#third servile war

AND THE INTERNET AWARD FOR GREATEST FAUX CRITERION COVER GOES TO...

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on custom and/or faux Criterion Collection cover art for the 1960 Sword and Sandal epic "Spartacus," directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the 4K/Blu-Ray Steelbook cover inspired by 1974 theatrical re-release German poster art by Lutz Peltzer.

Resolution from largest to smallest: 2205x1289, 1141x1289, & 1000x1500.

FILM OVERVIEW: "Stanley Kubrick directed a cast of screen legends —including Kirk Douglas as the indomitable gladiator that led a Roman slave revolt—in the sweeping epic that defined a genre and ushered in a new Hollywood era. The assured acting, lush Technicolor cinematography, bold costumes, and visceral fight sequences won "Spartacus" four Oscars; the blend of politics and sexual suggestion scandalized audiences. Today Kubrick's controversial classic, the first film to openly defy Hollywood's blacklist, remains a landmark of cinematic artistry and history."

-- CRITERION COLLECTION, c. spring 2001

(Sometime around) Today in History, March 15th, 71 BC --- The Spartacus Rebels are Executed.

In the 1st century BC Spartacus was a Thracian taken captive in war against the Romans.  He was made a slave and trained as a gladiator in the town of Capua, until in 73 BC he orchestrated a revolt against his captors with 70 other gladiators.  Over a short period of time his band of 70 men grew to number in the thousands as slaves all over Italy fled to join his rebellion.  At the time Rome was at war abroad and could spare few soldiers to suppress the rebellion.  Instead, the Romans sent expeditions of poorly trained and equipped militia units to crush Spartacus' army.  Using unorthodox tactics and guile the rebels were able to defeat the Romans with ease.  Over the next two years Spartacus led an army of 70,000 slaves across Italy; raiding, plundering, freeing slaves, and spreading terror as they traveled.  Finally the Roman Senate raised a professional army of 40,000 men to deal with the slave rebellion.  Under the command of Marcus Licinius Crassus, the Romans were eventually able to trap Spartacus' army in Southern Italy as they attempted to flee to Sicily.  There they made a deal with pirates to be ferried to the island, but the pirates betrayed them, leaving them cut off at the toe of Italy.  The rebels made a final stand but were brutally massacred by the Roman Army.  Spartacus himself was killed in the battle, though his body was never found.