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Ashur
First appearance S0E01: Past Transgressions
S1E02: Sacramentum Gladiatorum
S2E02: A Place In This World
Last appearance S2E10: Wrath of the Gods
Profession Former Gladiator (House of Batiatus)
Runner/Messenger/Bookkeeper
Assassin
Race Syrian
Relationships Quintus Lentulus Batiatus (Dominus, deceased)
Lucretia (Domina/Victim, deceased)
Dagan (Friend/Rival, deceased)
Indus (Friend, deceased)
Barca (Rival, deceased)
Gannicus (Enemy, deceased)
Glaber (Employer, deceased)
Salvius (Rival, deceased)
Abrax (Ally, deceased)
The Egyptian (Ally, deceased)
Danus (Ally, deceased)
Fimbria (Ally, deceased)
Nileus (Ally, deceased)
Oenomaus (Doctore/Enemy, deceased)
Crixus (Former Friend/Archenemy, deceased)
Naevia (Victim, deceased)
Status Deceased (Killed by Naevia)
Actor/Actress Nick Tarabay

Ashur is an ex-gladiator in Batiatus' ludus and a central antagonist in the series. Due to a conflict with Crixus prior to Blood and Sand, he was crippled and forced to wear a brace on his right leg. Since then, he became Batiatus' errand boy, accompanying him into the city to aid in transactions or sometimes going alone for more private business. When Batiatus is killed, Ashur seeks out Praetor Glaber as a new patron to further his own desires. Using his years in the ludus, Ashur seeks to become a link between Spartacus and the Romans who are hunting him.

Appearance

Ashur has an olive complexion, brown eyes and black hair. As a gladiator, he kept his head nearly bald and sported a beard with one braid. After his fall, he alters his appearance, sporting a very short and a close-shaven mustache, beard, and goatee. He has a muscular build, though he has lost the tone that he once sported as a gladiator. He bears a scar on his forehead and larger burn scar from his left shoulder to his bicep. At one point he bears the mark of the brotherhood of the House of Batiatus on his right forearm, but is later forced to painfully cut it off at Glaber's orders. He later shaves his face as a further show of loyalty.

Because of his leg brace, he constantly walks with a slight limp and is unable to move at great speed. While wearing it, he also wears a red and black sash from his right shoulder to his waist, signifying his slightly elevated status above most other male slaves. Once his brace is removed, he once again wears the typical gladiator attire, although still walking with a slight limp. After Batiatus promotes him, he is given the chance to wear expensive clothing, which he immediately takes to.

He usually carries around a book, stylus and coin purse to keep track of and pay for business expenses and gambling bets. He has been seen to wear a dark, hooded cloak during visits to the city, both with and without Batiatus' presence.

Under patronage of Glaber, he dresses in a fashion akin to that of a mercenary and carries a sword with him at all times, as well as a clean shaven face.

Personality

Ashur has proven himself to be a cunning, intelligent, and manipulative opportunist. Having less physical power and skill than the other gladiators, he uses deception and roundabout methods in order to achieve his goals. For example, to avoid paying his debt to Barca, Ashur quietly arranges for the latter's death. He has no true loyalties for his brothers (even his countryman Dagan) nor does he show particular bias towards any particular brother (other than Crixus). When pressed, however, Ashur can fight well, though he is quick to use dirty tricks such as throwing sand and attacking with hidden weapons.

He has a great hatred towards Crixus, stemming from the mutilation and humiliation he suffered at the Gaul's hands. Originally content with trying to undermine Crixus' status as champion, he later takes a more active role after discovering Crixus' affair with Naevia. Initially, in Gods of the Arena, he and Crixus were close friends.

He demonstrates a strong loyalty to Batiatus, seen in particular when he manipulates Solonius and helps frame him for Magistrate Calavius' murder, ignoring all Solonius's promises of wealth should Ashur betray Batiatus. He is also good with numbers, as he frequently helps Batiatus keep track of his finances, business transactions, and gambling wagers. To advance himself, he would seek Praetor Gaius Claudius Glaber and become his right hand similar to Batiatus and show the same unwavering loyalty.

Ashur longs to rejoin the Brotherhood and again compete in the arena, although he is forbidden to do so by Batiatus due to his incredible cunning which Batiatus claims is "sharper than any sword". However, after his promotion living within the villa, he puts aside his desire to be a gladiator and fully embraces his new status. There once was a great sense of honor and brotherhood within Ashur. This, however, would turn into pure hatred and vengeance for his former brothers of their mockery and ridicule of him, even when he was in gladiator in good standing.

Ashur often refers to himself in the third person.

Combat Prowess

Ashur boasts of his skills as a Gladiator but lacks any real performance when in combat. He wins his arena and sparring matches by tricking his opponents or by sheer luck. Ashur's skill in combat mostly comes from utilizing his own cunning to win his battles, as a means to claim victory over those who do hold greater skill and ability over him. Ashur has said he has been considered the lowest ranked of the gladiators.

That being said, he has shown talent in unarmed combat during fights with several others, proving that he does hold skill. When pressed to a corner, Ashur is shown to have greater skill than usually thought, being able to fight off and defeat three trained Roman soldiers in direct combat, as well as taking down Nemetes and Lugo. His skill even allows him to briefly hold his own in fight against Gannicus.

Gods of the Arena

Ashur is an Assyrian slave bought into Batiatus' Ludus to become a recruit along with Dagan, a fellow Assyrian, Indus and several others, who would not survive the training. He is enthusiastic about his training and friendly towards the other recruits, apart from perhaps Crixus, who joins slightly later than the others. Dagan repeatedly insults Crixus in Assyrian (Aramaic), and Ashur mocks Crixus by falsely translating the insults into friendly banter. Later, after Crixus has caught up, he speaks to him as an equal, and the two talk of how one day they will rise to fame together, forming a tight friendship.

When Batiatus requires untraceable slaves to do a task of his, he picks Ashur, Indus and Dagan to carry out the task because they do not yet bear the mark. They lure Vettius into a side alley and beat him senseless, killing his

Images (2)

Ashur about to slit Indus throat.

slaves. Afterwards, Ashur slits Indus' throat because he allowed Vettius to see his face, and is therefore recognizable. For their success, both Ashur and Dagan are given the mark of the brotherhood, forcefully administered by a reluctant Doctore who believes they have not yet proved themselves as worthy gladiators. Ashur laments that he is unable to speak the oath, but considering the circumstances he did not truly deserve to (which also explains why many gladiators never viewed him as a true gladiator in the first place). Eventually, Dagan learns the language of the others and discovers Ashur has been falsifying the translations. Along with this, Ashur offers Dagan as a sex slave to a Roman elite when the house is visited for a night of pleasures. Dagan realizes that his friend has been tricking him all along, and looks towards fighting him and killing him. Titus Batiatus is aware of this rivalry and wishes Dagan, the better gladiator, to win. Ashur is repeatedly told that, if it wasn't for Dagan's talent and lack of language, he would have been sold to the mines long before. 

Ashur -4

Ashur on the sands of the Ludus.

Later, Titus Batiatus has a contest to evaluate the worth of his men. Ashur faces off in the contest against Barca and later Gnaeus, both subsequently defeat him.

Ashur learns he is to face Dagan next and tries to ask Dagan to go easy on him so he can avoid going to the mines. Still enraged by Ashur's betrayal, Dagan battles with deadly purpose, but allows Ashur a moment of rest. Taking charge of the moment, Ashur catches

Ashur and Dagan

Ashur and Dagan.

Dagan off-guard with an attack to the groin and then slices through the side of his head, gouging his eye out.

When Batiatus is ready to make his move on Tullius, Ashur is among the many selected to take part in the ambush. Ashur disguises with Gnaeus as traders and upon revealing themselves fight against Tullius and his men, which they manage to defeat. 

Ashur would then participate in the games of the New Arena. He first fights against Lysimachus and manages to defeat him. He would then secure a position for himself to fight in the Primus alongside Gannicus, Crixus, Dagan, Gnaeus, Narto and Duratius.

Ashurinjury

Crixus wounds Ashur.

After the gladiators enter the arena the fight begins, with Ashur being the third gladiator (After Gannicus and Caburus) to make a kill in the combat. As he and his brothers fight off against Solonius' men, Dagan attacks him in a rage. The two former friends clash, but Ashur claims victory and kills Dagan.The fighting would continue and he would fight alongside Crixus until they, Gannicus and their enemy, Caburus remained left. He suggests to Crixus that they join forces against Gannicus, because he is eager to be champion. Crixus responds by crippling Ashur with a slash through the leg and pushing him out of the ring of fire. Ashur's left arm catches the fire on the way out and he loses his chance to become champion.

When Gannicus leaves the ludus, Ashur is present, badly injured and now with a brace upon his leg. He sees Gannicus leave and then looks to Crixus. Betrayed by his only friend and now robbed of his position as a gladiator, he and Crixus would then hold a mutual grudge from that point on.

Blood and Sand

Ashur appears as an ex-gladiator who is no longer in fighting condition, due to the brace upon his leg. He is a messenger for Batiatus and other gladiators. He is able to procure things from outside the ludus. Despite this he is the least liked and least trusted.

When Spartacus arrives in the ludus his food is tainted and he is treated poorly. Ashur comes to Spartacus and hands him bread and explains who and what he is in the ludus. He tells Spartacus that the odds are against him in the final test and that he must win should they see Crixus lose substantial amount of coin. Spartacus takes the bread but tells Ashur not to think they are friends to which Ashur smirks to. 

Ashur later presents the gladiators with a list of their positions within the Vulcanalia. He overhears Spartacus and Varro talking about Crixus. Ashur enters the conversation to caution Spartacus about Crixus, telling Spartacus of Crixus' most famous victory over the Gargan Twins. Ashur remarks that Crixus is more dangerous than Spartacus thinks and to be careful.

Ashurcloseup

Ashur in Blood and Sand.

Ashur accompanies Batiatus and Barca in taking Spartacus and Kerza to The Pit after the latter two prove useless in the arena. Ashur takes part in the bets and informs Batiatus of the events and odds against them. While Kerza is killed, Spartacus manages to survive to the point where Ashur doesn't see much fight left in him. 

When an assassination attempt on Batiatus is stopped by Spartacus in The Pit, Ashur notices that the "assassins" are actually slaves. Batiatus then orders Ashur and Barca to discover who sent them.

Ashur and Barca later interrogate the slaver, Marcellus and eventually find and capture another slaver Remus, who opperates outside Capua. Batiatus then interrogates and kills Remus after discovering that the assassination attempt on him was made by Ovidius a merchant whom Batiatus in indebted too.

He and Barca are sent in a mission to kill Ovidius. Beforehand, he makes a bet with Barca on the unlikely outcome of an arena battle; namely, that of Spartacus and Crixus against Theokoles.

Despite his bet against them Ashur comes to Spartacus and gives him advice on how to deal with Crixus. He tells Spartacus that he was once a gladiator but when he and Crixus were on the sands together the Gaul turned on him and crippled him. Spartacus is shocked that Crixus would turn on an ally to which Ashur then tells Spartacus that the only way he'll survive the coming fight is to consider Crixus an equal enemy on the sands. 

Ashur watches the fight against Theokoles with Oenomaus, Varro and Barca. The fight ends up with Theokoles death therefore Barca wins the bet the two of them made previously. but Ashur did not expect to have to pay him back, and he ends up in a lot of debt, which Barca persistently reminds him of.

After Theokoles' death, Ashur is sent to town to buy wine and women from Marcellus to celebrate Spartacus' victory. He also hires Marcellus to forge a letter saying that all of Ovidius's family was slaughtered, except for his

Barca's death.

Barca's death by Batiatus.

young son, which would jeopardize Barca as the boy saw his face. Batiatus believes the letter and kills Barca, thereby relieving Ashur of any debts he still owed the gladiator.

Crixus' injuries give Ashur great pleasure on at times they meet Ashur is quick to mock Crixus and berate him in the same way Crixus had always done to him. Ashur goes as far as to have Crixus removed from the ludus, but Batiatus is wary though Ashur manages to convince Batiatus to allow him to inquire the lanista Vibius to gauge the cost of Crixus. 

Following his meeting Vibius in Capua, Ashur is approached by Marcus Decius Solonius, Batiatus' rival. Solonius gauges Ashur, noting the Syrians intelligence and cunning, may be able to become a good informant. Ashur, however, declines, declaring himself Batiatus' man although Solonius tells Ashur that he will find greater reward under his patronage. 

Ashur eventually recovers from his injuries he suffered years earlier and has the brace upon his leg taken off. Crixus laughs and mocks Ashur for his desire to return as a gladiator, but Ashur persists and returns to his old training attire and appears on the training grounds, where he is laughed at. Though Oenomaus is wary, Ashur insists but Batiatus calls for him. Ashur tries to convince Batiatus to allow him to return to the sands so he could prove his worth to Batiatus. Batiatus, however, heralds Ashur's cunning in higher regard and orders him to remain at his side and not return to the sands. Ashur agrees, but is visibly distraught over the decision.

As Solonius finishes his own dealings in town, Ashur approaches him and warns Solonius that Batiatus is plotting against him. When Solonius questions Ashur's loyalties, the Syrian explains that he is losing faith in his current master and would seek a more rewarding patron. Ashur then becomes Solonius' informant.

Batiatus' rage and ambitions begin to get the better of him, leading him to recruit Aulus to capture Magistrate Calavius. Ashur and Aulus work in shifts but Ashur is weary of the mission, claiming it too bold but Batiatus asserts his authority and tells Ashur to stick to the plan.

The whole city of Capua is put on alert to search for Calavius and Ashur approaches Solonius and tells him that Batiatus had taken Calavius. He escorts Solonius to Calavius but the guards are well in pursuit. Ashur then leaves to escape Capua as Calavius has seen his face. This, however, turns out to be a trap as Calavius is already dead, his throat slit earlier by Ashur, and Solonius is left over his body as the guards arrive, with Batiatus at their lead. The guards seize Solonius, who becomes enraged as Ashur returns to the room and moves next to Batiatus. 

Ashur -1

Ashur handing Crixus a memento.

Ashur is promoted to the villa as Batiatus' right hand man following his loyalty. As a reward he requests to have Naevia, knowing that she loves Crixus and that this would anger the man. As he departs the ludus he sees Crixus. Crixus laments that Ashur is neither a man nor a gladiator and Ashur retorts by telling Crixus that everything he is and everything he now has is because of Crixus.

When Gaius Claudius Glaber arrives to discuss with Batiatus terms of patronage, Ashur moves towards Naevia in the villa and begins to touch her. Crixus, who is with all the other gladiators, discovers what is going on, as Ashur looks up to him. Crixus attacks Ashur in a fit of rage causing the guards to apprehend him and take him away. Glaber sees Crixus rage as an insult and prepares to leave. Batiatus, however, is enraged at Glaber's disregard for him and instructs Ashur to show Glaber the reason he'll have to grant

Glaber & Ilithyia seeing Licinia's hand.

Ashur showing Glaber & Ilithyia Licinia's hand.

patronage, Licinia's hand. Crixus is later punished by Oenomaus that night by being lashed across the back. Having revealed his relationship with Naevia, she too is beaten and taken from the ludus to be sold on the markets, much to Ashur's delight. 

During the night of patronage, Batiatus celebrates with the nobility of Capua by planning to have Spartacus and Crixus fight to the death. They, however, need Spartacus to be victorious so Ashur goes to Marcellus and gets a special poison that will weaken Crixus.

As preperation for the night begins to set up, Ashur speaks with Aurelia, the widow of Varro who now serves the House of Batiatus. He begins to make advances towards her but his attempts are stopped by Mira who has her sent away from Ashur whenever he is near her.

During Spartacus and Crixus' fight, the two end up turning on The House of Batiatus and Crixus launches Spartacus to the balcony from the training square with the help of his shield. He kills former Magistrate Sextus, who falls from the balcony to the square with Ashur (Who's robe was grabbed by Sextus as he died and fell). During the slave revolt Ashur manages to escape the chaos in the square to the ludus but is cornered by Oenomaus, who insists on knowing what truly happened to Barca. Ashur lies in answers and fights Oenomaus, but he is no match for him. Before he is to be slain Ashur confesses to Oenomaus all his crimes, leaving Oenomaus horrified, and that his motives came from the ridicule and mockery of him from the other gladiators. Oenomaus calls Ashur out on his treachery and lack of loyalty to the Brotherhood, but Ashur points out that he was never shown any respect or loyalty, so why should he show any now. Eventually Ashur is forced to the ground, where he begs for a quick, painless death. Oenomaus is about to honor this request and deliver it when Ashur grabs a piece of metal from the floor and stabs Oenomaus in the leg. He flees the ludus, first hiding under the corpses of some Roman soldiers to wait for the coast to clear before departing. 

Period Before Vengeance

Following the departure of Spartacus and the other gladiators and slaves of The House of Batiatus, Ashur returns into the villa where he discovers Lucretia barely alive. He stiches up her wounds and ensures that she survives, seeing her clothed, fed and cared for. He would later become involved in an unknown plot with Lucretia and began to secretly track down his former brothers-turned-rebels. 

Vengeance

Several weeks later Ashur makes contact with Lucretia in the marketplace of Capua, discretely passing her a written message while hiding his face under a hood. Having located Oenomaus fighting under an assumed name in the Pits, he kills his old teacher's opponent and captures him. At the same time, Lucretia performs a ritual meant to bring a blessing from the gods. At the pivotal moment, per his message to Lucretia, Ashur enters with

Ashurafter

Ashur meeting Glaber in the main hall.

the captured Oenomaus, staging it as being a favor from the gods due to Lucretia's ceremony.

Ashur asks Glaber allow himself to interrogate Oenomaus as he is the only among them that knows the man. Glaber, remembering how Ashur was responsible for forcing patronage to Batiatus, is hesitant and wonders of what loyalty Ashur could provide. Ashur pledges his allegiance to Glaber by removing the mark of the brotherhood from his arm and then sets to the task of brutally interrogating Oenomaus. The plan appears to be falling apart, however, as Oenomaus refuses to speak out against Spartacus and his men. Ashur soon becomes furious at his failed attempts to torture answers from Oenomaus, and very nearly kills him before being stopped by Lucretia. She tells him that the house is full of secrets, suggesting that perhaps it is time to dig out some old "bones" from within the walls of the house.

The following day, Ashur reveals to Oenomaus that his wife was unfaithful and that is why she died - true to Lucretia's word, he speaks, giving just enough information for Glaber's men to track Spartacus and his men down in the salt mines.

Ashur accompanies Glaber's men to the mines, and recognizes two former gladiators, Manus and

Ashur working with romans

Ashur working alongside the Romans.

Plenus, guarding an entrance. Realizing that the Rebels are already there, he surprises both men and swiftly kills them before they realize he recognized them. He leads the soldiers into the mine, and he incapacitates several Rebels, including Crixus and Rhaskos. While the prisoners are returned to the House of Batiatus, Ashur accompanies the remaining troops, lead by their commander Marcus, into the forest in pursuit of the remaining Rebels. While they are able to slowly pick off the Rebels in a series of fights, the Romans suffer heavy casualties. Ashur cautions Marcus that they need to unite the men into one unit, instead of splitting them up into small bands to search the forest, as he

Ashur -5

Ashur in the woods.

rightfully believes they cannot defeat the former gladiators with such spaced out numbers. Marcus refuses to heed his warning, and is injured in the final battle, with the majority of soldiers killed and the Rebels once again on the run. After killing Liscus, Ashur drags Marcus into a secluded area and begs him to order a retreat, but the soldier refuses, stating that they are Romans and will fight to the last man. Ashur replies "I am not a Roman." and murders Marcus on the spot, framing his death on the Rebels to force a retreat. 

He returns with the few remaining men to the ludus, and Glaber imprisons him for his failure, promising that he too will be executed in the upcoming gladiatoral games meant to execute Crixus, Rhaskos, and Oenomaus.

As Ashur sits chained in his cell, Lucretia comes to visit him, promising to convince Glaber to release him. She also tells him of a potion Ilithyia has bought to abort her child, and where it is kept, ordering him to find it and replace it with a placebo. When he complains that he cannot move freely throughout the ludus, she gives him a key to the gates.

However, Ashur goes against Lucretia's orders and instead of replacing the potion, he informs Glaber of its existence, leading the Praetor to discover his wife's plot to dissolve their marriage. He does not attend the games and wasn't present when the Arena is destroyed.

Glaber and Salvius find that many of Glaber's soldiers are fearful of Spartacus and have fled. Ashur appears as the two speak and states that Glaber must find a greater force than soldiers to face gladiators, boasting that even three soldiers at once are no match for one gladiator. Knowing that he once stood a gladiator himself and doubting a gladiator's skill, Glaber tells the Syrian to prove such prowess. Ashur then faces off against Salvius and two others in direct combat, who he brutally and swiftly defeats, after which remarking that he stood lowest of the brotherhood. Impressed by Ashur's skill, Glaber elevates him and grants him a new mission.

Mercenary ashur

Ashur as Glaber's Right-Hand Man.

Ashur - now clean-shaven - resides in the champion's quarters in the ludus. When confronted by Lucretia as to why he told Glaber about the vial, instead of what he was told. Ashur declares that he is Glaber's man now and doesn't need to take orders from her. He then proves his point by raping Lucretia. 

Ashur soon departs the ludus to Capua and to gather some of the most dangerous men he can find. His group's brutality is shortly showcased as they slaughter all in the house of Seppius (except for Seppius, who is left alive for Glaber to finish off). He later takes jewels and gold from Seppius' house, including the snake-shaped bracelet that the deceased wore.

He continues raping Lucretia multiple times after the first, as he is successfully able to convince her that, as Glaber now trusts him, he has more power than her, and can have Lucretia killed or sent into slavery. This convinces her not to tell Glaber of his continued assaults, but to shamefully put up with them. Ashur however believes that she is beginning to enjoy their time together, turning it into a twisted love/hate relationship. He even begins calling her "my love" and giving her gifts of the jewels he has stolen from those he has killed at Glaber's command. However, his new "love" for her is expressed through possessiveness and violence, and he is quick to beat and rape her should

Ashur and lucretia

Ashur and Lucretia.

she insult him. Eventually he gains enough patronage with Glaber to have her promise to be his wife and the ludus to be granted to him for his service, something Lucretia will do anything not to see. Ashur eventually deduces the location of the Rebels and alongside Glaber marches on the Rebels and forces them to flee into the mountains. There Ashur remains at his side throughout the majority of the conflict, but manages to cut down several Rebels as well. While camped at the temple, awaiting the right time to assault the Rebels on the mountain, Ashur expresses greater desire to be a lanista and become the greatest in all the Republic. His loyalty is brought into question to Glaber when a visit from Ilithyia and Lucretia reveals the bracelet that Ashur stole from Seppius' corpse. They string together a story to show that Ashur had hoped Seppia to have killed Glaber. 

Ashur -3

Ashur, being betrayed.

When confronted, Ashur denies this and prepares to defend himself though Glaber also gains the mercenaries on his side, leaving Ashur defenseless. Enraged he begins cursing out at the mercenaries for betraying him. Ashur then turns and makes an attempt to strike down The Egyptian for betrayal but fails, as The Egyptian has the skills to overcome and evade Ashur's attack, leaving him at a completely disadvantage to defend himself.  As an act to "test his loyalty", Glaber sends Ashur to the Rebels with a list of demands in order to ensure terms of surrender.

Ashurdeath

Ashur being Decapitated by Naevia.

The Rebels eventually decide to kill Ashur as a means to answer Glaber. Crixus steps up to fight Ashur head on, but Naevia steps in, wanting to kill the man who brought her into such despair resulting in Ashur and Naevia clashing. Ashur barely tries and easily overpowers Naevia, despite her training by Crixus. Ashur prepares to kill Naevia, but his arrogance overcomes him and he begins to speak out to all the others. Naevia takes advantage of this and fatally injures him. In his last breath, he claims his death will not undo what he has done to each and every one of them and laughs at how their imminent defeat is because of him, before being decapitated by Naevia.

His head is then delivered to Glaber who smiles as this was the decision he had desired.

List of Appearances

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Spartacus: Vengeance

Books

Ashur appears as one of the major characters in Spartacus: Morituri.

Video Games

  • It was recently announced that Ashur will become available, as a playable character, after beating him in Spartacus Legends. He arrived a the first of 3 new legendary gladiators in the latest update. His fight style in the game is that of a dual-dagger.

Trivia

  • Nick E Tarabay, the actor who plays Ashur is 183cm (6'0") tall.
  • Ashur fights in the Thraex style equipped with a parmula and a sica.
  • The Latin term for an assassin, as Ashur was for Batiatus and Glaber on occasion, was Sicarius or "dagger man".
  • In Blood and Sand, Ashur was employed for on a series of need-to-know tasks involving book-keeping and counter-intelligence. Ashur, for his services, was elevated to serve in the Villa at his master's side. A possible Latin term for his position would be Secretarius (origin of secretary), which pertained to matters of a confidential nature.
  • Under Roman law, the entire household of slaves could be put to death if even one of their number kills their dominus. As a large section of the Roman nobility of Capua were slaughtered in the Ludus of Batiatus on the first day of the rebellion, Ashur took a huge risk in returning to the villa. If not for his care for Lucretia and his apprehension of Oenomaus, he would have been executed.
  • Despite the fact that the show frequently refers Ashur as "Syrian", he would - historically - in fact be Assyrian. "Ashur" is an ancient Assyrian/Babylonian name, from the Assyrian Chief God; Ashur. Due to the authoritative influence of Greek geographers and ethnographers on the Romans and consequently, the rest of western civilization, the voiceless palato-alveolar sibilant(IPA; ʃ) was replaced with a voiceless alveolar sibilant(IPA; s), because of the absence of the former phoneme in Greek, hence Ashur becomes Assyr and by extension the people of Ashur become "Assyrians".
  • The Aramaic name of Ashur may be a cognate of the Hebrew name "Asher", and so was perhaps a common name among the Semitic-speaking societies of the Middle East.
    • Its possible that Ashur comes from what was then the Parthian-ruled province of Athura (Assyria), to the immediate east of Seleucid Syria, as it was still a predominantly Aramaic-speaking region in the Middle East.
  • Ashur is a direct enemy and main personal antagonist of several individuals. This includes: Crixus, Barca, Dagan, Oenomaus, Naevia, Lucretia, Gannicus and Salvius.
  • Ashur appears to have knowledge of the Vesuvius Temple, the main base of operations of the rebels, which could mean that he had once roamed free throughout the Roman lands.
  • During conversation with Lucretia, Ashur revealed to having never known his father.
  • Throughout the first season, Ashur and Spartacus have mutual hatred of Crixus and interacted well on many occasions, though Spartacus knew better not to trust him.
  • In Vengeance, Ashur spoke of his wish to inherit the Ludus of Batiatus as the foundation of the future House of Ashur. As a freedman, Ashur would have held a limited form of Roman citizenship. Though barred from politics, a former gladiator could become a Lanista.
    • As a potential freedman in Glaber's service, if not for Lucretia and Illythia's betrayal, Ashur would perhaps have adopted the personal name and the Gens (clan name) of his patron, possibly that of Gaius Claudius Ashur.
  • Creator of the series, Steven S. DeKnight, stated that Ashur is the series' "wild card".
  • Historically, it was believed the plot to escaped the ludus was betrayed. Ashur, being deceitful and with mistrust amongst the Brotherhood, may have been a representation of that betrayal.
  • Ashur was often referred to as a "Serpent" by many characters.
  • Ashur was the ninth main character to be killed.
    • The events leading to Ashur's death mirror that of his victim Barca: they were both fiercely loyal to their superiors, only to lose their trust through false information and be betrayed by them.

Quotes

"You fucking cunt(s)!"
Ashur

"You're all the same. Spartacus, Crixus, the noble Oenomaus. Fallen to ruin for a woman plowed by other men's cock."
Ashur to Oenomaus

"And who will fight Ashur? Choose carefully, for I long for blood." [1]
Ashur to Gladiators

"Up, you fucking goat! Dominus does not pay you to dream of tits and cunts."
Ashur to Aulus

"All men fall. It's but time and method that differ."
Ashur

"Whatever you need, Ashur provides."
Ashur to Crixus

"I am a villain, but I'm not your villain."
Ashur

"My fucking treachery? When did YOU stand forth for Ashur? When did any of you greet me short of mockery, and scorn!? Fucking cunts!"
Ashur to Oenomaus

"It is a thing of beauty, is it not? What a man may accomplish if his mind is set to purpose."
Ashur to Lucretia

"And I was considered lowest among the brotherhood."
Ashur to Glaber

"They are freely given by the dead, who no longer have need of them."
Ashur to Lucretia

Gallery

References

  1. Spartacus: Blood and Sand Season 1; Episode 9
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