Sibyl (Spartacus)

Sibyl is a young and beautiful Greek slave who is freed from Roman captivity by Gannicus and the rebels in War of the Damned. Grateful for her rescue, she develops an admiration for her savior and seeks his affection. Saxa frequently refers to her as "Little Thing" due to her youthful innocence.

Names	Sibyl, Cybele, Little Thing
Gender	Female ♀
Race	Human
Occupation	Slave, Freedom Fighter
Origin	Spartacus: War of the Dammed Episode 2 (S3E2): "Wolves at the Gate" (February 1, 2013)
Alignment	Good
Age	20s
Created By	Steven S, DeKnight, Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing
Height	167.6 cm (5ft 6in)
Personality Type	INFP
Portrayed By	Gwendoline Taylor

Appearance

Sibyl has long, dark brown hair, often styled in a side braid, striking blue eyes, and fair skin. She wears a tattered tunic in shades of gray and blue, reflecting her former status as a slave. Like many lower-ranking slaves, she is often barefoot. Her figure is slender and petite.

Personality

Sibyl is gentle, soft-spoken, and deeply spiritual. She holds a strong belief in the gods, seeing them as protectors of the rebels and viewing Gannicus as a divine gift sent to save her and her fellow slaves. This belief fuels her devotion to him, and she seeks ways to repay his kindness.

In many ways, Sibyl is the complete opposite of Saxa, who is bold, outspoken, and unapologetically fierce. Their contrasting personalities may be what first drew Gannicus' attention to her.

Biography

War of the Dammed

Sibyl lives as a slave in the city of Sinuessa en Valle, serving Laurus. Fear of Spartacus grips the city, leading to widespread executions of slaves suspected of sympathizing with the rebellion. One such unfortunate, a fellow slave, is sentenced to death by stoning.

Horrified, Sibyl watches as the man is slowly pelted with stones by a mob of Romans. However, before his suffering can be prolonged, Spartacus intervenes, hurling a stone at his head and granting him a swift death.

That night, as Spartacus, Gannicus, and the rebels seize the city, Sibyl and the other slaves in Laurus’ villa nearly escape with the help of Diotimos. However, Laurus kills Diotimos and turns on his slaves. Sibyl attempts to grab Diotimos' fallen sword to defend herself and the others, but Laurus kicks her down and corners them. Just as he prepares to strike, Gannicus arrives and swiftly cuts Laurus down, splitting his head in two. Freed at last, Sibyl immediately becomes infatuated with her rescuer.

In the following days, she timidly follows Gannicus from a distance, never daring to approach too closely. Her quiet admiration does not go unnoticed by Saxa, who later takes her to a Roman villa and dresses her in an elegant white gown, presenting her as a refined lady. She then brings Gannicus to see her.

Saxa teasingly caresses Sibyl before slowly undressing her. Gannicus watches, mesmerized by Sibyl’s innocence. He gently touches her face, lost in thought, before snapping out of his trance. Turning away, he instructs her to gather her things and leave. Sibyl, confused and hurt by his dismissal, hesitates but ultimately obeys. After she departs, Gannicus looks saddened. When Saxa questions him, he simply states that he does not want a girl—he wants a woman.

Outside, Sibyl clutches a small idol in her hands, waiting. When Gannicus emerges, she stops him, insisting that he has not allowed her to properly thank him for saving her life. He shrugs off her gratitude, having heard similar words before. Yet, Sibyl remains firm, declaring him a hero sent by the gods. He gently lifts her chin and warns her to stay away from men like him.

One day, Sibyl crosses paths with Laeta, who is carrying a large amount of bread to feed the Romans she secretly helped escape. As they collide, the bread spills to the ground. Sibyl is startled by the sight of such an ample supply and questions Laeta, who pleads with her to remain silent. Recognizing Sibyl as one of Laurus’ former slaves, Laeta reminisces that Sibyl had once wished to serve in her household, hoping to escape Laurus' cruelty. As Laeta departs, Sibyl watches her with growing suspicion, realizing she is hiding something.

Determined to voice her concerns, Sibyl approaches Gannicus, only for Saxa to interrupt with a teasing remark—that Gannicus has no interest in speaking to someone who neither drinks nor indulges in pleasure. Brushing aside the comment, Sibyl insists that what she has seen is important. Her seriousness catches Gannicus’ attention.

Later, Laeta is in the stables, secretly delivering news of Marcus Crassus’ imminent arrival to the hidden Romans when Sibyl, Gannicus, and Saxa confront her. Laeta turns to Sibyl in disbelief, realizing she has been betrayed. Sibyl, though regretful, explains that she had no choice but to speak the truth. Furious, Laeta declares that she was a fool to trust a rebellious slave.

Gannicus pieces together the truth—Laeta, not Attius, had been the one hiding the Romans. Realizing that Attius had been wrongfully accused and executed for a crime he did not commit, rage overtakes him. He storms off in search of answers, leaving Saxa and Sibyl to ensure the captured Romans are delivered to Spartacus.

Following the massacre led by Crixus, Sibyl is seen tending to the surviving prisoners in Spartacus' house. After the city’s evacuation, she approaches Gannicus, who is surprised to see her, having assumed she had already left for Melia Ridge. She explains that before the rebels seized the city, she prayed for deliverance from her dominus, and in Gannicus, she believes her prayers were answered. Unmoved, he dismisses her words as a tale he has heard before. Undeterred, she clarifies that she does not expect him to believe her, only to accept that it is her truth. Before parting, she wishes him luck and embraces him, saying, "May the gods watch over you." Touched by her sincerity, Gannicus returns the sentiment, adding, "In case I cannot." They share a final glance before Sibyl hurries away.

As the city falls to the Romans, Sibyl is trapped within the walls. Gannicus and Donar find her in the grain store before setting it ablaze. Frightened, she clings to Gannicus, who tells her to stay by his side if she wishes to survive. When Donar is wounded and presumed dead, despair sets in. Sibyl turns to Gannicus, telling him that if she is to die, she is grateful to spend her final moments with him. Determined, Gannicus takes her hand, assuring her that while many have fallen, she will not be one of them. They escape into the city together.

Seeking refuge, Sibyl and Gannicus hide in Laeta's husband's stable. As Roman soldiers search the area, Gannicus listens grimly to their talk of victory and the deaths of countless rebels. Sibyl reminds him that they also cursed Spartacus' escape, offering hope. When she tends to Gannicus' injured hand, he notices her skill and asks how she learned such care. She reveals she often treated wounded slaves under her dominus' cruelty. When he inquires who tended to her injuries, she hesitates before naming Diotimos, a man who showed her kindness. Reading between the lines, Gannicus assumes the worst, but Sibyl gently clarifies that Diotimos was like a brother to her. She then reminds him that it was he who struck down the man who tormented her for years. Gannicus, feeling defeated, insists that his actions changed nothing. Sibyl meets his gaze and tells him, "You have made all in the world."

When Romans return to the stable, Gannicus realizes they will soon be discovered. Using Sibyl as bait, he has her pray aloud to lure a soldier in. As expected, a Roman finds them, but Gannicus swiftly kills him. He then gives Sibyl a sword, instructing her to take her own life should he fail to kill the remaining soldiers, warning her that death by her own hand is a mercy compared to what the Romans would do to her. When he returns victorious, he finds her with the sword to her throat. Smiling, he admits he is beginning to believe in her gods and extends his hand. They leave the stables together.

While spying on the Romans from the rooftops, Sibyl and Gannicus discover that Heracleo, thought to be dead, is alive and has taken Laeta captive. When Gannicus confronts Heracleo, the Cilician pirate taunts him, implying Sibyl is his weakness. Gannicus denies it and attacks. During the battle, Heracleo seizes Sibyl and presses a blade to her throat. Panicked, Gannicus shouts her name. Heracleo exploits his concern, cruelly claiming, "So you do care for the little one? But it's a pity you’ve now killed her!" Gannicus watches in horror, but before Heracleo can strike, Laeta stabs him in the throat with a hot branding iron. Sibyl, frozen in shock, stands over the pirate's corpse. Gannicus rushes to her, embracing her for the first time. He searches her face for injuries, and she reassures him that she is unharmed. She then insists they help Laeta, who is now a branded slave.

Escaping on horseback, Gannicus and Sibyl reunite with the rebels. Sibyl notices Gannicus’ growing affection for her, especially when he subtly acknowledges her presence after Spartacus praises his survival. She now wears Heracleo’s silver-lined cloak, once draped over Gannicus.

In the new rebel camp, Gannicus resists Saxa’s advances, stealing a glance at Sibyl before walking away with a smile. Later, Sibyl prays in the snow, offering a blood sacrifice for Spartacus and his cause. Gannicus finds her, furious at her self-harm. He carries her away, seeking shelter in an overturned cart. As the storm rages outside, Sibyl leans into Gannicus for warmth. He comforts her, and when she kisses him, he returns it, initially hesitant but ultimately giving in. They make love, wrapped in their cloaks.

The next day, upon returning to the camp, Gannicus remains close to Sibyl, ignoring Saxa’s embrace. Sibyl mourns her fellow worshippers, frozen to death at the altar. Spartacus reassures her that their sacrifice will not be in vain.

During a celebratory feast, Sibyl and Gannicus drink together. When she remarks that the wine burns her throat, he jokes that she should turn to purer thoughts. She playfully asks for another drink, and he kisses her before retrieving it. Confronted by Saxa about his feelings for Sibyl, Gannicus apologizes, but Saxa warns that he will ruin the “little one.” He laughs it off, but his thoughtful gaze lingers on Sibyl.

As Crixus prepares to part ways with Spartacus, he urges Gannicus to join him. Gannicus declines, looking at Sibyl as he states that his path lies elsewhere. Crixus smiles knowingly and bids him farewell. Gannicus then walks to Sibyl and kisses her—she is now his woman.

Before the final battle, Sibyl and Gannicus share a tender farewell. He insists she must leave, fighting for her freedom. She tells him she has no life without him. He smiles, caressing her face, and tells her she was the one sent by the gods to save him. She gives him her idol, praying for his survival. He ties it to his belt as they part.

The battle ends in tragedy. Gannicus is captured and sentenced to crucifixion, while Spartacus, mortally wounded, is carried to the Alps. Sibyl, Laeta, and the surviving rebels await him. Upon learning of the defeat, Sibyl is devastated. As Spartacus takes his final breaths, she mourns silently. After his burial, she and the others continue their journey beyond the Roman Republic. At last, they live free.

Trivia

• The name "Sibyl", comes (via Latin) from the Greek word "Sibylla",  meaning "prophetess, sibyl". In Greek and Roman legend the Sibyls were ten female prophets who practiced at different holy sites in the ancient world. Gwendoline Taylor stated on Twitter that when she originally auditioned for the part, Sibyl's name was spelled "Cybele" coming from eastern mythology, this was the name of the Phrygian goddess of fertility and nature, later worshipped by the Greeks and Romans.
• She is one of the few Rebels who survived the war.
• She is the last female character to have a sex scene in the series.
• She shares some similarities with Laeta
  • Both of them are introduced in the episode Wolves At The Gate.
  • They have compassionate and kind personalities
  • They are the last lovers of two rebel leaders, Spartacus and Gannicus. And they both lose their lovers in the final battle of the last episode.
  • They are both portrayed by New Zealand actresses.
• She is Gannicus's last lover and the only one whose name does not end with "a," (others being Melitta, and Saxa)
• She is essentially Gannicus's one true love as his parting words to her is that meeting her has saved him and he would wait for her in the afterlife while Oenomaus and Melitta to keep him company until he hold her again, a sentiment that he's never expressed to another woman. Which also establishes that he holds her in same regard as Oenomaus and Melitta, who, he considers family.
• Despite Sibyl's appearance in the final credits alongside four German characters, actress Gwendoline Taylor confirmed that Sibyl is not a German.
• Sibyl is one of the only featured characters in the entire series who never kills anyone.
• Sibyl is one of the only featured characters who do not use profanity in their speech.