This chapter turns to another hero in the series, Gannicus, in discussing the portrayal of the messianic death given to this character. It argues that Gannicus experiences an anti-heroic journey as he resists the role of rebel or leader until the very end of the series; as such, he is sharply juxtaposed to both Spartacus and Crixus but also complements these other characters in underscoring their very deficiencies.
The chapter analyzes Gannicus' symbolic death by crucifixion to demonstrate how his death showcases the transformations of the rebel leader, Spartacus, by complicating and multiplying the paradigm of the single hero, just as audiences are invited to rediscover the true meaning of freedom.
Keywords: Gannicus , messianic death , anti-heroic journey , symbolic death , crucifixion , rebel leader , single hero , freedom , Gannicus' death. Edinburgh Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter. Please, subscribe or login to access full text content. To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.
All Rights Reserved. OSO version 0. Naevia says it doesn't matter as Attius was a Roman who fell to a deserved fate, however Gannicus says Attius was his friend and curses Naevia, forcing Crixus to defend her. The two then get into a fight where Gannicus dominates Crixus, despite aid from other Rebels. Gannicus almost kills Crixus until Naevia knocks him out from behind with a cinderblock. He later regains consciousness and shows up once the rebels have killed many of the Roman prisoners and are stopped by Spartacus.
He tells Spartacus Laeta was responsible for hiding most of the Romans and that Attius had no part in the plot and didn't deserve the end that he met. Spartacus then decides not to kill Laeta or more Romans. Crixus says that there are many that question his mind but Spartacus says he questions why he placed Crixus in charge. Enraged, Crixus tries to charge but is restrained by Donar and Agron.
Gannicus is satisfied with this and Spartacus then orders that surviving Romans are to be placed in his villa and if the rebels try to disobey him they will they will follow those they have struck down. With that Gannicus leaves with the rest of the rebels. Gannicus and Spartacus on the boat. Spartacus takes Gannicus, Lugo , Sanus and Saxa on a journey with him aboard Heracleo's ship to Sicilia, to make attack on Crassus' grain supply. During the sea journey, Spartacus recounts to Gannicus that the last time he was on the sea was when he was first taken captive by the Romans.
Along the way Gannicus asks Spartacus if it was wise to leave Crixus in the city by himself but Spartacus is positive in Agron keeping watch on the Romans. Spartacus then tells Gannicus if he was to fall he wants him to be his successor Gannicus, however reminds Spartacus that he does not want to be a leader but Spartacus says that Gannicus is more worthy of being a leader than Crixus since he did not kill any Roman prisoners but Gannicus says he would have spilt blood as well had Naevia not knocked him out.
But Spartacus says he wouldn't have Gannicus still remains unconvinced but Spartacus still has hopes on Gannicus taking his rightful place. When Saxa comes to inform them that they have reached shore and kisses Gannicus, Spartacus looks at Gannicus after she leaves and says that perhaps one day Gannicus will find reason close to his heart to be the man he sees him to be.
The group of Rebels reaches Sicilia and attacks a Roman party, slaughtering them all and taking their grain. When they return to city walls, Spartacus, Agron and Gannicus fill Crixus in on their strategic plan against Crassus and his legions. After the city evacuation Sibyl appears in front of Gannicus. He mentions that he thought she had already left for Melia Ridge but she says she did not wish to leave without having a word with him first. She explains that before the rebels took over the city she had prayed to the gods that they would see her to freedom from her dominus and that in him, it appeared that her prayers had been answered.
He doesn't care for her explanation and says that this is a story told to him many times before. She clarifies simply stating that it is not something she expects him to believe but wants him to accept that it is what she holds to be true.
She wishes him luck and embraces him saying "May the gods watch over you". Gannicus is moved by her affection and concern and replies by saying that may the gods watch over her as well, if he cannot himself. Sibyl walks away and they both turn back to look at each other before Sibyl hurries off. As night falls, Spartacus puts his plan into action, however, Heracleo arrives late and absent Sanus. Heracleo betrays Spartacus and reveals that he has brought Roman soldiers aboard his ship back to the city.
A fierce battle ensues as Spartacus and Gannicus face the Roman Soldiers. Crixus arrives with other Rebels just in time to finish them off. Spartacus later spots Roman ships heading towards the city and demands that everybody flee to the Ridge.
Gannicus offers to cause a distraction, to allow the Rebels to escape through the northern gate, stating that his life held less meaning than that of Spartacus since he was their leader and all would be lost without him. Reluctantly, Spartacus allows this and leads the others away. Saxa is saddened at this and kisses Gannicus telling him not to die and leaves with the rest. Gannicus , with Donar , plans to set the grain store alight in order to cause distraction.
There, they find Sibyl who had been in hiding since her escape had been cut short by the Romans entering the city. She rushes to Gannicus instantly, frightened of the massacre occuring in the city.
He tells her to stay by his side if she desires to live. They set fire to the grain store but the distraction does little to dissuade Crassus from moving against Spartacus.
A fight with Roman soldiers ensues in the streets and Gannicus and Donar fight, Sibyl looks on at a distance. Eventually, Donar is injured and believed to be dead, with hopelessness and a sense of inevitable death filling the air. Sibyl looks to Gannicus and tells him that if she is to die tonight, she is thankful to share her last moment with him.
Gannicus holds out his hand to Sibyl and tells her that many have fallen but she shall not be one of them and the two then take off into the city together. Sibyl and Gannicus hide in Laeta's husband's stable. Roman soldiers who had been searching for slaves in hiding in the stables eventually leave.
Gannicus appears forlon stating that the soldiers had been talking of victory and that many of the rebels had been killed. Sibyl gently reminds him that they had also been cursing about Spartacus escaping. Gannicus is injured and Sibyl tears a piece of cloth from her dress and bandages Gannicus' hand. She mentions that the gods favor Spartacus and that they bless them both as well. Gannicus asks her how she can be optimistic when the gods are making them suffer like this.
She tells him that the gods have helped guide his hands and see them to safety so far. She has faith that they would deliver them from this dark hour. Gannicus remains unconvinced and instead focuses his attention on his bandage. He realizes that she has experience in taking care of injuries. She admits that she often helped injured slaves when hurt by her Dominus. Gannicus reads what she is not telling him and asks her if there was someone who tended to her injuries. Sibyl pauses lost in thought and Gannicus turns his head to gauge her answer.
She remarks that Diotimos showed her kindness. Gannicus says "Did he now? Gannicus apologizes to her. She looks him in the eye and reminds him that he was the one who struck down the man who took Diotimos' life and her's as well - small piece at a time over a span of years. He looks around at their present situation defeatedly and tells her that his actions had not made a difference afterall.
She meets his gaze and tells him that he has "made all in the world" Romans return to the stable to gather wood and Gannicus realizes they are going to be discovered if he doesn't attack, he uses Sibyl as a bait making her pray loud enough for a Roman to hear. When a Roman soldier discovers them, Gannicus kills him and tells Sibyl to take her life if he cannot kill all of the Romans surrounding them, he says it would be a kindness in comparison to what they would do to her.
Sibyl takes the sword, heeding his words. Gannicus kills all the Roman soldiers and appears as Sibyl is holding the knife to her neck. He smiles at her admitting that he's beginning to believe in her gods. He holds out his hand to her and they leave the stables. Gannicus and Sibyl hiding from the Romans.
While Sibyl and Gannicus are spying on the Romans they find out that Heracleo , who ended up betraying the rebels and believed to have been killed by Spartacus , was still alive, they also find out that he has taken Laeta as a prisoner. Sibyl and Gannicus make a move on Heracleo, Gannicus threatens him with a sword and the Cilician responds by saying during their fight his sword might slaughter Gannicus' woman indicating Sibyl , Gannicus says that she is not his woman and attacks him.
During the fight, Gannicus, thinking he had taken down Heracleo, is distracted fighting the other Cilicians that accompanied their leader.
While Gannicus is distracted, Heracleo, reaches for Sibyl. Sibyl fights back but she isn't skilled enough to last, and Heracleo presses a sword to her throat. Gannicus quickly realizes what is happening. The Cilician pirate immediately uses Gannicus' concern to his advantage saying "So you do care for the little one? But it's a pity now that you have killed her! Sibyl stands by Heracleo's dead body in a state of shock.
Immediately, Gannicus throws away his weapon and races to Sibyl and for the first time initiates an embrace between them. He holds her head, looking her over and asks her if she's hurt. Sibyl assures him that she is fine and insists that they help Laeta since she is now a branded slave. Gannicus, Sibyl and Laeta make their way through the city, Gannicus dressed in Heracleo's cloak and attire.
He is angered by the sounds of torture echoing in the city coming from the celebrations in honor of Caesar and wants revenge for the pain being inflicted on his brothers. Laeta reminds him that now is not the time and they need to escape. They try to escape by stealing horses but Caesar notices them, forcing Gannicus to draw his sword.
Gannicus distracts Caesar and the soldiers as Sibyl and Laeta get the horses. He rides with Sibyl on a horse while fighting off Romans, until they make it out of the city unharmed. When they find the rebels once again, Saxa rushes to embrace Gannicus. When Spartacus asks Gannicus how he survived he makes a reference to the gods and smiles to Sibyl, indicating that he has growing affection towards her. Sibyl is now also wearing Heracleo's cloak, which was on Gannicus when they had fled Sinuessa.
Following their escape and arrival at the new camp, Gannicus and Sibyl part ways, but he turns down Saxa's advances when he realizes that Sibyl is watching them. He justifies his actions as a desire to focus on the coming storm that threatens the camp, but as he walks away he glances at Sibyl and smiles.
When the storm hits Melia Ridge, Gannicus is seen out in the storm searching for Sibyl. He finds her with a group of other people praying around the shrine and is angry to see that she is offering her own blood as a sacrifice to the gods.
He tells the others to seek shelter and carries Sibyl away from the altar in his arms. He struggles through the storm, lost - trying to reach the camp, but when he sees a large, overturned cart he seeks shelter there instead.
He dresses Sibyl's wound and comments that they are again trapped, wounded and left with no choice but to pray. She is amused and pleased at the idea of him praying. Gannicus tells her he prays upon many things now but he would never be so naive to cut himself. She acknowledges his concern and explains that it was meant as a sacrifice for Spartacus. He is amused and teases that does she believe Spartacus a god now.
She gently explains that it was made on behalf of Spartacus for his cause and all those devoted to his cause. Gannicus is touched by her sincerity and acknowledges that he has been a fool to doubt her beliefs in the past. The severity of the storm outside shakes the cart dangerously and Sibyl, in their close proximity, moves into Gannicus' arms who automatically holds her.
He comforts her saying that she is safe. Sibyl raises her head from his arms and impulsively kisses him. Gannicus returns the kiss but then reiterates his warning that she stay away from men like him.
When Sibyl claims that he is asking her to do the impossible, Gannicus gives in to their mutual feelings and kisses her. He makes gentle love to her in the snow, keeping their cloaks wrapped around them.
When they return to the group the next day, Gannicus stays close to Sibyl and when Saxa rushes to greet him, he does not embrace her. It is clear that Saxa knows something has happened, but she says nothing. Saxa tells Gannicus he will ruin Sibyl. Sibyl understands the humor and replays by asking him to get another drink because this one is empty, she sips it all down and Gannicus kisses her before following command.
On his way to get the wine, Gannicus comes face to face with Saxa who confronts him about his affections towards Sibyl. She asks is he with "Little thing now? Gannicus simply laughs and glances at Sibyl who is smiling at him, his face then turns more thoughtful.
Crixus is now separating from Spartacus, and Gannicus wants to bid him goodbye. Crixus tries to persuade Gannicus to follow him and his men telling him that it would be a blessing from Jupiter himself if he did, but Gannicus declines, telling Crixus that his journey follows another path and then looks at Sibyl.
Crixus turns to see who Gannicus is looking at and smiles when he realizes its Sibyl. Crixus grins at Gannicus and tells him that there is no greater cause to turn a man from battle.
They embrace and Gannicus walks over to Sibyl to kiss her, as Sibyl is now Gannicus' woman. After Naevia returns to the rebels with news of Crixus ' defeat, the rebels choose to honor their fallen comrades with a pale shadow of the old arena, where the Rebels would take on captured Romans. After Spartacus. He tells her that this is merely a dim reflection of the actual games. She asks him if his heart still yearns for old days. He replies that he does not yearn for slavery but for the glory that calls to all of his kind.
After Spartacus defeats his opponents, Gannicus comes in and requests to fight three at once. Sibyl shows concern while Gannicus fights but is soon relieved to see his superior skill and ease. Gannicus proves himself still the God of the Arena as he easily defeats his opponents.
As the games continue, Gannicus is informed that Julius Caesar has arrived to broker a deal with the rebels. Gannicus and Spartacus meet with Caesar with Gannicus desiring Caesar's life. However, Caesar offers a trade of surviving rebels for Crassus' son, Tiberius , who was among the Romans captured. The two ponder about this and eventually, with Naevia 's approval, agree.
As the rebels see Tiberius off to Caesar, he is killed by Kore , who Tiberius had raped. Gannicus holds Caesar back, desiring his life now that he is of no longer use, but the deal is. That evening, the rebels put Crixus' head upon his shield on a pyre. Gannicus is seen standing with Sibyl, holding hands. There, the rebels begin to chant the names of their fallen comrades.
Gannicus cries out Oenomaus ' name before they all begin to chant Crixus' name. Soon, the warrior rebels would stand against Rome for a final battle so that the ones who cannot fight would be able to escape and live free. Gannicus is seen kissing and making love to Sibyl as they say their final farewell. He tells her that she must leave with the rest and he must stay and fight for her freedom.
She remarks that freedom would mean nothing without him by her side. He smiles and caresses her face. He tells her that she had once told him that the gods had sent him to save her and that she had been mistaken. The gods had guided him to her so that she would save him.
They kiss and he tells her that he will join her when the battle is over, if he survives. And if he does not survive, he would wait for her upon the shores of the after life, Oenamaus and Melitta to keep him company, until he holds her again.
She takes her idol and gives it to him, praying that the gods protect him and see Marcus Crassus and his legions fall to better men. They embrace and later Sibyl's idol is seen securely tied to Gannicus' belt as he goes into battle.
When the rebels split up in two groups, Gannicus holds Sibyl till the last moment and shares one last tearful moment, eventually parting ways. Sibyl goes with Laeta , Belesa , the rebel mother, and the others and as he watches Sibyl leave, Gannicus tells Spartacus that he now desires to see the blood of their enemy. Preparations for the final battle commence. Spartacus and Gannicus discuss the coming battle with Gannicus noting that the odds are against them.
He mentions that he would offer drink to lift spirits but lately, he has turned from it. Spartacus acknowledges that he has noticed the change in Gannicus and mentions that he himself also turned from wild pursuits when he fell in love.
He tells Gannicus that their victory in this battle will be not be defined by the number of Roman lives they take but by the lives their fight will help save, including Sibyl's life, Laeta's, the mother and the child, and others.
Gannicus finally accepts that this has now become a cause he can embrace. Spartacus then asks for Gannicus to take rightful place as a leader. At Spartacus' insistence, Gannicus eventually agrees to do as asked and Spartacus then gives him a vital task. When the final battle commences, Gannicus is not present. As catapult and ballista fire from Crassus' rear position, Gannicus arrives leading an entire cavalry and infantry unit against the Romans. Gannicus takes off of the horse and commands the rebels whilst fighting off many Roman soldiers.
As time goes on, however, the rebels begin to be overrun. Gannicus first sees Saxa mortally wounded, dying in his arms. He then sees Naevia die at the hands of Caesar but is unable to help her because he is surrounded on all sides by the Roman legion. Gannicus continues to press through and then meets Caesar once more. The two enter their final contest, with Gannicus holding the upper hand. The Roman soldiers, however, surround Gannicus, rotating fresh soldiers to the forefront to fight Gannicus.
Eventually, he lashes out, exhausting himself, suffering several wounds before his sword is literally knocked from his hand.
Now that Gannicus is unarmed, he is approached by a grinning Caesar who knocks him out with the back of his sword. Gannicus is captured and crucified along with the other captured rebels. His last moments are joyous, however, as he is hanging by the cross, he sees Oenomaus smiling at him and then envisions himself standing in the arena with the crowd cheering his name. He smiles at the familiar sight and lets out one final battle cry.
Melitta was a close friend of Gannicus as she was the wife of Oenomaus, they got along fine. When they were forced to have sex to pleasure Quintilius Varus , the two were hesitant but obeyed the commands of their masters. Gannicus apologized before the encounter and the two had sex with both showing visible joy, which showed hidden feelings for one another. Gannicus begins falling in love with Melitta, and is wracked with guilt over having betrayed his friend.
Melitta turns him away but also begins to reluctantly reciprocate, although they do not consummate their love due to respect for Oenomaus.
When Titus arranges a contest to determine who is worthy to remain a gladiator and become champion. Gannicus is told he will be sold to Tullius if he loses in his fights which causes him to try and prove himself though is distracted with gazes of Melitta. In his final match with Crixus, he purposely loses though many, including Crixus himself, note that Gannicus threw the fight and could have actually won.
That night, Melitta visits him and questions his reason as he explains is because his constant sight of her which makes it hard for him as he knew he couldn't have her. Melitta tells Gannicus that despite her words she also has feelings for him and they begin to kiss and nearly had sex but then she begins to cough up blood and Melitta swiftly dies in agony while in Gannicus' arms. As Lucretia blamed the poisoning on Tullius since it was his gift, Gannicus wanted revenge on him for it.
During Batiatus' plot, Gannicus took part in it and join in the stabbing of the Roman and as he slowly bleeds to death they brick him into a wall, as Gannicus smiled pleasurably at Tullius' suffering. Marcia is a slave girl Gannicus met in a brothel when he returned to Capua.
They had sex and shared a drink before she realized who he was and expressed admiration of him being a freed slave. She asked to see his Rudis and was amazed by his feats in the arena as he told her it was a burden but he must carry it to show he is no longer a slave. He left her but said he would enjoy the memories of their encounter, as she was flattered and smiled at him which he returned. While the enslavement part is certainly true, only theories exist that suggest the two sides originally worked together.
Throughout the series, the two seemed locked into battle against each other as Spartacus sought revenge against Glaber. However, very little is known about Glaber in real life aside from his humiliating defeat at the hands of Spartacus. While Glaber himself was very real, there is nothing to suggest that the two men knew each other by anything other than reputation.
The real-life battle between the two was likely much more politically driven than personal. Despite this, the show still finds a very clever way to incorporate Glaber into a larger role in the show despite his small mark on history. Once again, the first season of the show reflects a lot of accurate history. Audiences see Spartacus as he trains under the house of Cornelius Batiatus. Like in the show, the house resides in Capua and functioned as a school for gladiators, new and experienced alike.
Furthermore, it is here where Spartacus began his rebellion with the escape of about 70 slaves. While very little is known about Batiatus himself or the actual workings of the house, the show does a great job of leading the characters to the same real-life result. The third season of the series sees actor Todd Lasance in the role of Julius Caesar himself. The show sees Caesar as very involved in the plot to take down Spartacus, even going so far as to infiltrate his forces.
However, while Caesar lived during this rebellion and did personally know Crassus, he had no involvement in the events that transpired. This dynamic allowed for some very interesting relationships to form which only added to the drama of the series. Though some of the relationships themselves would have been dramatized for entertainment purposes, a lot of lifestyle practices hold true to history.
For example, gladiators who performed well were treated as free men and awarded great prizes, and sometimes even women.
0コメント