Spartacus: Blood and Sand

For the Season One episode list, see List of Episodes in Season One.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that premiered on January 22, 2010. The series focuses on the historical figure of Spartacus (played by Andy Whitfield), a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S. DeKnight and Robert Tapert focused on structuring the events of Spartacus' obscure early life leading to the records of history. The show has been rated TV-MA for graphic violence, strong sexual content, and coarse language.

On December 22, 2009, it was announced that the show was renewed for a second season before even premiering. However, on March 9, 2010, IGN.com reported that the production of Season 2 has been delayed due to star Andy Whitfield being diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. According to the weekly New York magazine, due to the delay, Starz developed a six-episode prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

It would later follow up with an official second season, Spartacus: Vengeance, following the role of Spartacus being granted to Liam McIntyre and premiered January 27, 2012.

Official Description of Spartacus: Blood and Sand From Starz

Betrayed by the Romans, forced into slavery, reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic's most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man, more than a gladiator. He must become a legend.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand © 2009 Starz Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Synopsis

The story begins with an unnamed Thracian’s involvement in the war against the Getae in Roman auxiliary under the command of the Legatus, Gaius Claudius Glaber. Glaber, persuaded by his wife Ilithyia to seek greater glory, instead decides to confront the forces of Mithradates. The Thracian, feeling betrayed, leads a mutiny against Glaber, and returns to find his village destroyed. The Thracian and his wife Sura are captured by Glaber the next day; the Thracian is condemned to die in the arena for inciting mass desertion of the auxiliary, and Sura is condemned to slavery. The Thracian is sentenced to death, and is forced to fight four gladiators. However, he manages to kill the gladiators, and Senator Albinius commutes the prisoner's punishment to slavery. Since the prisoner's true name is unknown, Batiatus suggests to Albinius to name him "Spartacus", because he fought like the ferocious Thracian king of that name.

Seeing the Thracian's skill and popularity with the crowd, Lentulus Batiatus purchases him for training in his ludus' in Capua. Spartacus joins Batiatus’ gladiators under the tutelage of Doctore, a former gladiator but fellow slave. He is befriended by Varro, a Roman who sold himself into slavery in order to pay his debts and support his family. However, he is harassed by more senior gladiators, notably Crixus, an undefeated Gaul, and Barca, a Carthaginian. Soon, Spartacus learns that Sura was sold to a Syrian slave trader. Batiatus, who has been unable to control Spartacus during his first days of training, discovers the instrument of his taming, and persuades Spartacus to fight for his and Sura's freedom.

Spartacus' gladiatorial career is soaring but he is heartbroken when Sura is delivered to him mortally wounded, which is unbeknownst to him a power play by Batiatus in order to keep his loyalty. Crixus awakens from his wounds during the same fight which brought Spartacus stardom to find his status as champion of Capua stolen by Spartacus. Spartacus casts off his history as a Thracian, and forgets his dream of freedom, becoming content with life as champion. The turning point is when he is forced to kill his only friend in the ludus, Varro, when Ilithyia seduces the editor of an exhibition match in order to hurt Spartacus. While suffering from his wound in this match, he has fever dreams that lead him to discover Batiatus arranged Sura's death. Knowing that it is all or nothing when it comes to resistance of his enslavement, he resolves to "kill them all" and lead a revolt against the ruling house he once fought for.

Cast and Characters

• Main Cast
• Supporting Cast
• Guest Cast
• Uncredited

• Andy Whitfield as Spartacus – a Thracian warrior who joins the Roman auxiliary to fight off his enemies. Later condemned to the arena, he becomes a gladiator in the ludus of Quintus Lentulus Batiatus in order to rescue his wife. Producer Rob Tapert said that crew wanted an unknown actor to portray the role; while Whitfield has appeared in Australian television and film, Spartacus marked his United States debut.
• Erin Cummings as Sura – the Thracian wife of Spartacus. She is enslaved after her husband rebels against the Romans.
• John Hannah as Quintus Lentulus Batiatus – a Lanista and Spartacus' master. Ambitious and cunning, he craves higher social and political status and will do whatever he must to rise in the world of Rome.
• Lucy Lawless as Lucretia – Batiatus' wife who matches her husband in both temperament and deceit.
• Peter Mensah as Doctore/Oenomaus – A Numidian and former gladiator in the ludus. He now serves as Batiatus' trainer of gladiators.
• Manu Bennett as Crixus – a Gaul, he is Batiatus' top gladiator and "Champion of Capua". He is known famously as the Undefeated Gaul.
• Viva Bianca as Ilithyia – the beautiful and spoiled daughter of senator Albinius and wife of Glaber.
• Nick Tarabay as Ashur – An Assyrian and former gladiator. His leg was crippled by Crixus in the arena so he now serves Batiatus as a bookkeeper and henchman.
• Katrina Law as Mira – Hispanic slave in the House of Batiatus. She develops feelings towards Spartacus and he in turn holds her with affection.

Craig Parker as Gaius Claudius Glaber – a Roman army Legatus who is responsible for Spartacus' enslavement as a gladiator and the enslavement of his wife, Sura.

Lesley-Ann Brandt as Naevia – Lucretia's personal and loyal body slave. She becomes the love interest of Crixus.

Jai Courtney as Varro – a Roman citizen who sold himself to the ludus to support his family. He and Spartacus form a close friendship.

Antonio Te Maioha as Barca – nicknamed the "Beast of Carthage", he is one of Batiatus' most successful gladiators, and serves as bodyguard and hit man for his master.

Eka Darville as Pietros – Egyptian slave to Batiatus, aiding Doctore in training and the lover of Barca.

Raicho Vasilev as Gnaeus – a Dacian gladiator in the ludus. He fights in the unique style of Retiarius and is one of the more skilled gladiators in theHouse of Batiatus.

Ioane King as Rhaskos – a Gaul gladiator who is an admirer and close friend of Crixus.

Karl Drinkwater as Kerza – a Roman fugitive who becomes a gladiator within the House of Batiatus.

Danial Feuerriegel as Agron – trainee gladiator and the older, more skilled, brother of Duro.

Ande Cunningham as Duro – trainee gladiators and the younger, less skilled, brother of Agron.

David Austin as Medicus – Roman slave responsible for treating the gladiators' injuries.

Siaosi Fonua as Hamilcar – a Sardinian gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Tim Foley as Hector – a guard in Batiatus' villa.

Craig Walsh-Wrightson as Marcus Decius Solonius – A Lanista in Capua and chief-rival of Batiatus

Brooke Williams as Aurelia – the wife of Varro.

John Bach as Titus Calavius – the current Magistrate of Capua and the father of Numerius.

Janine Burchett as Domitia Calavius – the wife of Titus Calavius and mother of Numerius.

Lliam Powell as Numerius Calavius – Magistrate Calavius' son who has an affinity for gladiators.

Greg Ward as Mercato – a Roman noble who procures gladiators for the arena in Capua.

Brooke Harmon as Licinia – Roman noble from Capua who is the cousin of Marcus Licinius Crassus and friend of Ilithyia and Lucretia.

Tania Nolan as Caecilia – Roman noble of Capua and friend of Lucretia and Ilithyia.

Mia Pistorius as Aemilia – Roman noble of Capua and friend of Lucretia and Ilithyia. She is also the wife of former Magistrate, Sextus.

Matt Gillanders as Marcellus – a Romen slave trader within Capua.

Josh Randall as Iovis – a Roman soldier under the command of Gaius Claudius Glaber.

Matthew Chamberlain as Ovidius – a Roman merchant and business rival of Batiatus.

Mark Mitchinson as Aulus – a Roman henchman who serves Batiatus.

Sarah Holder as Thessela – Greek body slave of Ilithyia.

Kyle Rowling as Drenis – a Thracian warrior who is part of the auxiliary with Spartacus under the command of Gaius Claudius Glaber in order to wipe out the Getae.

John Rawls as Byzo  – a Thracian who is part of the auxiliary with Spartacus under the command of Gaius Claudius Glaber in order to wipe out the Getae.

Kyle Pryor as Marcus – a Roman gladiator trainee and part of Spartacus' recruitment group.

Reuben De Jong as Theokoles – a legendary Greek gladiator who is known and feared famously as "The Shadow of Death".

Campbell Cooley as Arkadios – a Greek gladiator who is known famously as the "Scourge of Athens" for the House of Solonius.

Thomas Kiwi as Pericles – a Greek gladiator from Pompeii. He is known famously as the "Titan of Pompeii".

Jon Brazier as Ramel – a Roman jewlery merchant in Capua.

Kevin J. Wilson as Senator Albinius – Ilithyia's father and one of the Senators of the Roman Republic.

Andrew Laing as Sextus – a Roman noble and former Magistrate of Capua. He is also the husband of Aemilia.

Michael Morris as Vesper – a Roman soldier under the command of Gaius Claudius Glaber.

Stephen Butterworth as Trebius – a Roman slaver opperating within Capua.

Phil Grieve as Pompeii Magistrate  – the Magistrate of the city of Pompeii. 

Mike Edward as Segovax – a Gaul gladiator trainee under Ilithyia's patronage. He craves freedom and willing to do anything to achieve it.

Steven Smith as Recruit 4 – a Sardinian gladiator trainee who dreams about becoming a legend in the arena.

Marcus Johnson as Anubis – a Numidian who serves as the announcer for The Pit.

Andrew B. Stehlin as Rabanus – a Sardinian gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Graham Vincent as Pollux – a Numidian gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Shayne Blaikie as Unknown Gladiator – a middle-aged Greek gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Fortune Shumba as Ortius – a Numidian gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Levi Holley as Leviticus – a Judean gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Maxim Bakunov as Mannus – a Gaul gladiator in the House of Batiatus.

Nigel Willoughby as Euclid – a slave in the House of Batiatus serving as the cook for the gladiators.

Raicho Vasilev as Ixion  – a vicious fighter in The Pit who wears the faces of those he kills.

Made Man Chris as Santos – a Numidian who serves as the Body Slave to Batiatus.

Episode List

• 1. The Red Serpent
• 2. Sacramentum Gladiatorum
• 3. Legends
• 4. The Thing in the Pit
• 5. Shadow Games
• 6. Delicate Things
• 7. Great and Unfortunate Things
• 8. Mark of the Brotherhood
• 9. Whore
• 10. Party Favors
• 11. Old Wounds
• 12. Revelations
• 13. Kill Them All

Videos

Trailer

Spartacus Blood and Sand - Official Trailer-0

The Official Trailer of Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Clips and Interviews

Spartacus Blood and Sand - San Diego Comic-Con 2009 Panel STARZ-0

Reception

The premiere episode of the series set a record for Starz, with 553,000 viewers on their network, and another 460,000 on Encore, where the show was available only that weekend. Critical reception of the first episode was varied; the review aggregate website Metacritic gave the show a score of 54 out of 100. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gave it the grade B+, saying it "might prove to be the not-at-all-guilty pleasure of the season." Barry Garron of the Hollywood Reporter suggested that with "such thin stories...it's small wonder that sex and violence are used to take up the slack." Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times wrote that John Hannah as Batiatus "keeps the show grounded with a persuasive portrait of a man engaged in a stressful daily business" and called Whitfield as Spartacus "handsome and buff and smart and beastly."

Historical Context

The show opens with a disclaimer regarding the show's representation of the historical Roman society: "Spartacus depicts extreme sensuality, brutality and language that some viewers may find objectionable. The show is a historical portrayal of ancient Roman society and the intensity of the content is to suggest an authentic representation of that period." Producers Steven S. DeKnight and Robert Tapert have stated they use two historical consultants, with whom they exchanged scripts.

• Most gladiators were not killed in the arena, but kept alive due to the high cost of slaves, including the months long training and upkeep of Gladiators.
• Roman legionaries are portrayed wearing lorica segmentata. However, the first attested use of this type of armor dates to around 9 BC, six decades after Spartacus' revolt.
• Ilithyia's father is still alive, and she is depicted as able to purchase a slave. Patria potestas meant that a son or daughter could only own property once their father had died. Also, Ilithyia has an allowance from her husband. Historically, the law prevented gifts from a man to his wife, including allowances. Regardless, anything in the possession of a woman with a living father would have belonged to him.
• In the show 6 slaves are purchased by Batiatus for 100 denarii. The average price for a slave was 960-4000 denarii (with the cheapest known costing 75 denarii).
• Historically, the revolt of Spartacus began with the rebels seizing kitchen utensils and using these as weapons.
• Spartacus calls himself a Thracian with obvious national pride, although that was a Greek term used for his people, and there is no evidence they used it for themselves.
• Although Spartacus: Blood and Sand depicts Getae as clearly distinct from and enemies of "Thrace" historically Getae are Thracians. 
  • The show also depicts the Getae as a barbaric tribe and the Maedi as civil. Historically, the Getae were the civil, peaceable tribe while the Maedi were the barbaric tribe. The historian Plutarch claims Spartacus came from this tribe, which wouldn't have been out of place since the majority of Romans saw Spartacus as a barbarian himself, and so the Maedi would have been the perfect tribe to claim he was from.
• Historically, it is believed that Spartacus spent one to two year within the Ludus while in the show he spends two years as a gladiator. However, there are speculations that he was enslaved over a decade earlier, or that he was among Marius and Crassus troops during the Social War, possibly as a part of their cavalry; Thracians were known for being horsemen.
  • There is no historical context that Spartacus was a Champion gladiator.

Other than what can be said historically, Blood and Sand is mostly historical fiction, as very little can be said about Spartacus' time in Batiatus Ludus.

External links

• Template:Official
• Spartacus Blood And Sand
• Template:Tv.com
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