Crassus’ father died in 87 B.C. after becom-
ing embroiled in a political struggle that turned
violent. Publius had allied with Lucius Cornelius
Sulla, who was vying for power against Gaius
Marius. When Marius captured Rome in 87,
Publius was either killed or forced to commit
suicide. The young Crassus only survived be-
cause he was able to escape to Spain.
This conflict brought tragedy to the young
Crassus’ life, but it also brought great opportu-
nity. In Spain Crassus started to build his fabu-
lous wealth. He began to recruit men who would
eventually join Sulla’s ranks. In the civil war that
ensued against Marius, Crassus played a deci-
sive part. His forces fought in the Battle of thedesire that would cost him his life and thrust
Rome into civil war.Noble but Simple
Born circa 115 B.C., Crassus did not come from an os-
tentatiously wealthy family. The first-century A.D.
historian Plutarch wrote in his work The Par-
allel Lives that Crassus “lived in a little house,”
where “they kept but one table amongst them.”
The family might have lived frugally, but they
enjoyed an enviable social position. His father,
Publius Licinius Crassus, was consul in 97 B.C.,
a commander in Iberia, (modern Spain) and was
honored with a triumph, Rome’s highest military
honor, in 93 B.C.ROMAN
RICHES
Military victories in
the first century B.C.
led to a huge increase
in the public funds
available in the
republic. The Temple
of Saturn (above)
was the seat of the
Roman treasury.THE FACE OF KING ORODES II ADORNS THIS PARTHIAN COIN FROM THE FIRST CENTURY B.C. MONEY MUSEUM ZURICHBORIS STROUJKO/SHUTTERSTOCKDespite their public disputes,
Crassus and Pompey share the
consulate. The political tension
allows only a few reforms,
aiming to limit the Senate’s
power, to be approved during
their mandate.
70 B.C.
On his return from Gaul,
Caesar arranges a meeting
of the triumvirs to formalize
the distribution of the Roman
world among them. A second
consulate for Crassus and
Pompey is agreed on.56 B.C.
Crassus leads the
campaign against the
Parthians. In Carrhae,
Surenas, the leader
of the Parthian army,
crushes the Roman army.
Crassus is killed.53 B.C.