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Hello, in 1960 the American director Stanley Kubrick made a film starring Kirk Douglas

which was widely acclaimed by the critics on one numerous awards.

Spartacus was based on the story of an enslaved gladiator who mounted a rebellion against the

Romans in the first century BC.

During the course of the slavery vote he managed to defeat the mighty Roman legions on several

occasions before Rome was finally victorious.

Much of Spartacus life is contested and the ancient texts that give accounts of Israel

are often contradictory, but a coherent figure does seem to emerge and is one of a few figures

from the ancient world who could be named by most people in Britain today.

Over the last few centuries Spartacus has provided inspiration for those trying to escape

oppression, whether slavery or the existing political order, and has become an icon for

many people in the modern world, in capitalist and in communist societies.

When we discuss Spartacus and Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge,

Maria Wyke, Professor of Latin at University College London, and Theresa Urban Schick, Associate

Professor of Classics at University College Dublin.

Mary Beard, Spartacus Revolt began in 73 BC.

It's also known as the Third Servile War.

Before we talk about him, could we tell us what life was like in that part of the

first century BC in the Roman world?

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