The Most Recent Repackaging Of A Heroic Tale - The Television Show Spartacus

The 2010 TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand, is only the latest of many works to be inspired by the career of the rebellious slave and gladiator named Spartacus. In fact, not a great deal is known about the career of the real life Spartacus, apart from the part he played in the slave rebellion in southern Italy, against the Roman Republic between 73 and 71 BC. Nonetheless Spartacus' struggle has been an inspiration, both to revolutionaries, and to poets, authors and screen writers, up to the modern day.

Historians agree that Spartacus came from Thrace, a region in the Balkans, and a part of the Roman Empire at that time. He had been made into a slave of the Romans, but as he seemed to possess some military experience, he was sent to gladiator training school, in Capua in Italy, run by Lentulus Batiatus.

In 73 BC Spartacus organized an escape attempt from the school. The escape was betrayed, but Spartacus and his companions were able to arm themselves with kitchen implements, and fight their way out. During their escape they captured a great deal of weaponry and armor intended for the use of the gladiators. Spartacus and his force then defeated a small detachment of Roman troops, and retreated to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius where they set up defensive positions.

During the next two years Spartacus defeated every attempt by the Roman Republic to crush the slave revolt. Over this time his forces built up to almost 70,000 men.

Finally, in 73 BC, the senate ordered Crassus, who was the wealthiest man in the city, to take command of 40,000 troops and to finally crush the revolt. Crassus' forces were organized into 8 legions, all fully armed and trained Roman soldiers. Finally, and with great cruelty, the Republic's forces crushed the slave revolt. It is believed that Spartacus died in one of the final battles although his body was never found.

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.