Editing Spartacus (Blood and Sand) (section)

== Trivia ==

===== Portrayal and Actor Transitions: =====

* Andy Whitfield, who played Spartacus in the first season, stood 180 cm (5'11") tall and weighed 85 kg (187 lbs). He tragically left the series due to health issues and passed away on September 11, 2011, from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Liam McIntyre, who took over the role in the second and third seasons, is 186 cm (6'2") tall and also weighs 85 kg (187 lbs). McIntyre later portrayed Mark Mardon, a.k.a. Weather Wizard, on CW's The Flash, a character with weather manipulation powers, earning the nickname "Bringer of Rain."

==== Name and Identity: ====

* Spartacus's real name is never revealed in the series. Batiatus bestows the name "Spartacus" on him after his surprising victory in the arena. Despite several attempts to disclose his real name, Spartacus consistently uses his given name, suggesting a deep connection to his wife, from whom he hopes to hear his true name once again. He is the sole character in the series to fully embrace his new identity and the only protagonist whose pre-slavery life is explored in detail.

==== Fighting Styles and Gladiatorial Lore: ====

* Spartacus initially fights in the Thraex style but transitions to the Dimachaeri style, wielding two swords. This change was partly to avoid covering the actor's face with a helmet during battles, allowing for greater on-screen presence. He is one of the few gladiators, along with Gnaeus, to switch fighting styles. Notably, his Dimachaeri style allowed him to showcase his face, a crucial aspect of his on-screen persona.
* The series implies that Spartacus has proficiency in Pankration, an ancient Greek martial art.

==== Character Relationships and Personal Life: ====

* The friendship between Spartacus and Varro felt genuine because Andy Whitfield and Jai Courtney were close friends in real life, maintaining their bond until Whitfield's death.
* Spartacus avenges both his significant others, Mira and Sura, by killing Salvius and Glaber respectively.
* Both Spartacus and Crixus father children who meet tragic ends, with Spartacus's child being killed by Lucretia in a suicide act in Vengeance.
* Spartacus never truly smiles again after Varro's death, reflecting the deep impact of the loss on him. Spartacus's lovers in the series have names ending with "a" (Sura, Mira, and Laeta), and he is implied to have loved each deeply. Historical and Cultural Details:
* Spartacus hails from the Maedi tribe of Thrace, located in what is now southwest Bulgaria, specifically the region of Blagoevgrad Province. The Maedi were a Hellenized Thracian tribe aligned with the Odrysian Kingdom, east of Macedonia. Spartacus's warrior background is akin to that of a Greek hoplite, indicating his higher status within his tribe.
* His home region’s capital was Iamphorynna, possibly near modern Petrich or Sandanski.

==== Series Lore and Details: ====

* In the series, Spartacus earns the title "Champion of Capua," with "Champion" being translated to Campionem in Latin. As the leader of the rebellion during the Third Servile War, he would be referred to as Dux Ducis, translating to "leader of leaders." Despite numerous battles and conflicts, Spartacus never kills any women in the series. He attempts to kill Ilithyia twice but never succeeds. Unique Character Aspects:
* Spartacus inadvertently dishonors several of his enemies through their wives. For example, he is manipulated into having sex with Ilithyia, Glaber's wife, which horrifies him but leads to Ilithyia's pleasure, possibly resulting in her pregnancy. His final lover, Laeta, is the widow of a Roman man Spartacus kills. Their relationship highlights the complex intertwining of personal and political conflicts in the series. Spartacus and Gannicus share numerous similarities: both excel in the Dimachaeri style, have numerous lovers, and maintain strong moral codes. They become close friends and confidants throughout the Third Servile War.

==== Production and Behind-the-Scenes: ====

* For continuity in showing Spartacus's injuries and scars, Andy Whitfield underwent a full-body cast process. This detailed procedure ensured consistency in the portrayal of his character’s physical state across the series. The intense process of creating a cast for his head included covering his hair and facial features with a special gel that hardened into a mold after about 40 minutes. Historical Context and Settings:
* Spartacus's military service under Rome would have classified him as part of the Auxilia, a group of non-Roman servicemen. His role aligns more closely with a Numerus, a contingent of 'barbarian' allies led by their own leaders. The geographical and historical references to Thrace and the Maedi tribe are rooted in actual locations in Bulgaria, emphasizing the show's dedication to incorporating real historical elements into the character's backstory.