GLADIATORS War (bellum Gladiatorium or Spartacum), called also the servile war, was a war which the Romans sustained about the year of their city 680. Spartacus, Crinus, and Oenomaus, having escaped, with other gladiators to the number of seventy-four, out of the place where they had been kept at Capua, gathered together a body of slaves, put themselves at their head, rendered themselves masters of all Campania, and gained several victories over the Roman pretors. At length they were defeated in the year 682, at the extremity of Italy; having, in vain, attempted to pass over into Sicily.
This war proved very formidable to the Romans. Crassus was not able to finish it: the great Pompey was forced to be sent as general.
The Dying GLADIATOR, a most valuable monument of ancient sculpture, which is now preserved in the pa-
lace of Chighi. This man, when he had received the mortal stroke, is particularly careful ut procumbat honeste, "that he might fall honourably." He is seated in a reclining posture on the ground, and has just strength sufficient to support himself on his right arm: and in his expiring moments it is plainly seen, that he does not abandon himself to grief and dejection; but is solicitous to maintain that firmness of aspect which the gladiators valued themselves on preserving in this season of distress, and that attitude which they had learnt of the masters of defence. He fears not death, nor seems to betray any tokens of fear by his countenance, nor to shed one tear: quis mediocris gladiator ingenium, quis vultum mutavit unquam, quis non modo fletum, verum etiam decubuit turpiter, says Cicero, in that part of his Tusculan where he is describing the astonishing firmness of those persons. We see, in this instance, notwithstanding his remaining strength, that he has but a moment to live; and we view him with attention, that we may see him expire and fall: thus the ancients knew how to animate marble, and give it almost every expression of life.