Watch Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a prequel to the popular Starz series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. The show premiered in 2011 and tells the story of the gladiator training school, The House of Batiatus, before Spartacus arrived on the scene. The series stars John Hannah as Batiatus, the cunning and ambitious owner of the gladiator training school, along with Manu Bennett as Crixus, Peter Mensah as Oenomaus, Nick E. Tarabay as Ashur, Dustin Clare as Gannicus, Jaime Murray as Gaia, Marisa Ramirez as Melitta, Lucy Lawless as Lucretia, Jeffrey Thomas as Titus and Stephen Lovatt as Tullius.

The series unfolds in ancient Rome, where the gladiator games were a way of life. Batiatus is eager to make a name for himself by producing the best gladiators in the city, and he'll stop at nothing to achieve his goal. He's aided by his cunning and seductive wife Lucretia and their scheming friend Gaia.

At the heart of the series is Gannicus, a skilled warrior who rises to become the champion of the gladiator games. Gannicus is a free man, unlike many of the other gladiators in The House of Batiatus. He's also a bit of a rebel, refusing to play by the rules set by Batiatus. Despite this, Batiatus sees the potential in him and puts him through rigorous training to make him his champion.

Along the way, we meet other gladiators who will be familiar to fans of the original series. Crixus, for example, is still a slave at this point, but he's already a fierce warrior who wants nothing more than to earn his freedom. Oenomaus is also a gladiator at the school, but in this series, he's the lead trainer, not yet the gladiator we see in Blood and Sand.

One of the main subplots of the series is the relationship between Lucretia and Batiatus. They're a formidable team, but there are cracks beneath the surface. Lucretia's fertility struggles are a source of tension between them, and her relationship with Gaia proves to be a catalyst for conflict.

Another compelling storyline involves Ashur, a Syrian gladiator who is desperate to rise up the ranks. He's a master manipulator, constantly scheming to get what he wants. Ashur is one of the main villains of the series, and his rivalry with Gannicus drives much of the action.

Despite its focus on sex, violence, and treachery, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena offers a surprising amount of heart. The relationships between the gladiators, and between the gladiators and their owners, are complex and multi-layered. Characters who seem like villains at first glance reveal surprising depths, making it difficult to label anyone as purely good or evil.

Visually, the series is stunning, with lavish sets and costumes that bring ancient Rome to life. The fight scenes are brutal and visceral, but also carefully choreographed to be visually striking.

Overall, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a worthy prequel to the original series. It offers a fascinating look at the politics, power struggles, and training methods behind the gladiator games, all while delivering the sex, violence, and drama that made Spartacus: Blood and Sand such a hit. Fans of the original series will appreciate the chance to delve deeper into this world, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy as well.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (36 episodes). The series first aired on January 21, 2011.