Top Ten Gladiators in Starz Spartacus Series
Many websites like to include lists of the best or worst. Sometimes they are opinion based, sometimes they come from surveys, sometimes they come from thorough analysis. Below is an example of a top ten list about characters in a TV show.
There are heaps of gladiators staining the sands with blood in Starz Spartacus TV series. As new series ‘War of the Damned’ is kicking off, here we have a look at some of the best fighters, taking into account their abilities at their peak, and provide a run down of the top ten most deadly and powerful.
So read on to see the best gladiators in Spartacus!
SPOILERS ABOUND
10: Gnaeus
Gnaeus was one of the few men to become adept at the Retiarius style of gladiator combat. Armed with a net, trident, and dagger, he ranked among the best of Batiatus brotherhood. Though at one time humiliated by Barca, he goes on to survive the deadly Primus of the Arena’s opening games and is chosen to spar against Crixus, the Champion of Capua, in the Primus of the Vulcanalia. This is before Spartacus hurls him to his death however.
9: Agron
While enslaved in the Ludus, Agron was forever watching the back of his little brother Duro and protecting him from the more powerful and experienced warriors. Trained as a murmillo, Agron could hold his own against most opponents, however his skill fell short of that of the champions. He was known to spar with Spartacus in training, though never proved a great challenge.
8: Barca
The Beast of Carthage was forever a formidable force. He stood against countless of his own people including his father to earn his name and since became a legend of the arena. Crixus preferred to spar with Barca as one of very few who could offer him suitable challenge. Batiatus even chose Barca as his own personal bodyguard when needing extra muscle on ‘errands’ in Capua. Barca never held the title of champion however despite his skill as a hoplomachus, armed with spear, short sword, and small shield. A significant defeat which had him excluded from the firey Primus was against one of Tullius’ thugs, leaving him heavily wounded.
7: Auctus
Auctus was a favoured legend of the house of Batiatus while Titus was still Lanista. He greeted him warmly on his return and even said that he would have Auctus stand as champion rather than Gannicus. Auctus was the lover of Barca and shared his hoplomachus fighting style.
Despite his high standing in the ludus, Auctus eventually became Crixus’ first kill, while the Gaul was still yet to bear the mark of the brotherhood.
6: Pericles
The Champion of Pompeii was most likely the reason that Capua had never earned victory against the city’s gladiators. The thraex, armed with sica (curved sword) and shield was billed to battle Spartacus in a duel of Champions, but due to a wound, the battle was instead fought by Crixus, former champion. The battle was an even match, with both men able to take advantage at times, however the Undefeated Gaul took victory from the Titan of Pompeii.
5: Spartacus / Crixus
Sharing fifth position are two champions of the House of Batiatus. They have crossed swords a number of times, but as yet it is unknown which of the two stands the greater warrior.
Though obviously at the beginning of Spartacus training as a gladiator, while Crixus claimed the title of champion, the Gaul was the better fighter, later on Spartacus caught up and took that honour from him.
However, the rank was not won through combat with Crixus. Spartacus became champion by defeating Theokoles while Crixus lay wounded and beaten at his feet. Spartacus saved his brother’s life, but he would not have been able to do so had Crixus not given him aid even in his weakened state. By rights, Spartacus never truly earned the title from the previous champion. Without their teamwork, both would have been killed that day.
Later, on the day that the slaves escaped the ludus, the two fought again. This time though, Spartacus wished no harm to Crixus while Crixus himself had been weakened by drugs. The battle ended with them joining forces and working together once more. It is possible that had Crixus not been poisoned, he may have bested Spartacus, but that is debatable.
As yet, the Bringer of Rain and the Undefeated Gaul stand as equals.
4: Caburus
The Champion of the House of Vettius was a murmillo. He was an enormous figure, his power able to overwhelm his many smaller, lighter opponents. Titus and Quintus Batiatus travelled to Neapolis with the explicit idea that they might find a gladiator who could oppose Caburus in combat.
Of the men from his ludus, Caburus was the only one to survive until the end of the Primus of the new arena. He defeated a number of Batiatus men, including Gnaeus, and was ready to fight Ashur, Crixus, and Gannicus on his own. The battle seemed to be leading towards the deaths of both Ashur and Crixus, who were removed from play by their allies, leaving only Gannicus to fight the giant. They fought each other evenly, but eventually the Champion of Capua speed outdid the strength of Caburus.
3: Gannicus
Before Spartacus became champion and before Crixus took the title, there was Gannicus. He fought in the style of a dimachaeri, wielding two swords as Spartacus came to do later in his career. Gannicus was almost unrivalled in combat, even defeating an opponent unarmed while wearing a blindfold.
The only man who could challenge him was his dear friend Oenomaus. They sparred often though neither were ever seen besting the other.
When Spartacus had pairs of quarreling men fight each other for fun, Gannicus and Oenomaus were paired against Crixus and Agron. Crixus and Agron stood no chance of victory against the more powerful pair.
Spartacus and Gannicus sparred in battle on one occassion when the rebel leader believed that the Celt was attempting to betray them. Though they seemed to fight to a draw, this fight can’t be counted as neither were fighting to kill. Spartacus wished to apprehend, while Gannicus was looking to leave and continue his life peacefully. Gannicus later named Spartacus his equal with sword, yet superior with spear, though this could only be based on this duel.
2: Oenomaus
Oenomaus, ranked as Doctore for a time, was an incredibly skilled gladiator and trainer. He proved himself time and again as the most skilled warrior in Batiatus ludus, besting champions and teaching all those under him how to be greater fighters than the rest of the countries men. He was talented in a number of fighting styles, including murmillo and dimachaeri as well as unarmed.
Oenomaus was well known to be the only man to survive in battle against the Shadow of Death, a terribly feared giant gladiator. As he trained Crixus and Spartacus while they prepared for their match against him, Oenomaus repeatedly knocked both champions off their feet with ease.
Even in a weakened state, while fighting in The Pits, hoping to be killed by a worthy opponent, Oenomaeus could not be defeated. He simply called for more to fight.
1: Theokoles
The Shadow of Death was a legend, feared by even the most hardened gladiators. Oenomaus could not stress enough how a sole wrong step could mean slaughter against him. The powerful Doctore only survived his fight barely, having provided a great showing for the crowd who spared him. He bore scars to remind him of this defeat for the rest of his life. However, not being killed by Theokoles was held by many as close to victory as anyone could hope for.
As another dimachaeri, Theokoles used two blades to skilfully battle his opponents. In his final fight against Crixus and Spartacus, the two men when fighting alone could not hope to beat him. They only barely claimed victory through teamwork. Even so, Theokoles leaves Crixus with a terrible wound taking much time to heal.
Comprehension Questions
What was the name of the owner of the house that most of these gladiators trained in?
What was Barca’s nickname?
Who was The Champion of Pompeii?
What weapons do dimachaeri use?
What was the ranking based on?
Do you think the author just chose their favourite characters? Were they more objective?
Is having two people in one position fair?
Do you agree with the list?
If you have not seen the show, does this article make you want to watch it?
What do you think is the attraction to Top Ten articles?
