Spartacus and the insurgency he led against Rome are emblazoned on the public consciousness – due in no small part to Kirk Douglas’ portrayal in the epic 1960 film – and leaders from such diverse ideologies as Vladimir Lenin and Ronald Reagan have hailed his leadership and warrior spirit.

Still, surprisingly little is known about the man who led one of the largest slave revolts in history.

A leading expert on ancient military history, Barry Strauss sheds light on the subject during a discussion of his newest book The Spartacus War on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

In The Spartacus War, Strauss draws on written documents, archaeological evidence, historical reconstruction, and his own extensive travels in the Italian countryside that Spartacus once
conquered to present a dramatic and factual account of one of history’s great rebellions.

In the summer of 73 B.C., Rome faced a revolt unlike any it had ever known or would experience again: a slave revolt 60,000 men strong, led by a Thracian gladiator and ex-soldier named Spartacus.

A professor of history and classics at Cornell University, Strauss is also the author of The Trojan War and The Battle of Salamis. He has discussed both books on previous visits to the Kansas City Public Library.

Copies of The Spartacus War will be available for sale, and Strauss will sign copies purchased during the event.