once. He fought an extremely difficult war with Spartacus, a protracted war in Spain with the rebellious Quintus Sertorius. At the same time, the proconsul Marcus Lucullus subjugated the Thracians, and his brother Lucius Lucullus crushed the troops of the Pontic king Mithridates.

Where did Rome find the strength to fight on several fronts simultaneously? We will get the answer to this question if we turn to the history of the Jugurthine War, which Rome waged with the Numidian king from 111 to 105 BC. e.

The war with a small African state seemed easy, but in the end it dragged on for many years. The legionnaires fought extremely reluctantly, and their commanders even received gold from Jugurtha for this or that connivance. Rome suffered failure after failure, and there was no end in sight to the shameful war.

The situation changed only when in 107 BC. e. Gaius Marius was elected consul.

First of all, Mari took up the army. Before him, only wealthy citizens were recruited into the Roman legions and a corresponding property qualification was established. According to Roman law, only the worthy had the right to bear arms, whose movable property and real estate served as reliable collateral. The cavalry was recruited from the wealthy class of horsemen, who were required to come to duty with their own horse and armed at their own expense.

During the war against the Numidian king, all the vices and flaws of the Roman military system appeared. Wealthy landowners dreamed not of battles, but of returning alive to their villas and vineyards. Their farms brought good profits, and military spoils were a small reward even with a successful military campaign. The equestrian class had no desire to risk their lives at all. It was engaged in usury, trade and other profitable activities. During the Jugurthine War, the small cavalry was a kind of honorary guard under the military leader and did not play any role on the battlefield.

Marius began recruiting the poorest Roman citizens into his legions. They were armed at the expense of the state and trained according to an accelerated system, similar to the system of training future gladiators. Not only Roman citizens were recruited to serve, but also a contingent from among the allies, as well as the indigenous population of the provinces. They took into the cavalry not according to property qualifications, but gave preference to those who knew how to handle a horse, how to stay in the saddle and who wanted to serve. The state also provided the horse.

The Roman, who had lived from hand to mouth, now received a good ration, a cash salary, his share of the spoils, and did not at all strive to return to the times of a joyless existence. War became his way of life, and the coming peace did not promise anything good. With each battle his skill grew, and with it his salary and hope, becoming a veteran, to receive a good piece of land.

The army became professional and more combat-ready. This was the positive result of the reform of Gaius Marius, but later the negative consequences of his reforms emerged.

This was no longer the army of the Roman people, but of an individual military leader. The legionnaires were personally devoted to their commander and were ready to carry out any of his orders. And the loyalty was higher, the luckier the military leader was, the more material benefits he could deliver to his legionaries. The army idolized a commander who knew how to win. Under his leadership, the legionnaires agreed to go anywhere and fight against anyone.

A weapon in the hands of a professional is the key to victory over the enemy, but a weapon in the hands of a person unencumbered by property and moral principles is a terrible force. He fights with enemies for spoils, but on occasion he is not averse to raising his sword against his fellow citizens.

With a new army, Gaius Marius defeated Jugurtha, stopped the invasion of Italy by the Teutons and Cimbri, and won the Allied War. However, having a loyal army behind him, Mari completely stopped taking into account the Senate and Roman law. Contrary to all laws, he was elected consul seven times. Marius did not take anyone or anything into account when it was necessary to reward his own legionnaires. One day, immediately after a battle, he granted Roman citizenship to two distinguished cohorts of Italian allies. When the Senate noticed that he did not have the right to do this, the military leader replied that in the noise of the battle he could not hear the voice of the law.

In the end, Gaius Marius clashed with another talented Roman military leader, and this led to a civil war - long, bloody and unnecessary for Rome.

The first century BC lit up the horizon of world history with many talented, bright personalities: Gaius Marius, Lucius Sulla, Gnaeus Pompey, Lucius Lucullus, Marcus Cicero, Gaius Julius Caesar... Marcus Licinius Crassus can also be fully included among them. His interests are diverse, his field of activity is completely limitless. He was inferior in oratory to Cicero, and could not compare with Caesar in military talent, but achieved amazing success thanks to his iron will, determination and tireless energy.

Even from school, we remember Crassus as the commander who suppressed the largest slave uprising in the history of Rome under the leadership of Spartacus. Many are familiar with the wonderful novel “Spartacus” by Raffaello Giovagnoli. The work is written extremely talentedly, but artistic fiction in it prevails over historical facts. For example, many pages are devoted to the ardent love of the patrician Valeria Messala for the leader of the slaves. The love of a robber and a noble lady is present in the plot of many works, both past and present. Alas! It couldn't exist in real life. The times of the depraved Messalina had not yet come, and the wife of the all-powerful dictator Sulla could not stoop to a shameful relationship with a slave, even if he came from the noble class.

According to historical sources, Spartacus's real wife was sold into slavery with him; She was with him when the great gladiator lit the torch of war with Rome. The real wife of Spartacus is also in our novel, and we will give Sulla’s widow the right to mourn her husband, who left the earthly world four years before the uprising of Spartacus.

As a result of the political struggle of the 60s BC. e. power in Rome was in the hands of a triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. Caesar and Pompey had the reputation of successful commanders and influential politicians, and Crassus, at the age of 60, was noted only for suppressing the uprising of Spartacus. By going to the East, he wanted to raise his political weight.

The immediate cause of the campaign was the civil war in Parthia, which broke out between contenders for the throne - the brothers Orodes and Mithridates. Overthrown from the throne by his brother, Mithridates fled to Roman Syria and turned to the proconsul A. Gabinius for help. Gabinius, however, busy restoring Ptolemy of Egypt to the throne, was unable to provide assistance to Mithridates. In 55 BC. e. Mithridates invaded Mesopotamia and, with the help of the Hellenistic population, captured Seleucia and Babylon. Helping Mithridates of Parthia became the immediate reason for the Roman invasion.

In December 55 BC. e. Crassus arrived in Brundisium in southern Italy. The sea, as always in winter, was rough, but Crassus did not wait. With 7 legions (about 40 thousand people) he left Brundisium. Crassus lost many ships along the way.

In the summer of 54 BC e. Crassus, having crossed the Euphrates in the northwestern part of Mesopotamia, invaded the Parthian possessions without declaring war. Without resistance, he captured a number of Greek cities and, near the city of Ikhna, defeated a small detachment of the local Parthian governor Sillacus. By the end of the summer, Crassus controlled northern Mesopotamia as far as the Khabor River. After the assault on Zenodotia, where local residents killed the Roman garrison, the army proclaimed Crassus emperor.

Meanwhile, Orodes' troops, led by the young commander Suren, took Seleucia by storm. Mithridates was executed, and the pro-Roman party in Parthia was defeated. Having left significant garrisons in the captured cities, totaling 7,000 infantry and 1,000 horsemen, Crassus, with the onset of autumn, decided to return to Syria for the winter.

100 great aristocrats Yuri Nikolaevich Lubchenkov

MARK LICINIUS CRASSUS (115–53 BC) Roman commander.

MARK LITSINIY KRASS

(115–53 BC)

Roman commander.

The Licinii belonged to one of the influential plebeian families in Ancient Rome. Perhaps they originated from the Etruscans. The first famous representative of this family was Gaius Licinius Stolon, whose name is associated with the adoption of the so-called Licinian laws. In 376 BC. he was elected tribune of the people along with his friend Lucius Sextius Lateran. Having led the opposition of the plebeians, they led the struggle to resolve the agrarian question and expand the political rights of the plebeian class. Stolon and Sextius demanded the abolition of the military tribunes and the election of two consuls again, one necessarily from the plebeians. They also proposed limiting the amount of public land that was leased to 500 jugers (125 hectares) and allowing grazing of no more than 100 heads of large and 500 heads of small livestock on public pastures. The rest of the land should have been divided into small plots of up to 7 jugers (3 hectares) per family and distributed to the poor as full ownership. In addition, they developed more favorable conditions for repaying debts - the interest paid was counted towards the repaid amount of the debt, and the rest had to be repaid within three years. But these laws were not immediately adopted, as they met with fierce resistance from the patricians, who, by bribing other tribunes, managed to veto them.

For ten years, Stolon and Sextius were elected tribunes, and all this time they waged a stubborn struggle against the patricians and defended the rights of the plebeians. This struggle was carried out by peaceful means, the tribunes did not call on the people for a coup or civil strife, and in times of external danger to the country they even stopped the fight, calling on everyone to rally against the enemy.

In 367 BC. Stolon and Sextius managed to achieve unity among the tribunes on the issue of passing laws. The Senate, in opposition to the tribunes, elected the famous Camillus as dictator. The situation became extremely aggravated, it got to the point that the plebeians began to threaten to go to the Sacred Mountain again. Then Camillus himself began to assist in the reconciliation of the estates, and the Licinian laws were confirmed by the Senate. True, the judicial power and management of the city police were removed from the duties of the consul. These duties remained the responsibility of the patricians, for the performance of which the offices of praetor and curule aediles were established. In memory of the reconciliation of the classes, the dictator vowed to build a temple to the Goddess of Concord. Lucius Sextius Lateranus became the first of the plebeians to be elected consul. Guy Licinius Stolon was elected consul twice - in 364 and 361 BC. In 357 BC. he was condemned by the patricians, who accused him of violating one of his own proposed laws. Stolon’s struggle for equal rights for the plebeians contributed to the fact that by the end of the century the plebeians had completely equal rights with the patricians, becoming one class - Roman citizens.

The Licinian family gave history not only to the people's leaders, but also to the generals and the emperor.

One of the famous Roman generals who belonged to this family was Marcus Crassus. His father held the highest positions in the state: he was consul, governor in Spain, censor. For pacifying the next uprising of the Spaniards, he was awarded a triumph. But he didn’t make any money. Honesty and dignity did not allow him to take advantage of the position of governor and winner for his own enrichment. In addition to Mark Crassus, the family had two more eldest sons.

Mark's childhood and youth passed in turbulent and difficult times, during a period of intense political struggle between the aristocracy and the people's party, which developed into a bloody civil war. Like many young people in his circle, Marcus Crassus was preparing himself for a political career. They usually started their careers by acting as a lawyer at court hearings. The young aristocrat had plenty of hard work and perseverance. In court, he took on any case, even those that others refused. Carefully preparing for his defense, he gave excellent speeches, which allowed many to admire his eloquence. He was a polite and courteous person, always welcomingly returning the bows of any person he met, regardless of his rank and position. True, Mark very early was able to appreciate the power that money gave, and always strived for profit. He discovered in himself the abilities of a businessman and speculator who knew how to profit from everything. Having only no more than three hundred talents of initial capital, by the time the Parthian campaign began his fortune was measured at 7,100 talents, and the methods by which the funds were obtained did not do him credit. In his biography there is a story that he lent his mentor Alexander, who accompanied Mark on his travels, a leather cloak, and upon his return he took it back. But under certain circumstances, Marcus Crassus was a hospitable host and could even lend money to a person without demanding interest. Probably, generosity and cordiality extended to those people who could be useful to him in the future.

Marcus Crassus, like his entire family, belonged to the aristocratic party led by Sulla. He was opposed by Guy Mari, the leader of the people's party. When Sulla went on a military campaign, Marius managed to seize power in Rome and organize reprisals in the city against representatives of the nobility and Sulla's supporters. The father of Marcus Crassus, who was a censor at that time, died during the Terror. The same fate befell his older brother. Mark himself managed to escape. Having reached the sea, he, accompanied by several friends and servants, sailed to Spain. Here he took refuge in a cave on the estate of Vibius Patiana, a friend of his father. For eight months the fugitives remained in the cave, where Vibius’s servant delivered food and other necessary things, and then moved to Africa.

People began to flock to him, of whom he formed a detachment of 2,500 people. When in 83 BC. Sulla returned to Italy, Crassus arrived at his camp and offered his services. Their joint activities began with a conflict. Sulla instructed Mark to go to neighboring lands to recruit troops. Mark asked Sulla to give him protection, since the road passed near the enemy. This request infuriated Sulla, and he sharply answered Mark: “I give you your father, brother, friends, relatives as your escort - for them, executed illegally and without guilt, I take revenge on the murderers.” Sulla's words touched Mark, and he immediately set off. It must be said that he carried out the assignment perfectly - he managed to break through the enemy units and gather a large army. Subsequently, he actively helped Sulla in the fight.

Marcus Crassus lacked military experience, and the opportunity to acquire it presented itself quickly. Sulla's troops were moving towards Rome. The battle for the capital took place on November 1, 82 BC. A fierce battle took place at the Collin Gate. Marcus Crassus, commanding the right wing of Sulla's troops, contributed most to his victory. While Sulla's troops were defeated and driven back with heavy losses, Marcus Crassus on his flank won a complete victory and pursued the enemy until nightfall. Sulla himself almost died, but was able to take refuge in a fortified camp, where a messenger arrived with the news of the victory of Marcus Crassus and with a request to send lunch for the soldiers. The success of Marcus Crassus decided the matter - Rome capitulated. Sulla highly appreciated this feat, and from that time Marcus Crassus became one of the people closest to him. After the capture of Rome, Sulla began reprisals against his opponents. Marcus Crassus not only returned everything that belonged to his family, but also significantly enriched himself with the captured property of Marius's supporters. He soon became the richest man in Rome, the owner of many houses, a huge amount of land, silver mines, thousands of slaves and other property. He used his huge fortune for political purposes, for example, he financed the organization of a public dinner for 10 thousand tables. His wealth made him a very influential man, but he did not become a supporter of any party. Successfully maneuvering between aristocrats and the people's party, Marcus Crassus took the side that at the moment promised him the greatest benefit.

In 74 BC. Difficult times came for the Roman state. In Spain, tribes rebelled against Rome, and in the east there was a war with Mithridates. In Italy itself, a slave uprising began under the leadership of Spartacus. At first, they did not pay much attention to the rebels, but very soon they turned into a formidable force. The best commanders at that time were outside Italy, and then it was decided to put Marcus Crassus at the head of the troops, who decided that now his finest hour in his military career had come.

In the first clashes, victory remained with Spartak. Marcus Crassus even introduced into his army the custom of the ancients (decimation), when, by lot, every tenth warrior of those who fled from the battlefield, throwing away their weapons, was executed. Having “strengthened” the military spirit, he continued the pursuit of Spartacus. Pompey was called from Spain to help Marcus Crassus, who had already landed with an army in Italy. But Crassus wanted to end the uprising on his own, without the help of Pompey. He was lucky in that disagreements began in the ranks of the rebels, and he managed to defeat those units that separated from the main forces of Spartacus. The last battle between the army of Marcus Crassus and the troops of Spartacus was fierce. Spartak fought in the front ranks and tried to break through to Marcus Crassus. He managed to defeat two of his bodyguards, but he himself was wounded. Surrounded by enemies, Spartak fell under their blows, but did not retreat a single step. The uprising was suppressed, and those slaves who escaped Marcus Crassus were exterminated by Pompey. Marcus Crassus dealt mercilessly with the captured slaves - 6 thousand captive slaves were crucified on crosses along the road from Capua to Rome. The success of Crassus was not celebrated, since the Senate considered it unworthy to celebrate a victory over such an enemy.

Marcus Crassus was jealous of Pompey, but in his quest for power he did not break with him. He even turned to him with a request for support during the consular elections, and in 70 BC. they both became consuls. The first step of the consuls was to repeal the laws passed under Sulla. Relations between both consuls did not become friendly, and by the end of the consulate they grew, if not into open hostility, then into rivalry.

After the end of the consulate, Marcus Crassus remained in Rome, and in 65 BC. was elected censor. Striving for power, he continued to maneuver between political trends and even for some time became close to Catiline, who was preparing a coup d'etat. Soon Crassus was accused by Cicero as a conspirator. The senators did not believe Cicero, and by that time Crassus had not only abandoned the conspiracy, but also handed over documents exposing the conspirators who were planning to carry out a massacre in the city. Senators, many of whom were debtors to Crassus, demanded that suspicions be lifted from him - wealth again helped him.

After some time, circumstances changed, and now Cicero became an ally of Crassus in the fight against Pompey. For the same purpose, Crassus became close to Caesar when a dispute broke out in the Senate over whether he could go as governor to Spain. Caesar managed to reconcile Crassus and Pompey, since he himself needed both, and together they founded their first triumvirate, which was the first step towards the transition from a republic to monarchical rule in Rome. The spheres of influence were divided as follows: Pompey received power in Rome and Italy, Caesar began to rule Gaul, and Marcus Crassus got the East.

But while Caesar was in Gaul, enmity flared up again between Pompey and Crassus. Caesar reconciled them again. It was decided that the following year they would both be elected consuls again, and after the expiration of their consulship, Crassus would receive control of the province of Syria for five years with the right of war and peace.

Wanting to surpass both Pompey and Caesar in glory, Crassus decided to make a campaign to the East through the land of the Parthians and reach India. In Rome, however, no one believed in a favorable outcome of the campaign against an unfamiliar enemy. The common people of Rome even decided not to let Crassus leave the city, and then Crassus turned to Pompey for help. He agreed to help and personally accompanied him. Seeing Pompey walking calmly, the people calmed down a little and gave them way. Only the people's tribune Atey ran up to the gate and placed a flaming brazier near it. Then he began to utter incomprehensible words, which were considered an ancient spell, and at the end he announced that Crassus would certainly die in the desert.

Marcus Crassus set out on a military campaign in the winter of 54/55 BC. At that time he was already 60 years old, and Crassus looked much older. Despite the bad weather, he sent part of the army by sea, and he and the other part moved by land to the East through the Balkans. The cities voluntarily submitted to the Romans. Only the city of Zenodotia offered resistance. Having lost about a hundred soldiers, Crassus took the city and, naturally, plundered it. The inhabitants were sold into slavery. For this small feat, Crassus was proclaimed emperor by his army. With the onset of autumn, Crassus, leaving garrisons in the conquered cities, returned to Syria for winter quarters. Here he met his son, Publius, who, at the head of a thousand horsemen, arrived from Gaul, where he fought alongside Caesar and was awarded many insignia for valor.

The return of Crassus to Syria allowed the enemy to prepare for the upcoming war. Crassus himself was not involved in preparing his army, but was counting the loot and income from the conquered cities.

In the early spring of 53 BC. Mark Crassus began to prepare for a new campaign. Under his command were 7 legions, 8 thousand horsemen and lightly armed soldiers. Before the start of the campaign, ambassadors from the Parthian king Arsaces arrived at Crassus, who wished to resolve the matter peacefully. Marcus Crassus answered the chief ambassador that he would give him an answer in Seleucia, one of the capitals of the Parthian kingdom. To this, the chief ambassador of the Parthians replied: “Rather, hair will grow on my palm than you, Crassus, will see Seleucia.” The war with Parthia began.

Having passed Mesopotamia, Crassus in June 53 BC. approached the banks of the Euphrates. Here his warriors began to receive the first information about the Parthian horsemen, clad in shiny armor, from which arrows bounced off. Those close to him began to advise Crassus to go beyond the Euphrates, but he did not want to listen to anyone. The leader of one of the Arab tribes, Abgar, who was considered a friend and ally of the Romans, came to the Romans. But that was in the past. He was now an ally of the Parthians and came to Marcus Crassus with the goal of trying to lure the Romans inland to the plain, where the Parthian cavalry could surround and destroy them.

The Roman army moved forward and soon, near Ihn on the Bilekh River, it encountered a Parthian army commanded by Surena. The Parthian cavalry army, without entering into a direct clash with the Roman legions, surrounding them on all sides, showered the Roman soldiers with clouds of arrows. Crassus continued to move forward, but the Parthian army still did not engage in direct conflict, adhering to its previous tactics. The Romans moved in dense ranks, so every Parthian arrow hit the target. The soldiers experienced the power of the enemy's arrows, which easily pierced shields and armor and pierced a person through and through.

Then Crassus himself decided to attack the enemy. He formed the army in a deep square, covering each cohort with horsemen. Cassius and Crassus' son Publius commanded the flanks, while Marcus Crassus himself stood in the center. In this order, the Romans approached the small river Baliss, where they were met by the main forces of Surena.

The battle has begun. Already at the very beginning, the Parthian tactics did not allow the Romans to launch an offensive. The Parthian cavalry raised clouds of sand and dust, and the legionnaires, without even seeing the enemy, died from his arrows. In this battle, the son of Crassus Publius died, who, in order not to be captured, ordered his bodyguard to kill himself with a sword.

As night fell, the battle stopped, and the Parthians left with the words that “they would grant Crassus one night to mourn his son, unless he preferred to come to Arsaces himself, without waiting to be brought by force.”

Crassus finally lost heart, but still gathered a military council to decide on further actions. It was decided to begin the retreat under cover of darkness. Having abandoned wounded soldiers in the desert, the Romans began to retreat under cover of darkness and soon reached the city of Carr. Soon the Parthians approached the city. Surena demanded that Crassus be handed over to him, promising peace to the rest. It was clear that we should leave the city, but secretly. The next night, Crassus ordered the retreat to continue. However, a guide from local residents led the detachment along the wrong road, leading the Romans into a swamp, and while they were getting out onto the road, they were again overtaken and surrounded by Parthian horsemen. It was necessary to hold out at least until darkness, and then retreat to the nearest mountains, where salvation could still be found. The Romans fought back fiercely, and even managed to push back the enemy.

Realizing that Crassus could leave at nightfall, the Parthians resorted to a trick and proposed to begin peace negotiations. Crassus sensed a trap, but the army demanded that he begin negotiations with the Parthian leaders.

Crassus left the Roman camp and went out to the Parthians. The commander met him and, giving him a beautiful horse on behalf of the king, offered to go to the Euphrates to sign peace. He gave the order to his grooms to help Crassus mount. Then the Romans realized that their commander had been captured and rushed to him. In this short battle, Marcus Crassus was killed.

Surena sent the severed head and hand of Crassus to the king of Parthia. According to legend, molten gold was poured into Crassus' mouth, and at the same time the king said that Crassus was getting what he loved so much.

From the book Comparative Lives by Plutarch

NIKY AND KRASS

From the book Comparative Lives by Plutarch

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An attempt at description.

These people fought to the death
-It would be better if they fought until victory.

So...Marcus Licinius Crassus, the winner of the hordes of Spartacus, refused triumph and even an ovation after this victory. This is the only person we know about. And, oddly enough, we know it largely thanks to Giovagnoli, who wrote a laudatory ode to the recommended Spartacus. Who was he, Crassus, what was he like? How did you live? How did you die?

Plutarch: “Marcus Crassus, whose father was a censor and triumphant, was brought up in a small house with two brothers”
in the same place, in relation to Crassus, the expression is used
“the brilliance of his many virtues”...
Rome was then torn apart by a civil war, Mari and Cinna, having gained the upper hand, broke off the power for themselves. By the way, they were under the people, in today's terms, like Chubais and Gaidar)))
Crassus's family was destroyed. After the execution of his father and brother (the second brother died earlier), Marcus Linicius flees to Spain, there he gathers about two thousand soldiers, takes the city of Malaka (now Malaga, presumably))) Then, having crossed to Africa, he joins the ancient analogue of the “Free France”, the troops Metella Pia, however, does not find a common language with Metellus, and joins Sulla, the choice is very good, as a statesman Sulla is great, as his future life will show. A noteworthy case is that Crassus had to go to recruit troops, but not just go, but through the enemy’s location.
Plutarch: “asked to give him protection, since the road passed near the enemy. Sulla, angry with him, sharply replied: “I give you your father, brother, friends, relatives as your escort - for them, executed illegally and without guilt, I take revenge on the murderers!” Having received such a rebuke, Crassus, touched to the quick, immediately set off and, bravely making his way through the enemy’s disposition, gathered a large army, and then zealously helped Sulla in his fight.”
In the battle near Rome, Crassus practically decided the fate of the war, the situation was somewhat even comical - judge for yourself, Sulla’s army was defeated and driven back from Rome, part of this army was exterminated... BUT at the same time, Marcus Crassus, who commanded the right wing of Sulla’s army ...BREAKS the enemy (!) and pursues him until the night, after which, on his behalf, a messenger arrives to the sad old warrior Sulla and reports that Marcus Crassus defeated the enemy and is now interested in food for the soldiers))))) Sulla was probably sincerely surprised and was delighted, and found food for the soldiers.
It’s worth mentioning here that the cheerful guy Mari implemented reforms that were quite comparable in lethality to Gaidar’s reforms, and not only did he carry them out, he also redistributed the property. Sulla went nuts when the people with abaci from his entourage counted and assessed the state of the treasury... Weller wrote about this well, in the story “Deja Vu”. I recommend it to everyone, it helps against brain constipation.
So, to put it briefly, Sulla was forced to reconsider the results of privatization, but since the then oligarchs simply did not take into account his words and humiliated requests, Sulla introduced proscription lists. And the fun began... as a result of the fun, the treasury was filled, life became more fun, there were talents for social programs, and Marcus Crassus took good revenge for his relatives. Saying goodbye to Sulla, I would like to note that this husband, having restored order in the state, himself voluntarily went on a well-deserved rest.
Next, our hero, namely Mark Crassus, let me remind you, is involved in politics, yes, yes... and has what can already be called a reputation:
Plutarch - “It is not for nothing that Sicinius, a man who caused a lot of trouble to the then officials and leaders of the people, when asked why he did not touch Crassus alone and left him alone, answered: “He has hay on his horns.” The fact is that the Romans used to tie hay to the horns of a lively bull to warn passers-by.”
Next is the war with Spartacus, by the way, I completely forgot to mention exactly how Crassus restored the combat effectiveness of the Roman army. Mark carried out decimations. This cute little thing worked...
Plutarch: “Having then selected five hundred people - the instigators of the flight and dividing them into fifty dozen, he ordered that one person from each ten be put to death - whomever the lot would indicate. So Crassus resumed the punishment of warriors that was in use among the ancients and had not been used for a long time; this type of execution is associated with shame and is accompanied by creepy and gloomy rituals performed in front of everyone.”
In addition, he also took some “guarantors”, hostages I suppose...
He defeated Spartacus, in the last funny and dark story about the past (c) I described this process in detail and gave biased characteristics to its participants)))
BUT, Crassus was left to celebrate the victory over Spartak.
Plutarch: Crassus did not try to demand a great triumph for victory in the war with the slaves, but even the foot triumph, called an ovation, which was granted to him, was considered inappropriate and degrading to the dignity of this honorable distinction.
Crassus REFUSED honors, saying he was the wrong enemy, petty and rude.

Then, Marcus Crassus becomes consul, at odds with Pompey, on good terms with a certain Gaius Julius Caesar... in general he lives well and has fun from the heart:
Plutarch" Crassus, having made a grandiose sacrifice to Hercules, treated the people to ten thousand tables and gave everyone bread for three months."
Then he wanted to conquer Egypt (this Egypt was given to everyone, it’s also my breadbasket, or it’s Kuban!)))) but they didn’t let him in... Let’s keep silent about the rebellion of Catiline, it’s a dark matter, well, it’s in pithos... The life of a politician, and so, in for sixty years he has been going to war against Parthia (((
Plutarch: He hastily moved overland through Galatia. Here he found King Deiotarus, a very old man, who was then busy founding a new city. "Tsar! - he told him, jokingly, - at twelve o’clock you begin to build.” And the Galatian, laughing, replied: “Yes, and you, emperor, as I see, are not going against the Parthians too early.” Crassus was over sixty, and he looked even older than his years.”
War...the last war of Marcus Licinius Crassus. He occupied Mesopotamia, the very area where the Pindos had now found oil))) And, leaving the garrisons, he went to winter quarters in Syria. There he was joined by his son, who arrived at the head of a cavalry detachment from Caesar, from Gaul. A son, according to Plutarch, decorated with insignia for valor.
In Mesopotamia, meanwhile, the Roman garrisons were destroyed. Crassus led the troops.
Plutarch: While Crassus was transporting the army across the river at Zeugma, thunder rumbled many times with unprecedented power, frequent lightning flashed towards the army, and the wind, accompanied by clouds and a thunderstorm, flew onto the pontoon bridge, destroying and scattering most of it. The place where Crassus intended to set up camp was struck twice by lightning. One of the commander’s horses in shiny harness carried the driver to the river and disappeared under the water. They also say that the first eagle that was raised turned back by itself. And another coincidence: when food began to be distributed to the soldiers after the crossing, the first to be given were lentils and salt, which among the Romans are considered signs of mourning and are placed in front of the dead. Then Crassus himself, as he was making a speech, burst out words that terribly embarrassed the army. For he said that he orders the bridge across the river to be destroyed so that none of the soldiers return back. He should have, feeling the inappropriateness of these words, taken them back or explained their meaning to the timid people. But Crassus, with his characteristic self-confidence, neglected this. Finally, while he was making a purifying sacrifice and the priest gave him the entrails of the animal, he dropped them from his hands. Seeing the saddened faces of those present, Crassus smiled and said: “Such is old age! But my hands will not drop my weapons.”
An Arab named Abgar, known to the Romans and a man whom Crassus trusted, lured the Roman troops to the “immense plain” by cunning. Where the Romans were surrounded by Parthian cavalry. The beating with arrows began. The Parthians avoided the battle and methodically shot the Roman maniples with arrows, of which they had a huge supply.
Plutarch:
. Squeezed into a small space, they collided with each other and, struck by enemies, did not die an easy and quick death, but writhed in unbearable pain, and, rolling on the ground with arrows pierced into their bodies, broke them off in the wounds themselves, trying to pull out the jagged the points, penetrating through the veins and veins, tore and tormented themselves. So many died, but the rest were not able to defend themselves. And when Publius called on them to attack the armored cavalry, they showed him their hands, pinned to the shields, and their feet, pierced through and nailed to the ground, so that they were not capable of either escape or defense.

Publius Crassus, son of Marcus Crassus, leads his small, unarmored cavalry in an attack on the Parthians. The cavalry was defeated by the Parthian cataphracts and the remnants of the Romans of Publius tried to fortify themselves on the sandy hill.
Plutarch: Under Publius there were two Greeks from among the inhabitants of the neighboring city of Carra - Jerome and Nicomachus. They convinced him to secretly leave with them and flee to Ichna, a nearby city that had sided with the Romans. But he replied that there was no such terrible death, fearful of which Publius would leave the people dying through his fault, and ordered the Greeks to save themselves and, saying goodbye, parted with them. He himself, not having control of the hand that was pierced by the arrow, ordered the squire to hit him with a sword and exposed his side. They say that Censorinus died in a similar way, and Megabachus himself committed suicide, like other prominent associates of Publius. The rest, who were still fighting, were pierced by the Parthians with spears as they climbed up the slope, and, as they say, they took no more than five hundred people alive. Then, having cut off the heads of Publius and his comrades, they immediately galloped to Crassus.”
Then the heads of Publius Crassus and other killed Romans were carried out on pikes by the Parthian horsemen and shown to the Romans. And the Romans were seized with awe and horror.”
However, Crassus is reported to have surpassed himself in courage in this misfortune. This is what he said as he walked around the ranks: “Romans, this grief concerns me alone! And the great destiny and glory of Rome, not yet crushed or shaken, rest on your salvation. And if you have any pity for me, who lost my son, the best in the world, prove it by your anger against your enemies. Take away their joy, punish them for their ferocity, do not be embarrassed by what happened: those who strive for great things must, on occasion, endure. Not without shedding blood, Lucullus overthrew Tigranes and Scipio Antiochus; Our ancestors lost a thousand ships in Sicily, and in Italy they lost many generals and military leaders, but not one of them with their defeat prevented them from subsequently defeating the victors. For it was not through happiness alone, but through persistent and valiant overcoming of adversity that the Roman state achieved such great power.”
The army began to leave. Four thousand people who were left behind were killed. Only twenty of them made their way to the city of Carrhae. From Carree the troops fought their way to the mountains, and five thousand managed to reach them. Marcus Licinius Crassus himself, with four cohorts, a hundred horsemen and five lictors, was surrounded on the plain. Crassus and his troops entered a hopeless battle. BUT those who had already taken refuge in the foothills rushed to the rescue and repulsed the Parthians, then, occupying the hill and “closing their shields”, prepared to die.
And then there were negotiations. More precisely, they should have been. Suren, the king of the Parthians invited Crassus to negotiate. Crassus understood everything and, leaving, said: “Octavius ​​and Petronius and all of you, as many of you as there are here, are Roman military leaders! You see that I am forced to go, and you yourself understand well what shame and violence I have to endure. But if you are saved, tell everyone that Crassus died, deceived by his enemies, and not betrayed by his fellow citizens.”
During the negotiations, Crassus and Petronius are killed. The army is dying.
". They say that twenty thousand died here, and ten thousand people were taken alive.”
This is how he lived, and this is how he died. The man who saved Rome.
Marcus Licinius Crassus LIVED.
Goodbye.

Participation in wars: Civil War. Suppression of the Spartacus uprising. Parthian War.
Participation in battles: Battle of Carrhae

(Marcus Licinius Crassus) Ancient Roman commander, member of the first triumvirate, winner of Spartacus, one of the richest people in Rome

In 83 BC. e.Marcus Licinius joined the army Sulla. Great commander Sulla actively attracted to his side people who personally suffered or lost relatives during the reign of terror Marians a few years earlier, and Crassus was one of them. Crassus became Sulla's personal envoy and soon gained great honor.

During the dictatorship of Sulla, Crassus managed to amass a huge fortune, which made him one of the richest people in Rome.

After Sulla died (78 BC), Crassus a short time later continued his struggle for power with Pompey, which began during the battles under the command of Sulla.

Thanks to his focused and in-depth immersion in civil affairs and the possession of large financial resources, Crassus soon succeeded in this and was equal in influence to Pompey.

In 72 BC. e. Crassus was elected to the position of praetor, after which he became the head of an army directed against the rebel slaves, whose uprising he led Spartacus. In the destruction of Spartacus' troops after several Roman magistrates were defeated, the Senate entrusted this mission to Crassus.

After a crushing victory over the Spartacists, in 71, Crassus returned to Rome and, together with his longtime counterpart, Pompey was elected consul for the next year, 70.

For some time, both consuls refused to disband their armies, keeping them near Rome. Only the intervention of the worried people and the persistent requests of the soothsayers forced Crassus and Pompey to reconcile.

Despite the fact that throughout this time Crassus competed for spheres of influence in Rome with Pompey, this rivalry never led to violent clashes.