Lucius Gellius Publicola

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Further information: Third Servile War

Lucius Gellius Publicola was one of two Consuls of the Roman Republic in 72 BCE along with Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus. He is noted for being one of the consular generals who lead Roman legions against the slave armies of Spartacus in the Third Servile War.

Gellius defeated Crixus and 3,000 rebel slaves at Apulia, then moved northwards behind Spartacus's forces which were moving north. With Lentulus barring Spartacus in the north, they hoped to catch the rebels between the two armies. Spartacus' slave army destroyed Lentulus' legions, and then turned and dispatched the oncoming legions of Gellius'.

Shortly afterward, Gellius and Lentulus were withdrawn as commanders, by the Roman senate, and command of the war given to Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Preceded by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus

Consul of the Roman Republic with Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus 72 BCE

Succeeded by Publius Cornelius Lentulus Sura and Gnaeus Aufidius Orestes