| Sibyl | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| First appearance | S3E02: Wolves at the Gate | |
| Last appearance | S3E10: Victory | |
| Profession | Slave Escaped Slave Rebel | |
| Race | Greek | |
| Relationships | Laurus (Former Dominus, deceased) Diotimos (Friend/Fellow Slave, deceased) Gannicus (Lover, deceased) Laeta (Friend) Kore (Friend, deceased) Rebel Mother (Friend) | |
| Status | Active | |
| Actor/Actress | Gwendoline Taylor | |
Sibyl is a young and beautiful Greek slave, rescued from Roman enslavement by Gannicus and the rebels in War of the Damned. Now free, she wants a glimpse of affection from her savior. She is refered to as "Little Thing" by Saxa on numerous occasions, due to her youth and innocence.
Appearance
Sibyl is a young slave with long, dark brown hair usually worn in a side braid, blue eyes and fair skin. She wears a ragged tunic of grey and blue, befitting her status as a slave. Like most lower-ranking slaves, she is often barefoot. She is of a slender and petite figure.
Personality
Sibyl is a shy, sweet and innocent young slave, who is timid, kind and soft-spoken. She is also highly spiritual, and holds strong belief in the gods. Believing that they are watching over rebels like Spartacus and Gannicus, She believes Gannicus was a gift sent to save her and her fellows slaves from Roman cruelty. From this she develops an affection towards the Celt and wishes to do what she can to repay him.
In many regards, Sibyl is the exact opposite of Saxa, who is loud, brash, violent and well aware of her sexuality. This is perhaps what first caught the attention of Gannicus.
War of the Damned
Sibyl witnesses a slave's death.
Sibyl lives in the city of Sinuessa en Valle as a slave to Laurus . Fear of Spartacus runs rampant among the Romans in the city, with many slaves being executed if any are even thought of being sympathetic to the rebellion - on this day, a man among her group, Sinuessa Slave is sentenced to be stoned.
Sibyl before being set free by Gannicus
Sibyl watches in horror and shock as the slave is slowly killed by having stones thrown at him by a group of Romans; however, he meets a quick end as Spartacus aims for the man's head, killing him instantly.
As night falls and the city is seized by Spartacus, Gannicus and the other Rebels, Sibyl and the other slaves in the villa are nearly rescued by Diotimos - but he is killed by Laurus, who then turns on his slaves. Sibyl tries to grab Diotimos' sword to defend the other slaves and herself, but she is kicked by Laurus and cornered. When he threatens to kill all of them, Gannicus arrives, slashing his head in two, and freeing the slaves, Sibyl included. She becomes immediately infatuated with him.
Sibyl watching Gannicus.
In the days that follow, Sibyl timidly shadows Gannicus, careful never to come too close, but her appearance is noticed by Saxa who later confronts her - she takes her to a Roman home and dresses her up in a beautiful white gown befitting a Roman lady, before bringing Gannicus in to see her.
Sibyl, comforted by Gannicus.
Saxa caresses Sibyl, then undresses her. Gannicus stares mesmerized, his eyes transfixed upon Sibyl. He is in awe with the innocence of Sibyl and strokes her face, while staring awestruck. Gannicus is attracted to her but is moved by her innocence. After a few minutes he seems to escape out of whatever trance he was in and tells Sibyl to gather her things and leave. Sibyl appears confused and taken aback at his dismissal. When she leaves, Gannicus looks saddened but when questioned by Saxa he tells her that he doesn't want a girl - he wants a woman.
Saxa confronts Sibyl for staring at her man.
Sibyl waits outside, holding her idol in her hands. When Gannicus comes out to leave, she explains that he has not granted her an opportunity to thank him for saving her life. She owes him everything. He shrugs, uninterested in the story many have told him before, but she stays firm in her belief insisting he is as a hero sent by the gods. He holds her chin and gently warns her that she should stay away from him and men of his kind.
Sibyl bumps into Laeta one day who is on her way with ample bread to see to feeding the Romans she helped escape and hide under her husband's
Laeta bumping into Sibyl.
stables, and as they collide, the bread falls to the ground. Sibyl is shocked to see her with such a large supply. Laeta implores her not to speak of this to anyone. She recognizes Sibyl to be one of Laurus' slaves. Sibyl mentions that she often dreamed of being Laeta's house slave and prayed to be free of Laurus and his cruelty. As Laeta leaves, Sibyl watches after her suspiciously, understanding dawning that Laeta was attempting to hide something.
Sibyl attempts to deliver her concerns to Gannicus but Saxa teasingly interrupts saying Gannicus won't talk to someone who doesn't drink or have sex. When Sibyl brushes that aside, imploring them to listen to what is worrying her, Gannicus listens concerned.
Laeta is in the stables delivering the news of Marcus Crassus' arrival outside of Sinuessa to the Romans she helped free when Sibyl, along with Gannicus and Saxa, arrive and confront her. Laeta looks to Sibyl and Sibyl apologizes to her and explains that she had to tell someone what she had seen. Laeta says she had been a fool to trust a rebellious slave. Gannicus realizes that Laeta and not Attius had been the one responsible for hiding the Romans and that he had been wrongfully accused and died for a crime he had not committed. Enraged, he leaves Saxa and Sibyl to find answers, telling Saxa to deliver the missing Romans to Spartacus.
Sometime after the massacre led by Crixus, Sibyl appears taking care of the surviving prisoners in Spartacus' house. After the city evacuation she appears in front of Gannicus. He mentions that he thought she had already left for Melia Ridge but she says she did not wish to leave without having a word with him first. She explains that before the rebels took over the city she had prayed to the gods that they would see her to freedom from her dominus and that in him, it appeared that her prayers had been answered. He doesn't care for her explanation and says that this is a story told to him many times before. She clarifies simply stating that it is not something she expects him to believe but wants him to accept that it is what she holds to be true. She wishes him luck and embraces him saying "May the gods watch over you". Gannicus is moved by her affection and concern and replies by saying that may the gods watch over her as well, in case he cannot. Sibyl walks away and they both turn back to look at each other before Sibyl hurries off.
Soon after, when the city is being emptied due to the Romans attack, Sibyl is trapped within the city walls with no way out. Gannicus, with Donar, finds her in the grain store before they set it alight. She rushes to him instantly, frightened of the massacre occuring in the city. He tells her to stay by his side if she desires to live. Eventually, Donar is injured and believed to be dead, hopelessness and a sense of inevitable death filling the air. Sibyl looks to Gannicus and tells him that if she is to die tonight, she is thankful to share her last moment with him. Gannicus holds out his hand to Sibyl and tells her that many have fallen but she shall not be one of them as the two then take off into the city.
Sibyl and Gannicus hide in Laeta's husband's stable. Roman soldiers who had been searching for slaves in hiding in the stables eventually leave. Gannicus appears forlon stating that the soldiers had been talking of victory and that many of the rebels had been killed. Sibyl gently reminds him that they had also been cursing about Spartacus escaping. Gannicus is injured and Sibyl tears a piece of cloth from her dress and bandages Gannicus' hand. She mentions that the gods favor Spartacus and that they bless them both as well. Gannicus asks her how she can be optimistic when the gods are making them suffer like this. She tells him that the gods have helped guide his hands and see them to safety so far. She has faith that they would deliver them from this dark hour. Gannicus remains unconvinced and instead focuses his attention on his bandage. He realizes that she has experience in taking care of injuries. She admits that she often helped injured slaves when hurt by her Dominus. Gannicus reads what she is not telling him and asks her if there was someone who tended to her injuries. Sibyl pauses lost in thought and Gannicus turns his head to gauge her answer. She remarks that Diotimos showed her kindness. Gannicus says "Did he now?" and reading his wild assumption correctly, Sibyl gently retorts that he had been like a brother to her. Gannicus apologizes to her. She looks him in the eye and reminds him that he was the one who struck down the man who took Diotimos' life and her's as well - small piece at a time over a span of years. He looks around at their
Sibyl discovered by Romans.
present situation defeatedly and tells her that his actions had not made a difference afterall. She meets his gaze and tells him that he has "made all in the world". Romans return to the stable to gather wood and Gannicus realizes they are going to be discovered if he doesn't attack, he uses Sibyl as a bait making her pray loud enough so a Roman would hear. When a Roman soldier discovers them, Gannicus kills him and tells Sibyl to take her life if he cannot kill all of the Romans surrounding them, he says it would be a kindness in comparison to what they would do to her. Sibyl takes the sword, heeding his words. Gannicus kills all the Roman soldiers and appears as Sibyl is holding the sword to her neck. He smiles at her admitting that he's beginning to believe in her gods. He holds out his hand to her and they leave the stables.
While Sibyl and Gannicus are spying from the roof tops on the Romans they find out that Heracleo, who ended up betraying the rebels and believed to have been killed by Spartacus, was still alive, they also find out that he has taken Laeta as a prisoner. Sibyl and Gannicus make a move on Heracleo, Gannicus
threatens him with a sword and the Cilician responds by saying during their fight his sword might slaughter Gannicus' woman (indicating Sibyl), Gannicus says that she is not his woman and attacks him. During the fight, Gannicus, thinking he had taken down the pirate, is distracted fighting the other Cilicians that accompanied their leader. Heracleo, still conscious, reaches for Sibyl while Gannicus is distracted. Sibyl fights back but she isn't skilled enough to last, and Heracleo presses a sword to her
Heracleo pressing a sword to Sibyl's throat.
throat. Gannicus quickly realizes what is happening and yells her name, panicked. The Cilician pirate immediately uses Gannicus' concern to his advantage saying "So you do care for the little one? But it's a pity now that you have killed her!" Gannicus looks on horrified and helpless screaming "No!", then he watches, shocked as suddenly the Cilician is stabbed in the throat by Laeta with a hot branding iron. Sibyl stands before Heracleo's dead body, in a state of shock. Immediately, Gannicus races to Sibyl and for the first time initiates an embrace between them. He holds her head and looks her over, asking her if she's hurt. Sibyl assures him that she is fine and insists that they help Laeta since she is now a branded slave.
Gannicus, Sibyl and Laeta try to escape by stealing horses but Caesar notices them, forcing Gannicus to draw his sword. Gannicus distracts Caesar and the soldiers as Sibyl and Laeta get the horses. He rides with Sibyl on a horse while fighting off Romans, until they make it out of the city unharmed.
When they find the rebels once again, Sibyl appears uncomfortable when Saxa rushes to embrace Gannicus. When Spartacus asks Gannicus how he survived he makes a reference to the gods and smiles to Sibyl, indicating that he has growing affection towards her. She is now also wearing Heracleo's silver lined cloak in the cold weather which had been on Gannicus when they had fled from Sinuessa.
Following their escape and arrival at the new camp, Gannicus and Sibyl part ways, but he turns down Saxa's advances when he realizes that Sibyl is watching them. He justifies his actions as a desire to focus on the coming storm that threatens the camp, but as he walks away he glances at Sibyl and smiles.
Later, Sibyl is seen praying before an altar out in the snow. She pleads with the gods for deliverance
Gannicus carrying Sibyl to shelter.
from their current predicament, apparently unconcerned with the frigid weather from the storm. She is still wearing Heracleo's cloak.
As the storm grows worse, Saxa alerts Spartacus to the fact that Gannicus is not to be found and Spartacus goes out to look for him. He is soon forced back into the tent by the cold, but assures Saxa that the storm is not enough to kill Gannicus. It is clear that Spartacus is unsure of his own words.
Gannicus is indeed out in the storm looking for Sibyl. He finds her with a group of other people and is angry to see that she is offering her own blood as a sacrifice to the gods. He tells the others to seek shelter and carries the bleeding Sibyl away from the altar. He struggles through the storm, lost, trying to reach the camp. When he sees a large, overturned cart he seeks shelter there instead.
He dresses Sibyl's wound and comments that they are again trapped, wounded and left with
Sibyl and Gannicus making gentle love in the snow.
no choice but to pray. She is amused and pleased at the idea of him praying. Gannicus tells her he prays upon many things now but he would never be so naive to cut himself. She explains that it was meant as a sacrifice for Spartacus. He is amused and teases that does she believe Spartacus a god now. She gently explains that it was made on behalf of Spartacus for his cause and all those devoted to his cause. Gannicus is touched by her sincerity and acknowledges that he has been a fool to doubt her beliefs in the past. The severity of the storm outside shakes the cart dangerously and Sibyl, in their close proximity, moves into Gannicus' arms who automatically holds her. He comforts her saying that she is safe. Sibyl raises her head from his arms and impulsively kisses him. Gannicus returns the kiss but then reiterates his warning that she stay away from men like him. When Sibyl claims that he is asking her to do the impossible, Gannicus gives in to their mutual feelings and kisses her. He makes gentle love to her in the snow, keeping their cloaks wrapped around them.
When they return to the group the next day, Gannicus stays close to Sibyl and when Saxa rushes to greet him, he does not embrace her. It is clear that Saxa knows something has happened, but she says nothing.
Sibyl and Gannicus returning to the group the next day.
Sibyl is distracted by the sight of her fellow worshippers frozen to death in front of the alter. She is obviously devastated to see the gods treat their faithful so cruelly, but Spartacus suggests that their deaths might serve a purpose after all.
The days after, Sibyl and Gannicus sharing a tent, Gannicus is making a fire and Sibyl by his side helping him. Spartacus interrupts them and asks for Gannicus' help.
After the rebels take over the valley, they have a feast/party in favor of Crixus, the Undefeated Gaul. Sibyl and Gannicus drinking wine together. Sibyl makes a comment about the alcohol burning her throat and Gannicus advises Sibyl that perhaps she should drink water and turn to purer thoughts, of course in a joking manner. Sibyl understands the humor and replies by asking him to get another drink because this one is empty, she sips it all down and Gannicus kisses her before following command.
On his way to get the wine, Gannicus comes face to face with Saxa who confronts him about his affections towards Sibyl. Gannicus apologizes to her and tells her that he didn't mean to hurt her. Saxa tells him that he will ruin the "little one" (indicating Sibyl) with drink and his ways and soon enough he'll return to her bed. Gannicus simply laughs and glances at Sibyl who is smiling at him. His gaze turns thoughtful as he looks at her.
Gannicus and Sibyl kissing.
Crixus is now separating from Spartacus, as Gannicus wants to bid him goodbye. Crixus tries to persuade Gannicus to follow him and his men telling him that it would be a blessing from Jupiter himself if he did, but Gannicus declines, telling Crixus that his journey follows another path as he looks at Sibyl. Crixus turns to see who Gannicus is looking at and smiles when he realizes it's Sibyl. Crixus grins at Gannicus and tells him that there is no greater cause to turn a man from battle. They embrace and Gannicus walks over to Sibyl to kiss her, as Sibyl is now Gannicus'
woman.
When Spatacus captures Tiberius and his men he holds a night of games to honor Crixus and his men. In these games Romans will fight the rebels to the death for all the Rebels entertainment. Sibyl is shown watching these games beside Gannicus and tells him she has never seen the games before. To which he replys that it is a dim reflection of the glory. She asks if his heart yearns for such days but he tells her he does not yearn for slavery, but the fight for glory that calls to all of his kind. Sibyl looks at him and smiles. When it is Gannicus' turn to fight she shows concern while watching him battle three Romans but is relieved when she sees his superior skill. At Crixus' funeral, Sibyl and Gannicus are seen standing together holding hands. As Naevia burns Crixus' severed head each rebel calls out the name of those loved who have fallen, Sibyl calls out "For Diotimos".
Soon, the warrior rebels would stand against Rome for a final battle so that the ones who cannot fight would
Sibyl and Gannicus making love for the last time.
be able to escape and live free. Sibyl is seen kissing and making love to Gannicus as they say their final farewell. He tells her that she has to leave with the rest and he has to stay and fight for her freedom. She tells him that there is no life for her without him. He smiles and caresses her face. He tells her that she had once told him that the gods had sent him to save her and that she had been mistaken. She was the one sent and he was in need of saving. They kiss and he tells her that he will join her when the battle is over, if he survives.
Sibyl and the last of the Rebels able to live free.
She asks him what will happen if he does not survive. He tells Sibyl that he would wait for her upon the shores of the after life, Oenamaus and Melitta to keep him company, until he holds her again. She takes her idol and gives it to him, praying that the gods protect him and see Marcus Crassus and his legions fall to better men. They embrace and later Sibyl's idol is seen securely tied to Gannicus' belt. When the rebels split up in two groups, Sibyl stays in Gannicus' arms till the last moment and shares one last tearful moment, eventually parting ways and going with Laeta, Belesa, the rebel mother, and others who decide to wait for Spartacus at the mountains.
The final battle results in the defeat of the rebels, Gannicus taken for Crucifixion and Spartacus is mortally wounded. Agron and Nasir carry him to the Alps, where Sibyl, Laeta and other rebels decided to wait for him. When Agron tells Spartacus that many lives were lost in the battle, Spartacus looks at Sibyl who appears heartbroken. As he shares his final moments with the group, Sibyl is seen saddened. After burying him, Sibyl and the other rebels continue their journey out of the Roman Republic and finally, they live free.
Trivia
- The name "Sibyl", comes (via Latin) from the Greek word "Sibylla", meaning "prophetess, sibyl". In Greek and Roman legend the sibyls were ten female prophets who practiced at different holy sites in the ancient world. Gwendoline Taylor stated on Twitter that when she originally auditioned for the part, Sibyl's name was spelled "Cybele" coming from eastern mythology, this was the name of the Phrygian goddess of fertility and nature, later worshipped by the Greeks and Romans.
- She is one of the few Rebels who survived the war.
- She is the last female character to have a sex scene in the series.
- She shares some similarities with Laeta
- Both of them are introduced in the episode Wolves At The Gate.
- They have compassionate and kind personalities
- They are the last lovers of two rebel leaders, Spartacus and Gannicus. And they both lose their lovers in the final battle of the last episode.
- They are both portrayed by New Zealand actresses.
- She is Gannicus's last lover and the only one whose name does not end with "a," (others being Melitta, and Saxa)
- She is essentially Gannicus's one true love as his parting words to her is that meeting her has saved him and he would wait for her in the afterlife while Oenomaus and Melitta to keep him company until he hold her again, a sentiment that he's never expressed to another woman. Which also establishes that he holds her in same regard as Oenomaus and Melitta, who, he considers family.
- Despite Sibyl's appearance in the final credits alongside four German characters, actress Gwendoline Taylor confirmed that Sibyl is not a German.
- Sibyl is one of the only featured characters in the entire series who never kills anyone.
- Sibyl is one of the only featured characters who do not use profanity in their speech.