Revolutions That Changed History

Episode 1

The Third Servile War

Destined to fight and die in servitude, a group of rebel Gladiators plot their escape. Led to freedom by none other than the heroic ex-Roman soldier and master of combat, Spartacus, the rebels emerge on Mount Vesuvius. Though their escape is ultimately successful, their life of freedom will be short-lived. What starts as a small hoard of self-liberated slaves grows into a rebellion of tens of thousands. How does the Roman army exploit the rebels' weakness in the final bloody battle? What tactics lead to their undoing? Why did this turn into one of the most violent episodes of slave resistance in history? The rebels ultimately face defeat, but their insurgency leaves a lasting impact on the Roman state, paving the way for a new age of politics.