As Crixus, the Gaul, he provided the perfect foil for Spartacus, evolving from a bitter rival into a brother-in-arms. Why Season 1 Still Feels "New" Today

Before the rebellion, a new champion arrives at the ludus.His name is , a captured Thracian noble.He possesses a lethal grace that rivals Spartacus.Batiatus views him as his ticket to ultimate political power. The Burning Rivalry

January 22, 2011 Final Episode: May 1, 2011 Number of Episodes: 13 **Plot Overview:

The most immediate “new” feature was its unique post-production style:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010) begins with a Thracian warrior, played by the late Andy Whitfield, who defies a Roman legionnaire to save his wife, Sura. Betrayed, enslaved, and forced to watch his wife torn from him, Spartacus is sold into the ludus of Batiatus—a cunning, ruthless lanista (gladiator owner) who sees him as a potential champion.