Spartacus (TV Franchise)

Spartacus was the main hero and title character in the live action television series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Spartacus: Vengeance, and Spartacus: War of the Damned. He was played by Andy Whitfield in Season 1, and was played by Liam McIntyre in Season 2 & 3.

Personality
Spartacus had an undying love for his wife Sura, a woman he loves more than anything else, and would do anything for her.

He at first defies all authority over him, only obeying once Batiatus agrees to find his wife and reunite them, presenting Spartacus with a goal to work towards. After the deal has been made, Spartacus puts all of his efforts into becoming the best gladiator to buy both his and Sura's freedom. When Sura dies in his arms, Spartacus has to find new meaning in life and finds it in the life of a gladiator, but to do this he must forget his past. At the end of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, he takes his vengeance on Batiatus for killing his wife. Soon, his successful rebellion in the ludus expands to encompass a full rebellion against the state of Rome, and Spartacus finds a new purpose in life; to free all those enslaved by Rome.

Interestingly, Spartacus rarely uses profanity in the series (a total of four times in the series, and all of them in Blood and Sand), a stark contrast to other more profane characters.

Religious Views
Spartacus' religious beliefs were a matter of debate. At certain times he seems to deny the existence of any gods, although at other times Spartacus seems to acknowledge them as presently involved in his life. At the religious Sura's request, Spartacus attempted to place his beliefs in hers, a later conversation with Mira would suggest he was an atheist though at the same time it was clear that he did believe in an afterlife. Whatever the case, Spartacus has surprised other characters, notably Varro and Batiatus, for his bold display of a nonconforming belief system with Roman paganism.

Moral Compass
Spartacus was not one to silently allow the weak to suffer. In contradiction to all of Roman culture, he sees slaves as people, of equal importance as owners. This was Spartacus' defining trait, as he cannot remain a slave and stand by silently whilst others suffer at his hand or anybody else's. However, Spartacus himself had occasionally allowed his emotions and disdain get the better of him, leading him to adopt a more ruthless disposition, especially towards the Romans for all that he and his fellow slaves have suffered. When conflicted, however, Spartacus did often choose the morally right course of action or has others (Notably Gannicus and Lucius Caelius) council him to do so, less he become the very thing is fighting against. Though merciless towards his enemies, Spartacus did not believe in needless bloodshed and expresseses regret when innocents are harmed, which was a weight he constantly carries. His moral compass, however, was something not shared by the majority in his rebellion and thus his leadership was occasionally questioned. Do to the fact that he was betrayed by Gaius Claudius Glaber, he did not trust most Romans in general, to keep their word or to be honorable, he only trust Romans who have proven themselves trustworthy to him like, Lucius and Attius, despite this Spartacus still maintains his sense of justice and honor.

Rebel Leader
Spartacus was a great leader, although he can sometimes be slightly hot-headed and impulsive, he commands both fear and respectd in his rebellion, and from most of his enemies, in season 2 & 3, Spartacus' reputation had increased to the point where many Romans believe he unleashes the wrath of the gods.

Appearance
Spartacus had a lean, muscular build befitting for a gladiator. In the beginning of the series, while he was still a free man, he was seen with long, hair, but this was shaved when he becomes a slave. Now he had short, brown hair and usually has rough facial hair. He had a distinct scar on the right side of his chest.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
he generally wore a leather cuirass during training sessions, although he occasionally sported gladiatorial armor made specifically for him by order of Batiatus. The primus sets warn by Spartacus differ for each special event, such as a grey metal beset with two golden embossed cobras, which he wore upon his final meeting with Sura. He was often referred to as tiny by the other gladiators.

Spartacus: Vengeance
Spartacus was clothed in only protective garments around his waist while having a mostly bare upper torso adorned with wrist-guards and belts to hold further weapons and returned to using a shield. When he travels, he has a red cloak and after the fall of the arena he changes his attire to a leather cuirass and a single leather shoulder-pad.

Spartacus: War of the Damned
Spartacus seen to be wearing a new leather cuirass fit for a leader, with snakes embossed into the leather alongside matching leather gauntlets and greaves. He was also seen to be wearing a purple cloak at times. His beard has become thicker and he was seen wielding such weapons as two-swords, an aquila, a spear and his usual gladius sword.

Abilities
Before his training as a Gladiator, Spartacus was already an adept warrior, being able to utilize sword and shield with skill as well as having impeccable aim in throwing a spear. His own fighting abilities allow him to take on four gladiators at one time, even before his own training as one.

Following his gladiatorial training, Spartacus greatly develops his fighting abilities and eventually becomes the true Champion of Capua. Spartacus was skilled in multiple styles of combat and in use of a cross-section of weapons. Being able to fight with a sword and shield, single-sword, dual-swords and use of the spear, both as a weapon and projectile. He had also used an axe, cestus, hammer, aquila and was extremely proficient in unarmed combat. As a result of his extensive training, he was viewed as one of the series' top warriors, if not the best warrior in the series, capable of fighting and killing skilled enemies or in large numbers, either gladiator or Roman soldier.

Spartacus "signature techniques" are;
 * Skillfully throwing his sword at his opponent, impaling them. This technique is used more often than the second one.
 * Oenomaus taught him that throwing his sword in the arena is equal to death, so he generally throws his sword only when fighting as a Dimachaerus, leaving him with his other weapon to protect himself.
 * Jumping towards the opponent (generaly he jumps off something) and trying to stab them. He uses this move  just four times (probably due the fact that it is a difficult technique to use).

Tactical Abilities
Altogether, Spartacus was a force to be reckoned with in both the arena and on the battlefield. His keen intellect and deadly skill combine to make him a true master of war. He was a skilled strategist and tactician and had knowledge of Roman strategy, having formerly served in the Roman Auxiliary under Glaber. These traits, coupled with his bold, proficient tactics have provided invaluable leadership to the rebel army, giving them an unblemished record in battle that would last, even when he met his intellectual and tactical equal, Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Leadership Abilities
Although he can sometimes be slightly hot-headed and impulsive, Spartacus was a great leader, he successfully led rebellion from Batiatus' Ludus, in season 3, the numbers of his rebellion had increase to the point where they become a rebel army, and had became a true threat to the Roman Republic.