Gaius Claudius Glaber

**Gaius Claudius Glaber** is a major character in the first season of ***Spartacus***. He was a Roman commander, praetor and legate who was defeated by the Thracian rebel Spartacus in 73 BC. As one of the eight praetors, he was among the most high-ranking elected officials, second only to the two consuls.

## Background

### Early Life

Claudius Glaber was born in or before 112 BC, in the city of Rome. He was the eldest son of Gaius Glaber, and the older brother of Titus Glaber. His family were members of the famed Claudii clan, however they were only distantly related.

### Third Servile War

In 73 BC, Glaber was elected as one of the eight Praetors that year. The senate had received word that the rebel force led by Spartacus had been travelling south, passing by the city of Acerra. Concerned that the city could be under threat, Glaber was sent to defeat the rebels. While given command, the senate denied him command of any Legions, believing a few cohorts would be more than enough to defeat the rebels.

Claudius and a small force of troops travelled south on the Appian Way, conscripting any battle ready men he could find. By the time he reached Mount Vesuvius, he had a small force of around 3,000 troops under his command.

#### Battle of Mount Vesuvius

sent to defeat Spartacus and his rebellion in 73 BC. Glaber gathered a force of 3,000 men, not as legions, but as unseasoned legionaries made of farmers and villagers, as even he didn't consider this rebellion a war yet, but a raid, an outbreak of slaves. The cohorts under his command overwhelmed the rebel defenses near Mount Vesuvius, forcing Spartacus to retreat his army to the top of Mount Vesuvius, and finally blocking the only known way down the mountain. With the slaves thus contained, Glaber was content to wait until starvation forced Spartacus or his men to surrender.

Though blocked from the only known way down, Spartacus found another way. With the usage of available local materials, Spartacus' men made ropes and ladders from vines and trees growing on the slopes of Vesuvius and used them to rappel down the cliffs on the side of the mountain opposite Glaber's forces. They moved around the base of Vesuvius, outflanked the army, and began annihilating Glaber's men while many while of them slept.

Glaber held his own against Spartacus while his cohorts were being defeated one by one by the trained gladiators under Spartacus' command. However Spartacus eventually gains the advantage, wounding him, and delivered the final blow. Glaber's standard was taken as a spoil of war among hundreds of weapons.

## Traits and Skills

Glaber was trained well enough in Roman military tactics and technique, but lacked any real tactical knowledge. He more than a match for a gladiator such as Spartacus. His underestimation of the slave army caused him to use only a limited army and use no fortifications to defend his men.

## Personality

Glaber displayed the typical pompous arrogance and ignorance of a Roman.

## Appearance

Glaber was a man of average height, with a muscular build and short black hair. He wore robes befitting a man of high stature and position among the noble hierarchy, and wore Roman armor befitting his rank as a Praetor.