Marcus Licinius Crassus trapped Spartacus in Bruttium by building a 60-kilometre-long (37 mi) system of ditches and walls.

Appian wrote that Spartacus then launched several skirmishing assaults upon the Roman defenders, striking them swiftly and almost with silence.

On the banks of the Sele River, Spartacus' army finally met the Roman legions of Crassus on the open battlefield.

Appian wrote that during the battle, Spartacus was severely wounded in the leg by a javelin and was forced to get down on his knees.

Despite his injury, the rebel leader refused to give up and continued fighting before he was finally overpowered and killed.