Crixus

Crixus
Gods of the Arena Blood and Sand Vengeance War of the Damned
First appearance	S0E01: Past Transgressions S1E01: The Red Serpent S2E01: Fugitivus S3E01: Enemies of Rome
Last appearance	S3E08: Separate Paths
Profession	Gladiator (House of Batiatus) Escaped Slave Rebel General
Race	Gaul
Relationships	Doiros (Brother, deceased) Lucretia (Domina/Ex-Lover, deceased) Barca (Friend, deceased) Naevia (Lover, deceased) Spartacus (Rival/Friend, deceased) Oenomaus (Doctore/Friend, deceased) Rhaskos (Friend, deceased) Gannicus (Rival/Friend, deceased) Ashur (Former Friend/Archenemy, deceased) Acer (Friend, deceased) Liscus (Friend, deceased) Agron (Rival/Friend) Nasir (Friend) Publius Varinius (Enemy, deceased) Totus (Friend, deceased) Julius Caesar (Enemy) Brictius (Friend, deceased) Verenda (Comrade, deceased)
Status	Deceased (Killed by Tiberius)
Actor/Actress	Manu Bennett

Crixus is a central character in the Spartacus series. He is the former Champion of Capua, introduced into Batiatus' ludus as a slave desiring the life of a gladiator, who eventually fights his way up to become one of the top gladiators of the ludus. During the arrival of Spartacus in Blood and Sand, Crixus is seen as champion and becomes the lover of Naevia. However, after she is banished from the ludus, he joins forces with Spartacus and leads his men in rebellion against the House of Batiatus, and later Rome itself. He goes on to become a trusted ally to Spartacus and one of the first rebel leaders. Crixus is known as the Undefeated Gaul.

Appearance

Crixus is a hardy, muscled man with skin bearing the toils of past battles. When he first arrived at the Ludus, he had long, black hair and a thick beard. He is short in comparison to some. As a gladiator, Crixus has a very muscular build with a short buzz-cut in order to not look as a savage in the eyes of Lucretia.

After the beginning of the rebellion and his escape from the ludus, Crixus no longer trains to the same extent as he once did, and consequently loses some of his previous muscle mass. However, he remains a formidable warrior.

In War of the Damned, he keeps a steady beard and longer, well-kept, hairstyle and has retained much of his original build he had when he was a gladiator. He wears a unique set of makeshift armor that allows him to stand out as a commander and continues to use a sword and a new shield as his weapons of choice.

Personality

When he first arrives at the ludus he appears to be insecure but his desire to be a Gladiator is clearly evident. Having been mocked by Barca and Auctus, he keeps his head down and gets on with his training. He has huge respect for Gannicus and vows to be like him and earn the mark. As he grows in skill, he also grows in arrogance. Despite his arrogant demeanor, his reasons for fighting remain to honor the memory of his family.

Crixus revels in the glory of the arena.

He relishes in the life of a gladiator, fighting for glory and honor in the arena and expects the same of other gladiators, treating those that don't with contempt. Crixus, however, possesses a softer side to him and it is only through his love for Naevia that he is able to find something more meaningful than glory. The two grow so close that they become inseparable and the love they hold for one another is so great that they believe they will be together in both the mortal world and afterlife forever.

As a leader within the rebellion, he embraces Spartacus as a brother but their ideals on leadership differ. Crixus is much more hot-headed impulsive as a leader than Spartacus is and a power-struggle between the two comes into play from time to time.

Combat Prowess

The blood of battle flow through the veins of Crixus as he comes from a long line of warriors. Before becoming a gladiator, however, Crixus lacked any true skill and would be seen no more than a common brute. After his training, however, Crixus grew in skill and prowess very quickly and soon began to outclass many of the other gladiators to the point where he would become the Undefeated Gaul.

This title is not earned lightly. Crixus has proven himself as one of the greatest warriors to have ever stepped foot in both the arena and the battlefield. He relies on brute force and more grounded attacks as opposed to others, such as Spartacus and Gannicus, who rely more on nimble movements that often elevated them above their enemies. Nevertheless he does not lack in athleticism and is incredibly fearless.

Crixus prefers to use a shield/sword combo, and often starts a fight by literally jumping into his enemy's, throwing them onto the ground and breaking the Romans defensive line.

History

Crixus grew up in Gaul in a family of fierce warriors. When he was young, he watched as the Arverni tribe invaded his village and killed his family before his eyes. He was then sold into slavery and eventually ended up in Tullius' hands, where he was forced to build the new arena he would later fight in.

Gods of the Arena

Crixus is a slave of Tullius, assigned to carrying stone for the construction of the new arena under Tullius' brutal overseer, Appius.

Crixus in the Gods of the Arena, with long hair and beard.

Crixus is first seen fighting with another slave. Witnessing the event, Batiatus interrupts Appius from administering a beating upon Crixus and offers to pay fifty denarii to buy Crixus, which is well over the worth of a recruit. Batiatus explains to Solonius that his intention in spending such an exorbitant sum on an unruly slave like Crixus is to attempt to gain the good favor of Tullius. 

When Crixus arrives at the Ludus, he is put into a cell with Ashur, Dagan and Indus. Dagan mocks Crixus in his Syrian language saying that he is the size of a woman. Ashur, on the other hand, is more friendly and welcoming to Crixus.  He explains to Crixus that when he first came to the Ludus he was in a group with seven other new recuirts, yet now only he, Dagan, and Indus remain. Ashur then questions Crixus as to how he came to be at the Ludus.  Crixus explains that he saw Batiatus pass by and knew him by his words of gladiators and so in an effort to impress Batiatus and show his possible worth as a gladiator, he started the fight with the other slave. Ashur goes on to explain to Crixus how their training as recruits all leads up to a final test and only then, if they pass the test, will they earn the mark of the Brotherhood. Like Ashur, Dagan and Indus, Crixus is flouted by other Gladiators, such as Auctus and Barca, normally by them urinating in their food and judging them by their size, with Barca commenting how the new recruits seem to get smaller every year. 

While training in the Ludus, he trains with Ashur, who he forms a friendship with, only to be bested by him. Barca who trains with Oenomaus mocks him saying the Recruits get smaller and smaller each year. Batiatus tells Oenomaus to train with Crixus, who punches him without warning telling him to never drop his guard. Batiatus offers to give Crixus back to Tulius but this stops after his argument with Vettius.

Crixus improves in his training, and manages to strike Oenomaus, with whom he trains and listens to rather than the Doctore. Oenomaus instructs, that when faced with a stronger opponent, draw him to you, he does this. Crixus later approaches Gannicus and touches him, prompting Gannicus to throw him

Crixus vs. Gannicus, Round One.

against the wall and warn him never to come behind his back. He merely asks for advice to become Champion and Gannicus says never to lose.

Batiatus wants to impress Varis so his Gladiators may perform in the Primus. Varis offers demonstration and picks Gannicus and Gaia picks Crixus. As they battle, Gannicus gains the upper hand and eventually Crixus does down him, but Gannicus regains strength and bests Crixus in the fight. Gaia commands that Crixus lives, due to her liking and it being her decision.

After Oenomaus becomes Doctore, he commands Barca to pair against Crixus, which Barca is reluctant only until Titus orders it. Barca, who uses a Spear, which Crixus is not used to using wooden sword against, manages to best him, while mocking

Crixus in Gods of the Arena.

him in spite. Gannicus later gives Crixus advice to overcome the spear.

After dealings with Tullius, Titus and Batiatus' Gladiators are slated to fight against each other in the old arena, much to Batiatus' dismay. Tullius picks Auctus and Crixus to fight each other. At the beginning of the battle Auctus is shown to be the favored victor and gains the upper hand, but after almost dying from a deadly strike, Crixus gains form and manages to kill Auctus. This earns him the mark of the brotherhood. Barca is upset by the loss of his lover Auctus, but despite this tells Crixus that he fought well.

After Auctus death, Crixus gets more respect from The Brotherhood and this means no insults from Barca, who is mourning the death of his lover. Crixus shows respect to Barca and explains his family history about how the Arverni Tribe invaded his village and killed his family and how he was forced to work as a slave for the Arverni then for the Romans. He says he longs to fight in the arena and be a gladiator in honor of his family. He also informs Barca that Auctus was the first life he took in battle and would never be forgotten. This forms the start of the friendship of Crixus and Barca.

Crixus is shown to training with Barca, getting more and more talented. After the competition where Titus ranks the Gladiators, Crixus proves to be successful in the ranking.

Crixus is brought to Lucretia and she tells that she has heard that he could produce a child by having sex

Crixus brought to Lucretia.

with only once. He tells that his father had 5 children and also his grandfather. She instructs him to have sex with her and "do not stop until you have spilled seed." He does so and Lucretia is disgusted at what she is doing.

To be in the Championship in the Primus, Titus decides to sell Gannicus to which Oenomaus disagrees, saying that Gannicus is still talented and not to be sold to Tullius. Gannicus is ordered to fight and defeat Crixus to prevent his being sold. They are shown to be equally matched, with neither getting the upper hand, but Gannicus suddenly decides to throw the fight, because of his undying love for Melitta. Crixus realizes that Gannicus deliberately lost and questions why, but Gannicus just says he is Champion now and that is all that matters. This makes Crixus Champion of the Ludus though many characters (Melitta, Quintus, Oenomaus and even Crixus himself note that Gannicus let Crixus win and that he could have actually won.

Crixus' new look.

After a long day of battle, Crixus is set to fight to in the Primus along with Gannicus, Ashur, Dagan, Narto, Duratius and Gnaeus. Lucretia commands Crixus and says that she will remain to have sex with him so she can get pregnant and sire an heir for Batiatus, and that if he mentions anything to anyone, he will have his penis chopped off. She also says that Crixus's long hair and beard will have to go, to make him less disgusting. This results in Crixus wearing a buzz haircut and clean-shaven face. In the Primus, the House of Batiatus fights the House of Solonius in a team melee. Batiatus's gladiators are outnumbered but demonstrate a greater skill in the Arena. However, Crixus seeks only to battle Gannicus and doesn't care if they are on the same side. The fight commences but while Solonius's men are dying, Ashur turns on Dagan, killing him. Gnaeus is knocked out of the fighting circle and disqualified and Duratius and Narto are both killed by Caburus, leaving Ashur, Crixus and Gannicus in the fight against the remainder of Solonius men. Ashur and Crixus fight off the remaining gladiators side-by-side, leaving them and Gannicus to fight against

Crixus flying his way into the Primus.

Caburus. This gives them a 3-1 advantage to which they can then fight one another to decide who is champion. Ashur says that together they can kill Gannicus, and then the two can fight for the title of champion. Desiring to fight Gannicus on his own, Crixus slashes Ashur's leg to the bone just as Ashur raises his spear to presumably kill Gannicus. Crixus then tosses a crippled Ashur from the ring, eliminating Ashur from the primus. Crixus and Gannicus are left to fight Caburus, a giant in comparison to the two of them. During the battle, Crixus is knocked out of the ring by Gannicus, who did so in order to save his life, and loses any chance of becoming Champion. Gannicus becomes victor and is awarded his freedom.

At the farewell ceremony for Gannicus, Crixus is disappointed that they never got to have their match, but Gannicus tells Crixus to win his freedom and find him. He gives the necklace of champions to Crixus and tells him to wear it with honor. Ashur, who is now crippled in his right leg, glares at Crixus. The two carry a permanent grudge from this moment.

Period Before Blood and Sand

During the 5 year time gap between Gods of the Arena and Blood and Sand, Crixus had earned the title of Champion of Capua. 

Crixus kills the Gargan Twins.

Crixus gained his popularity in the arena, however, following his victory over the Gargan Twins who were "sons of a prostitute raped by a jackal ". They had terrorised Capua until their capture where they were cast in the arena to die, but insted they survived by killing and eating gladiators for the House of Solonius. No one dared to face them except for Crixus. After a great struggle, he killed them both and afterwards became a legend of the arena.

In this period he had continued to sleep with Lucretia who began to develop true feelings for him, but Crixus soon begin to fall in love with her Body Slave, Naevia.

Blood and Sand

At the time of Spartacus' arrival in the ludus, Crixus is the top gladiator and the Champion of Capua. He is the

Crixus in his Primus Armour.

unquestioned leader of the ludus (under Doctore) and close friends with Barca, another of the top gladiators. He dislikes Spartacus from the moment they meet due to the Thracian's proud nature and his disregard for the life of a gladiator. When Spartacus is put to the test at the end of his trainee stage, he is set to fight Crixus. Crixus slips on the scrap of cloth that Spartacus carries in memory of his wife, Spartacus ends up winning the fight, being the first to best Crixus. Dislike develops into visible rivalry between the two, one always seeking to best the other. Eventually, due to an intervention by Spartacus so he could avoid fighting Varro, the two are set against each other in the arena. Spartacus goes on a strong attack, and only once he is weakened does Crixus retaliate and show his true worth as a gladiator. He triumphs over Spartacus, but Spartacus surrenders before Crixus can kill him. In the ludus, Lucretia has come to favor Crixus among the gladiators and often calls on him to satisfy her desires, keeping her affair secret from Batiatus.

Crixus and Naevia.

Through this regular contact Crixus meets Naevia, Lucretia's personal slave. He is stricken by her beauty at first and gives her a necklace in an attempt express his new-found feelings for her. But Naevia returns the necklace to Crixus who stalks off before she can explain that Lucretia would notice if she wore it. Lucretia sees Crixus with the necklace and he is forced pretend he purchased it for Lucretia. This angers Naevia as he misunderstood her gesture, but over time they become closer, despite Naevia's constant pain of Crixus sleeping with Lucretia. Naevia steals the key to the ludus so that the two can spend time together at nights. They are forced to keep their relationship strictly secret because they are slaves.

Crixus' next battle in the arena is by Spartacus' side against Theokoles, the undefeated giant. Doctore trains the two of them personally, and at first they are hesitant to work together due to past transgressions. Eventually they decide to fight for a common cause between them; their women. The fight appears to be in their favor when they begin, fighting as one, and Theokoles falls. However, he rises again and their unity is broken. Crixus is badly wounded by Theokoles, and Spartacus uses his fallen shield to propel himself into the air and deliver a decisive blow to Theokoles.

Crixus severely wounded by Theokoles.

Spartacus then wins the fight, gaining 'title' of Champion of Capua, whilst Crixus loses his gladiatorial standing. Crixus's recovery from his wounds is long and tedious, and longs to be back in action. He cannot stand to be the one cared for. During this time, many are in doubt of his strength, if he will fully recover to his former standing or not. Only Naevia encourages him. At one point Batiatus considers selling Crixus to another Lanista, but Crixus cannot bear the thought of being separated from Naevia or the ludus. He attempts to prove his worth both by furiously bedding Lucretia (at Naevia's wish). When Spartacus is attacked and nearly strangled by Segovax in the baths, Crixus fights the trainee off him and saves his life, remarking that he only saved a brother, one who bears the mark, despite his dislike for Spartacus. Having rescued Batiatus' prize investment, Spartacus, Crixus secures an enduring place in the ludus.

Having regained his status as an active gladiator, Crixus yet yearns to be recognized in the arena again. He trains hard, but Spartacus still holds the title and is now seen as a leader amongst the other gladiators. Crixus manages to regain honor in the arena in his fight against the famous gladiator Pericles, and the crowds cheer for him once more.

Ashur, a gladiator Crixus maimed in a former battle who holds a grudge against him, spots Crixus and Naevia making love in secret. In an act of revenge, he asks Batiatus for rights to

Crixus and Ashur, enemies in the ludus.

Naevia to fulfill his desires. When Crixus discovers what has happened (in a public viewing of the gladiators for Glaber), he flies into an blind rage and attacks Ashur, fiercely beating the man before finally being pulled off him. Batiatus punishes him by having Doctore whip him in the training arena with the other gladiators present. On top of this, Lucretia is horrified at the relationship between the two and she throws Naevia from the villa to be taken to an unknown location. At Doctore's request, the two are allowed a final moment with each other and Crixus promises Naevia that he will win his freedom and not rest until he finds her.

For the celebration of Batiatus receiving Glaber's patronage, Batiatus decides that Crixus will fight Spartacus and it will be a fight to the death. During Crixus' time in a cell (further punishment), Doctore visits him and tells him 

Crixus during the rebellion against The House of Batiatus.

that he will soon become lanista and will help him find Naevia when this is so. However, Batiatus wants Crixus to lose the fight and poisons his food to weaken him. Meanwhile, Spartacus finds time to talk to Crixus and tries to persuade him to fight with him against Batiatus, when the time comes. Crixus does not agree but a bargain is struck: if Spartacus wins he will find Naevia and free her and if Crixus wins, although the rebellion wont happen, he will kill Batiatus one day. Only when Crixus feels the effects of the poison does he realize Spartacus is telling him the truth. This final betrayal pushes him over the edge and he joins Spartacus in the revolt, bringing along the rest of the gladiators to his side.

He leads the gladiators through the kitchen and into the the villa and ravages the house with the rest, but finds Lucretia on her own. He questions her about the wherabouts of Naevia. Lucretia avoids the question and reminds him that she is carrying his child, but Crixus claims he would rather see his child dead than raised by her, and stabs her in the stomach. He leaves her and the baby for dead and flees the ludus with Spartacus and the others.

Vengeance

Crixus commands a group of Gauls in Spartacus' rebellion and is overall second-in-c

Crixus and his men.

ommand of the Rebel Army, outranked only by Spartacus. He seeks to find Naevia and have her returned to his arms.

He is at odds with Spartacus, insisting that they move to find Naevia immediately, while Spartacus insists they take a more slow, careful approach. This friction between the two divides the Rebels, pushing them to the urge of splitting up. However, Crixus' goal is halted when Mira informs him that Spartacus has rushed out to face Glaber alone. Crixus, along with Agron, Donar, Acer and Rhaskos arrive in time to save Spartacus from overwhelming numbers. While in the midst of fighting, Crixus sightsLucretia. He is shocked to see her still alive, having recalled painful memories with her. Nevertheless, he convinces Spartacus to retreat back to their encampment before proceeding to do so.

Crixus and Acer.

When Crixus learns word that Naevia may have been sold to a nearby brothel, he immediately pursues attack upon it with the help of Spartacus and the Rebels. Here he comes in contact with, and interrogates a slaver who says Naevia has been sold from Dominus to dominus. Later, a recently freed slave named Nasir makes an attempt on Spartacus' life in the night. After Nasir's capture, Crixus is angered by his attempt and proposes to kill him, before being convinced by Spartacus to give him a second chance. Soon after, the Rebels' location is in jeopardy when a group of soldiers come into the villa where they are staying. After being discovered, Crixus and the other Rebels fight off the soldiers in victory.

Spartacus and Crixus, the rebel leaders.

He continues to make many desperate attempts to get information about Naevia. Crixus' focus on Naevia causes friction within the group, particularly with Agron, who does not want to waste time searching for someone who (as he feels) is almost certainly dead. As it just so happens, Agron and Nasir find a man with information about Naevia after they attack a slave cart. The man tells them that she is alive and in the salt mines, after which Agron kills him. Agron lies and tells Crixus that she is dead, however, to prevent them from going on such a risky and suicidal mission. Filled with guilt as he sees Crixus fall into a deep depression, Nasir reveals the truth and the Rebels split up, some going with Spartacus and Crixus to the salt mines and others with Agron to the coast. Crixus and the others find Naevia deep within the mines, the horrid conditions and the mistreatment she has been subjected to has obviously had a deep effect on her, but the reunion is short lived when Glaber's men attack and capture Crixus, Acer andRhaskos. Although Naevia makes a desperate attempt to be reunited with Crixus, she is held back by Spartacus before managing to escape. As the captured Rebels are marched back to Glaber, Crixus is triumphant in the face of death. Now that he knows that Naevia has been liberated from the Romans and is safe with Spartacus he embraces death and looks forward to his reunion with her in the afterlife. He is brought back to the ludus where he is sentenced to death in the arena. Crixus and his fellow fugitives are taken to the arena for execution in gladiatorial combat. Crixus fights well, killing two of his opponents, but is soon bested by them and is upon the ground. Lucretia watches with delight in anticipation that Crixus will finally die. Just then the Rebels bring down the arena, Spartacus, Agron, and Mira are able to rescue them, bringing back Gannicus and Oenomaus as well, though Rhaskos, to Crixus' dismay, had fallen. The reunion between Crixus and Naevia, though sweet, is stained by the memories Naevia has of the torture and rape she has been subjected to.

Naevia remains but a shadow of the women she was before, something glaringly evident to both Crixus and

Crixus, Naevia and the other Rebels.

Naevia herself. She flinches at his touch, haunted by thoughts of abuse and rape at hands of the Romans. Crixus is deeply affected by her pain. He tells her that he will take her away to distant shores where they can start a new life together. Naevia knows that leaving would solve nothing, she tells Crixus that she wants to stay and learn how to fight. Crixus promises her that he will teach her to defend herself and that they will stay and fight the Romans and gain vengeance for what has been done to them. In the ensuing weeks they both gain a renewed sense of purpose. Naevia proves herself to be a capable swordsman and Crixus takes obvious pleasure in teaching her how to fight.

Oenomaus, Naevia and Crixus.

Nasir comments that Crixus is rarely from her side; 

Gradually the romance between himself and Naevia begins to blossom once more. When Spartacus announces that he intends to trade with Glaber the captured Ilithyia in exchange for a wagon of equipment, Crixus readily joins him. At the site of the exchange, it turns out to be a trap and Crixus engages The Egyptian in combat. The Egyptian proves to be more than a match for him, pinning him down to the ground with The Egyptian slowly proceeding to deal the fatal blow. Crixus is saved when Lucius Caelius shoots an arrow into The Egyptian's heel, giving Crixus the opportunity to push off his attacker. Their fight is halted when the Rebels withdraw back to the temple.

Shortly before the siege on the temple,  Agron, Donar, Fulco and Mira and a handful of other Rebels led by Crixus ambush a unit of Roman soldiers in the woods outside their encampment. They proceed to fight until Fulco is killed and proceed to retreat back to the temple. Once at the temple, the Romans are again caught in another ambush lead by Crixus, Donar, and Agron. The Rebels defend the temple, while Oenomaus leads furthur reinforcements to fend off Varinius' troops successfully routing their enemy. Spartacus brings in the captured commander behind the attack, Varinius. 

Crixus fighting off the Romans.

Angered at the sight of Varinius, Crixus grabs him and intends to take revenge for Acer and Rhaskos. He is interrupted when a fire ball crashes before them Varinuis attacks Crixus and the two struggle over the sword until Crixus sees another fireball and pushes the Praetor in front of it killing him. Following the surprise attack, a unit of Roman soldiers, led by Glaber, lay siege to the temple Crixus takes on Nileus and appears to be evenly matched with him but is forced to retreat. The Rebels are forced to retreat up Mount Vesuvius, with the Romans covering every other possible escape path.

In the following days, Lugo, Saxa, Nemetes, Totus, Harudes and a handful of other German warriors attempt a rash attack on the Romans at the foot of the mountain. They are quickly overwhelmed, but saved in time by Crixus and the other Rebels. After Mira dies in the fighting, the morale of the Rebels is lowered even more.

Later on, Ashur arrives to discuss terms of surrender with Spartacus. Crixus chooses instead that Ashur's head would serve as an answer and demands they finally have their fight. Naevia, however, instead takes on Ashur in order to have her own vengeance. Crixus watches as his lover is being easily bested by his most hated enemy, but honors her wish to fight and kill Ashur herself. Ashur holds the upper hand in the fight and Crixus watches in agony as his lover is bested. Ashur, however, grows arrogant and Naevia takes the opportunity to fatally wound him and then decapitates him. She comes up to Crixus who embraces her with both pride and love with Crixus adding that he will teach her to cleave a man's head in a single stroke.

Crixus and Spartacus celebrate their victory over Glaber.

Finally, after days on top of the mountain, Spartacus proposes a plan to use vines to slide down the side of the mountain and to launch a surprise attack on the Romans. However, the vines are only strong enough to hold four men. Spartacus chooses Gannicus, Agron and Crixus to attack the Romans while Oenomaus leads the Rebels to flank the Romans. They succeed in scaling the mountain and flank the Roman's first by launching their own catapults at their camp, and then again by distracting them from the main rebel force coming down the mountain. The Rebels have clear advantage. Crixus takes his share of Roman lives in the forest before rejoining in the siege on the temple. After Spartacus kills Glaber he tells Crixus it is time to become an army. Crixus roars in agreement indicating their partnership and devotion to each other as they enter a true war on Rome.

War of the Damned

Crixus's new look.

Crixus continues to fight in the rebellion as one of Spartacus' generals and even has his own group of rebels that he fought while Spartacus fought Cossinius main forces. He has trained his lover, Naevia how to fight and she has become a formidable fighter in the rebellion. Following the defeat and retreat of Cossinius, Crixus learns that a Roman unit is near the Rebel encampment. He, along with the other Rebels, set up an ambush for the unit, which is revealed to be a messenger. Upon successfully routing the unit, the Rebels learn that Marcus Crassus prepares a force of

The Rebel Generals.

10,000 to face them. They also learn that Cossinius and his tribune Furius have retreated into a villa nearby. As Spartacus prepares a plan to invade the villa, Naevia voices her concern of the plan failing. Crixus assures her that it will not fail, and reminds her how strong she has become.

When night falls, Spartacus, Crixus and Gannicus sneak into the villa, slaying the rest of Cossinius' forces, and later Cossinius and Furius themselves.

Crixus and the others engage in the conquest of Sinuessa, most of them killing the soldiers and massacring the

Crixus & new Naevia.

population. Contrary to Spartacus, Crixus doesn't want to spare Roman civilians, but is forbidden to kill them by Spartacus. However, he forces two of the Romans to fight each other for bread. When one, Ulpianus, claims victory, Crixus gives him the bread but the man's hand is sliced by Naevia who believed Ulpianus was going for the nearby sword to strikedown Crixus.

After this moment, Crixus and Naevia speak and she reveals how when one particularly nice Roman had taken her in following her banishment from the House of Batiatus, she felt safe until the man revealed a dark side and tortured her. He embraces her and swears revenge on the Romans.

Crixus appears as second in command, and despises and mistrusts the Cilician Pirates and voices his concern to both Spartacus and the pirates themselves. He later takes part at the negotiations upon the beach between the Rebels and Heracleo, the pirates leader, when things go sour they are attacked by Roman soldiers. Despite the pirates and rebels working together, he remains weary of them.

Crixus starts to spend all of his time near Naevia, whose hatred for the Romans is increasing to the point of making her distrust all of them. She begins to think that Attius, a blacksmith friend of Gannicus, is helping his fellow Romans escape. This results in her killing him, which further separates Crixus and Spartacus' bond.

Crixus and Naevia begin using Nemetes, who has equal hatred for the Romans, to try and find out if any Romans 

Crixus and Naevia meeting Caesar.

have entered the city without their knowledge. One, Lysiscus, proves himself curious to them. Eventually, Nemetes and Lysiscus come forward with the body of a Roman, claiming to have attacked them which makes the rebels furious. Gannicus arrives in the plaza and confronts Naevia, having recently discovered that it was Laeta and not Attius that was helping the prisoners flee. Naevia shrugs it off because Attius was still Roman, angering Gannicus further who yells how Attius was his friend and curses Naevia. Crixus then charges at Gannicus and the two enter a heated unarmed fight. Gannicus dominates Crixus in the fight despite the aid of Nemetes and other rebels, but is knocked unconcious by Naevia.

Crixus is weary at first as he asserts Spartacus' command, but the Rebels, inflamed by Lysiscus' words and Naevia stating that no Roman in the city should live. From there he then leads a massacre on the prisoners in the streets. This continues until he corners Laeta who, with other Romans, was being led to safety by Saxa. He prepares to kill Laeta until being stopped by Spartacus who calls him not worthy of command but Crixus remarks that it is Spartacus that has forgotten the cause. The divide between the two has become more than evident.

Crixus, Naevia and Nemetes.

Following the events, Crixus trains with the other rebels and Spartacus and Agron look on and can see the old look Crixus held for Spartacus back when they were still at the ludus.

Spartacus soon after, leaves the city to Cecilia with Gannicus, Sanus, Rabanus and Saxa without Crixus' knowledge, leaving Agron in command. When Crixus hears about this from Lysiscus, he becomes furious and goes to the villa with Naevia to confront Agron, but Agron asserts that Crixus will not harm the remaining Roman prisoners and remains loyal to Spartacus. Crixus then reminds Agron of Duro and how it was the Romans that killed him and Agron has lost the fire he once had. Agron is hesitant, but remarks that from that time they both have become different men.

Eventually, the rebels discover Roman scouts near the city. Crixus starts to rally the rebels to open the gate and attack them. Agron tries to stop them unsuccessfully until Spartacus returns and demoralizes him again. Spartacus then frees the prisoners. Laeta is targeted by Crixus as she leaves, who points his finger to her face saying "You have the luck Spartacus stands a fool" and Spartacus just replies "Stand Aside".

Crixus fighting Romans.

Spartacus, Gannicus and Agron later explain to him why they left the city and explain the planned attack of Crassus, Crixus relutanctly accepts the plan.

Eventually, Heracleo and his pirates betray the rebels and an attack on the docks ensues. Crixus, Naevia, Lugo, Nasir and Brictius appear and they see the Romans and pirates defeated. It is there that Spartacus and Crixus recognize one another as brothers once more.

"Blood Brothers".

The Romans begin their major assault into the city. Crixus and Naevia wish to stay and fight while Spartacus plans that they should move on into the mountains. The rebels all agree to move, excluding Gannicus and Donar who stay behind to cover them.

As they are leaving, Agron appears with Castus who the rebels accuse of betrayal and Crixus himself takes note of the pirate but Nasir vouches for him. With that the rebels take leave into the cold mountains.

While camped up in the mountains, the tension between Spartacus and Crixus begins to worsen. As the Romans prepare themselves to advance upon the rebels, who are trapped due to Crassus' wall. Crixus desires to make a direct stance, yet Spartacus believes that they should continue to find a way off the mountains.

Crixus and Spartacus in conflict.

Following a failed attempt to assassinate Crassus, who had anticipated they would do so, Naevia is injured in their escape. This sends Crixus into a rage after one of the Romans calls him a coward, which he proceeds to slay several Roman soldiers before rejoining the rebels. Crixus tends to Naevia's wound and while she is grateful to Spartacus, he is bitter. This leads to yet another argument which then escalades to the two leaders into a full out brawl with one another. Both holding their ground, their fight is broken up by Agron and Gannicus who tell them of the coming storm.

Many rebels fall in the night, but in their plight, Spartacus thinks that they may have a way off the mountains. They discover that Crassus' wall does not have the army they thought behind it. The rebels successfully assault the wall and find their way out of the cold mountains.

After breaking free of the Melia Ridge, the rebels track through the hillside, fending off constant attacks by their Roman pursuers. Crixus leads the assault alongside Spartacus where they repel the Roman forces. 

Brothers in this life and the next.

Soon, Crixus tells Spartacus of his intentions to break from the main army and march on Rome itself.  After taking another villa and sharing several heartfelt goodbyes with his brothers, Crixus, with Naevia and Agron, head towards Rome, leaving a trail of Roman blood in their wake.

One night during the campaign while Crixus lay with Naevia, he witnesses a burning charcoal roll out of the fire and has a moment of inspiration.  Knowing full well that the strength of the Roman infantry resides in their organization and tight formations, he has his men create giant balls of twine wrapped in oily rags that they will ignite and roll toward the Roman columns in hopes of breaking their formation. Once he and his army reach the gates of Rome, they face the legions of Arrius, whom Crixus refers to mockingly as "the fool Arrius". Crixus then gives a rousing

Crixus laughs at "the fool Arrius".

speech to his loyal soldiers and ends it by shouting his trademark line he used in the arena, "shall I begin?", only this time he changes it to "shall we begin?".

The battle begins with Crixus seeing his inspiration filled to fruition as his men ignite the fireballs and roll them toward Arrius' men, successfully disrupting the tight Roman formations.  A fierce battle ensues as Crixus' army charges into the panicked Roman ranks.  Crixus slays many Romans, including Arrius himself, by plunging a sword into his face. Their victory is short lived however, as Crassus and his army appears on the hill.

Caesar fighting with Crixus at the battle for Rome.

Filled with rage and grandiosity, Crixus launches an attack on the clearly superior Roman army. Crixus realizes too late that they are outnumbered and outmatched and commands that his remaining forces fall back to higher ground. Witnessing the deaths of the majority of his army, Crixus appears to accept that the battle will be a loss, but tells Naevia that a partial victory can be had if he manages to kill Crassus.  He grabs a spear intending to throw it at Crassus, but is interrupted in his attempt by Caesar. The two men then begin to battle each other with Caesar

Crixus is mortally wounded by Tiberius.

quickly wounding Crixus with a cut to the abdomen.  

Crixus is beheaded, seen in Naevia's eye reflection.

Before he can exploit this advantage, Caesar is tackled by Naevia, which allows Crixus a few moments to regain his composure.  When the two men restart their fight, Crixus easily bests Caesar this time and throws him to the ground.  However, before a fatal blow can be struck upon Caesar, Tiberius impales Crixus with a spear thrust through his back as Naevia looks on in horror.  Being wounded through the back is, ironically, the one way Crixus said he did not wish to die.  Falling to his knees, Crixus is too weak to offer further resistance and the Romans soon surround he and Naevia. Tiberius asks his father what shall be done with the mortally wounded Crixus, suggesting that he would see the Gaul crucified.Crassus commands Tiberius to behead the former Champion of Capua in order to send a message to Spartacus so that Spartacus may know the depths of his failure.  Crixus' final moments are spent gazing upon the love of his life.  Crixus' decapitation is seen reflected in Naevia's eye, the last moment the lovers shared.

Naevia, having been allowed to live, returns to the rebel camp with Crixus' head that is meant to serve as a warning to the remaining rebels who still follow Spartacus' rebellion.

Crixus Funeral Pyre.

Seeking to honor his fallen friend, Spartacus decides to hold games of blood wherein many of the more veteran rebels fight, gladiator style, against captured Roman soldiers.

Following these games, a dramatic funeral service is held for Crixus. His head is placed on top of his trademark Red Octopus shield along with the necklace Gannicus gave to him and then set afire atop a pyre. As the fires consume the pyre, many mourners shout out the names of their other fallen comrades before finally all taking up the chant, "Crixus! Crixus!". Hearing the name of his 'blood brother', an emotional Spartacus shouts above the chanting "Split heaven with the sound of his name! Let it carry to Crassus and Pompey as distant thunder promising storm of blood!"

List of Appearances

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

• 001: Past Transgressions
• 002: Missio
• 003: Paterfamilias
• 004: Beneath The Mask
• 005: Reckoning
• 006: The Bitter End

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

• 101: The Red Serpent
• 102: Sacramentum Gladiatorum
• 103: Legends
• 104: The Thing in the Pit
• 105: Shadow Games
• 106: Delicate Things
• 107: Great and Unfortunate Things
• 108: Mark of the Brotherhood
• 109: Whore
• 110: Party Favors
• 111: Old Wounds
• 112: Revelations
• 113: Kill Them All

Spartacus: Vengeance

• 201: Fugitivus
• 202: A Place In This World
• 203: The Greater Good
• 204: Empty Hands
• 205: Libertus
• 206: Chosen Path
• 207: Sacramentum
• 208: Balance
• 209: Monsters
• 210: Wrath of the Gods

Spartacus: War of the Damned

• 301: Enemies of Rome
• 302: Wolves at the Gate
• 303: Men of Honor
• 304: Decimation
• 305: Blood Brothers
• 306: Spoils of War
• 307: Mors Indecepta
• 308: Separate Paths

Historical Context

• To read the original historical sources, see Historical Accounts of Spartacus' War

Historically, Crixus was a member of the Allobroges tribe in Gallia. He was captured from his tribe by the Arverni as a child before being sold to the Romans. The Allobroges tribal homeland extended from the Rhone River in southern France and Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The events leading up to the Gaul's manner of death was similar to the series, in that Spartacus and Crixus diverged their armies into different forces with different goals in mind, as Crixus headed out to Rome and the forces of Spartacus headed north toward the Alps. There are also theories that Spartacus and Crixus planned a military strategy in this in that separate armies would not require as much food as one large army and so foraging would be made much easier.

In the year 72 BC, Rome deployed its two co-Consuls for that year, Lucius Gellius to Gnaeus Lentulus with four legions, to bring down the Rebels. Gellius was to move to attack and Crixus and Lentulus to attack Spartacus. Crixus' forces, about 10,000 strong, were encamped in the eastern "spur" of the Italian peninsula near Mount Garganus (modern Gargano). The ancient sources say that Gellius' forces took those of Crixus by surprise, killing two-thirds of his forces, including Crixus himself.  Interestingly, the most famous combatant of that decisive battle was not Crixus himself, but rather a twenty-three year old Cato the Younger, who was a junior officer in one of Gellius' two legions.

Gellius forces then joined up with Lentulus to face Spartacus, but were both soundly beaten by the Thracian.  In retaliation for the death of Crixus and to give the fallen Gaul a spectacular funeral, Spartacus forced 300 to 400 Roman prisoners, that they had captured in the victory, to fight in gladiatorial games to the death for the amusement of his army. In Roman times, it was a custom to have gladiators fight at a funeral over the grave of a great or powerful man. To the Romans, this was a truly awful insult and a sign of the world turned upside down; the slaves were now the spectators and the Romans were now the slaves fighting to the death. The famous orator Cicero said nothing could have been "more polluted, deformed, perverted or disturbed" than these games. 

Books

Crixus appears as one of the characters in Spartacus: Swords and Ashes and Spartacus: Morituri.

Video Games

• In the Spartacus: Blood and Sand iPhone game, Crixus is one of the playable characters. His weapons are a gladius and a scutum shield, and he wears a full helmet.
• In Spartacus Legends, Crixus is one of the champions. Defeating him allows the opportunity to add him to the players own group of gladiators.

Trivia

• Manu Bennett, the actor who plays Crixus is 180cm (5'11") tall and weighs 190lbs.
• Crixus received his first training session from Ulpius, and later Oenomaus.
  • Crixus also received training from Ashur, Barca and Gannicus.
• Crixus wears Gannicus's old necklace. He was gifted it by his old idol when Gannicus was freed from Batiatus's ludus.
• Crixus's only constant in his long career as a gladiator is his red octopus shield, which he wields in every single battle he fights in. The first battle he uses it in is his duel with Auctus.
• Crixus receives the mark of the Brotherhood after killing Auctus in the Small Arena.
• Crixus has no interaction whatsoever with Naevia in Gods of the Arena.
• In Gaulish , the name "Crixus" means "one with curly hair." However, Crixus's hair is short and trimmed down in Blood and Sand and Vengeance, long and wavy in Gods of the Arena, and well-kept long hair in War of the Damned.
  • Historically, Crixus was described as having blond, curly hair.
• Many of Crixus's enemies were Greek: Auctus, Pericles, Theokoles.
• Crixus has held a personal rivalry with Spartacus in Blood and Sand, with Gannicus in Gods of the Arena, and with Agron in Vengeance. Ironically, the four characters have all become the leaders of the rebellion by the end of Vengeance. However, in War of the Damned, Crixus' rivalry with all three appeared from time to time.
• Manu Bennet playing as Crixus is the only actor to appear in all three seasons and the prequel. Crixus' love interest Naevia is also present throughout, though played by two different actresses. Bennet has the most appearances in the series.
• As a champion of the House of Batiatus, the Latin term would have been Campionem.
• Crixus' epithet, "the Undefeated Gaul", is a play on the widely-copied sculpture The Dying Gaul.
• Crixus and Spartacus are the only gladiators of the house of Batiatus who laid with "noble" Roman women, and made them pregnant.
  • Both Crixus and Spartacus have a child that dies. Crixus kills his own in Blood and Sand, and Lucretia kills Spartacus' son when she commits suicide in Vengeance.
• In a scene with Barca in the fourth episode, Beneath the Mask, in Gods of the Arena, Crixus speaks of a brother named Doiros, who fell alongside his father and brothers defending their tribal homeland against the Arverni. Crixus, then a child, was enslaved by the Arverni before he was sold on to the Romans.
  • Crixus' people, the Allobroge nation, were a client-state of the Republic of Rome during the early First Century BCE. Although that status was shared by the neighbouring Arverni tribe. The intertribal conflict which resulted in Crixus' enslavement and the death of his family may have been a low-intensity border skirmish.
• Crixus was the sixteenth main character to be killed.
  • Crixus, like Spartacus, has been struck by a spear in the back when they try to kill a Roman leader.
  • Crixus meeting his end by a spear is a reference to how his family met their ends by the spears of the the Arverni tribe.
  • Crixus' execution and decapitated head is used by Crassus to send a message to Spartacus, in much the same way Crixus used Ashur's head to send a message to Glaber.
  • Crixus is killed in Separate Paths by Tiberius, though historically he dies in a battle against Gellius Publicola and Quintus Arrius in 72 BC, before Spartacus faced Marcus Licinius Crassus

Quotes

"I was bound to Appius the slaver, carrying stone toward purpose of the new arena. I saw Batiatus and knew him by his words of gladiators. So I gained his attention."
―Crixus to Ashur, explaining how he came to be purchased by Batiatus.

"I will not die a faceless slave forgotten by history,"
―Crixus to Ashur

"It is no easy task to sever a man's head. You must find the right angle."
―Crixus to Naevia

"And that's all it is Spartacus, a dream. And one day you'll awaken to the truth: you will never leave this place. And your wife, if she is not dead already, has been fucked to madness by a hundred Roman cocks!!"
―Crixus to Spartacus

"I fight to honor these walls. You fight to leave them"
―Crixus to Spartacus

"I did not save Spartacus. I saved a brother, who shares the mark."
―Crixus to Spartacus

"The Magistrate's son graces our sands, and this is what greets him!? Would that I had an opponent worthy of his interest." ― Crixus to gladiators

"Stand down pup, before your shriveling cock wets the sand."
―Crixus to Duro

"KILL THEM, KILL THEM ALL!!!!"
―Crixus to Rebels

"You were right, there is still something between us: Where is Naevia? WHERE!?"
―Crixus to Lucretia

"These are all fucking Agron's people... who will they follow?"
―Crixus to Spartacus

"You know that in another life, we may have been as brothers? But not in this one."
―Crixus to Spartacus

"You are blessed because Spartacus stands a fool!"
―Crixus to Laeta

"...And what would he say? What words would make difference? The ones I have told myself: ones of hope and the promise of better days; Throat can no longer make such empty noise. It is choked with loss―an agony familiar to many of us. Spartacus lost his wife, yet his fire still burns. Agron, a brother, yet his fire still burns. We have all lost. We have all seen those held as friend, as family, as lover, fall to the Romans, yet our fire still burns. And together, we shall ignite an inferno. I move to Vesuvius, with Spartacus."
―Crixus to Rebels

"For every chain around neck, and every lash upon back!  Take Roman blood as payment... and let us see this city truly ours!" ― Crixus to Rebels

"Is that all Rome has to offer this day?! I have not yet had my fill of blood!" ― Crixus to the Romans he had just killed

"We have shown they're vulnerable, we have shown them that a trembling hand can become a fist! We have challenged the idea that a slave must always know his place accepting bold and lace because he was thaught to accept it! We built the mighty republic with our hands and our blood and our lives! And we can see it fall at equal cost. You opened my eyes to this Spartacus, do not ask me now to close them..."
―Crixus to Spartacus

"One last legion, led by the fool Arrius, is all that stands between us and the victory that shall become legend!  A lifetime ago, when I yet stood beneath the roof of the house of Batiatus, my Doctore, Oenomaus, demanded answer from those recruits who sought glory upon the sands of the arena.  What lies beneath your feet?  ...And this day it shall be Rome who sheds them.  Shall we begin?  Shall we begin?  Shall we begin!?"                            ―Crixus to Rebel Army

"If Crassus falls, we may yet seize fucking day!"
―Crixus to Naevia; his last words

Gallery

Crixus sparring with Spartacus.

Crixus' Shield.

Crixus after being defeated by Theokoles

Crixus making a kill.

Crixus obtaining Crassus' Sword from Totus.

Crixus leaping into battle.

Crixus when told Naevia was dead.

Crixus in meeting with the other Rebel Generals.