Dateline: Rome, 73BCE…

M. Licinius Crassus watched as his bitter rival and fellow triumvir member Pompey the Great, strutted down the Apian way into Rome for his triumph. He had been given honors for defeating barbarian hordes in Spain. He was given praise for ending the much feared slave revolt lead by a dutiful slave Spartacus. Grumbling to himself Crassus sighed as Pompey passed by him in his triumphal car…

After the last slave had been hung along the Apian way, six-thousand rotting corpses strong, Crassus appealed to the Senate that they might grant him a triumph for his momentous victory over Spartacus. Sadly, seeing as the people he bested in battle were mere slaves and his generalship was moreover regarded as mean, his victory garnered a simple ovation, the lowest of official praise. This however did not deter Crassus as he ran for and was elected to the office of Consul for the year 70.

It was said that he was extremely free-spending in his Consulship. One story even has him entertaining the populace with feasts comprising some ten-thousand tables. Furthermore, he prudently issued a grain dole to each family in Rome, enough for three months. Crassus’ office holding would continue for the next 15 years, but none more important as where he stood with his rival Pompey in 55BCE…