After the death of Sulla, the most prominent figure among all the men of
the aristocratic party was Cneius Pompey, who had distinguished himself
as a lieutenant of Sulla, and afterwards won renown by his management of
several important matters in which Rome was engaged--especially in the
suppression of a formidable revolution in Spain under a very able leader
named Sertorius (77-72 B. C.), and in stamping out a fire of revolt
kindled by Spartacus, the leader of a band of gladiators, who, joined by
a large force of discontented spirits, kept Italy in alarm for two or
three years (73-71 B. C.). These exploits made Pompey a popular
favorite, and in the year 70 B. C. he was rewarded by being made consul
along with a rich senator named Crassus.