A Thracian deserted soldier sold to Rome as a slave, Spartacus became a gladiator who, lead the escaped slaves to fight in a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Although little is known about Spartacus beyond the events of the war, his name has frequently been invoked by revolutionaries and political thinkers throughout history, interpreted by some as an example of the oppressed fighting for freedom against supreme ownership. Spartacus was a heavyweight gladiator called a murmillo, standard armament for these warriors include a large shield called scutum and a broad, straight blade called gladius. The murmillo gladiators are often large muscular men due to their need to wear heavy helmet and wield a large shield, their fighting style depends on their strength and endurance to survive the battle against more nimble foes who were more suited as the attacker.