Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi vs Spartacus

Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi launched a revolt in Kufa against the Umayyad Caliphate, claiming to act on behalf of Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya. He gained support from non-Arab Muslims (mawali) and established control over Kufa and much of Iraq.

Al-Mukhtar's forces defeated an Umayyad army at the Battle of Khazir near Mosul. The victory avenged the deaths of Husayn and his companions at Karbala, with key Umayyad commanders killed.

Al-Mukhtar was besieged in Kufa by forces of Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, the Zubayrid governor of Basra. He was killed in battle after his supporters were defeated, ending the pro-Alid revolt in Iraq.

Spartacus's forces defeated the Roman praetor Gaius Claudius Glaber, who had besieged them on Mount Vesuvius. The rebels descended using vines and attacked the Roman camp from the rear, capturing supplies and weapons.

Spartacus and about 70-78 gladiators escaped from the gladiatorial school of Lentulus Batiatus in Capua. They seized weapons and fled to Mount Vesuvius, initiating the Third Servile War against the Roman Republic.

Spartacus defeated the Roman consuls Gellius Publicola and Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus in separate engagements in Picenum. Later that year, he defeated the proconsul Gaius Cassius Longinus near Mutina, opening the route to the Alps.

After victories in the north, Spartacus turned south and marched on Rome with an army of about 120,000. He bypassed the city and retreated to the Bruttium peninsula in southern Italy, possibly to cross to Sicily.

Marcus Licinius Crassus's Roman legions defeated Spartacus's army at the Siler River in Lucania. Spartacus was killed in the battle. His body was never identified. The surviving rebels were crucified along the Appian Way.