A Thracian by birth, Spartakos served in the Roman army, perhaps deserted, led bandit raids, and was caught and sold as a slave. With about 70 fellow gladiators he escaped the ludus of Lentulus Batiatus at Capua in 73 and took refuge on Mount Vesuvius, where other runaway slaves joined the band. After defeating two Roman forces in succession, the rebels overran most of southern Italy. Their numbers grew to at least 90,000. Spartakos defeated the two consuls for the year 72.