Poems John
TV Show Spartacus Is Most Recent Repackaging Of Inspirational Tale
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.
Because of its graphic violence, this program reaches an audience primarily composed of teenagers, particularly boys. For those who want action with a bit less violence, Caprica reaches a similar audience demographic.
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 many novels, poems and films, as well as being an inspiration to slaves and revolutionaries in later eras.
The most well known film of Spartacus is the 1960 production by Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas took the lead role and the “I am Spartacus” scene has been reprised and/or parodied by many other movies.
The most recent portrayal of the story is Spartacus: Blood and Sand, a Starz TV series, first shown in January 2010. Andy Whitfield takes the part of Spartacus, and John Hannah is Batiatus. The first series covers the life of Spartacus up to the start of the revolt. Unfortunately the lead actor Whitfield is unwell, and is not returning for the second series, which is now scheduled for September 2011. If you missed the first season, you may wish to buy the first season as a Spartacus DVD
Lunch Poems – John Matthias
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