Salvius Tryphon

Quick Facts: Who was Salvius Tryphon?

Subject:

Salvius Tryphon

Known for:

Leader of the slave revolt in Sicily during the Second Servile War against Rome.

Born:

101 BC

Died:

100 BC

Century / Era:

-101s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Salvius Tryphon was an aulos player who was proclaimed king by the rebelling slaves of ancient Sicily during the Second Servile War against Rome. In 104 BC the Consul Gaius Marius was recruiting soldiers (legionaries and Italian and foreign auxiliaries) for the war against the Cimbri and Teutones in Gaul. He requested support from King Nicomedes III of Bithynia and was refused, on the grounds that every able-bodied man in Bithynia had been enslaved by Roman tax-farmers for being unable to pay their dues. The Senate issued orders that no slaves were to be taken from among the allies of Rome, and that all such slaves should be immediately freed. The Roman Propraetor of Sicily Publius Licinius Nerva, in obedience to the edict, at once freed around 800 slaves in his province; aside from awakening discontent among slaves from other nationalities who were not freed, this had the effect of alienating rich plantation owners who saw their slaves being taken from them.

Career & Major Achievements

Alarmed, Nerva revoked the sentence of manumission, which provoked the slave population into revolt. Nerva then failed to react with decision; by false promises he was able to return one body of the rebels to slavery, while neglecting to address a more serious outbreak near Heraclea. A troop of 600 soldiers which he finally dispatched to quell this revolt was beaten and slaughtered; the slaves now gained confidence, having won a large supply of armaments and a strong leader, a former slave called Salvius. Following the example of Eunus, the slave-leader of the First Servile War, who had proclaimed himself an Antiochus of the Seleucid line, Salvius assumed the name Tryphon, from Diodotus Tryphon, a Seleucid ruler. After his victory Salvius turned to besiege the city of Morgantina.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Nerva tried to relieve the city but was badly beaten by Salvius' slave army. After they took Morgantina the rebel army's ranks grew until they numbered 20,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. Athenion, another slave turned rebel, meanwhile rose in the west of Sicily, and marched to join his forces with Salvius's. The Senate sent the praetor perginus Lucullus to crush the rebellion. Salvius planned to respond to Lucullus' arrival by withdrawing into his fortress of Triocala and there hold out against the Romans.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 101 BC: Birth of Salvius Tryphon — Leader of the slave revolt in Sicily during the Second Servile War against Rome.
2. 100 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Salvius Tryphon passed away on -100, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Salvius Tryphon

True or False: “Salvius Tryphon was proclaimed king by the rebelling slaves of ancient Sicily during the Second Servile War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was proclaimed a leader and assumed royal titles, the text indicates he was an aulos player who gained leadership status rather than being solely proclaimed king at his inception.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Salvius Tryphon