Today I am sad. Last night was the UK’s screening of the final episode of Spartacus, an American television drama series produced by Starz. It was a glossy, brutal and often incredulous version of the myth of freedom-fighting slave Spartacus. Stylised in a comic book way, the hardship of life as a slave and rebel fighter showed Spartacus and his followers as virtual superheroes. In a way, despite the atrocities, that’s what they were.
Historically not much is known about the man. In the series it was suggested that Spartacus was not even his real name and as 'Sparadakos' is Latin for 'famous for his spear', it could well be true. What is known came from Roman sources and was portrayed fairly accurately. The scant facts are that a former soldier of the Roman army, from Thrace (which is now Bulgaria) was captured as a slave and forced to fight as a gladiator for the entertainment of the Romans in their arenas. He was a successful fighter and brought glory to the house of Batiatus, a Roman who owned and ran a gladiatorial school in Capua, along with fellow slaves Crixus, Gannicus and Oenomaus. He was taken into slavery with a high priestess of Dionysus: perhaps she was his wife. These men rebelled against their Roman owners and broke free. They embarrassed the Roman armies by defeating them twice; their training in the gladiatorial arena giving them an obvious advantage.
The body of Spartacus was never found. No record exists of him beyond the battle of Senerchia during the Third Servile War. Romans from the time, such as Appian and Plutarch, claim that this is where he met his death and defeat. In the 1960s film Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, he was crucified along with many of his men. Evidence from Appian suggests that six thousand rebel slaves did meet their end this way, but again, there is no proof that Spartacus was one of them.
That 1960s film was my first exposure to the legend. It was based on a novel by Howard Fast. The most famous part is where his followers all claim to be their leader when the Romans are after him. “I am Spartacaus,” each of them says, demonstrating their total loyalty by their willingness to die for him. However, the legacy of Spartacus goes deeper than Hollywood.
A political party in Germany representing the oppressed ordinary German people following the First World War named themselves The Spartacists as they identified with his struggle. There has been music written about him and even a ballet. There have been many books but since the release of the Starz series a whole host of writers have penned their version of his tale, including Ben Kane, Barry Strauss and Simon Scarrow, ensuring that a new generation will know about Spartacus. And that is good.
Philosopher Neizche said people need role models and historical examples are powerful because they actually existed. Spartacus was a symbol of the fight against the abuse of power, intimidation and the strength of will, individual belief and action, and he saved so many people from the state of slavery. Spartacus is an ideal role model and in the television series he was portrayed as a sensitive and deeply moral man.
I will miss him. Perhaps we all should say: “I am Spartacus!”
No comments:
Post a Comment