You were right, Varinia.
Vengeance alone is not enough.
To become like your enemy
is to lose to him.
But what's important isn't our
living or our dying...
but this new thing we've
created, however briefly.
A world without slaves.
And if you die, who will
tell that story?
Live, so that I will live.
So that we will live on.
So that it won't be wasted
or forgotten.
Did you see the look
he gave you, Varinia?
I didn't.
And even if I had...
I wouldn't care.
What sort of look?
What look, you?
What look?
You tell me!
I made a promise once
to tell our story.
It began in a small village
in Gaul...
where I was born a free woman.
Then the Romans destroyed my world
and made me a slave.
Nothing and no one could
stand against the Romans.
But Rome herself was torn
by conflict.
Bloody civil wars
raged for years...
between plebeians and their
rivals, the patricians...
led by Senator Marcus Crassus,
the richest man in the world.
As a child, he had seen his father
murdered in the Forum.
Crassus had risen from the
ashes of his family's defeat...
to unlimited wealth
and ambition.
Ambition kept in check only by his
rivals like Antonius Agrippa.
The civil wars were over. Men
smiled at one another in public.
But the fighting never stopped.
Fishing for votes?
No, just enjoying our
democratic way of life.
A new wine. From Spain.
Delicious. But I like your
cupbearer better.
Any news from Spain
along with the wine?
- A great victory by Pompey.
- Another?
The man is positively
boring in his triumphs.
I shall console myself with the way
Crassus must feel.
Pompey's no great warrior.
He got so fat on the riches of his
triumphs he can't ride his horse.
Disparage Pompey all you like
but the man gets the job done.
Victory over a handful of
vermin ridden Gaulish peasants...
is hardly the mark of
military distinction.
They say he will be Consul.
This grape...
is not to my satisfaction.
More wine.
I think I'm going to
borrow your wife, Cornelius.
The wealth of a man like Crassus
could be seen in gold or silver...
but it's true measure
was in flesh.
Thousands of slaves.
They lived out their short lives
in a world of suffering...
at the whim of their masters.
No Roman citizen gave them
a second thought.
Greetings, citizens.
Today we offer a group of
barbarians from Gaul...
courtesy of the great Pompey.
Ahoy, Batiatus.
What brings you up from Capua?
The same thing as you,
I would imagine.
My stock needs freshening.
Although how a man from the country
can bid against a Senator...
- I might as well go home.
- A modest man from the country?
Yours is widely known as the finest
gladiatorial school in all Italy.
- You flatter me.
- No, not in the least.
Look at this beauty.
And a virgin.
A virgin. Given the appetite of
our frontier troops, I doubt that.
Being a virgin is overrated.
It's just an excuse to inflate
the price.
Good teeth.
Wide hips.
And an excellent breeder.
Magnificent.
She's easy on the eye,
I'll grant you...
but these Gauls have
thin blood.
They rarely last the winter. I'd be
like throwing your money away.
Why, Batiatus,
are you in love?
Don't worry, my friend.
I won't bid against you.
You're too kind, Senator.
- But I may need a favor some day.
- Of course.
- Five hundred sesterces!
- Done!
How can the Senate choose Pompey
over you as the next Consul?
It would be a close vote.
I bought you a gift.
It's beautiful.
- You are too generous.
- Am I?
Well, I suppose I might be.
In the arms of the
richest man in Rome...
- and her husband's best friend...
- Show me.
Helena might be forgiven her
ignorance of the bracelet's origin.
It's true cost.
What is hell?
Hell is that place where the
simplest action becomes painful.
Where it hurts to walk...
to breathe, even to think.
The gold mines of Egypt
were such a hell.
Among the Thracian slaves
condemned to an early death...
one would shake
the Roman world.
His name: Spartacus.
Pick it up!
Pick it up!
No!
Stop!
So he's a Thracian, yes?
Worse. He's an animal.
Good. That's even better.
This is your lucky day,
Thracian.
What kind of a place is this?
Move!
Fresh meat!
Shut your hole!
Get back to work.
You stink, animals.
Clean yourselves.
This way.
I want these cut into thin slices.
I wouldn't give this to a dog!
I could get used to this.
I am Gannicus.
This is Spartacus.
David the Jew. He never talks.
Some say he can't.
You're Thracians?
- The crowd likes Thracians.
- Be quiet, Nordo. Eat.
Didn't get your name, friend.
You're not my friend. I don't wanna
know your name, your story.
Why not?
I might meet you in the arena
some day, and then I'll kill you.
Why wait?
You'll have plenty of chances
to fight.
Save it for when you
have no choice. Eat.
You must be the new Thracians.
I can almost tell Thracians.
You stink like pigs.
- You must be Crixus.
- You've heard of me.
Who hasn't? "Crixus the big nose."
Not surprised you could smell us.
Enough!
To your cells! Now!
Well, move, slaves!
You, Spartacus.
Where did you learn to fight?
When a Roman asks you
a question, you answer, slave.
Fighting Romans.
Crassus. What a
pleasant surprise.
I had no idea you still partook
of such common pleasures...
as our public baths.
I do not disdain the public.
You love mankind. It's only
people you can't stand.
Now, why is it that those who are
most in favor of mob rule...
stand most to benefit from the
public's greed and stupidity?
Why is it that the rich are
always so keen on reform...
after they've made their
fortune and not before?
The Republic was a fine form
of government...
when Rome was a
backwater city state.
Times have changed.
Rome rules the world now.
And one man with a strong
vision must rule Rome.
So power should be wielded
by whom?
The educated? The wealthy?
The aristocrat? By Crassus?
Or by Pompey?
Plato did say that leadership must
be left to the educated.
That leaves Pompey out.
Julius Caesar, you mean.
You've heard what
they say about him.
"Every woman's man and
every man's woman."
But you're right,
Pompey overreaches.
If he's not careful, his head will
be found hanging in the Forum...
just like that of your father
and your brother.
Was it something I said?
This is the Roman short sword...
the Gladius. From which
you get your names.
Twenty-two inches long,
three pounds in weight.
A stabbing weapon
for close work.
You kill a man with this and
you can smell his sweat...
taste his breath.
But you sons of whores...
aren't worthy of fighting
with the Gladius yet.
So you will use...
these wooden swords
while I teach you.
You, slave.
Pick it up.
Come at me.
Again.
Too slow, slave.
Pick it up.
Too slow.
Cinna!
So what do you think of our
new Thracian slaves? Good, huh?
They have spirit,
but no real talent.
I see. So you think
they're just very lucky?
And Cinna...
this boy was very expensive.
Don't damage my property.
Enough! Go! Bring her.
Come.
Come here.
Very good.
Better.
Come.
Let me smell your hair.
You know...
I can be a very good master.
Oh, yes. Now, now...
- now kiss me.
- No! No!
Hold her!
Hey, Spartacus.
- How's your nose?
- You got lucky.
Do I have to break it again?
- So where did you fight Romans?
- Thrace.
- You?
- Gaul, where I was caught.
And then later in Sicily
where slaves rebelled.
- You rebelled?
- Two times.
The Romans were terrified of us.
They still are.
Now they kill a man just
for talking about it.
Why did it fail?
Fighting Romans is like
fighting a grist mill.
The stone keeps on turning.
No matter how many times
you attack it in the end...
it grinds you down to dust.
Faster!
Put your backs into it,
you sons of whores!
Why do Africans use
the spear and the net?
I amuses the Romans to turn us
into fishermen.
I was a farmer. I never saw a net
until I came here.
Nordo, this man is trouble.
Leave him be.
In the ring, Draba, they ever pit
the knife against the spear?
The spear always wins.
Enough talking! Back to work.
Well, move, you scum!
Put your body behind the blow!
Good, Draba! Push him back.
Faster!
Harder! Are you men
or are you women?
Tomorrow some of you
have the honor...
of fighting in the arena
in Capua.
Nothing matters but that you
fight well and with courage.
Do this and even the defeated
may receive mercy.
However if that
is not your fate...
then the crowd will expect you
to meet your death honorably...
in the Roman manner,
like this.
Spartacus, kneel.
A defeated gladiator may
beg for mercy...
by raising his hand thus.
The death blow is delivered in a
single thrust to the neck...
here.
That is how a gladiator from the
house of Batiatus dies.
What's the matter, Thracian?
Lost your appetite? Eat. Drink.
- Tomorrow we die.
- I'm not dying tomorrow.
The gods decide when we die.
- I don't believe in the gods.
- You don't believe in the gods?
When I look at the heavens
I see only stars.
Blasphemer! You could be
struck down for that.
No bolt of lightning.
- So what do you believe in?
- Us.
Our will.
We decide when
we die and how.
Well, eat anyway. You'll need
your strength for tonight.
- What happens tonight?
- War, little Thracian.
Sweet war!
Quiet! Sit down!
A little wisdom.
A man is no good in the
arena if his parts shrivel up.
A gladiator is not
a litter slave.
- He is a man.
- Yeah!
And a man needs a woman.
Quiet, quiet.
For those of you
who fight tomorrow...
I graciously lend you
these lovelies.
Use them well.
And in the morning...
show me what men
you are. Cinna!
This is yours.
Idiot!
David doesn't fight tomorrow.
Crixus.
You like to play rough,
Thracian. Here.
Batiatus asks that she be
made more pliant.
See to it.
I'm Spartacus.
What are you called?
You look cold. Here.
The stones are cold at night.
You sleep there.
I won't bother you.
Wake up, you sons of whores!
Move already!
My name is Varinia.
Varinia.
Come out, now.
Today you are expected
to bring honor...
to the house of Batiatus.
Fail to do so and you will curse
the day you were born.
- Where are they going?
- Capua.
They fight today.
The Thracian, the one they call
Spartacus. Is he any good?
Couldn't say.
He's different, though.
How?
All the gladiators here are
strong men. Brave.
But they are still slaves.
They accept it. Not him.
He will not last long.
You were with him last night?
- Yes and no.
- You, girl!
Come here.
You will attend me
at the games.
But if you give me
any trouble...
I promise that our previous meeting
will feel like a mother's caress.
Now, go and get yourself
cleaned up.
Line up!
I appreciate your contribution
to my games, Batiatus.
Few people understand the financial
burden I'm expected to shoulder...
while on duty in these
dreary provinces.
Thank you. And I appreciate
the loan of your troops.
Security at an establishment
like mine...
does not come cheaply either.
- One hand washes the other.
- Of course. More wine!
A perfectly ripened pear.
- Although somewhat bruised.
- A problem with discipline.
But we're working on it.
Aren't we?
Yes, my Lord.
- On the crosses. Who are they?
- Arsonists.
They wear the tunica molesta,
soaked in pitch.
Change your mind
about the gods?
If there are gods
in this world...
they're not here.
Burn! Burn!
Crixus verses Gaius.
Gannicus verses Antonius.
Spartacus verses Commodus.
This new gladiator, Spartacus,
is he really a Thracian...
or are you still
passing off Greeks?
He's the real thing,
through and through.
Any good?
Cinna thinks the world of him.
Don't you, Cinna?
Very well. A thousand
on Spartacus.
Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill!
Are you hurt?
I thought in the mines I'd seen
man at his worst.
I was wrong.
- A slave has no choice.
- Not me.
The ones who watched, took their
pleasure in blood and death.
Good move, Thrace!
Harder! Faster!
Put your back to it!
Can't you lay with me,
Spartacus?
- Is it because Cinna ordered it?
- Because Cinna ordered it.
And Thracian men and women
are to remain chaste...
until they're married.
- Slaves don't marry.
- I would marry you.
Marriage requires a holy man.
I thought you didn't believe
in the gods.
I believe in what I can see,
hear and touch.
My tribe believes that man
was created by the gods.
- That they live in us.
- We're flesh and blood, that's all.
That is what an animal is. The
Romans say that we're animals.
That we are without souls.
But you are afraid to say
that you agree with the Romans.
I believe that I never met anyone
like you, Varinia of Gaul...
and that I love you.
Will you marry me?
- On what would you make a vow?
- On the blood that flows...
through my veins
and the breath I take...
I will be yours until
the day I die...
and in my life there'll be no other
but you, I swear.
On the blood that flows
in my veins...
and the breath I take...
- I will be yours...
- Until the day...
Until the day I die.
And in the life beyond.
- Can you tell there's life after?
- I have faith.
There will be no other man
but you.
I swear.
Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill!
Spartacus!
Master, we have visitors,
Master, from Rome.
Cornelius Lucius and his wife,
Helena. And Marcus Crassus.
Marcus Crassus is here...
and you left him
waiting outside?
Noble Crassus. You do me
a great honor, sir.
I am Lentulus Batiatus.
Please, sit.
I and my establishment are here
to serve you.
Some wine to wash away
the dust...
and some honeyed ice,
perhaps.
Yes?
- How may I serve you?
- My friends and I'd appreciate...
a private showing
of a pair of Thracians.
Excellent choice. Your Honor
is obviously a connoisseur.
- To the death.
- To the death?
That's an unusual request
for a private showing.
I see that you're joking.
That's very good.
- Very amusing.
- I am not laughing.
Of course you're not.
Well, you've asked for Thracians.
That means you must want
good dagger work.
And I have the best
in the world.
But if you want to the death,
you won't see nuance...
and you won't see subtlety.
Certainly won't see quality.
Madame.
I'm not a butcher, sir,
I am an artist.
- Yes.
- I want to give you good fighting.
Good fighting.
And to the death.
I want to see courage.
I want to see passion.
And above all...
I want to see finality.
But to the death
will cost you...
- Twenty-five thousand denarii.
- My God...
you could by an elephant
for that.
Done.
And I want no fakery.
No double cut for them to both suck
the sand and pretend they're dying.
If one of them is down,
or if both of them are down...
I want one of your trainers
to cut their throats.
And they are to
understand that.
Now, I shall leave ten thousand
on account...
and the rest when we
have been satisfied.
Note the Africans.
Theirs is the finest combat and the
most skillful but it can be a bore.
It can go on and on.
To see fighting at its best you
must see Thracians.
- Don't you agree, slave master?
- But each kind has its virtues.
Change of plan.
Match me a Thracian
against a black.
With all due respect, my Lord,
that is no match.
A Thracian only has a dagger. And
when it's in the net he's finished.
Yes, perhaps. But...
Africans aren't noted
for their strategic thinking.
Hannibal, of course,
being the exception.
I want to see how long...
a mentally superior but
lesser armed man can last.
My Lord, that sort
of experimentation...
makes for bad blood
with the men.
Well, for twenty-five thousand
denarii...
I think you can afford to
incur a little bad blood.
Order!
What is it? What is it?
A private fight.
- Who do you want?
- Draba.
And David.
Now, he's a Jew, yes?
- Yes, I know you want a Thracian...
- No, no.
This is interesting.
Ever seen a Jew fight?
Exceptional with the dagger and
reputed to be very bright as well.
Who else?
Spartacus and Polymus.
Spartacus?
How do you like them?
All. Except that one.
I don't like him.
Forgive me, lady,
but that man...
has been in the ring twelve times.
He's very good, strong and quick.
- Who will you match him with?
- With the African.
- What are you doing?
- Praying.
How do you pray?
I can show you.
Will you do something for me?
Something that
we do in our tribe?
Put your mouth on mine and
breath your soul into me...
and I'll breath mine
into you.
And then for all time our
souls will be one.
One soul in two bodies.
I will come back to you.
If you don't,
I will kill you myself.
You have to save your strength
for tomorrow.
I am full of strength.
Dagger against net and trident.
What kind of match is that?
Time.
Time!
What are they thinking,
I wonder?
Gladiators are animals,
pure and simple.
If one thinks of them as people,
one loses all perspective.
Is it true what they say about the
Jews? How they mutilate their boys?
Would you like to see?
Bring me the Jew
before he fights.
Bring the Jew here.
The rest of you,
to the House of Expectation.
Unclothe.
Unclothe.
They do that to their children?
How beastly.
Perhaps that explains their much
vaunted skill with the knife.
- I want the Jew to fight first.
- Of course, sir.
- Strike!
- Kill him! Kill him!
- Kill him!
- Kill him, Jew!
Why doesn't he kill him?
Kill him!
Why doesn't he finish him?
Don't expect mercy from me
out there, Thracian.
Live, Draba.
That's what life is for.
If the gods love you...
you die in childhood.
That was extraordinary.
If the second pair is as good as
the first, I shall be well pleased.
Strike!
- Kill him!
- Kill him!
- Kill him!
- Kill him!
- Kill him!
- Kill him!
Kill him!
Stop him!
Why didn't he kill me?
If he kills me, he lives.
If he turns on
the Romans, he dies.
He chooses to die.
Who chooses to die?
Who chooses to die?
Maybe rather than
live as a beast...
Draba chose to die
as a man.
Father!
It was just a dream.
No.
I slept until now.
Now I wake.
Move, you dogs!
Move! I said move!
Move, you scum!
Is it true that Draba didn't kill
any of the Romans?
If a man throw his life away...
- he could die better than that.
- Will you die any better?
He will die like a dog, and so
will you. So will we all.
Are you my friend, Crixus?
- Was Draba your friend?
- Yes. And my teacher.
- Did he teach you how to die?
- He taught me how to live.
I feed you the best food.
I give you women.
You live here like kings
in idleness...
on the fat of the land.
And all I expect is your loyalty
and obedience.
And what do I get in return?
Treachery.
Cinna, fetch me a black man.
Kill him.
Now there will be
no more trouble.
The dogs won't even growl.
Move it, move it! You cows!
Move, slaves!
Are we dogs that you snap
your whips at us?
- Spartacus! Prepare to die!
- Cinna!
What the hell is going on
out there?
There's too many!
You taught me well, Cinna.
Quiet!
- Quiet!
- Let him speak!
Quiet! Listen to Spartacus!
Like you...
I've been alone
my whole life.
We could never look
into each other's eyes.
Living like animals.
Here is the lesson of Draba.
I will be a man.
My life is my brother's.
Live to fight the Romans!
Smash the gates!
Master! The gladiators!
They have revolted!
Well, don't just stand there like
a drooling idiot. Help me!
Field formation!
Go get my litter.
We have to get to Capua.
To the garrison. Go!
Hold your positions!
Free men and women, listen to me!
We must get ready.
Nordo, can you open the armory?
- Lf I have to do it with my teeth.
- Spartacus, look.
David, go.
Go. Talk to them.
What do you want me to say?
Invite our brothers to join us.
Gifts! I bring gifts!
Freedom for you and your children!
Come, join us!
Freedom for you!
Join us!
Spartacus always said that you
would speak some day.
David, Varinia.
- Come.
- You'll tell me later.
There's one more thing
I need to do.
Maecenus! Maecenus!
Thank you, thank you.
You've got to stop them.
- Where's that slaves headed?
- In the hills to the south of here.
There's a lot of valuable property.
You've got to save something.
- Too late for that. Double time!
- March!
Please.
Please.
- Let's go.
- Look. They're so arrogant...
- they've lost their formation.
- So?
So if attacked, they'd have
to fight, man to man.
And who fights better man to man
than gladiators?
Crixus, Nordo.
We have guests.
Should we not greet them?
Apparently there has been an
uprising of gladiators in Capua.
The entire garrison
has been slain...
the slaves have taken
to the hills...
where their revolt spreads.
This is what I'm talking about...
why we need strong leadership.
I propose that we send
the city cohorts...
to crush this rebellion.
The entire garrison of Rome?
Are you out of your mind?
To fight slaves?
How many of these creatures
are there? Who are they led by?
It sounds like a job for an
overseer and a pack of dogs.
They massacred the entire
Capua garrison.
The garrison at Capua.
Forgive my bluntness, but an effete
band of pretend soldiers.
A slave rebellion is never
a simple affair.
We all remember Sicily.
Twice the slaves...
attacked. The second time they
seized the entire island...
for over a year! This particular
revolt is taking place...
a mere one hundred miles from
where we now sit and squabble.
So are you suggesting that we
recall a legion from the frontier?
- Pompey, perhaps?
- And wait weeks for him to arrive?
Will the slaves wait?
I don't think so.
We must deal with this matter
promptly before it gets out of hand.
- But the entire city cohorts?
- Three.
- Three full cohorts.
- Under whose command?
I realize that it is not customary
for a man to put his own name.
Then please do not
break precedent.
I was about to suggest...
that the cohorts be sent
under the able command...
of Titus Glabrus.
My Lord, I hardly know
what to say.
Thank you for your
confidence in me.
If it is the will of the Senate and
the people of Rome, then I accept.
If it is indeed the will
of the Senate...
then Titus Glabrus go with
our blessings.
Fall upon this rabble
with all the weight...
and majesty of Roman law.
We will march
across the world...
and turn it over,
stone by stone!
Look at them.
They think the war is all won.
It hasn't even started.
How are we going to feed
them or clothe them...
much less train them
to fight the Roman Empire?
By teaching them to share
the burden.
Like free men.
Why did you propose Glabrus?
He's as thick as he is vain.
- But politically dependable.
- Why don't put yourself forward?
Agrippa would have blocked me
out of sheer spite.
Besides there's little honor
in defeating slaves...
and terrible shame
if one fails.
If Glabrus succeeds...
a minor rebellion is put down
and he owes me a favor.
And if he fails the whole city
will be panicked.
And the Senate will
embrace the wisdom...
of a more permanent system
of leadership.
Fear isn't a bad thing, Caius.
It makes for a more
malleable electorate.
Crassus says he wants
to be Consul...
in order to restore the former
glory of Rome.
But he wants to transform
the Consul...
into a more permanent position.
Emperor.
The day that Crassus
becomes Consul...
is the day the
Roman Republic dies.
The time has come to make
some decisions.
- We must leave?
- And to where?
- I want to go home.
- Everywhere is the same as here.
Everywhere it is master
and slave.
I go where I go.
No man tells Crixus
what to do anymore.
Come down, Crixus.
This is Crixus the Gaul.
Maybe the strongest man
among us.
But still, he's only
one man.
Can you bend this?
Now all of these.
We are like the arrows.
Separately we're weak.
But together we're invincible.
And that's why the Romans worked
so hard to divide us...
tribe by tribe and
country by country.
- We're one tribe then?
- Yes!
- Is that your will?
- Yes!
Who will lead us?
Stand up if you want to lead.
Spartacus.
- Spartacus!
- Spartacus!
- Spartacus!
- Spartacus!
If that is your wish.
And so one man doesn't
become a tyrant...
we need laws.
- What are they?
- Whatever we take...
we hold together.
No man should own anything
but his own weapon.
- We'll be rich with the gold taken.
- We'll make the Romans our slaves!
- Yeah!
- I will not be a slave owner!
Slavery is an evil.
An evil that turns
all men slaves...
and slave masters into animals.
There will be equality and justice
between both man and woman.
- We're one tribe then?
- Yes.
- One people?
- Yes!
Is that your will?
It is my will.
- It is my will.
- It is my will.
It is my will.
Then this is what we'll do.
We'll go from plantation
to plantation...
from house to house...
free the slaves, and fight anyone
who tries to stop us.
And we'll make
an end to Rome...
and build a new world where
there'll be no slaves or masters!
- What is going on up there?
- Some plantation...
is burning the stubble
of a field.
There's too much smoke
for that.
There's a forest fire
or something.
Tell them to go faster.
- Helena!
- Faster!
Why are you stopping?
What is the meaning of this?
Whoever you are...
you are blocking the path
of a citizen of Rome.
Move out of the way.
Pick up your litters!
Pick up your litters!
Pick up your litters!
Glabrus wishes us to know...
that while he hasn't
encountered the brigands...
evidence of their
atrocities is everywhere.
"A slave who doesn't join
their ranks is put to the sword...
and any Roman unfortunate
enough to encounter them...
meets a fate worse than death.
It's with great regret that I
report the murders...
of numerous nobles
including Cornelius Lucius...
and his wife Helena."
Helena and Cornelius Lucius?
- Are you sure?
- That is what it says.
"The rebels' leader
is Spartacus...
a gladiator from Thrace.
He has led them
to Mt. Vesuvius.
It is there that I intend
to trap and dispose of them.
Rest assured I am mindful
that I carry in my hands...
the glory and majesty
that is Rome.
Titus Glabrus."
- So we're to be equals, are we?
- Does that trouble you?
Well, I'll do what I can to raise
myself, but I make no promises.
You better. A child needs a father
it can look up to.
A child?
We're going to have a child?
The slave army's climbing the north
wall of the mountain, my Lord.
A little less liberal use of the
term 'army', if you don't mind.
- Sorry, my Lord.
- We'll camp here for tonight.
Why don't we push on, my Lord?
Cut off the slaves before they
reach the mountains.
It's cold, I'm tired and I'm
hungry. We'll camp here.
I like it.
It's light but it's strong.
Spartacus, we need to talk.
This is a war council.
- What's a woman doing here?
- She has every right to be here.
Do women lead your armies?
Is that why Jews...
- squirm under the Roman thumb?
- What's the excuse of the Gauls?
David has news for us.
Three cohorts of Roman soldiers
have taken a position...
on the road below us.
We're trapped.
They're so confident they haven't
even built a stockade.
Fifteen hundred men.
I knew this would happen,
Thracian, but you insisted.
"The people are tired.
They need rest."
Well, the dead rest forever.
You must've known
they'd follow us here.
How do we get off
this mountain?
What's your plan?
- I don't have one.
- You don't have a plan?
From the moment I stood up
in the training yard...
I've only thought as far ahead
as the next move.
- You must have an idea.
- Why must I?
I'm no different from
any of you.
Isn't that the point?
That we're all equal?
- Yes, but...
- So one of you figure it out!
He'll be fine.
- They chose you as their leader.
- I didn't ask for that honor.
No, but you didn't
decline it either.
And why should you?
You're the only possible choice.
- But now the time to lead has come.
- When I was alone...
all I had to lose was my own life.
Now I have the lives
of hundreds.
Your life.
Our child's.
- I have faith you'll find answers.
- Where?
- Within the soul you say I have?
- Yes.
You may not have chosen this
moment, Spartacus.
But it seems that this moment
has chosen you.
My Lord, is it true you've given
the troops permission to camp...
without building the usual
defensive fortifications?
The men are tired
and I am tired.
When a Roman army bivouacs it is
customary to build a fort.
It's just a handful of slaves...
facing the same miserable
conditions we are.
With women and children and one
tenth of our equipment.
A little while ago some of you
were asking me if I had a plan.
And the plan is this.
We will attack first.
David, hold your men outside the
camp until you hear my cry...
and then charge in like
the gods of hell.
If these don't hold,
I'll kill you myself.
If these don't hold, you won't have
to kill me. We'll all be dead.
You can tell us now.
You are safe here.
I was asleep.
I woke up to screaming.
The sound of screaming.
I was screaming.
Their men were everywhere,
like ravenous beasts.
And their women followed, feeding
like harpies on the wounded.
The killing went on and on.
At the end our men threw down the
weapons and plead for their lives...
- but there was no mercy.
- How is it that you were spared?
I don't know why they chose me.
All I know is I was brought
before their leader.
My name is Spartacus. I have a
message for your Senate.
Tell them that we, the slaves...
say the Roman way
is corrupt and dead.
We want nothing from you.
Leave us alone.
But if you come
after us again...
we will destroy you all.
By all that Rome holds sacred...
I will see her honor restored.
I will not rest...
until this Spartacus...
hangs, crucified...
at the gates of Rome.
Move and kill!
Move and kill!
Again.
Move and kill!
Move and kill!
Faster!
- They're looking better.
- Against wooden posts.
We'll see what they're like
when the target fights back.
- Orsino is here.
- The Sicilian pirate?
What do we have
to talk to him about?
A lot.
The key would help.
Spartacus.
I could tell at once.
You have such
an air of command.
You here to do business
or flatter me?
You've done well.
We like to think of it as back
wages, long owed.
Is it enough to buy us passage
out of here?
- For yourself?
- For all of us.
If you take us beyond the borders
of the Empire they wouldn't follow.
What you're asking would
require a great many ships...
and make me many
enemies in Rome.
- So how many trunks of gold?
- At least five more like this.
When we are ready
how do I signal you?
Get to the coast and fly this...
where it can be seen
from the sea.
Take it.
A gift for our new alliance.
I'll take it as a down payment.
I better get some help.
That was a fortune
you just gave away.
We can't eat gold, nor will
it keep a sharp edge.
Crixus, let's keep this arrangement
among ourselves for now.
- We can't trust that man.
- Orsino or Crixus?
Either one.
Over the walls!
As word spread of the revolt...
slaves from all over the country
ran away from their bondage...
and flocked to join Spartacus.
We all knew there was
no turning back.
It was freedom or death.
And so we marched
from city to city...
taking what we needed for the day
we might finally be free.
But the fight for freedom
was tainted by revenge.
No mercy was shown to
those who fell into our hands.
Is this wise?
As long as they obey the laws it's
better to let them have their way.
They're still a mob.
- Take everything!
- Making an army will take time.
Intelligence reports the slaves
are squatting...
on the coast at Nola.
- We must attack and annihilate all.
- With what?
Thanks to your haste, we'll be
Glabrus was obviously
the wrong commander.
- Your choice as I recall, Senator.
- My choice by default.
- There were and are better options.
- Pompey, for example.
Recalling Pompey now...
it'll jeopardize the
Spanish campaign.
Well, I haven't got your experience
in the field, of course.
Wait. Yes, that's right.
You have none.
Very well.
For now let us focus
on Rome's defenses.
We cannot, under
any circumstances...
allow the slaves to escape.
I say we march on Rome!
There are sixteen cohorts
in Rome.
We're outnumbered
at Vesuvius. Now...
- their bones rot in the fields.
- But taking a city...
is different than ambushing
a sleeping cohort...
that's too lazy to build
a proper camp.
For one thing, we have
no siege equipment.
We can build it.
And while we do that,
what would Rome do?
Recall their legions.
The real soldiers.
Not these city boys
who play at soldier.
I say we march north...
towards Transalpine Gaul...
- and over the mountains to freedom.
- Rome is north.
And when we march past we'll
thumb our noses at them.
There are many cities between
here and the Alps.
- Not just Rome.
- And many of them...
I'm sure would be more than happy
to pay us our back wages.
Then we march!
Yesterday, you had your fun
with me in the Senate.
Today, let's get down
to business.
This Spartacus is turning a rabble
into a real army.
I don't think we can count
on him doing anything...
as ill-conceived or impetuous
as attacking Rome.
Still, it would probably
be wise...
as someone has
already suggested...
to strengthen the city walls.
Those would be large contracts.
Plenty enough to go around.
But if you really want to be
confident about Rome's security...
I cannot support your bid
for consulship.
General of the next army...
sent against Spartacus.
Sixty-forty on
the contracts.
I make no promises.
I also think we should
make an example.
There are one hundred thousand
slaves in Rome...
and they have all heard the
story of Spartacus.
What do you propose that we do?
I say we make the price
of rebellion...
painfully clear.
What is it?
Two hundred Roman slaves...
picked at random...
and burned alive this morning.
Hold, Crixus.
We can't sacrifice
everyone to save a few.
We're moving on.
The stench is appalling.
Breathe deeply, Flavius.
This is the smell of Crassus'
new world order.
Although it goes beyond anything
I'd have thought him capable of.
I'm sorry. The child is dead.
- Varinia?
- She must rest.
- Our son.
- No.
You're alive.
That's what matters most.
I have failed you.
There will be others.
I promise.
Our scouts indicate
that the slave Army...
is headed toward the Alps.
But what message does that send...
to the hundreds of thousands of
slaves in the Republic...
- if we let them go?
- It pains me to say it...
but Crassus is right.
- We have to stop Spartacus.
- But no more city cohorts.
We must bring down...
the Sixth and Seventh Legion
from Transalpine Gaul.
Frontier troops.
The slaves...
have never encountered
experienced soldiers before.
Agreed.
And we might even go
one step further...
and say that
such experienced troops...
require a commander
of firm resolve...
and unshakable dedication...
which is why I nominate
as general...
Publius Maximus.
I never promised you leadership
of the new army.
Did it ever occur to you
that I might be...
exactly what Rome needs
right now?
If Spartacus defeats this army
and turns on Rome...
where will your precious little
democracy be then?
It reminds me of the Nestros
Valley where I grew up.
I thought you didn't remember
anything about Thrace.
I remember a few things.
Our farm. Sheep and goats.
- You still have kin there?
- No.
I know your mom died in childbirth,
but you never talk of your father.
My father's dead too.
- How?
- He was the village headsman.
The Romans crucified him because
our people were late with taxes.
We've never talked of where you
and I will go once we leave here.
We haven't left yet.
And at this rate...
Did you notice on the
road how quiet it was?
The slaves have stopped
joining us.
They're afraid.
Rome has made its decision. They
won't let us go without a fight.
We saw two full legions of the
Transalpine Gaul force encamped...
less than ten miles
north of there.
- Can we get around them?
- They've picked their site well.
Blocked all major passes.
- And who's their general?
- Publius Maximus.
What do we know about him?
Publius runs his army
with a firm hand.
Fierce but unimaginative.
- Two legions.
- Frontier soldiers.
We better start fighting early or
we'll still be killing by night.
We won't surprise this army at
night like the last one.
This battle is on their terms.
How do we fight that?
I remember a story about Hannibal
fighting a rock.
- A foolish tale.
- Tell me.
In the Alps, Hannibal's army
came to a pass...
blocked by a huge rock.
No way around it.
For three days and nights
he thought.
And then it came to him.
He ordered fires built
against the rock.
All the precious wood that they
had carried for themselves...
was sacrificed to the rock.
How the people cried.
But when the fires
burnt out...
he ordered vinegar to be poured
on the hot rock.
- And?
- It cracked.
Nordo, you're a genius.
You cannot beat the rock...
unless you use the strength
of the rock...
against itself.
The advantage of the Roman army
is size and discipline.
But if you force their lines
together, if you crowd them...
their strength becomes
their weakness.
The rock will
break against itself.
If the slaves don't move out
of those woods soon...
drive them out with the archers.
Gannicus, your cavalry...
will attack the Roman cavalry
on the wings...
and destroy them or
draw them away.
Next we drive off their skirmishers
with slings and arrows...
and then you, David, will
charge the Roman center.
On my signal, break ranks in
the middle of your line...
fall back as if in a panic...
and make them believe
you're running for your life.
The Romans expect us to run...
and will charge after you
into the center.
Crixus, you wait for my signal,
not a moment before.
Enough talk. Let's fight.
- Tell the skirmishers to move.
- Skirmishers!
- Send in the first line.
- First line!
Since when do slaves
fight with cavalry?
Stop the Romans!
Slings and arrow!
Now!
Hold your positions!
Stay firm!
- They're killing them!
- Stay where you are!
Signal the retreat!
Retreat!
- They're breaking, my Lord.
- Finally.
Allow the men to follow at will.
And take no prisoners!
I killed him!
Publius Maximus is dead!
Where is the rest
of the Roman cavalry?
- Those we didn't kill we drove off.
- In which direction?
South, I think.
We've left the camp unguarded!
Give me a horse!
Varinia!
Varinia!
Varinia!
We could.
We... we...
It's all right.
- What are you doing out here?
- Thinking.
You shouldn't be off by yourself
like this.
Am I in danger?
She's carrying my child.
I was trying to pray...
but I don't know
who to pray to.
My people pray to a god
who doesn't answer.
Who leaves it up to us
to decide how to behave.
A good god for a free man.
Not when answers
are what you need.
Maybe that's the price we pay...
to live in a world where
we get to choose.
- What is it?
- Crixus.
Why should we leave?
Rome threw their best at us...
- and we slaughtered them.
- We cannot fight...
- the whole Roman army.
- Let them come.
I will hammer them
to an early grave.
And when we've destroyed
their armies...
we will be kings!
- We're with you!
- Yeah!
Unless, of course, you haven't got
the stomach for it.
In that case...
run away.
No one here will stop you.
If we separate,
we will be destroyed.
No.
Crixus is right.
He is right!
How clearly my wise brother
Crixus sees the future.
Why should we run? But let's
not settle for a little plunder.
Let's turn south...
march to the sea and cross
the straits to Sicily.
The slaves there will
surely join us...
and we'll be kings of the island,
the breadbasket of Rome.
And they'll come crawling to
us, begging for mercy.
Who is with me?
Spartacus!
Who is he?
What kind of man
am I dealing with?
Everybody blames me
for this mess.
Nobody has suffered
like I have.
I'm ruined.
I've lost everything.
My villa burned down, my slaves
went away, the school...
and thirty years of work
destroyed.
Perhaps this will ease
your suffering.
Thank you, my Lord.
- Spartacus?
- Yes, yes.
You met him once, Spartacus.
He was one of two pairs you
hired a year ago...
to entertain Cornelius
and Helena Lucius.
Terrible thing, their murder.
I never trusted him. My trainer
Cinna thought the world of him...
but I always saw that
he was trouble.
Too much pride.
I heard rumors that
Spartacus was wed.
You mean Varinia?
That bitch from hell
disguised as an angel.
I never get sentimental
about slaves.
I mean, they're animals,
nothing more.
But those two, they worked
something out.
You could see it when
they looked at one another.
- How did he become a slave?
- They say that...
as a young boy...
he watched his father crucified.
His father.
If we split up before we're ready
for Orsino we're doomed.
Our strength is in our numbers.
We could go.
Just you and I.
Leave them to this madness
if that's what they want.
We are entitled to a life.
These people put their trust in me.
How can I desert them?
You are an honorable man.
But if you are dead it will be
of little comfort to your son.
What else do I have to leave him
but my honor?
Two legions destroyed!
And now the slave army...
glutted with blood and victory
turns south...
perhaps to sack Rome herself.
We have listened to the
fainthearted for too long.
No more half measures.
I pledge...
upon the sacred honor
of my ancestors...
to raise and equip
six full legions...
at my own expense.
I will lead this army myself...
and I will stamp out
this rebellion...
- for once and for all.
- Yes!
Noble Senators!
Do not rise to
this honeyed bait!
What Crassus proposes is nothing
less than a private army...
answerable only to himself.
Consider the consequences
to the Republic...
if one man were to be given
such terrible power.
Consider the consequences...
if Spartacus gets inside
these city walls.
This is no longer a
mere question of pride...
or economic impact.
Our national security is at stake.
Our very lives.
Only a fool or a traitor...
- could oppose such measures.
- Yes!
Crassus! Crassus!
Crassus! Crassus!
Soldiers of Rome...
never before has the Republic
been more in need...
of your courage,
your strength...
your determination.
Our lives, our families...
civilization itself...
stands at an abyss...
on the brink of destruction.
And I say to you...
that every man here today
simply do his duty...
as I have no doubt
he will...
and we will defeat
the evil at hand.
History has given us
this role...
and we will fulfill it.
There can be
no hiding place...
for those who
would strike terror...
into the heart...
of the greatest nation
known to man!
Three cheers for
Marcus Crassus...
the savior of Rome!
Crassus! Crassus! Crassus!
Don't the legions traditionally
cheer Rome when they depart?
Crassus thinks he is Rome.
We may win this battle
with the slaves...
but lose the war
over Rome's soul.
We need to enlist some allies.
Caesar will help.
He has a much more practical
approach to politics.
You mean he can be bought.
Contact him, Flavius.
Tell him I wish to correspond...
with Pompey the Great.
We will meet in three months...
and then you will ferry the entire
army across the straits to Sicily.
I suggest we meet at Calabria.
There's no Roman garrisons nearby,
I'll bring the boats closer...
where it will be easier
to load your people.
The next installment.
The rest you get when
we reach Sicily.
Orsino?
If you betray us I'll find
you wherever you go...
- and I'll kill you myself.
- Unless you are killed.
Glabrus and Publius Maximus
underestimated me too.
It didn't end well for them.
I have no reason to
betray you, Spartacus.
You're richer than any Roman...
and far more generous.
Spartacus, Rome has sent a
new army against us.
I think you better
see this one for yourself.
The camp looks
heavily fortified.
- How many legions?
- I count six standards.
- Commander?
- We caught one of their scouts.
Their general is Marcus Crassus.
Crassus.
You're uneasy, my Lord?
He's out there...
somewhere, as we speak.
The slaves took over a fort
barely ten miles from here.
- Their scouts are watching us.
- No. No, no.
He is watching us.
Spartacus.
I can feel it.
Spartacus.
Attack, attack, attack!
- Is that your answer for all?
- It is a warrior's answer...
- not the slave's.
- Have a care, Gaul, how you talk...
- or I'll cut that throat.
- Enough.
We dealt with Publius.
We can deal with this.
Publius was nothing
compared to this.
And how do you know?
We've met this man.
He paid a fortune to watch men from
different tribes fight to the death.
This is a merciless,
calculating man...
commanding what you can be sure
is the best army money can buy.
But he still bleeds red,
and I say attack!
And I say no, and I'm still the
commander here!
For now. For now.
When it's time to fight, we'll be
glad he fights with us.
Our position is good.
I say we wait and let Crassus
come to us.
He's picked a good solid
defensive position...
and he shows no signs
of leaving it.
He wants us to come
to him.
- And we will.
- Is that wise?
Both Glabrus and Publius
played into his hands.
Exactly.
I will advance as he expects me to,
with three full legions...
the arrogant Roman falling
into his trap.
However, you and Mummius will
take the other three legions...
and you will place yourselves
behind him.
We will penetrate his defenses
from front and behind...
and we will trample them
like daisies. Listen.
Do not, under
any circumstances...
attack without my command.
Crassus has mobilized and his men
are marching against us.
They don't seem to be in any
hurry to get here.
- Halt!
- Have the men rest for an hour.
I don't want them wearing
themselves out.
I want fresh limbs
for the slaughter.
Mummius and Servius
must be given plenty of time...
- to get into position.
- Yes, my Lord.
Stand the men down!
Look at them.
They have no idea we're here.
I'll send word to Crassus.
Why share the glory
that could be ours alone?
Spartacus!
We're being flanked! They're
attacking from the rear!
But in order to do that
he had to split his forces.
How long do you think before
they reach our front lines?
Two, maybe three hours.
Time enough.
Grab your weapons!
You come in good time.
The attack begins shortly!
My Lord...
the troops under Servius
and Mummius have been destroyed.
The generals have been
taken prisoner.
We have your general, Crassus!
Where's your great Roman army
now, Crassus?
What's next?
- You're next, Crassus!
- Tell the men to withdraw!
What shall we do with these
great Roman generals?
Kill them.
Kill them?
Who would throw away
a fortune?
Aristocrats. Sons of
important families.
What would Rome pay
to have them back?
We could live well
on the ransom.
You speak of ransom
like we're thieves.
These men made whores
of our daughters...
and gladiators of our sons.
I say they would have us fight
for their entertainment.
We should make them
fight for ours!
Fight!
This isn't justice.
This is revenge.
Don't lie to yourselves.
Do this and you'll become
what Rome...
always tried to
make you: Animals!
There can be
no greater shame...
for a Roman soldier...
than cowardice in
the face of the enemy.
Our founding fathers
understood this...
and they had an answer for it.
Decimation.
Count off!
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight!
Fight like a man!
Kill! Kill!
Every tenth man step forward.
Now wipe away the shame...
that stains
your honor...
and the glory of Rome.
You executed one hundred and fifty
of your own men?
Roman citizens?
Discipline distinguishes
the Roman army...
from every other army
in the world.
Discipline...
or brutality?
And where is Spartacus now?
Traveling south,
tracked by my troops.
His goal remains unclear.
But I believe...
that he means to move
against Sicily.
Noble Senators, we need not
dwell long...
on noble Crassus' failure.
Let him retire in disgrace...
and let us recall Pompey
and Lucullus...
- at once.
- Recall them as you wish...
but retire me...
at your own peril.
It will take weeks for Pompey
to move his troops.
Do you think that
Spartacus will sit...
and wait patiently
for him to arrive?
He is a contaminating parasite.
And he crawls
from limb to limb...
and organ to organ...
until the great body of
this Republic...
has been brought to
its knees. Now then...
I may not meet Agrippa's
exalted standards...
as Commander In Chief,
but for better or for worse...
I am your only miracle.
I am your only cure.
It's all a bluff on Crassus' part,
don't you think? He's beaten.
For someone who's just suffered
a humiliating defeat...
he seems very sure of himself.
Crassus has something
up his sleeve.
The question is what?
Orsino. May I offer you
something to eat?
No. Thank you.
I had just finished
my lunch when...
- your invitation arrived.
- Sit down.
I expect that you're aware
of our dilemma...
with the so called slave army.
- Along with the rest of the world.
- I have concluded...
that the slave
general Spartacus...
intends to leave by sea.
- And why would you conclude that?
- Because it's all he can do.
And because he seems to show...
an inordinate interest in plunder,
leading me to wonder...
what he is planning
to buy or whom.
I'm afraid I can't help you.
Yes you can, you will.
I can't believe you'd disturb the
carefully arranged understanding...
between my people and yours
for a group of slaves.
Consider the long range costs.
Spartacus will
leave the country...
or he will die.
Either way, he will be gone.
Whereas Rome and I...
shall still be here.
And you will be made to suffer
the consequences.
- Rome has no navy.
- I'll build one.
Because either you are
with me...
or you are against me.
The coastline of Calabria.
Set up the signal. Let them know
we are here.
How long do you think it will take
them to get here?
By tomorrow. Time enough
for us to catch our breath.
Hurry up or I'll have the lot
of you whipped!
Get that in here!
Spartacus!
They've gone.
It's a trap.
It's a trap!
Archers!
I've got you now,
you son of a whore.
Get back to work!
Fight, starve, or surrender.
Those are our choices.
We're trapped. We'll never get
past that wall.
Perhaps we can make a deal.
Rider approaching!
- Stand down!
- Lower your weapons!
Spartacus!
I'm told I saw you fight once.
- I remember.
- I don't particularly. But then...
I have seen so many gladiatorial
contests in my time...
and all slaves do look alike.
- Except for who cuts your throat.
- I wouldn't try that.
There are archers on
the walls behind me.
You wouldn't stand a chance
in hell.
I have a proposition for you.
My people go free.
They leave the Roman Empire...
and I surrender to you.
I can't accept those conditions.
Unconditional surrender
for all of you...
man, woman and child.
Where did you acquire the arrogance
to believe that you could...
challenge the undefeated
Roman Empire?
I have you to thank.
That day at Capua.
Draba...
the man who tried to spear you.
I don't understand.
He inspired you?
He showed me how to fight back.
But you, Roman,
you gave me a reason.
I don't need to negotiate.
Your food can't last.
Like cornered rats, you've
nowhere to run or to hide.
And I have all
the time in the world.
Do you?
My scouts tell me that
Pompey has been recalled.
What glory will be left for you
when he arrives?
I will destroy your army...
and then I will wipe away even
the memory of your existence...
from the face of this earth.
- That is your fate.
- And this is yours.
Help me!
For the love of Rome, Marcus!
I will cut down every tree
in this land...
and then I'll erect
crosses enough...
- for you and your mongrel tribe.
- Look for me in battle, Roman.
- I'll be looking for you.
- I'm yours.
How could you do this?
How could you crucify?
The Romans need to be reminded
that we are not beaten.
And our people need to be
reminded of the price of defeat.
You're becoming one of them.
- I'm not the oppressor here.
- That's supposed to justify it?
- We fight for more than just lives.
- This is about survival.
Yours, mine, our child's,
everyone's.
And I will do what I must
to assure that.
Speak for yourself.
For me, for our son.
It's not worth it.
They need to be light.
Light but strong.
- These need to be longer.
- Fifteen feet will do it.
Get it done.
Very long.
My Lord, they're attacking
the wall!
- Where?
- North. Near the Bay of Euphemia.
Move all of our available
troops there.
- Now!
- Yes.
Sound the alarm!
Weapons ready!
Wait!
Wait.
- It's not him.
- Lower your arms.
And while Crassus was distracted
by the flaming livestock...
the army of Spartacus climbed
the walls and escaped.
I'd have paid a lot to see Crassus'
face when he found that out.
Meanwhile, Pompey has landed
at Minturnae.
- May I ask the cost to bring that?
- Well, it was very expensive...
but it was worth it.
Pompey will defeat Spartacus and
then claim all the credit as usual.
Crassus will be denied
his victory.
And if we're very lucky...
Spartacus will defeat them both.
To the south,
Crassus follows close.
While to the north Pompey
and his legions have landed.
- We should turn and attack.
- Attack Crassus? Insane.
Not Crassus or Pompey,
but Rome.
- It's the last thing they'd expect.
- With good reason.
You won't scale Rome's walls with
a rope and a ladder.
No. We will march north.
Avoid Pompey as much as we can
and get over the Alps...
- like we should have done before.
- So it's my fault now, is it?
- Who led us to the trap at Rhegium?
- Orsino.
No. Spartacus.
- You chose me as your leader!
- Well, no more!
In my tribe, any man can challenge
for the role of king.
No, David, this is my fight.
Put your weapons down,
both of you. This is foolish.
- I beg you please, don't do this.
- You were right, Varinia.
It was always going
to come to this.
We need you, Crixus.
Crixus doesn't need you.
Crixus doesn't need anyone!
- Where will you go?
- Where my feet take me.
- Have you enough food?
- Lf we don't, Romans will give us.
We made Rome tremble,
didn't we?
Who else can say that?
No one.
We march!
My Lord, all the Gauls
under Crixus...
have left Spartacus' army.
- They're marching on their own.
- Where are the Gauls headed?
They're making camp on the
shores of Lake Lucania.
And with Pompey at least two days'
march away, he can't know this.
It's not your fault.
He chose his own path.
I failed him.
I failed you all.
Lucullus and five more legions
have landed at Brindisium...
not more than a day's march
north and east of here.
We might have been able
to slip past Pompey...
but not both Pompey
and Lucullus.
- We can't go forward.
- We can't go back.
And we can't wait for these
three armies to join...
or we'll be crushed
between them.
Tomorrow we'll turn
and attack Crassus.
Maybe we can
catch him off guard.
He who stops to loot
is executed.
Nothing slows us down.
The child is well?
I think he will be a blacksmith,
the way he hammers on me.
I want you to promise that whatever
happens to me tomorrow...
that you will live.
That you won't take
your own life.
And be a slave again?
You haven't the right
to ask that of me.
- But I do.
- There is no life without you.
- I am not important.
- Not to me?
Not to your son?
You were right, Varinia.
Vengeance alone is not enough.
To become like your enemy
is to lose to him.
And what's important
isn't our living or our dying...
but this new thing we've created,
however briefly...
a world without slaves.
And if you die,
who will tell that story?
Live so that I will live.
So that we will live on.
So that it won't be wasted
or forgotten.
And I promise you...
I'll always be with you.
Look. That's where I will be.
Know that I'll always be there.
Forgive me. I overslept.
We brought you a present.
- He's beautiful.
- Fit for a king.
I'm not a king.
I'm something better.
A free man.
I thank you for
your generosity.
But I'll fight beside you,
and your fate will be mine.
If we win, we'll each have
a horse of our own.
And if we lose, we won't
need them.
You're the finest
soldiers in the world.
And it has been an honor
to fight with you!
Spartacus!
Spartacus! Spartacus!
Spartacus! Spartacus!
Spartacus! Spartacus!
Spartacus! Spartacus!
Spartacus! Spartacus!
This is Crixus' way of battle.
No fancy tactics.
Head on. One strong arm
against another.
Don't be greedy!
Crassus is mine!
For Rome!
Spartacus, time to die!
Freedom!
- The baby! It's started.
- It's all right.
Spartacus, you have a son.
We found her! We found
the wife of Spartacus!
Take him.
Stay!
Varinia?
We think he was a close friend
Of Spartacus.
What is your name?
Speak!
I won't lie to you.
You're going to die.
But yours can be a painless
death. I can do that.
Crucify the prisoners.
My Lord, there are upwards
of six thousand.
- All of them.
- Yes, my Lord.
You will watch them die...
and you will be the last.
And when you are nailed to the
cross, hanging there...
I will be there.
Pompey's troops are nearby and have
captured the slaves who escaped us.
Pompey is on his way to Rome
to claim your victory as his own.
Pompey! Pompey!
Pompey! Pompey!
I merely did what any son
of Rome would do.
You do me too much honor.
They're just slaves, after all.
Senators, we must not
in this overlook...
the noble Crassus.
Caesar makes an
excellent point.
Crassus has certainly
played a part...
a very workman-like role.
And he certainly deserves
some public recognition.
Not a Triumph perhaps.
Maybe an ovation,
our secondary honor...
such as we sometimes
give to a victorious athlete.
Indeed. Now is the time
to be generous.
An Ovation for Crassus.
I have fielded and equipped...
six full legions.
I have led them in
battle myself.
I've endured enumerable hardships.
And I have stamped out...
the greatest threat...
that Rome has known since Carthage.
And I am to be rewarded...
with some trivial, secondary honor?
Senators, this is a day
for Rome to rejoice.
For Romans to forget our
differences and unite.
The position of Consul remains vacant...
because for too long political rivalries...
have prevented us filling it.
And now for candidates
could there be...
any more qualified, more deserving...
than these two glorious heroes?
And therefore I propose...
that Pompey and Crassus
both be made Consul.
Co-Consulship.
I would be honored...
to serve with Marcus Crassus.
If it is the Senate's wish.
This would be highly irregular.
- Never in the Republic's history...
- New times require new measures.
- What say you, Senators?
- Yes!
Why won't you speak
with me, Varinia?
What was he like, Spartacus?
What was he like?
He was just a man.
- A simple man.
- No.
He was a professional killer.
He was an outlaw.
And he was an enemy of
everything fine and decent.
If you already have the answer to
your question then why ask it?
Because you waste
your tears on him.
In five years...
we won't even remember
his name, I promise you.
Then why does he still
matter to you?
Spartacus was something the
world has never seen before.
He was something different.
He was the way that people
might be if they chose.
I can be something different.
I can be...
I can be someone else.
Yes.
Please love me.
Love me.
He was something
that you could never be.
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
- No!
- Do you like the way it ends?
I am Spartacus!
Get out.
Get out!
Here I am.
Do you still have
nothing to say?
I will be back.
And I will be millions.
Don't look at me like that.
I've lost, Flavius.
Rome has lost.
Outflanked by that
toady Caesar.
Don't you mean Crassus?
Caesar is the real
beneficiary here.
- Tell me some good news.
- There is none.
Crassus has turned the Appian Way
into a graveyard.
Six thousand crucifixions
I hear.
Whole forests cut down.
The tree lovers will be
up in arms.
The stench of rotting flesh
is unbearable.
But the corpse...
is Rome's.
Civilization hangs
on the cross.
What have we done?
Now tell me some dirt. Gossip.
I hear that Crassus
has secretly taken...
Spartacus' wife Varinia...
and keeps her and Spartacus's child
locked away in his house.
Treats her like gold they say,
but she scorns him.
Even now, this Varinia?
War trophy, I imagine.
- Can I have a drink?
- Help yourself.
I would pay a lot...
- to steal her.
- Are you out of your mind?
- It would be suicide.
- Two million sesterces.
We bestow upon Laius Pompey
and Marcus Crassus...
the honorable and noble title
of Co-Consul of the Roman Empire.
From this moment on...
you are all...
free.
Here on the table is a scroll
for each of you...
declaring you legally...
free.
Do not imagine...
for one uneducated moment
that I am unaware...
of how you and Caesar...
denied me my rightful Triumph.
You know why I am so much more
popular than you, Crassus?
Because it's only natural
to prefer the rising sun...
to the one that sets.
Leave us.
- We haven't much time, Agrippa.
- Wait outside.
Why have you done this?
At first, it was just a thumb
in Crassus' eye.
But the more I thought
about it, well...
A foolish old man's
last gesture...
of redemption maybe?
After I sobered up yesterday...
I started to meditate as to how
a handful of slaves...
could almost defeat the greatest
military power in the world.
Do you know what I think?
I think that you fought
for your freedom...
for your children's lives...
the honor of your women...
and all that is good
in the world.
And Rome fought for what?
The whip and the cross.
I love Rome,
but she's become a whore.
I despise what she is,
but I'm too old to leave her.
And in truth, I helped to make
Rome what she has become.
- Agrippa, we have to go.
- Yes, get the chariot ready.
What is your son's name?
Spartacus.
Spartacus.
You shame me.
You shamed us all.
Flavius will lead you.
He is as loyal a Roman
as money can buy.
Having thus imparted my sentiments
as they've been awakened...
by the occasion which brings us
together, I shall take...
- Where is Agrippa?
- That pimp?
Who cares?
Where is she?
Where is she?
You're safe now.
Thank you.
Good luck.
And that is how we came here.
And how does the story end?
I don't know, Spartacus.
It becomes your story now...
and you must find
your own ending.
--