Decimus

Decimus
First appearance	S3E02: Wolves at the Gate
Last appearance	S3E02: Wolves at the Gate
Profession	City Guard
Race	Roman
Relationships	Ennius (Employer, deceased)
Status	Deceased
Actor/Actress	Sam Snedden

Decimus is a Roman employed by Ennius to guard the city of Sinuessa, specifically its front gate.

Character Outline

Decimus is a young man wearing the typical attire for a city guard in Sinuessa and carries a mace as his weapon. He likely holds some form of authority as he is given the task of overseeing the gate, but isn't above taking bribes.

War of the Damned

When Spartacus is stopped at the gate by Decimus and his guards, he hands a small number of coins to Decimus in an attempt to bribe his way past the inspection. Decimus insinuates that Spartacus has not bribed him with a sufficient amount and instead asks for the jeweles and brace upon Spartacus' wrist (Which would expose his brand). Spartacus lies and states it is a treasure he could not part with. Decimus then tells Spartacus for him and the others to take their leave. It is only when Spartacus drops the name of Laurus that Decimus allows Spartacus, Crixus, and Gannicus into the city. Spartacus then thanks Decimus for his aid and flips him another coin before telling him he will see him well rewarded in time. He is killed offscreen when Spartacus and his army conquer Sinuessa in Valle.

Trivia

• In Latin, Decimus means 'tenth', originally in regard to a tenth son, before becoming a generic first name in Roman culture.
• In Latin, guards were called Custodes. And perhaps for city guards were called Custodes Urbani.

• Outside of the Roman legions, there was no central organization for militia forces that existed strictly for policing and civil defense duties across Italy during the Republican era. The Urban Cohorts and the Vigiles were created during the administration of Augustus Caesar for Rome and parts of Latium only, so little is known about policing in Italy. Many cities in Italy at the time were former military colonies, and some local militias across Italy would have been formed from discharged legionaries and mercenaries with no permanent chain of command and were paid by whichever ruling magistrate was holding office at the time.

• Because he was in charge at the city-gates, this guard's rank may have been that of a Tesserarius, which was a non-commissioned officer and a watch commander.

Quotes

"State name and business within Sinuessa."
—Decimus to Spartacus

"Give over weapons and grace ear of the man [Laurus] that Decimus saw you well treated."
—Decimus to Spartacus

References

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