Marcus Licinius Crassus (Spartacus)

“	"Supporting claim he will be made ally. We shall stand fearsome Triumvirate, with means to bend the course of history... the past cannot be altered, the present holds but regret and loss, it is only in the days to come that a man may find solace... when memory fades."	„
	― Crassus to Caesar

Marcus Licinius Crassus is regarded as the wealthiest man in Rome and serves as a senator of the Republic. Envied and resented by his fellow patricians, he longs for the power and prestige that crushing Spartacus and his rebel army would bring.

Initially referenced in the first two seasons, Crassus emerges as the primary antagonist in the final season of Spartacus.

Names	Marcus Licinius Crassus, Imperator
Gender	Male ♂
Race	Human
Occupation	Businessman, Senator, Imperator
Origin	Spartacus: War of the Dammed Episode 1 (S3E1): "Enemies of Rome" (January 25, 2013)
Alignment	Mixed
Age	40s
Created By	Steven S, DeKnight,
Height	183cm (6ft 0in)
Weight	76kg (168lbs)
Personality Type	ENTJ, 1w9 (Enneagram)
Portrayed By	Simon Merrells

Appearance

Crassus is a middle-aged nobleman who dresses in the finely tailored Roman robes befitting his status. Despite his age, he maintains a lean yet well-toned physique. In battle, he dons the armor of a Roman officer and wields his father's sword, embodying both discipline and tradition.

Personality

Highly intelligent and deeply ambitious, Crassus possesses one of the sharpest minds Spartacus and his rebels ever encounter. Unlike many of his peers, he values competence over privilege, refusing to grant his son military rank without first proving himself as a capable leader.

Crassus is driven by a desire to see Spartacus fall, not just for personal gain, but for the glory of Rome. Unlike Glaber and Varinius, he is methodical and does not underestimate his enemy. Rather, he admires Spartacus for his tactical brilliance and strategic ingenuity, acknowledging him as a worthy adversary.

Despite his ambitions, Crassus remains loyal to the Republic and believes in meritocracy. He despises the arrogance of certain highborn Romans and even holds a level of respect for slaves, particularly gladiators, as seen in his interactions with Kore and Hilarus. His sense of justice is unyielding—he believes no one is above punishment, whether they are Romans, friends, or even family.

In contrast to many Roman households, Crassus and his family treat their slaves with a degree of fairness, offering them protection from abuse and reprimanding those who mistreat them. Though he cares deeply for his family, his relentless pursuit of power often consumes his time, leading to tensions in his marriage. His greatest flaw is his inability to recognize the suffering of those closest to him, a blind spot that fuels internal conflicts within his ranks—particularly the growing rivalry between Tiberius and Caesar.

Biography

Blood and Sand

Crassus is frequently mentioned throughout the first season. His cousin, Licinia, makes an appearance, and following her mysterious disappearance, it is revealed that Crassus has offered a substantial reward for any information regarding her whereabouts. He is even willing to pay more for the capture of any suspects if foul play is suspected.

Vengeance

Though he does not appear in person, Crassus is referenced multiple times through dialogue. Glaber mentions him while arguing with Ilithyia about Licinia's death, stating that he had to offer patronage to Batiatus to cover it up. Crassus' influence is further reinforced when Varinius makes a derogatory joke about him at a party but immediately warns Ilithyia not to let Crassus hear of it, fearing his retribution.

War of the Damned

Crassus makes his first on-screen appearance in Rome, training with his slave and former gladiator, Hilarus. A dedicated student of combat, he hones his skills under Hilarus' tutelage. His training is interrupted by Senator Metellus, who informs him of the growing threat Spartacus' rebellion poses to the Republic. Metellus requests Crassus' support, offering him command of an army of 10,000 men under Cossinius and Furius in exchange for his assistance. Crassus agrees, but when his wife, Tertulla, insists that their son, Tiberius, join as a tribune, he refuses, stating that Tiberius must first prove himself in battle.

As his training continues, Crassus attempts to teach Tiberius that slaves, particularly gladiators, can be formidable adversaries. He uses Spartacus as an example, pointing out how he has bested even Rome’s finest warriors. When Tiberius scoffs at this notion, Crassus forces him to fight Hilarus to humble him.

One evening, Crassus challenges Hilarus to a final duel, realizing that his slave has been holding back out of fear for his life. To push him to his limits, Crassus offers him freedom and 10,000 denarii if he can land a killing blow. Hilarus accepts, and the two engage in a brutal fight. Hilarus briefly gains the upper hand, disarming Crassus of both weapons, but as he goes for the finishing strike, Crassus seizes his sword with both hands, wrests it from his grasp, and impales him with it. As Hilarus dies in his arms, Crassus tells him that the money he was promised will instead be used to erect a statue in his honor.

Following the deaths of Cossinius and Furius, Metellus returns and bestows upon Crassus the rank of Imperator, granting him sole command of the war against Spartacus. Crassus reveals to Tiberius that their deaths were part of his calculated plan to accelerate his rise to power, declaring, "The House of Crassus bows to no one." He then walks away, leaving his son gazing after him in admiration of his cunning.

Julius Caesar arrives at the House of Crassus, and after a brief skirmish with his guards, he is personally welcomed by Crassus himself. The two strike an alliance to crush Spartacus’ rebellion. Crassus orders Caesar to remain unshaven, though he does not reveal the purpose of this directive. When Caesar makes an advance on Kore, Crassus briefly reprimands him. Later, Crassus finds Tertulla preparing their family’s belongings for travel, intending to join him on his campaign. He refuses, insisting that he will not place his family in danger. That night, he shares an intimate moment with Kore, asking her, “not as a master, but as a man,” if she wishes to accompany him. She smiles and sincerely agrees.

Kore then urges him to make a final decision regarding Tiberius’ role in the campaign. Crassus names Tiberius his "word and will," but warns him not to engage Spartacus until he arrives with proper force. This decision enrages Caesar, but Crassus commands him to treat his son with respect, adding that Caesar himself will serve as his military tribune.

Later, Crassus visits Tiberius after he suffers an injury in a failed assault on Spartacus. Disappointed, he informs his son that Caesar has infiltrated the rebel ranks to expedite their downfall. In a subsequent meeting, Crassus sternly rebukes Tiberius for disobeying orders and engaging Spartacus prematurely, stating that his first battle would be remembered as a victory for Spartacus. Dismissing his son's justifications, Crassus enforces the brutal ancient punishment of decimation upon the soldiers who fled. That night, after an encounter with Kore, Crassus decides to treat Tiberius as he would any other soldier.

During the decimation, Crassus solemnly apologizes to his son for treating him like a child and orders him to participate in the punishment alongside his men. When Tiberius survives and is forced to execute Sabinus, Crassus exiles him to the followers' camp. As Tiberius leaves, he addresses his father not as "Father," but as "Imperator," signaling the rift between them. Crassus watches him depart, unaware of the deep resentment festering within his son.

As Crassus orchestrates Spartacus’ downfall, Metellus interrupts and demands to know why the rebel leader remains at large despite the Senate’s significant investment in Crassus. Unshaken, Crassus calmly discusses his military strategy, justifying his careful approach in dismantling the rebellion. Later, while passing through the followers’ camp, he spots Tiberius, who greets him with a cold, emotionless stare. Confiding in Kore, Crassus admits, “I look into his eyes and no longer gaze upon the boy I knew.” Kore urges him to speak with his son to mend the growing divide, but Crassus insists that Tiberius must forge his own path or risk being lost forever. He then shares an intimate moment with Kore.

After Caesar successfully infiltrates the rebel stronghold in Sinuessa and Crassus (off-screen) secures negotiations with the Cilician pirates, Spartacus and his forces are forced to flee the city. However, Crassus wastes no time in pursuit, leading his Roman legions in a relentless chase. Upon reuniting with Caesar, Crassus confronts Spartacus at the rear gates of the city, witnessing firsthand the rebel leader, alongside Crixus and Agron, holding off an entire Roman phalanx. As the Rebels destroy the bridge to prevent further pursuit, Caesar identifies Spartacus, stating, “The man you seek.” Crassus calls out Spartacus’ name, and for the first time, the two leaders lock eyes. The exchange is brief—Crassus commands his men, “Seize him!” but Spartacus narrowly escapes beneath the bridge, leading his forces into the mountains. When Caesar questions Crassus’ decision to maintain their position in Sinuessa instead of pressing the attack, the Imperator confidently assures him that all is proceeding according to plan, dismissing any doubts.

Within the city, Crassus reassures Kore of her place in Sinuessa and tasks Tiberius with organizing a grand celebration in honor of Caesar. Unaware of his son’s festering resentment over the earlier decimation, Crassus believes this duty will reaffirm his loyalty. Though Tiberius complies, he secretly harbors deep anger toward his father.

Meanwhile, in his villa, Crassus interrogates Laeta, a prisoner taken from the Rebels, questioning her allegiance and why she provided them with resources. Laeta fiercely defends her actions, stating she only sought to protect the people of Sinuessa from the Rebels’ wrath. She insists her loyalty to Rome never wavered. When Crassus inquires about Spartacus’ true nature, Laeta asserts that the rebel leader is no longer driven by vengeance alone, but by an unwavering desire to free all people from Rome’s tyranny.

Crassus thanks Laeta for her information, but before she can respond, a wounded Heracleo and his surviving pirates arrive, demanding Laeta as their slave as part of their agreement with the Romans. Despite her protests, Crassus honors the deal, stating that she aided the enemy. However, he warns the pirates never to return to Sinuessa unless they wish for death.

Later, Crassus attends the celebration of Caesar, where captured Rebels are brutally executed in various ways—some are torn limb from limb, while others have their heads smashed in while wearing metal helmets. During the festivities, Crassus demonstrates his financial prowess by negotiating with Metellus over the control of Sinuessa. He offers Metellus a significant portion of the city in exchange for ensuring that the Senate hears grand tales of Crassus' victories over Spartacus.

The celebration takes an unexpected turn when Donar, a captured Rebel, breaks free. Crassus orders his immediate execution, but Caesar instead arms Donar with a sword, engaging him in a duel. Though Caesar wounds him, Donar takes his own life before the final blow can land, defiantly refusing to give Rome the satisfaction of killing him. Crassus quickly capitalizes on the situation, declaring that even the strongest Rebels take their own lives out of fear of Caesar, provoking riotous laughter among the Roman soldiers.

Crassus' strategy for allowing Spartacus to retreat becomes apparent—a massive trench has been dug in the mountains to block any escape route, and with an approaching storm, the Rebels are trapped. Preparing for the final confrontation, Crassus moves his forces toward the mountains. Kore attempts to warn him of Tiberius' actions, but Crassus, too focused on his campaign, dismisses her concerns. Before departing, he reinstates Tiberius to his former rank, assuring him of his worth and granting him command over Caesar. He also promotes Kore to a prestigious position in Sinuessa, ensuring she remains close to both him and Tiberius. Caesar, furious at what he perceives as a demotion, demands an explanation, but Crassus calmly states that Caesar has already earned great accolades and commands him to fulfill his duty.

At the Roman encampment in the mountains, Crassus devises a trap using Donar's dead body, but Spartacus and his Rebels survive the attempt. To Crassus' irritation, he finds that Caesar has brought Kore to the camp, where she struggles to find the words to speak to him. That night, Crassus and Kore share another intimate moment, though she secretly contemplates her future. By morning, Crassus wakes to find a Roman guard slain and Kore missing, having fled in the night. Furious, he demands to know why Caesar brought her there in the first place.

As Crassus leads an inspection of the trench alongside Caesar and Tiberius, he unknowingly triggers a trap set by Spartacus. Just as he kneels, an arrow narrowly misses him, followed by a rain of arrows and spears from the Rebel forces above. The Romans are forced into a retreat. Before escaping, Crassus catches sight of Spartacus, smirking in triumph—his first victory over Crassus himself.

Crassus' forces continue their relentless pursuit of Spartacus, despite suffering heavy losses. When Crassus finally arrives at the battlefield, Caesar advises caution and rest, but an agitated Crassus refuses to halt, insisting they press forward.

Back at camp, Crassus faces additional challenges when Metellus openly voices his disapproval, both on behalf of the Senate and personally, rejecting Crassus' earlier offer of Sinuessa's villas and tax breaks. Their discussion turns heated when Metellus makes a remark about Kore’s defection to the Rebels, striking a nerve. In a sudden fit of rage, Crassus begins beating Metellus, repeatedly shouting, "You will do as I fucking command!" Caesar and Tiberius look on in shock. Just as Crassus is about to strike Metellus again, Caesar intervenes, snapping him back to his senses. Crassus then coldly threatens Metellus, warning that if word of this outburst spreads, he will dedicate his vast fortune to sending assassins to eliminate him. This ruthless display of power forces the Senate to momentarily ease their pressure on Crassus.

Meanwhile, Crixus and his forces successfully defeat Arrius and his legions outside Rome. However, their victory is short-lived as Crassus and his legions suddenly appear on the horizon. Crassus launches a devastating attack, completely overwhelming and annihilating the Rebels. As Crixus fights his way toward Crassus, he is intercepted by Caesar. Though Crixus defeats him, he is ultimately struck down by Tiberius, who impales him from behind with a spear. As Crixus lays mortally wounded, Crassus calmly assesses the situation before ordering Tiberius to retrieve his sword and use it to behead Crixus. He then commands that Crixus’ head be sent to Spartacus as a grim message of what awaits him.

In an effort to manipulate Crassus, Spartacus sends some of his men disguised as Pompey’s soldiers to lure him into a meeting. However, Tiberius goes in Crassus' name instead and is captured along with his men. Meanwhile, Crassus and Caesar interrogate the captive Agron, demanding information about Spartacus’ plans. When Agron refuses to cooperate, Crassus orders his crucifixion. Shortly after, Crassus receives word of his son's capture through a messenger claiming to speak on behalf of Pompey. Wary but determined, Crassus sends Caesar to negotiate an exchange: the 500 remaining Rebel captives in return for Tiberius' life. Despite Caesar’s reservations about the deal, he obeys Crassus' command.

As the exchange takes place, Kore seizes her moment and fatally stabs Tiberius with a knife. When his lifeless body is returned to Crassus, the normally composed Roman is struck with deep sorrow at the sight of his eldest son. Caesar, having conspired with Kore, deceives Crassus by claiming that a rebel warrior was responsible for Tiberius’ death. Though devastated, Crassus channels his grief into resolve, declaring that they will march against Spartacus and bring him to his rightful end. As Kore comforts him and refers to him as Marcus, he coldly corrects her, stating that from now on, she will address him only as Dominus.

Meanwhile, Spartacus devises a strategy to delay Pompey’s inevitable arrival, leading his rebels in ambushing numerous Roman villas and freeing the slaves. Each liberated slave proclaims themselves as Spartacus, adding to the Romans' confusion. Crassus and Caesar discuss the unfolding chaos, struggling to believe that all of them could be Spartacus. Crassus, however, knows the Thracian to be a master of strategy and studies a mold of Tiberius’ face, silently contemplating his vengeance.

Before the final battle, Crassus hones his combat skills by sparring with his men. Kore is brought before him in shackles, and as she glances at the mold of Tiberius' face, Crassus remarks that his son appears at peace. He then solemnly states that it is a false image, as the boy he knew was always with a furrowed brow—just like his father. Reflecting on their past, Kore expresses her wish that their paths had taken a different course. Their conversation is interrupted when Caesar arrives, announcing that Spartacus' army has been spotted.

The two armies meet across a vast battlefield, staring one another down. As Rufus advances, Spartacus throws a spear at his feet, halting him. Rufus announces that Crassus seeks parley. On a nearby hill, Crassus and a select group of men meet Spartacus and his closest warriors. When Spartacus asks why he was summoned, Crassus simply replies that they both came for the same reason: curiosity. Both leaders disarm and speak alone.

Crassus asserts that Spartacus cannot win this time, but the rebel leader counters that every Roman he has faced has told him the same. When Crassus attempts to compare their losses, Spartacus dismisses the notion, stating that their tragedies are not equal. He then reveals that he did not order the woman to kill Tiberius, unintentionally exposing the truth behind the boy’s death. Though Crassus realizes the deception, he does not reveal his discovery. Instead, Spartacus declares that even in the face of certain defeat, his people choose their own fate. Crassus then poses a question: If Spartacus were to find justice for his wife, would he withdraw from the Republic?

Spartacus responds with conviction: There is no justice in this world.

Crassus, after a brief silence, replies: Finally, something about which we can agree.

As Spartacus stands over Crassus, the Roman commander struggles to rise, bloodied and dazed. Spartacus grips his sword, prepared to strike the final blow, but before he can finish Crassus, a barrage of Roman reinforcements storm the ridge. Overwhelmed, Spartacus is forced to retreat, narrowly escaping with a handful of his men while Crassus watches from the ground, battered yet alive.

As the battle comes to a close, Crassus is helped to his feet by his surviving soldiers. Though victorious, his face is grim—he has won the war, but at great personal cost. He surveys the battlefield, littered with the bodies of fallen rebels and Romans alike. His gaze lingers on the retreating figure of Spartacus, realizing that despite his triumph, the legend of Spartacus will never truly die.

Returning to camp, Crassus gathers with Caesar and the remnants of his command. He acknowledges Caesar's loyalty once more, though there is no celebration—only the solemn reality of war. The remaining rebels are captured and crucified along the Appian Way, a brutal display of Rome’s might. Crassus watches in silence, his victory ensuring his rise in Roman politics but leaving him haunted by the events of the campaign.

Though Spartacus is presumed dead, Crassus knows that the rebel leader’s defiance will echo through history. As he turns away from the fields of crucified slaves, the weight of his choices settles upon him. He may have crushed the rebellion, but he will forever be marked by the war against the man who dared to challenge Rome.

Crassus rides away from the battlefield, his face unreadable as the cries of the crucified echo along the Appian Way. The rebellion has been crushed, and Rome stands victorious, but the cost has been immense. Kore, once his most trusted companion, is gone. Tiberius, his only son, is dead. The glory of the war, despite all his efforts, has been stolen by Pompey. Yet Crassus does not linger in regret—his mind is already set on the future.

As he and Caesar travel back to Rome, the weight of what they have endured settles between them. Caesar, though resentful of Pompey's undeserved credit, understands the strategic wisdom in Crassus’ actions. By ceding glory now, they secure a greater prize later. The First Triumvirate looms on the horizon, and with it, a new order for Rome.

Looking back one last time, Crassus watches the fading sight of the rebels' bodies lining the road. The legend of Spartacus will live on, even in defeat, but for Crassus, there is no turning back. The war may be over, but history is still being written—and he intends to be the one holding the pen.

Historicity

Marcus Licinius Crassus, a descendant of an aristocratic Roman family, was widely regarded as the wealthiest man in Rome during his lifetime. He played a crucial role in securing the Republic's victory over Spartacus during the Third Servile War and later became a founding member of the First Triumvirate alongside Julius Caesar and Pompey Magnus. Some historians estimate that, when adjusted for inflation and currency exchange rates, Crassus may have been one of the richest individuals in history.

In 87 BC, during a period of civil war, the forces of Gaius Marius seized control of Rome. The Crassus family had allied themselves with Marius' rival, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, making them targets when Marius took power. Crassus’ father, a former consul, took his own life rather than face execution, and his severed head was displayed in the Roman Forum alongside those of other noblemen who had supported Sulla. After Marius' death, his successor, Lucius Cornelius Cinna—Julius Caesar’s father-in-law—continued the purge, placing bounties on Sulla’s remaining allies, including Crassus. To escape persecution, Crassus fled Rome and went into hiding in Hispania for nearly a year.

He later made his way to Greece, where he joined Sulla, who was preparing to retake Rome. In 82 BC, Sulla successfully captured the city, and during the decisive battle at its gates, Crassus commanded the right wing of Sulla’s army, proving himself as a capable military leader. After the war, Crassus shifted his focus from warfare to financial ventures, using his political connections to amass an extraordinary fortune.

Much of Crassus’ wealth came through ruthless and often unethical means. During Sulla’s dictatorship, he profited from the proscriptions—state-sanctioned executions of Sulla’s political enemies—by seizing the property of the condemned and selling it at inflated prices, or simply keeping it for himself. Some accounts suggest that Crassus even fabricated charges against wealthy citizens to have them proscribed, allowing him to confiscate their estates.

Beyond political exploitation, Crassus also built a vast private business empire. Among his most notorious ventures was his fire brigade—one of the few such services in Rome before Augustus established the Cohortes Vigiles. When a fire broke out, Crassus and his men would arrive at the scene, offering to buy the burning property at a heavily reduced price. Only after securing ownership would his team begin firefighting efforts, ensuring maximum profit at the expense of desperate homeowners.

Through political maneuvering, military success, and aggressive financial schemes, Crassus cemented his legacy as one of the most powerful and controversial figures of the late Roman Republic.

Estimates suggest that Crassus' personal fortune was approximately 200 million sestertii. To put this into perspective, four sestertii were equivalent to one denarius, which was the daily wage of an unskilled Roman laborer or soldier. In modern terms, if we consider the daily wage of a minimum-wage worker in the United States to be around $58, then Crassus' wealth would be roughly equivalent to $2.9 billion.

Following the Roman victory over Spartacus, Crassus held the Consulship of the Republic of Rome, alongside Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. Despite holding various prominent positions, Crassus was never regarded as a legitimate statesman due to his lack of major military victories. Instead, he often relied on bribery, political maneuvering, and other forms of manipulation to secure his positions.

Crassus' military experience and minor victories were overshadowed by his lack of martial respect, which was essential for genuine political legitimacy in Rome. His involvement in the Third Servile War was motivated by a desire to achieve a decisive victory against the rebels, thereby earning the reputation needed to secure political office on his own merit.

However, Crassus' methods were criticized by the senate, who preferred a more aggressive approach. The senate eventually entrusted Pompey with the task of defeating Spartacus, much to Crassus' dismay. Crassus was determined to claim sole credit for the victory.

After the final battle at the Silarius River, Crassus ordered the crucifixion of 6,000 prisoners, which was a massive undertaking that served as a graphic display of his triumph. The crosses were erected along the Appian Way, spaced approximately 100 feet apart, and remained there for several years. Archaeologists continue to discover remnants of these executions along the Appian Way, which still follows the same path as it did in 71 BC.

As Crassus carried out the mass crucifixions, Pompey seized the opportunity to claim credit for Spartacus' defeat. He hastily traveled to Rome, allegedly capturing and crucifying 5,000 more rebels along the way, although some dispute this claim. Pompey asserted that this victory entitled him to claim the war's triumph, and the senate, already dissatisfied with Crassus, sided with him. Pompey was declared the victor, infuriating Crassus, who returned to Rome to find himself relegated to minor honors.

Crassus, determined to assert his authority, kept his army camped outside Rome, intimidating his opponents and rivaling Pompey's forces. The senate, fearful of a potential coup, appointed both Crassus and Pompey as co-consuls. This development deepened Crassus' insecurities about his lack of military honors and set the stage for the remainder of his political career.

In 60 BCE, Crassus formed an informal alliance with Julius Caesar and Pompey, known as the First Triumvirate. Although Crassus and Caesar were allies, Crassus resented Pompey for stealing the credit for ending the Third Servile War. The three men, recognizing their collective power, joined forces to pool their resources and advance their individual interests.

Crassus' defeat and death at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE destabilized the triumvirate, leading to a devastating conflict between Caesar and Pompey. Crassus, driven by a desire for recognition as a general, had launched a war against the Parthian Empire. Despite King Artavazdes II of Armenia's offer of aid, Crassus chose to confront the Parthians head-on, leading to catastrophic consequences.

At the Battle of Carrhae, Crassus' forces suffered heavy losses at the hands of the expert Parthian cavalry. In a desperate attempt to rescue his son Publius, Crassus risked his entire army, only to discover that Publius had been killed and beheaded. The Parthian general Surena then defeated Crassus' forces, taking many prisoners, including Crassus himself. Crassus was executed by having molten gold poured down his throat, mocking his wealth and greed. His head was then sent to the Parthian emperor Orodes II, who used it as a prop in a Greek play.

The aftermath of Crassus' death had far-reaching consequences. The alliance between Caesar and Pompey deteriorated, culminating in a civil war. Caesar emerged victorious, but his triumph was short-lived. In 44 BC, he was assassinated by a group of senators, including Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, and Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus.

The assassination sparked another civil war, pitting the conspirators against the Second Triumvirate, comprising Caesar's followers Mark Antony, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Gaius Octavius (Octavian). The Triumvirs ultimately prevailed, but their alliance was short-lived. Infighting soon erupted, mirroring the conflicts of their predecessors.

Octavian emerged victorious from this new conflict, rising to become Augustus, the first Roman emperor. This marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire, with Augustus as its first ruler.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: 9-B

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Expert Swordsman, Adept in Unarmed Combat, High Pain Tolerance, Expert Strategist

Attack Potency: Wall level (Comparable to Spartacus)

Speed: Peak Human

Lifting Strength: Unknown

Striking Strength: Wall level

Durability: Wall level

Stamina: High

Range: Standard Melee Range

Standard Equipment: Dual Swords, Roman ArmourA

Intelligence: High (Crassus is also a skilled and highly cunning tactician who, unlike Glaber, Varinius, and other high-ranking Romans, does not adhere to typical Roman tactics and traditions, making a more flexible strategist. This sharp reasoning served as way to best Spartacus' own keen mind, on several occasions.)

Weaknesses: None Notable

Attacks and Techniques

Crassus's signature move when completely disarmed, is grab his opponent's naked blade with both hands and impale them with their own sword in the torso.

Trivia

• Simon Merrells, the actor who portrays Crassus, stands at 6'0" (183cm) and weighs 168lbs.
• Crassus was born in 115 BCE, in the Roman year 639 Ab Urbe Conditia.
• Unlike the series, Crassus never had a son named Tiberius; his two sons were Publius and Marcus. Publius followed his father to Parthia, where he took his own life to avoid capture.
• Crassus admired and did not underestimate Spartacus, unlike other Romans.
• Historically, the title of Imperator was not granted by the Senate, but rather bestowed upon a general by their troops after a great victory.
• Appian mentions Crassus being appointed Praetor by the Senate during the Third Servile War.
• Crassus' motivations for defeating Spartacus included financial interests, as he owned large slave-run estates in southern Italy.
• Crassus was a member of the Gens Licinia, with Etruscan ancestry.
• He was elected Consul alongside Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 70 BCE.
• Crassus is one of the few antagonists in the series to have survived.
• The Latin word for "father" is Pater, reflecting his relationship with Tiberius and Publius Crassus.
• Crassus's actions in Sinuessa mirror his real-life practice of buying properties seized by the dictator Sulla and selling them for exorbitant prices.
• Crassus's defeat and execution inspired outrage in Rome, with many calling for an invasion of Parthia to avenge him. Caesar's planned invasion was met with resistance from the Senate, ultimately contributing to his assassination.