Character Relationship Map: Spartacus

Characters

• Spartacus (played by Goran Višnjić) — protagonist

  A Thracian slave condemned to the mines who attempts to protect a fellow slave. Purchased by Batiatus after a near-crucifixion, he is brought to the ludus to train as a gladiator.

• Antonius Agrippa (played by Alan Bates) — protagonist
• Marcus Crassus (played by Angus Macfadyen) — supporting
• Varinia (played by Rhona Mitra) — supporting

  A Gaul woman whose village is attacked by Romans. She is enslaved along with her people and sold to the ludus owner Lentulus Batiatus.

• Lentulus Batiatus (played by Ian McNeice) — supporting

  The ludus owner who purchases Varinia and later buys Spartacus after the latter is nearly crucified. He brings Spartacus and other slaves to train as gladiators.

• David (played by James Frain) — supporting

  A slave who meets Spartacus at the ludus during a meal before training begins.

• Draba (played by Henry Simmons) — minor

  A fellow slave and gladiator trainee who meets Spartacus at the ludus. He is nearly involved in a fight with Gannicus until their trainer intervenes.

• Titus Glabrus (played by Ben Cross) — minor
• Cinna (played by Ross Kemp) — minor

  The trainer at the ludus who steps in to stop a potential fight between the slaves Draba and Gannicus.

• Crixus (played by Paul Kynman) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Marcus Crassus → Titus Glabrus (Professional Superior) — Crassus commands Glabrus in the Roman military
• Spartacus → Antonius Agrippa (Power Oppressor) — Agrippa represents the Roman authority oppressing Spartacus
• Spartacus → Lentulus Batiatus (Professional Master) — Batiatus owns Spartacus as a gladiator
• Spartacus → Varinia (Romantic Lovers) — Spartacus and Varinia develop a deep romantic relationship during their time as slaves

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Spartacus → Cinna (Alliance Teammate) — Cinna joins Spartacus in the rebellion
• Spartacus → Titus Glabrus (Conflict Enemy) — Glabrus is a Roman commander who fights against Spartacus
• Spartacus → Draba (Social Friend) — Spartacus and Draba form a friendship as fellow gladiators
• Spartacus → Crixus (Alliance Teammate) — Spartacus and Crixus lead the slave rebellion together
• Spartacus → David (Alliance Teammate) — Spartacus and David fight together as fellow gladiators and rebel leaders
• Spartacus → Marcus Crassus (Conflict Arch Enemy) — Spartacus and Crassus are mortal enemies in the slave rebellion against Rome

Story Analysis

The epic tale of a slave gladiator who leads a rebellion against the Roman Republic

Plot Progression

1. The Chains of Oppression — Spartacus is captured and enslaved, beginning his journey as a gladiator under the harsh rule of Batiatus.
2. The Spark of Rebellion — Spartacus plans and executes the great escape, gathering fellow gladiators and forming the core of the rebellion.
3. Rising Against Empire — The rebel army grows and challenges Roman authority, establishing Spartacus as a formidable leader.
4. The Final Stand — Spartacus and his rebels face the full might of Rome in a climactic battle that determines their fate.