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Marcus Licinius Crassus Facts & Worksheets

Marcus Licinius Crassus was known for being the wealthiest man in Rome. He used his wealth to get a position in the government, which he successfully got when he allied with Pompey and Caesar through “The First Triumvirate.”

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Marcus Licinius Crassus was known for being the wealthiest man in Rome. He used his wealth to get a position in the government, which he successfully got when he allied with Pompey and Caesar through “The First Triumvirate.” The position was not something handed to him because he was rich. It was gained through his patience, charisma, and a lot of financial support and paid debt.

See the fact file below for more information on the Marcus Licinius Crassus or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Marcus Licinius Crassus worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY

  • Marcus Licinius Crassus was born in 115 BCE in the Roman Republic.
  • He came from an aristocratic family. Despite coming from an aristocratic family, Crassus did not live in wealth during his childhood.
  • The historian Plutarch described that his family “lived in a little house” and ”kept one table amongst them.”
  • He was the second son of the renowned senator Publius Licinius Crassus and a consul, so their family enjoyed a good social distinction.
  • During the Civil War between Sulla and Marius, his family supported Sulla. In 87 B.C. they lost the war, his father committed suicide, and the forces of Gaius Marius murdered his brother.
  • Crassus fled to Spain and went into hiding. He gathered a small military force and returned to Italy from the East to join Sulla’s forces.

WEALTHEST MAN IN ROME

  • Crassus, with accumulated wealth and a small army, returned to Italy and joined Cornelius Sulla’s forces to regain the latter’s power.
  • After their victory, he saw his opportunity to increase his already vast wealth by confiscating the properties, including a huge number of slaves from the declared enemies of the state. He engaged in slave trafficking and silver production.
  • He also bought burned and collapsed properties at cheap prices, used slave labor to rebuild them, and sold them at much higher prices. It was said that he owned a large part of Rome in this way.
  • According to Business Insider’s article The 20 Richest People Of All Time in 2011, Crassus was often named as the richest man ever. An accurate conversion of sesterce would put his modern figure between $200 million and $20 billion.

RIVALRY WITH POMPEY

  • Pompey and Crassus both helped Sulla win the war. However, it was clear that Sulla favored Pompey more than Crassus. Pompey was given military honors even though Crassus had his fair share of military victory.
  • However, while Pompey was winning wars abroad, Crassus was building his political power.
  • Crassus was elected praetor in 73 BC. This position precedes the cursus honorum, an appointment held by aspiring politicians in Rome comprised of military and political administration posts.
  • During the Third Servile War (73-71 BC), as an elected Praetor and an opportunity to gain further prestige with the Roman people, Crassus offered to equip, train, and lead new troops at his own expense.
  • Crassus managed to form ten legions, and with more men and resources, he fought Spartacus near the Sele River and won, but 5000 slaves escaped and moved toward Gaul.
  • Pompey and his troops intercepted the escaped slaves on their way to Hispania. They defeated all the slaves and finished the revolt.
  • This made Pompey and Crassus share the credit, which was supposed to be Crassus’s victory alone.
  • After forming the First Triumvirate, Pompey and Crassus competed for honors and commands. Crassus used P. Clodius to harass Pompey while Pompey complained to the Senate that Crassus was planning to assassinate him.
  • In 56 B.C. the triumvirs met at Luca to settle their differences and make arrangements for sharing their power.
  • Pompey and Crassus were given consulship in 55 B.C., and the three triumvirs would command in Gaul for Caesar, Spain for Pompey, and Syria for Crassus for five years.

FIRST TRIUMVIRATE

  • Crassus remained in Rome and continue to pull strings to further his political ambition.
  • He supported young leaders in their campaigns. He was particularly successful with Caesar.
  • While Pompey was battling wars in the east, Crassus and Caesar formed a friendly bond benefited both of them. Crassus cleared Caesar of his debt and Caesar catered to him with his best interests.
  • Pompey and Crassus set aside their differences for a while to support Caesar. Caesar gained popularity with the masses, Pompey earned a reputation as a great military commander, and Crassus, being a wealthy landlord. They formed an alliance called The First Triumvirate in 60 B.C.
  • Their common goal was to counter the stranglehold the Roman Senate had over politics.
  • This alliance allowed them to distribute power in three territories: Spain, Gaul, and Syria.
  • To launch campaigns against the Parthians, Syria was given to Crassus because of his large army and resources.

BATTLE WITH THE PARTHIANS

  • Crassus left for Syria in 55 B.C. His first years of stay proved to be successful as he gained enormous riches from the local population. He also had several military victories until 54 B.C.
  • In 53 B.C., with his son P. Licinius Crassus as a cavalry commander, they crossed the Euphrates, confident for more success.
  • However, Crassus lost his son in an overly aggressive attack, and due to lack of planning and familiarity of the terrain was defeated in the Battle of Carrhae.
  • Without sufficient cavalry and suffering from local treachery, Crassus and his army were trapped by the Parthian king, Orodes II, with his skilled mounted archers and forced to surrender.
  • According to legend, Crassus was captured alive and killed by pouring molten gold in his mouth down his throat as a symbol of his unsatisfied thirst for wealth.

PERSONAL FACTS ABOUT CRASSUS

  • Crassus was described by his friends as a very generous man. He often lent money to them without interest but expected a full payment on its due date.
  • He was married to Tertulla, daughter of Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus, who was also involved in the war against Spartacus and his brother’s widow.
  • They had two sons named Publius Licinius Crassus and Marcus Licinius Crassus.
  • Crassus befriended a vestal virgin named Licinia and was accused of having criminal intimacy with her. However, being known for his greediness, the court acquitted him.

Marcus Licinius Crassus Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Marcus Licinius Crassus across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Marcus Licinius Crassus worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Marcus Licinius Crassus who was known for being the wealthiest man in Rome. He used his wealth to get a position in the government, which he successfully got when he allied with Pompey and Caesar through “The First Triumvirate.” The position was not something handed to him because he was rich. It was gained through his patience, charisma, and a lot of financial support and paid debt.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Marcus Licinius Crassus Facts
  • A Tragic Young Life
  • Crassus’ Life
  • Crassus In Four Words
  • Slaves for Sale
  • The First Triumvirate
  • The Affair?
  • Battles He Fought
  • Crassus’ Circle
  • History of Rivalry
  • Avaricious Crassus

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