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Newest Repackaging Of Inspirational Tale Is The TV Program Spartacus
The recent TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand is the latest of many works focusing on the career of the historical Roman slave and gladiator of that name. Although not much is really known about Spartacus beyond the role he played in the "Third Servile War", a major slave rebellion against the Romans, his struggle has been inspirational to oppressed peoples and to literary writers since ancient times.
The television series appeals primarily to teenagers and young adults, especially men and teenage boys. You should be forewarned that this program is far more violent than another program that appeals to the same demographics, the science fiction show Caprica.
Spartacus lived between 109 BC and 71 BC. Historians generally agree that he was from the Thracian people, are lived in the Balkans. Although he was a slave, Spartacus was probably an ex-soldier, and he was picked out to be a gladiator, and sent for training to the school for gladiators at Capua, run by Lentulus Batiatus.
In 73 BC a small group, led by Spartacus, plotted to escape from the school. After being betrayed, they had to fight their way out, using makeshift weapons taken from the kitchens. They managed to seize several wagon loads of armor and weapons, and their revolt was joined by other escaped slaves. Spartacus and his men defeated the forces sent it to subdue them, and then retired to more defensible positions on Mount Vesuvius.
Over the next two years the rebel force increased to about 70,000. Spartacus was an able and successful leader, and he defeated several Roman forces which were sent against him.
Finally the Roman Senate chose Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, to crush the revolt. Crassus was given a force of 40,000 soldiers organized into eight legions. With great brutality Crassus crushed the rebellion. Spartacus probably died in one of the final battles, although his body was never identified. The Romans took 6000 prisoners, all of whom were crucified alongside the road from Capua to Rome.
The story of Spartacus has been the subject of numerous literary works including poems, novels and movies. It has also been an inspiration to enslaved peoples and revolutionary leaders throughout history.
In culture the best known portrayal of Spartacus was by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film, Spartacus. English actors Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivier played the Romans. Ustinov was the gladiator school owner, Lentulus Batiatus, and Olivier was the high ranking, and brutal Crassus.
Most recently the Spartacus story is retold in the TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand. This was first shown in January 2010. The first series covers the events up to the start of the revolt. Andy Whitfield plays Spartacus. The start of the second series has unfortunately been delayed due to Whitfield's serious illness, but is now provisionally scheduled for September 2011. The 2010 series of Spartucus is a DVD now.
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