6 Biggest Historical Inaccuracies in ‘Spartacus’

Fans of the show *Spartacus* have long hoped for a series focusing on Julius Caesar, but that never materialized. Now, a different spin-off is finally arriving! As Quintus Lentulus Batiatus might say, some enjoyment is better than none. *Spartacus: House of Ashur* presents a reimagined history where the character of Ashur didn’t die in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Instead, he was rewarded for helping the Romans defeat the slave revolt with ownership of Batiatus’ former gladiatorial school.

As a huge fan, I’m always a little wary of sequels, and honestly, I doubt this one will *surpass* the original, but I have a feeling it’ll be really close in quality. I’m bracing myself for some historical liberties – it’s clearly taking a slightly different spin on what actually happened. Now, historians might raise an eyebrow at that, but honestly, the first show wasn’t exactly a documentary either! *Spartacus* got the broad strokes of the story right, but it definitely wasn’t afraid to bend the rules when it came to the details of Roman history. It makes me wonder exactly *how* they did that…

Here are some of the biggest historical inaccuracies in Spartacus.

Julius Caesar Didn’t Help Quash the Rebellion

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Todd Lasance originally played a young Julius Caesar, though he was replaced in the second season due to other commitments. In the series, Caesar assists Roman General Marcus Crassus in the fight against Spartacus and his rebel forces. He plays a key role in the Third Servile War, even going undercover as a supporter of the rebels to gather intelligence. Caesar’s intelligence and bravery allow him to capture or injure numerous enemies, quickly establishing him as a celebrated hero of the war.

Caesar Was No Spy or Warrior

Steven S. DeKnight portrayed the Roman ruler so well that viewers immediately wanted to see a show focused solely on his story. However, historical records don’t show Caesar taking part in the Third Seville War. He was actually more involved in the Third Mithridatic War, a conflict between Mithridates VI of Pontus and the Roman Republic that lasted from 73 to 63 BC – a period coinciding with Spartacus’s rebellion.

Even if it means taking some liberties with history, it was smart to include Caesar in a show about the Roman Empire, and DeKnight deserves credit for that. Caesar’s appearance helps general audiences understand the strengths he had early in life – the qualities that ultimately led to his power.

Spartacus Never Had a Personal Feud with Glaber

As a huge fan of the show, I’ve always seen Gaius Claudius Glaber as Spartacus’s main rival. Their conflict really kicks off when Glaber sends Spartacus and his fellow Thracian warriors on what they consider a useless mission. Spartacus refuses, kills Glaber’s men, and everything goes downhill from there – his home is attacked, his wife is captured, and he’s sold into slavery. Later, Glaber gets the job of putting down Spartacus’s growing rebellion, but ultimately, Spartacus defeats him at the Battle of Mount Vesuvius. It’s a fantastic rivalry, really driving a lot of the early plot!

Every Great Man Needs an Enemy

Glaber’s character in the show is created to provide a compelling antagonist for Spartacus and to account for missing details in historical records. There’s no evidence of a personal rivalry between them in actual history. Glaber was one of eight officials elected in 73 BC, and historical texts only mention him in relation to his failed attempt to defeat Spartacus. We have no information about his life outside of his military role.

Even though some of Glaber’s scenes don’t directly advance the main plot and could have been cut, he’s still a very memorable character. The show’s focus on the conflict between Glaber and Spartacus allows viewers to picture what Spartacus’ life was like before becoming a slave – a period that isn’t well-documented in historical records.

Spartacus’ Wife Was Enslaved With Him

At the beginning of the show, Spartacus’s wife, Sura, is captured by Gaius Claudius Glaber, who doesn’t understand the importance of their connection. Remembering Sura gives Spartacus strength while he’s training as a gladiator. However, when he discovers Batiatus lied about helping them reunite, he becomes enraged and even more determined to escape and lead a revolt.

Almost Happily Ever After

Sura remained with Spartacus throughout his time preparing to escape, offering him support and encouragement. Unfortunately, her fate after the rebellion is unclear. Some stories claim she died, while others suggest she was recaptured and forced back into slavery.

A straightforward love story wouldn’t be very compelling, and the show’s changes to the original tale are far more engaging. Spartacus’s separation from Sura fuels his ambition as a gladiator and future rebel, while also intensifying his rivalry with Glaber. Plus, it opens the door for a new and captivating romance between Spartacus and Mira, an enslaved woman at the House of Batiatus.

Ashur, Ilithyia, Barca, and Lucretia, Tiberius Crassus Weren’t Real Characters

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Ashur is a key character in the show – a snake who contributes to the downfall of other slaves. Surprisingly, Ashur, along with characters like Ilithyia, Barca, Lucretia, and Tiberius, are all fictional. Despite being made up, they significantly impact the story, either helping the main characters or creating major challenges for them.

A Little Fiction Never Hurts

A common problem with Roman historical records is that they focus almost entirely on important figures, leaving little detail about the lives of ordinary people. Because so much space is dedicated to the elite, it’s hard to understand their everyday interactions and relationships. Therefore, DeKnight and his team made a good decision by adding fictional characters, which helped create a more complete and connected story.

The characters are all well-developed. Ashur’s pursuit of power feels unlikely from the start, but he manages to achieve a surprising amount. Ilithyia and Lucretia highlight the complex roles of women – and how they often used cunning to succeed – in a male-dominated world. Barca introduces an important same-sex relationship, reflecting the reality of LGBTQ+ connections in ancient Rome. And Tiberius embodies the classic spoiled and entitled character. It’s worth noting that while Marcus Crassus did have sons, none of them were named Tiberius.

Only a Few Gladiators Escaped from the Ludus

The first season ends with a brutal fight: Spartacus and the gladiators kill everyone at the training school before making their escape. Although the doctor tries to prevent Spartacus from killing Batiatus, Crixus convinces him to support the rebellion. This leads to the downfall of what was once a powerful and well-respected Roman household.

United? Not Really

Our primary sources for information about the Spartacus slave revolt are writings by Plutarch (specifically his ‘Civil Wars,’ Book 1, and ‘Epitome of Roman History’), Livy, and the ‘Periochae.’ These accounts all agree that the revolt began with an escape from the gladiator school in Capua, which was owned by Lentulus Batiatus. However, Plutarch states that only around 70 to 80 gladiators initially managed to break free, while the others stayed behind.

Gladiator schools were massive, housing many trainees, making it improbable that every single one desired escape. This aligns with historical patterns of prison breaks, where only a small percentage succeed. However, those who *did* escape were skilled enough to launch a significant revolt, inspiring slaves throughout the region to join their cause and fight for freedom.

No One Knows How Spartacus Died

The TV series *Spartacus* is known for its emotional and tragic ending. In the final battle, Spartacus and his enemy, Crassus, agree to a one-on-one duel. Spartacus wins, but is immediately attacked and fatally wounded by Roman soldiers who ambush him with spears, resulting in a heartbreaking death for the main character.

A Hero Has Fallen

Ancient historians like Plutarch, Florus, and Appian all state that Spartacus died in battle, but Appian notes his body was never recovered. This is unusual, as the Romans would have likely displayed his remains as a symbol of their victory and a deterrent to future rebellions. Records also show that after the revolt was crushed, Crassus’s army crucified around 6,000 captured rebels and lined them up along the Appian Way, creating a gruesome display stretching over 100 miles from Rome to Capua.

Whether Spartacus actually died is still discussed, but the show’s creator, DeKnight, felt it was necessary for the story’s impact. He crafted a particularly memorable death scene – the image of Spartacus kneeling, pierced by spears, is now a famous moment in television history.

2025-10-14 05:05