Marcus Licinius Crassus (115 BC-53 BC) was a Consul of the Roman Republic in 70 and 55 BC with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, a political and financial patron of Julius Caesar, and a member of the First Triumvirate from 60 BC until his death at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. He was infamous for being the richest man in Rome during the 1st century BC, as well as for his role in crushing Spartacus' uprising.
Biography[]
Rise to power[]
Crassus in Capua
Marcus Licinius Crassus was born in Rome, Latium, Roman Republic in 115 BC, the second son of consul Publius Licinius Crassus Dives. His older brother died in 91 BC and his father and younger brother were forced to commit suicide during Gaius Marius' purges, and he married his brother's widow Tertulla. From 87 to 84 BC, Crassus lived in exile in Hispania due to his support for Sulla, and he recruited 2,500 men from his father's former clients and extorted money from local cities to finance his campaigns. He and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus defeated Marius' allies at Spoletum in 83 BC, and he commanded Sulla's right flank during the battle outside of the Colline Gate; Crassus' loyalty to Sulla ensured that he was rewarded. Crassus profited from the confiscation of the Marians' properties, acquiring 200 million sesterii ($11 billion). He also trafficked slaves, reaped money from silver mining, and engaged in real estate speculation. Crassus created Rome's first fire brigade, and he became Praetor in 73 BC. By this time, Crassus had become a leader of the aristocratic Optimates faction of Roman politics, opposing the populist Gracchus and his Populares, who sought to fight for the plebeians' interests.
Servile War[]
Crassus in 73 BC
In 73 BC, Crassus maneuvered to have his associate Marcus Publius Glabrus named commander of the Rome garrison, bribing the Roman Senate to confirm him against Gracchus' will. This intrigue would allow for Crassus and his faction to militarily control Rome and thus check Gracchus and the Senate. However, the outbreak of the Third Servile War allowed for Gracchus to counterattack. He successfully proposed that Glabrus lead six cohorts of the Rome garrison to deal with Spartacus' rebel army at Mount Vesuvius, giving temporary command of the Rome garrison to his pupil Julius Caesar. Crassus was infuriated, and, after Glabrus was decisively defeated by Spartacus at Mount Vesuvius, Crassus convinced the Senate to exile Glabrus rather than execute him. Crassus then announced that, in solidarity with his friend, he would withdraw to private life, although Gracchus and several senators believed that Crassus would use his time away from Rome to plot a violent seizure of power.
Dictatorship[]
Crassus after being named First Consul and supreme commander
Instead, Crassus used intrigue to return to power stronger than ever. He bribed the Cilician pirates of Tigranes Levantus to withdraw their support for Spartacus' army, depriving the slaves of naval support and trapping them in Italy. He also ensured that two Roman legions converged on Spartacus' army from two directions, forcing Spartacus to either march on Rome or face Roman legions on both sides and be destroyed in battle. Spartacus was forced to march on Rome, causing the Senate to panic about Spartacus' possible plans to sack the city, and then invite Crassus to assume dictatorial powers. In 71 BC, Crassus and Pompey's legions defeated Spartacus at the Battle of Petelia, and Spartacus and his lieutenants were captured. When Crassus offered to spare the captives if they would identify Spartacus to him, all of the captives defiantly claimed to be Spartacus, and Crassus ordered that all of them be crucified. He later discovered Spartacus' identity when he bragged about enslaving Spartacus' wife Varinia, and he forced Spartacus and his former body servant Antoninus Siculus (whom he had felt a sexual attraction to) to fight to the death; Spartacus killed Antoninus to spare him the winner's "reward": death on the cross. Crassus then had Spartacus crucified. Crassus then drew up a list of names of powerful Romans whom he accused of supporting the slave rebels, and he proscribed Gracchus and offered him a peaceful exile under house arrest at Picenum; instead, Gracchus killed himself, having been betrayed by his former pupil Caesar (who went over to Crassus' faction).
Triumvirate[]
Crassus as a Senator
Crassus and Pompey were both hailed as the victors of the Servile War, causing a rivalry between the two powerful leaders. Neither men dismissed their armies as they both contended for the consulship, with Pompey claiming that he was awaiting the return of Metellius Pius from Hispania and Crassus refusing to dismiss his legions until Pompey did so. Ultimately, Crassus yielded first, and the two men were elected consuls together. In 65 BC, Crassus was elected Censor, and he became Caesar's patron in all but name. He financed Caesar's election as Pontifex Maximus, and, in 60 BC, Caesar's mediation between Crassus and Pompey led to the creation of the First Triumvirate, in which the three men formed a coalition which dominated Roman politics for seven years.
Downfall[]
Crassus in battle armor
In 55 BC, Crassus and Pompey again became consuls, and both men were given five-year governorships: Crassus was sent to Syria and Pompey to Spain. Crassus, seeking military glory, decided to cross the Euphrates and invade Parthia in 53 BC, and his army met the Parthians in Turkey at the Battle of Carrhae. Crassus' son Publius Licinius Crassus was slain during the battle, and Crassus was convinced to parley with the Parthians by his mutinous soldiers. However, his junior officer suspected a trap and grabbed the bridle of Crassus' horse, provoking a scuffle with the Parthian soldiers that resulted in Crassus being killed. The Parthians poured molten gold into his mouth as a symbol of his thirst for wealth, and his head was brought to King Orodes II of Parthia after the battle.