Blood, Betrayal, and Bravery – A Summary of Spartacus: Blood and Sand Season 1
Most similar to a Game of Thrones-style TV show, Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010-2013) is a gruesome, erotic, cinematographic masterpiece. With hundreds of fight scenes, this Starz production is not for the faint of heart. However, for those who can bear it, Spartacus: Blood and Sand provides an excellent portrayal of the Romans and their culture through non-Roman eyes. This post will focus on Season 1 of the series, providing both a summary and reflection.
Under the threat of Mithradites invading, Claudius Glaber and the Romans attempt to persuade Spartacus and the Thracians to join their fight. The Thracians tentatively agree under the condition that they defend against the Getae, who have raided Thracian lands for years. An agreement is struck and the fighting ensues. The Thracians occupy the auxiliary, which is defined as support personnel; however, in the context of a Roman legion, an auxiliary army comprised of non-Romans is considered lesser. As such, Spartacus and the Thracians are forced to be on the front lines, given limited rations, and are generally disrespected. Over the course of the battles, the Spartacus and the Thracians grow tired of the Romans’ ulterior agenda to defeat Mithridates and so they disobey Claudius Glaber’s orders so that they can go back to their village and defend their families grom the Getae. Once Spartacus returns, Claudius Glaber tracks him down and kidnaps Spartacus and his wife. And so begins Spartacus’s life as a Slave.
Glaber sent Spartacus to the Gladiatorial Arena of Capua to be executed and his wife was sold off to a Syrian far away. At the end of the Gladiatorial games in Capua, a Ludus, or school, owner by the name of Batiatus spares Spartacus’s life and recruits him to join his Ludus for training as a gladiator. Spartacus then undergoes rigorous training for some time under the hope that one day he will see his wife, Sura, again. Spartacus meets the raining Champion Crixus as his training progresses. The two have a testy, competitive relationship. They finally meet in battle at Spartacus’s first games. Crixus bests Spartacus and his life is spared; however, he is disgraced and sent to fight in the pits. Spartacus fights his way back out, and in the next games, Crixus and Spartacus must fight together against Theokoles, a legendary gladiator. Crixus is badly hurt and Spartacus was crowned the new Champion of Capua. Spartacus then learns from Batiatus that Sura is on her way to the Ludus; however, once Sura’s caravan driver arrives, it was revealed that they were attacked on the road. Sura, being fatally injured, dies in Spartacus’s arms.
With newfound bloodlust, Spartacus turns his attention to the next Gladiatorial contest. He continues training hard and winning in the Arena. Throughout this time, Crixus recovers, new recruits are purchased and trained, and we begin to see the devious nature of the Roman citizens. After much time, the shocking truth about Batiatus is revealed. Spartacus finds out that Batiatus had his wife killed so that he could keep Spartacus in his Ludus and focused on winning. Upon finding out, the only thing keeping Spartacus from taking revenge on his master is the retribution that may come to his friends. Thus, Spartacus leads a slave revolt against Batiatus setting all the surviving gladiators free. This marks the beginning of the Third Servile War.
In reflection, while the portrayal of Spartacus and his journey as a gladiatorial slave is romanticized, I believe that the brutality of life as this specific type of slave may in fact be accurate. Moreover, the corruption and devious nature of the “honorable” Romans like Batiatus and his wife really provides a much-needed perspective on how honorable some Romans were. I would highly recommend watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
