http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2CqtNeRK_w
Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that
premiered on January 22, 2010. The series focuses on the historical
figure of Spartacus (played by Andy Whitfield), a Thracian
gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against
the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S. DeKnight and
Robert Tapert focused on structuring the events of Spartacus’
obscure early life leading to the records of history.[1] The show
has been rated TV-MA for graphic violence, strong sexual content,
and coarse language. On December 22, 2009, it was announced that
the show was renewed for a second season before even premiering.[2]
On March 9, 2010, IGN.com reported that the
production of Season 2 has been delayed due to star Andy Whitfield
being diagnosed with early-stage Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Synopsis
The story begins with an unnamed Thracian’s involvement in the
war against the Getae in Roman auxiliary under the command of the
legatus, Claudius Glaber. Glaber, persuaded by his wife Ilithyia to
seek greater glory, instead decides to confront the forces of
Mithradates. The Thracian, feeling betrayed, leads a mutiny against
Glaber, and returns to find his village destroyed. The Thracian and
his wife Sura are captured by Glaber the next day; the Thracian is
condemned to die in the arena for inciting mass desertion of the
auxiliary, and Sura is condemned to slavery. The Thracian is
sentenced to death, and is forced to fight four gladiators.
However, he manages to kill the gladiators, and senator Albinius
commutes the prisoner’s punishment to slavery. Since the prisoner’s
true name is unknown, Batiatus suggests to Albinius to name him
“Spartacus”, because he fought like the ferocious Thracian king of
that name.
Seeing the Thracian’s skill and popularity with the crowd, Lentulus
Batiatus purchases him for training in his ludus in Capua.
Spartacus joins Batiatus’ ludus under the tutelage of Doctore, a
former gladiator but fellow slave. He is befriended by Varro, a
Roman who sold himself into slavery in order to pay his debts and
support his family. However, he is harassed by more senior
gladiators, notably Crixus, an undefeated Gaul, and Barca, a
Carthaginian. Soon, Spartacus learns that Sura was sold to a Syrian
slave trader. Batiatus, who has been unable to control Spartacus
during his first days of training, discovers the instrument of his
taming, and persuades Spartacus to fight for his and Sura’s
freedom.
