04-10-2008, 07:39 AM
Ancient sources seem to agree that he was Thracian.
Appian says he was "a Thracian by birth, who had once served as a soldier with the Romans, but had since been a prisoner and sold for a gladiator." Appian, Civil Wars 1.116
Florus says he was "a mercenary Thracian [who] had become a Roman soldier, of a soldier a deserter and robber, and afterwards, from consideration of his strength, a gladiator". Florus, Epitome of Roman History 2.8
I shamelessly copied thsese from Wiki-article, that fortunately seems to have good sources :twisted: .
But it seems that he was quite accustomed to war...aptly demonstrated by his ability in leading army. Must have been quite a character. And since sources say he had been a Roman soldier, it should make him eligible to contest the title of Greatest Roman General. I don't think he was quite *that* good, but very good anyway.
Appian says he was "a Thracian by birth, who had once served as a soldier with the Romans, but had since been a prisoner and sold for a gladiator." Appian, Civil Wars 1.116
Florus says he was "a mercenary Thracian [who] had become a Roman soldier, of a soldier a deserter and robber, and afterwards, from consideration of his strength, a gladiator". Florus, Epitome of Roman History 2.8
I shamelessly copied thsese from Wiki-article, that fortunately seems to have good sources :twisted: .
But it seems that he was quite accustomed to war...aptly demonstrated by his ability in leading army. Must have been quite a character. And since sources say he had been a Roman soldier, it should make him eligible to contest the title of Greatest Roman General. I don't think he was quite *that* good, but very good anyway.
(Mika S.)
"Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior." - Catullus -
"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit."
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor." -Lucanus-
"Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior." - Catullus -
"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit."
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor." -Lucanus-