Ep 7. Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man

Decisive Battles is a historical documentary series that explores some of the most important battles in world history. Season 1 episode 7, named "Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man," focuses on the life and military campaigns of Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Crassus was one of the most powerful men in Rome during the late Republic era. He was incredibly wealthy and had made his fortune through real estate speculation and slave trading. However, despite his immense wealth and influence, Crassus had always dreamed of achieving military glory on the battlefield.

The episode begins by examining Crassus's earlier military campaigns, where he had been largely unsuccessful. He had proved himself to be a mediocre commander, and his troops had often suffered defeat. However, Crassus was determined to prove his worth as a military leader, and he saw his chance when the Roman Republic entered into a war with the rebel slave army led by Spartacus.

Spartacus had been a gladiator who had become a rebel leader, and his army had grown to tens of thousands of fighters. Crassus saw an opportunity to defeat Spartacus and restore his reputation as a military leader. He was given command of the Roman forces, and he quickly set about training his troops and devising a strategy to defeat Spartacus.

The next part of the episode focuses on the battle between Crassus's forces and Spartacus's rebel army. The battle was long and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, Crassus was ultimately able to outmaneuver Spartacus and his troops, and he emerged victorious.

The aftermath of the battle is also explored in detail. Crassus became a hero in Rome, and his reputation as a military commander was finally restored. However, his victory had come at a great cost. The battle had been one of the bloodiest in Roman history, and it had left thousands of men dead on both sides.

The episode concludes by examining the legacy of Crassus's military campaigns. His victory over Spartacus had cemented his reputation as a military leader, but it had also set a dangerous precedent. Crassus's ruthless tactics and willingness to sacrifice thousands of lives for victory would become a hallmark of Roman military strategy in the years to come.

Overall, "Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man" is an engaging and informative episode of Decisive Battles. It provides a fascinating insight into the life of one of Rome's most controversial figures, and it offers a detailed analysis of one of the most important battles in Roman history. Anyone with an interest in Roman history or military strategy will find this episode to be both entertaining and educational.