Editing Spartacus (Blood and Sand) (section)

==Biography==

===Blood and Sand===

====Rise and Betrayal====
Spartacus gains respect in his Thracian village, and when the Roman general Gaius Claudius Glaber arrives seeking allies against Mithridates, Spartacus proposes a pact: Glaber's forces would aid in their fight against the Getae. Spartacus joins the Roman auxiliaries to battle both the Getae and Mithridates, but his plans are thwarted when Glaber reneges on their agreement and abandons the Thracians to face the Getae alone. In defiance, Spartacus deserts Glaber, who retaliates by capturing Spartacus and his wife, Sura. Sura is sold into slavery, and Spartacus is chained and sent to the gladiator pits of Capua.

====The Arena and Batiatus====
In Capua, Spartacus is condemned to fight four gladiators in a public execution. Astonishing the crowd and the Roman elite, he triumphs, prompting Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, a ludus owner, to purchase him. Spartacus is renamed after an ancient Thracian king since the Romans do not know his real name.

Initially resistant, Spartacus refuses to submit to Batiatus or accept his fate as a gladiator, focusing solely on escaping and reuniting with Sura. This defiance earns him harsh treatment from his peers. Eventually, Batiatus strikes a deal: he will find Sura if Spartacus trains and accepts Batiatus as his master. During his training, Spartacus befriends Varro, another trainee, but becomes the enemy of Crixus, the top gladiator of the ludus.

In his first formal fight, Spartacus faces Crixus but is humiliated and forced to surrender, losing his honor and gladiator status. Batiatus sends him to fight in the brutal underworld pits to regain his position. After surviving this ordeal and saving Batiatus from an assassination attempt, Spartacus is reinstated.

====Rise as Champion====
Spartacus' next arena battle is alongside Crixus against the legendary giant, Theokoles. Despite initial difficulties, they find a shared purpose in fighting for their loved ones. Though Crixus is severely wounded, Spartacus defeats Theokoles, earning immense fame and the titles "Slayer of Theokoles" and "Bringer of Rain," as his victory coincides with a long-awaited rainfall in drought-stricken Capua.

With his newfound status, Spartacus is hailed as the new Champion of Capua and gains significant favor in Batiatus' house. He is promised Sura’s return, only to find her mortally wounded upon arrival. Realizing Batiatus' treachery in her death, Spartacus is driven by vengeance but initially complies with Batiatus' demands, even performing in a staged battle where he must kill criminals dressed as Thracians.

====From Gladiator to Leader====
Despite his rising fame, Spartacus remains tormented by the loss of Sura and his friend Varro, whom he is forced to kill in a manipulated exhibition match. This realization, coupled with an overexertion that leads to delirium, makes him understand the futility of his victories. Discovering the truth of Sura's murder at Batiatus' command, Spartacus resolves to seek revenge and freedom.

He begins to recruit allies among the other gladiators, starting with the German brothers Duro and Agron. Convincing them to join his cause, Spartacus faces resistance from the Gauls, led by Crixus, who is punished for his relationship with Lucretia's servant, Naevia. As tensions rise, Spartacus prepares for the final act of rebellion.

====The Rebellion====
During the celebration of Glaber's patronage, Spartacus and Crixus are pitted against each other in a fight to the death. Learning that Crixus has been poisoned to weaken him, Spartacus persuades Crixus to join the revolt. Their fight turns into a signal for rebellion as Spartacus launches himself towards the spectators, killing a Roman dignitary.

As the gladiators, led by Spartacus and Crixus, rise against their oppressors, the villa descends into chaos. Spartacus personally confronts Batiatus, culminating in a dramatic moment where he slays his enemy after recounting Batiatus' betrayals. With Lucretia also gravely wounded, Spartacus delivers a rousing speech to the surviving slaves, vowing to lead them to freedom and make Rome tremble

===Vengeance===
In the aftermath of their escape, Spartacus and his followers launch a series of guerrilla attacks on the city of Capua. These raids serve dual purposes: acquiring supplies and goading Glaber into a confrontation. Spartacus taunts Glaber by carving his name into the bodies of his victims. This provocation compels the Senate to send Glaber to Capua, where Spartacus plans to strike despite the objections of his allies, Crixus and Mira. As the rebels prepare to flee to the western hills, Spartacus secretly heads off to confront Glaber. He gives Varro's widow, Aurelia, a pouch of coins to ensure her safe return to her son.

The plan quickly unravels. Aurelia is captured and fatally wounded by the Romans, and Spartacus, driven by rage, bungles his assault on Glaber, only managing to wound him. Spartacus narrowly escapes death thanks to Crixus and his men, but upon his return, he faces the ire of Mira and Crixus. Aurelia, on her deathbed, implores Spartacus to stay away from her son to prevent further tragedy. Grieving, Spartacus agrees to join Crixus in searching for Naevia and leaves Capua with his followers, aiming to amass an army by liberating slaves along the way.

On their journey, the rebels raid a villa, killing the guards and liberating the slaves, including Nasir, who initially resents Spartacus for disrupting his life. Instead of executing Nasir, Spartacus decides to train him and show him the value of freedom. The rebels fend off soldiers who come to investigate and continue their mission.

They later intercept a cart transporting slaves to the mines. Agron and Nasir extract information about Naevia from a wounded slaver before killing him. Agron falsely tells Crixus that Naevia is dead to deter a dangerous rescue mission. Crixus is devastated, but Spartacus plans to move to Vesuvius with the rebels, which the Gauls support after Crixus backs the idea. Mira requests combat training from Spartacus to avoid a fate like Sura’s. Eventually, Crixus discovers the truth from Nasir: Naevia is alive but in the mines. Furious, Crixus confronts Agron, who admits to lying for the rebellion's greater good. Spartacus resolves to rescue Naevia, splitting the group as Agron leads others to Vesuvius. Nasir chooses to join Spartacus.

Disguised as slaves and slavers, the rebels infiltrate the mines, find Naevia, and attempt to escape. Romans quickly pursue them, and Crixus sacrifices himself to ensure the others' escape. Spartacus, Naevia, and the remaining rebels flee into the forest.

The group heads towards Vesuvius, evading Roman patrols and suffering heavy losses. Nasir is critically wounded, slowing their progress. As they near Vesuvius, they encounter Agron and the disguised rebels, leading to a joyous reunion. Spartacus and Agron reconcile, and they find refuge in a ruined temple owned by Lucius Caelius, a Roman outcast who informs them of the impending execution of Crixus, Oenomaus, and Rhaskos in the arena. Spartacus plans a rescue, and Agron joins him.

Spartacus and Agron infiltrate the arena in disguise just as the executions begin. Rhaskos is killed, but the rebels set fire to the arena, causing it to collapse and kill thousands of spectators. Amidst the chaos, they rescue the prisoners and escape.

Back at their sanctuary, tensions arise as Naevia struggles with her trauma, and Gannicus, reluctant to join the rebels, plans to leave. Suspicion falls on Gannicus when vital supplies go missing, but it’s revealed that Chadara, a freed slave, intended to flee and had stolen the items. Spartacus and Gannicus clash, but Chadara is caught and killed by Mira. Gannicus leaves, disinterested in their cause.

The rebels raid the Neapolis slave market, freeing many German slaves who join their ranks. Back at the sanctuary, suspicions grow as Agron hunts without Spartacus and new soldiers like Sedullus stir trouble. Sedullus attempts to rape Naevia, leading to a deadly confrontation with Agron. Spartacus kills Sedullus and asserts his leadership, winning the Germans’ loyalty.

Gannicus returns with a captive Ilithyia, hoping to end the conflict by urging Spartacus to kill her. Spartacus is tempted until he learns she carries his child. Deciding to spare her, he stops Mira from assassinating Ilithyia, causing a rift between them. The rebels attempt to trade Ilithyia for weapons, but the Romans betray them. Thanks to the archery skills of Lucius and Mira, they escape, though Lucius is killed. Spartacus releases Ilithyia, realizing killing her won't balance the scales with Glaber.

Spartacus tests his rebels by disguising himself and others as Romans, revealing their internal discord as their greatest weakness. He devises a bonding exercise involving team fights, successfully uniting the group, though his relationship with Mira ends. Soon after, they repel an attack by Varinius, only to face Glaber’s larger force. Forced up Vesuvius, Glaber attempts to starve them out.

Desperation grows among the rebels. A group led by Nemetes attempts to break through the Roman lines but is ambushed. Spartacus and his core allies launch a rescue, engaging briefly with the powerful Egyptian warrior. During the retreat, Mira is mortally wounded by Salvius. Spartacus tries to save her, but she dies, leaving him devastated and blaming Nemetes for her death.

Ashur approaches the rebels with terms for surrender, but they unanimously refuse to betray Spartacus. Naevia duels and kills Ashur after a fierce struggle. Inspired, Spartacus devises a plan using vines to descend Vesuvius and surprise the Romans. Spartacus, Gannicus, Crixus, and Agron seize Roman catapults and attack, drawing the army into a trap where the rest of the rebels flank and decimate them.

In the ensuing battle, Spartacus avenges Mira by killing Salvius and confronts Glaber. Despite Glaber’s rage, Spartacus triumphs, declaring his freedom as he kills Glaber. As Glaber warns of Rome’s relentless pursuit, Spartacus vows to face whatever comes. He rallies the rebels, now an army, to confront Rome’s legions, embracing their destiny to challenge the might of the Republic.

===War of The Dammed===
Following the victory at the Battle of Vesuvius, Spartacus liberates the Roman mines and other territories, rallying a significant force and creating the formidable army he envisioned. Over time, his ranks swell to thousands, and with their superior skills, they defeat Praetor Cossinius and Tribune Furius, forcing their retreat. This alarming news prompts the Roman Senate to summon Marcus Crassus to counter Spartacus' growing threat.

Despite Spartacus' effective leadership, he remains unaware of the evolving dynamics within the rebel camp. Many escaped slaves start to idolize him as a god, though some harbor discontent. Driven by a burning desire to dismantle Roman slavery, Spartacus continues his campaign, fueled by the emptiness left by the loss of his wife, Sura.

Upon learning that Crassus is assembling an army of 10,000 soldiers nearby, Spartacus devises a bold plan. With Crixus and Gannicus, he launches a surprise nighttime assault on a villa harboring Cossinius and Furius. While the main rebel force lures out their surviving troops, Spartacus and his companions infiltrate and slaughter the villa's defenders, culminating in the execution of Cossinius and Furius. Preparing for the approaching winter and Crassus' impending arrival, Spartacus sets his sights on capturing a Roman city to shelter his army.

Spartacus then gathers intelligence on Sinuessa, leading a covert operation with Crixus and Gannicus into the city. Witnessing a slave being punished, Spartacus mercifully ends his suffering, attracting the suspicion of Laurus. They secure the support of Attius, a blacksmith, to forge weapons, and Spartacus surveys the city's grain supplies, encountering Laeta and her husband. When a curfew complicates their plans, Spartacus and Gannicus coerce Attius into helping open the main gate, allowing Crixus and Agron to seize the city. Spartacus kills the city's Aedile to prevent the destruction of the grain stores and declares Sinuessa under rebel control.

Managing the newly conquered city, Spartacus ensures the humane treatment of captive Romans, despite Agron's concerns about food shortages. When pirate leader Heracleo arrives to deliver grain, Spartacus negotiates with him for further supplies, learning about the Romans' winter stockpiling. Spartacus later fends off a Roman attack at Sinuessa's gates, unaware that his rescuer is Julius Caesar in disguise. Tensions escalate as he maintains order among the rebels and strategizes against Crassus, realizing that Cossinius and Furius' deaths were part of Crassus' broader plan.

Spartacus' leadership is tested as internal strife emerges within the rebel ranks. He narrowly prevents Crixus from executing Laeta and manages a fragile peace among his followers. As winter approaches, he leads a daring raid on Crassus' grain supplies in Cicilia, securing vital resources for the rebels. Despite the success, conflicts with Crixus over strategy continue, culminating in a heated clash as the rebels face severe cold and dwindling provisions.

In a desperate move, Spartacus devises a plan to breach Crassus' fortifications. Using the bodies of storm victims to bridge a trench, the rebels launch a surprise attack, forcing Crassus into a temporary retreat. Spartacus capitalizes on this victory, planning to move the rebels north away from Roman pursuit.

As they press on, Spartacus supports a woman in labor and confronts Kore, a former slave of Crassus. The rebels secure a villa for a final celebration before Spartacus and Crixus part ways, each pursuing their path – Spartacus towards the Alps and Crixus towards Rome. The night is marked by a heartfelt farewell and a burgeoning romance between Spartacus and Laeta.

Spartacus leads a small raid against Pompey's forces, capturing weapons and discovering Crixus' fate. In Crixus' honor, the rebels hold a gladiatorial contest where Spartacus once again fights in the arena. Negotiations with Caesar lead to a prisoner exchange, but tensions rise when Kore kills Tiberius. Despite this, Spartacus successfully secures the release of rebel captives.

Realizing that not all rebels can escape, Spartacus plans a final stand against Crassus to allow non-combatants to flee. He meets with Crassus, exchanging words before the final battle. The rebels employ strategic defenses but are ultimately overwhelmed by Crassus' larger army. In a fierce duel, Spartacus confronts Crassus, but is gravely wounded by Roman soldiers.

Rescued by Agron and Nasir, Spartacus is taken to the mountains where he spends his last moments reflecting on his journey. He urges the rebels to continue their quest for freedom before succumbing to his injuries. Spartacus is buried with honor, marking the end of his legendary fight against Rome.