Oenomaus (100s BC–70s BC; from Ancient Greek Ουενομάους, referring to wine – ουένος and mouse – μάους) was a gladiator and one of Spartacus’ lieutenants during the initial phase of the third Servile War (73 BC). Alongside the Thracian Spartacus and fellow Gauls Crixos and Castus, he escapes from the gladiator school in Capua owned by Lentulus Batiatus, becoming one of the leaders of the rebellious slaves in the largest slave revolt against the Roman Republic.
His Story
Oenomaus is involved in one of the early major successes of the slave army, the rout of the army led by the praetor Gaius Claudius Glaber, attempting to besiege the slave army near Mount Vesuvius.
Upon the arrival of praetor Publius Varinius, who comes to quell the uprising with his troops, Spartacus desires to abandon the plains of Campania and retreat to Lucania, beyond the Apennine Mountains, while his troops engage in the pillaging of nearby towns and villages beyond his control.
Leading 3,000 Gauls, Oenomaus separates from Spartacus to immediately attack Varinius Glaber. His army is defeated, and he falls in battle. This event unfolds during the winter of 73 BC, as slave armies plunder cities and villages in Southern Italy.
Possibly of Gallic origin, Oenomaus’ name suggests Greek roots, although ancient authors describe him as a Gaul.
His Death
To suppress the rebellion, two Roman legions under Gaius Claudius Glaber were initially sent to the decisive battle at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and the Romans suffered a painful defeat.
Oenomaus perished in combat prior to his comrade Chrysus, potentially in the winter spanning 73 BC to 72 BC, a period when the enslaved forces were plundering cities in the southern regions of Italy.
In Popular Culture
- Oenomaus appears as a character in the album “Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of Spartacus.”
- Oenomaus, portrayed as a black Numidian, is played by Peter Mensah in the Starz television series Spartacus.
- Oenomaus is one of the characters in the historical novel “Spartacus, la révolte des esclaves” by Max Gallo; in this novel, Oenomaus is portrayed as a Germanic figure.