Spartacus then marched northward from his base in central Apulia via the Apennines towards Cisalpine Gaul, probably in the intent to plunder the rich harvests of the region to feed his huge slave army of 70,000[4] and hopefully turn the cities there against Rome.

Gellius then maneuvered at the rear of Spartacus' army and also moved northwards, while another force led by the other consul Lentulus attempted to block the enemy advance from the far north.

As Spartacus marched on, many escaped slaves and gladiators as well as deserters and disaffected peasants from nearby towns continued to join his cause, increasing the size of his army to 120,000 men.

He then withdrew back to southern Italy, taking the town of Thurii and the surrounding countryside, and trading plunder with merchants for bronze and iron for manufacture of more weapons.

The two Roman consuls were dismissed as commanders to give way for a new leadership under Marcus Licinius Crassus, who would prove instrumental in reversing the tide of the conflict in Rome's favour during the battles to come.