“Spartacus”: Too Far-fetched

I guess this all started when I watched a BBC discussion programme about ‘Spartacus: Blood and sand’ when the mini TV series first came out two or three years ago. I think the general consensus was that the series from an historical point of view was generally implausible and should largely be taken with a grain of salt. This, however, didn’t satisfy my curiosity to see for myself what the fuss over this new version of a hero turned legend was all about.

Over a year ago I came across some DVDs of the series and couldn’t resist a purchase. A Christian husband and wife, despite their avid purchase and love of watching DVDs and movies – particularly the wife - had to abandon their viewing, due to the series sexual content which, although falls short of anything hard core, is pretty intimate, not to mention nudity, and bad to atrocious language spoken throughout.

I mean it is, and admittedly, pretty graphic.

‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’follows the adult gladiatorial life of the infamous slave turned freedom fighter who revolted against the Roman Empire when it was still a republic. In this series he’s a Thracian native who decides to leave his wife to enlist as a soldier in one of the legions commanded by a top official called Lentulous Glaber. His wife, after having a prophetic dream, has misgivings about his decision and warns him that he’s destined for ‘great but unfortunate things.’ Undaunted, he carries out his mission, but it isn’t long before his wife’s predictions begin to happen. He disrupts the tactical maneuverings of the leader of his garrison, believing them to be mistaken. Shortly after he is captured by Lentulous Glaber who has his wife sent to Syria and Spartacus sold to become a gladiator in Capua, in a ludus headed by a prestigious trainer called Batiatus. Glaber, who begrudges Spartacus, thinking him too insolent to be kept alive – not to mention his desertion from his legions – tries to have him killed in the arena. By a series of miracles and misfortunes and decisions which keep Spartacus alive, he becomes champion among Batiatus’s gladiators. However, Spartacus isn’t duped by any promise of glory, thinking a slave’s destiny is only to “spill blood to give pleasure to the Romans,”and is only interested in being reunited with his wife. However, he’s tricked into believing Batiatus who’s sole interest is to use Spartacus’s fortunes for his own political advancement. It isn’t until he dreams that Batiatus had his wife murdered, that he incites the rest of the gladiators to revolt and kill Batiatus and all of his household. So, he unleashes a revolt against Rome and embarks on a quest for vengeance.