(M. Licinius), a celebrated Roman, surnamed Rich on account of his opulence. At first he was very circumcised in his circumstances, but by educating slaves and selling them at a high price he soon enriched himself. The cruelties of Cinna obliged him to leave Rome, and he retired to Spain, where he remained concealed for 8 months. After Cinna's death he passed into Africa, and thence to Italy, where he served Sylla and ingratiated himself in his favour. When the Gladiators with Spartacus at their head had spread an universal alarm in Italy and defeated some of the Roman generals, Crassus was sent against them. A battle was fought, in which Crassus slaughtered 12,000 of the slaves, and by this decisive blow soon put an end to the war, and was honoured with an ovatio at his return. He was soon after made consul with Pompey in the year of Rome 682, and in this high office he displayed his opulence by entertaining the populace at 10,000 tables. He was afterwards Censor, and formed the first triumvirate with Pompey and Caesar. As his love of riches was more predominant than that of glory, Crassus never imitated the ambitious conduct of his colleagues, but was satisfied with the province of Syria, which seemed to promise an inexhaustible source of wealth. With hopes of enlarging his possessions he set off from Rome, though the omens proved unfavourable, and everything seemed to threaten his ruin. He crossed the Euphrates, and forgetful of the rich cities of Babylon and Seleucia, he hastened to make himself master of Parthia. He was betrayed in his march by the delay of Artavasdes, king of Armenia, and the perfidy of Ariamnes. He was met in a large plain by Surena the general of the forces of Orodes king of Parthia, and a battle was fought in which 20,000 Romans were killed and Crassus, 10,000 taken prisoners. The darkness of the night favoured the escape of the rest; and Crassus, forced by the mutiny and turbulence of his soldiers, and the treachery of his guides, trusted himself to the general of the enemy on pretence of proposing terms of accommodation, and he was killed. His head was cut off and sent to Orodes, who poured melted gold down his throat, and insulted his misfortunes. Though he has been called avaricious, yet he showed himself always ready of lending money to his friends without interest. He was fond of philosophy, and his knowledge of history was great and extensive.