Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that focuses on the historical figure of Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S. DeKnight and Robert Tapert focused on structuring the events of Spartacus' obscure early life leading to the records of history.[1] This article serves as a list of characters for the television series.
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Portrayed by Andy Whitfield. A Thracian who becomes a gladiator in the ludus of Lentulus Batiatus. Having been considered a traitor and dishonor bringer for Rome, by disobeying the order of the legatus Claudius Glaber. Spartacus and his wife are separated. Spartacus' wife, Sura is condemned to slavery, and Spartacus is taken to Rome to be executed in the games. However when his talent with the sword are shown to Batiatus, and the rest of the crowd, he's purchased to train in the Batiatus ludus. Eventually Batiatus makes a false agreement with Spartacus to reunite him with his wife, if he continued to fight and win.
Portrayed by John Hannah. A lanista and Spartacus' master. He schemes to become a Roman magistrate. His schemes including ridding himself of his rival Solonius, as well as gaining sufficient advantage with the local magistrate Calavius and legatus Glaber so that they will provide him patronage. However, after refusing to support his ambition, Batiatus kidnaps and kills Calavius. Using blackmail and the aid of Ashur, he has Solonius condemned to the arena, framed for Calavius's murder, and earns the support of Glaber. His plans to control Spartacus (killing his wife so he has no reason to attain his freedom) are uncovered, ultimately bringing his downfall as he celebrated his apparent victory. He is slain by Spartacus at the beginning of the rebellion in the season finale.
Portrayed by Lucy Lawless. Batiatus' wife. She has taken Crixus as a lover, originally for him to provide an heir for Batiatus, which she strongly desires to do. She acts as a willing partner in order to advance Batiatus' goals and uses deception and blackmail to further his aims. She is critically wounded by an angered Crixus, doing so to prevent her from bearing his child, during the rebellion. She will return in Season 2.
Portrayed by Peter Mensah. Slave and trainer of gladiators in Batiatus' ludus. He believes in the honor of the ludus and the House of Batiatus until he learns differently. Batiatus proposes to make Oenomaus master of the ludus if he is successful in his political ambition. He later aids in the rebellion of the ludus.
Portrayed by Manu Bennett. A Gaul, he is Batiatus' top gladiator, the lover of Lucretia and the "Champion of Capua". He despises Spartacus and believes in the brotherhood of the mark, i.e. being a gladiator is a huge honor and service to the city. However, when paired in a match with Spartacus against an unbeaten foe, Theokoles, he is severely wounded, costing him the title. Spartacus emerges victorious from the match and becomes the new "Champion", giving Crixus more reason to hate him. Crixus is the object of lust for many women, but only desires to be with Naevia. Once their affair is discovered, he is beaten and Naevia is sold off. He and Spartacus are scheduled to fight to the death and the two talk the day before. He originally refuses to join in Spartacus' rebellion but the two strike an accord: If Spartacus wins he will find and free Naevia; if Crixus wins the rebellion will not happen, but he will kill Batiatus one day. After Crixus discovers his food was drugged, he decides to take part in the rebellion, launching Spartacus into the balcony.
Portrayed by Nick Tarabay. A Syrian and former gladiator. His leg was crippled by Crixus in the arena so he now serves Batiatus as a bookkeeper and henchman. His cunning and talents serve Batiatus but also condemn his enemies. His machinations cost Barca and Pietros their lives. His aid proves invaluable in removing Calavius and Solonius. Batiatus promotes him from the ludus and makes him a part of his household as a result. His treachery in the fate of Barca and Calavius is uncovered, which almost costs him his life at the hands of Oenemaus, however he manages to hide under a Roman soldier's corpse.
Portrayed by Viva Bianca. The daughter of senator Albinius and wife of Glaber. She hates Spartacus and forms a close friendship with Lucretia, frequently visiting the ludus. An arrangement where Illythia has sex with Crixus is set up, but a jealous Lucretia instead has a masked Ilithyia lay with a masked Spartacus. Licinia, cousin of Marcus Crassus, and Lucretia interrupt, causing Illythia to kill Licinia. Ilithyia then seduces the boy Numerius into having Varro, Spartacus's only friend, put to death by Spartacus. Ilithyia escapes during the revolt but unregretfully causes the death of many friends by locking the doors to prevent anyone escaping as the rebels go on a murderous rampage.
Portrayed by Craig Parker. Husband of Ilithyia. A Roman army legatus who is responsible for Spartacus' enslavement as a gladiator. Glaber requested the aid of Spartacus' tribe of Thracians in return for Roman aid against their enemies. When Roman interests changed, the Thracians rebelled and Glaber put down the insurrection. He then sold Spartacus' wife Sura to a Syrian slave trader, and later Spartacus to the ludus of Batiatus. Many months later, after it is revealed to him that his wife murdered Licinia, the cousin of Marcus Crassus, he is forced to grant Batiatus patronage in his quest to gain political station.
Portrayed by Jai Courtney. A Roman citizen who sold himself to the ludus to support his family, also a good friend of Spartacus. He and Spartacus form a close friendship. Varro is killed when Numerius forces Spartacus to kill him after a duel that was simply for show. He left behind a son and a pregnant wife who was raped by one of his old friends.
Portrayed by Antonio Te Maioha. Nicknamed the "Beast of Carthage", he is one of Batiatus' most successful gladiators. He served as bodyguard and hit man for his master. Barca attempted to save up enough money to buy freedom for himself and his lover, Pietros; however, due to Ashur's machinations to avoid paying Barca money owed from losing a bet, questions regarding the latest murder committed on the part of Batiatus arise, and his death is ordered by his master.
Portrayed by Erin Cummings. The wife of Spartacus. She is enslaved after her husband rebels against the Romans. Batiatus purchases her, but has Aulus murder her in order to break Spartacus' desire for escape.
Portrayed by Lesley-Ann Brandt. Lucretia's personal and loyal slave. She becomes Crixus' love interest after he declares his affection. The two are seen by Ashur making love, and in attempt to gain vengeance on Crixus for crippling him, asks for Naevia's purity from Batiatus. After Naevia reveals this to Crixus, he attacks Ashur, revealing their affair to all. Naevia is then sold.
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