Aurelia (Spartacus: Blood and Sand)
Aurelia is a Roman woman and the devoted wife of Varro. Following her husband's death, she becomes an indentured servant in the House of Batiatus to repay his outstanding debts. However, she is later freed during the rebellion. Spartacus, wanting to ensure her safety, sends her away—unintentionally setting off unforeseen consequences.
| Names | Aurelia |
| Gender | Female ♀ |
| Race | Human |
| Occupation | Roman Noble, Slave (Nexi) |
| Origin | Spartacus: Blood and Sand Episode 7 (S1E7): "Great and Unfortunate Things" (March 5, 2010) |
| Alignment | Good |
| Age | 20s |
| Created By | Steven S, DeKnight & Brent Fletcher |
| Height | 160 cm (5ft 3in) |
| Personality Type | ISFJ |
| Portrayed By | Brooke Williams |
Appearance
Aurelia is a Roman woman with long brunette hair, a slender build, full breasts, and wide hips. Initially, she dresses in the elegant attire of a typical Roman woman, occasionally wearing jewelry such as earrings. However, upon entering servitude under Batiatus, she is forced to wear the simple robes of a slave.
Personality
A loving wife and devoted mother, Aurelia deeply cherishes her husband, Varro, and their son, Janus. The family's financial struggles push Varro to become a gladiator to provide for them. After Varro's tragic death, she is consumed by grief and resentment, particularly toward Spartacus, whom she blames for her husband's fate. However, over time, she comes to understand the depth of Spartacus' bond with Varro and realizes that his death was not his fault. Despite this, she remains firm in her desire to keep Spartacus and the rebellion away from her son's life, hoping to shield him from further suffering.
Biography
Blood and Sand
Aurelia is introduced when she visits Varro at Batiatus' ludus with their young son after he has Ashur send her a letter. Though she initially refuses the message, she chooses to deliver her response in person. Varro is overjoyed to see his family again, and they share a heartfelt conversation before he surprises her with a kiss—one that she quickly reciprocates with joy.
However, their reunion is short-lived when Varro learns that Aurelia has been raped by a man named Titus and is now carrying his child against her will. In his anguish, he refuses to believe her claims that she was forced.
Later, when Titus seeks her out again, she and her son fight him off and flee the city to live with her relatives in the countryside. This deeply worries Varro, prompting Spartacus to convince Mira to search for her. Aurelia is eventually found and brought back to the ludus, where she shares the news of their safety with Varro. Their relationship is mended, and they decide to raise the unborn child together as their own.
After Varro's tragic death, Aurelia appears in widow’s attire to retrieve his body for a proper burial. Upon learning that Spartacus was the one who killed him, she rejects his attempt to support her with his winnings. Instead, she chooses to pay off Varro’s debts by becoming a slave to Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. Her presence in the ludus keeps Spartacus from acting against Batiatus, knowing that any rebellion would lead to her death. Despite Spartacus' loyalty to Varro and his family, Aurelia holds him responsible for her husband's fate. Unable to bear raising a child without Varro, she ultimately decides to have an abortion.
Her beauty draws the unwanted attention of Ashur, who often leers at her and makes remarks about her appearance. However, Mira steps in to protect her, ensuring that Aurelia is occupied elsewhere whenever Ashur is near.
When the rebellion erupts, Aurelia is among the guests on the balcony. Lucretia entrusts Numerius to her care, and they flee to the back of the house for safety. During this time, Aurelia overhears a conversation between Ilithyia and Numerius, confirming what Spartacus had told her earlier—that Varro was killed for sport at Numerius' command. Though she had previously dismissed Spartacus' words, the revelation shatters her.
Overcome with grief and rage, she confronts Numerius, seeking confirmation. Oblivious to her identity, he callously dismisses Varro as insignificant. In a frenzy of sorrow and fury, Aurelia grabs a knife from a nearby table. With tears streaming down her face, she recalls how Varro would sing to their child and comfort her. Then, screaming "He was mine!" she stabs Numerius repeatedly in the neck, only stopping when Spartacus pulls her away from his lifeless body.
She then leaves the ludus alongside Spartacus and the other freed slaves, forever changed by the loss and vengeance that now defines her.
Vengeance
Aurelia remains stricken with grief but comes to trust and respect Spartacus. In an effort to ensure her safety, he arranges for her to be escorted to her son along with a group of escaping slaves. However, their attempt at freedom is thwarted when Glaber and his men intercept them. The other runaways are slaughtered, while Aurelia is captured, brutalized by five soldiers, and then paraded before a Roman crowd. Glaber intends to use her to force Spartacus into revealing his whereabouts. Bloodied and battered, she is further humiliated with "FVG" carved into her forehead—an abbreviation for "fugitivus," meaning fugitive in Latin.
Spartacus, Agron, Crixus, Donar, and Rabanus launch a rescue, managing to save her from further torment. However, her injuries prove too severe, and she ultimately succumbs to them. With her dying breath, she pleads with Spartacus to stay away from her son, fearing that he would meet the same tragic fate as his parents.
Trivia
- Romans who sold themselves into slavery due to debt were known as Nexi, or "contract servants."
- Aurelia may be connected to the Gens Aurelia, a plebeian Roman clan whose name derives from Aureus, meaning "golden." The first recorded member to attain consulship was Lucius Aurelius Cotta in 252 BC during the First Punic War. The family's prominence grew further during the Principate and Imperial eras.
- Aurelia is one of the few Romans to become a true ally to Spartacus and the first to join the rebellion, alongside Varro, Lucius, Attius, and Laeta.
- Like her husband, she is one of the only Roman citizens to voluntarily enter servitude to settle a spouse’s debts.
