Military Classic

Newest Repackaging Of True Story Is The TV Offering Spartacus

The TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand, is the latest work to highlight the career and death of Spartacus. Much about the early life of Spartacus is not known, but the role he played as a rebel leader in the great slave rebellion against the Roman Republic, is well documented in historical sources. Spartacus, and his rebellion, have been an inspiration to enslaved peoples, and to authors and screenwriters, up to the present day.

Because of its graphic violence, this program reaches an audience primarily composed of teenagers, particularly boys. For those who want action with a bit less violence, Caprica reaches a similar audience demographic.

Spartacus lived from about 109BC to 71BC. Historians agree that he was a Thracian. (Thrace is nowadays in North Eastern Greece, but at the time Thracians were a different people to the Hellenic Greeks). As a slave, with military experience, and great strength and skill, Spartacus was chosen to fight as a gladiator, and was sent to the gladiatorial school at Capua, under Lentulus Batiatus.

In 73BC Spartacus was the leader of a small number of gladiators who were plotting to escape from the school. When their plot was betrayed they fought their way out, using kitchen implements, and seizing several wagon loads of gladiator weapons and armor. After defeating a small pursuing force they were joined by many other escaped slaves, and they retreated to strong positions on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

Over the course of the next two years Spartacus proved to be a successful military leader, building up a force of 70,000 rebels, and defeating several expeditions mounted against him by the Romans.

Finally the Roman Senate chose Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, to crush the revolt. Crassus was given a force of 40,000 soldiers organized into eight legions. With great brutality Crassus crushed the rebellion. Spartacus probably died in one of the final battles, although his body was never identified. The Romans took 6000 prisoners, all of whom were crucified alongside the road from Capua to Rome.

The story of Spartacus has been the subject of numerous literary works including poems, novels and movies. It has also been an inspiration to enslaved peoples and revolutionary leaders throughout history.

The most well known film of Spartacus is the 1960 production by Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas took the lead role and the “I am Spartacus” scene has been reprised and/or parodied by many other movies.

Most recently the Spartacus story is retold in the TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand. This was first shown in January 2010. The first series covers the events up to the start of the revolt. Andy Whitfield plays Spartacus. The start of the second series has unfortunately been delayed due to Whitfield’s serious illness, but is now provisionally scheduled for September 2011. If you missed the first season, you may wish to buy the first season as a Spartacus DVD

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