- Crassus learns that a fellow prominent Roman is attempting to steal the glory of defeating Spartacus. Spartacus looks for a bargaining chip he can use against the Romans.
- Capturing Roman scouts, Spartacus realizes that the feared general Pompey is back in Italy, while survivors report the massacre of Crixus and most of his army. Ynwilling to let his glory by stolen, Crassus only agrees to confer with Pompey by envoy. Tiberius eagerly accepts Caesar's suggested to represent his father, but at arrival is captured as Spartacus used to looted uniforms to impersonate Pompey's delegation. Tiberius and his escort are captured and destined as sacrificial victims in improvised gladiator games in honor of the rebels countless losses. Realizing Crassus won't return to ruthless military reasons while his heir is captured, Caesar accepts to negotiate his exchange for 500 slave prisoners, including Argon, who thus survives crucifixion. Spartacus leaves the dilemma to Crixus's bloodthirsty widow, but Kore proves even more vindictive.—KGF Vissers
- In the aftermath of the disastrous Battle for Rome and the annihilation of the brave rebel army, Spartacus receives the shocking news of Crixus' death. As cowardly Tiberius and a handful of his men find themselves trapped behind enemy lines, doomed to be used as pawns, pained Crassus plans his next move, willing to bargain over the terms of a new agreement. In the meantime, Caesar plays a pivotal role in the continuing conflict, and Spartacus is determined to spill Roman blood to honour the fallen. And as Spartacus' finest warriors pay final tribute to the Undefeated Gaul, the Rebel King and his remaining soldiers brace themselves up for the war's final chapter, eager to make their tragic and heroic last stand against Crassus and Rome herself. Will they live free, or will they join the dying?—Nick Riganas
- Spartacus: War of the Damned The Dead and the Dying April 5, 2013
A group of Romans roast a hare on a spit. Gannicus, Spartacus and the gang attack them and steal their armor. They discover through the crest on the armor that these are not Crassus men but a group from the army of Pompey, another war leader known as "the butcher."
Back at the camp a rider approaches. Naevia falls from the horse clutching Crixuss head. They tend to her. She calls herself a pale shade of what she was. Naevia tells the tale of the battle, the capture of their people, the bloodshed, and the death of Crixus as the hands of Tiberius. She tells Nasir of Agron's death.
Spartacus and Gannicus try to strategize. They don't want to get caught between Pompey's and Crassus' armies which are advancing from opposite directions.
Back at the Crassus camp Tiberius reports to Crassus, and more importantly Caesar, that a slave whore named Kenthara has been murdered. (She was the one who confirmed to Caesar that Tiberius raped Kore.) He also reports that torturing the rebel slaves isn't turning up any useful intel about Spartacus. Crassus wants to stop torturing people and get moving. Two riders approach from Pompeys army. They say that Pompey wants to offer his help. Crassus is surprised that the normally greedy for glory Pompey wants to team up. He tells them he will meet Pompey on neutral ground.
Caesar says to accept the offer in order to close in on Spartacus, but Tiberius doesnt want to have their win snatched from them by Pompey. Caesar convinces Crassus to send Tiberius as a surprise gesture. Crassus thinks he should send someone more seasoned, like Caesar himself, but Caesar argues that Tiberius' youth will fool them but that since he's become such a great leader he will gain the upper hand.
Naevia runs into Kore at the camp and asks why she didnt kill Crassus when she had the chance because if she had, Crixus would be alive. Kore feels her pain but points out that it's not her fault..Naevia says when the time is right for Crassus, she will bring the pain.
Tiberius and a clutch of men go to see Pompey. But, oh snap! Its Spartacus and his men wearing the armor they stole from Pompey's men. They overtake them and haul them back as hostages.
Caesar goes to blow off some steam with a whore who happened to be a friend of Kintharas. He assures her that her murderer will be given justice. (Oh, snap! Caesar KNEW it was Spartacus' men posing as Pompey's envoys and sent Tiberius to certain doom.)
The Romans are dragged through a rebel slave crowd and taunted and stoned. Kore sees Tiberius.
Spartacus gives Naevia the sword that killed Crixus. She apologizes for turning from him with Crixus. He says those are bygones and now it's time for some payback in Crixus' honor.
Agron lives! We see Romans trying to torture him for info in the prisoner camp. He is defiant even as he is brutally beaten. Crassus orders him crucified as a warning to the other prisoners. Caesar personally nails him to the wood. It is excruciatingly awful.
Just then an actual Pompey convoy arrives. When they say they know nothing of another deal and admit a clutch of Pompey's soldiers failed to report in, Crassus figures out he was duped and is now mad at Caesar for not recognizing the rebel slaves. He refuses to believe that Tiberius is dead and wants to chase after Spartacus and save him. Or at least do something. He sends Caesar to make a deal.
It is decided that the hostages will have to fight, gladiator-style, for the amusement of the crowd in a turnabout is fairplay measure dreamt up by Spartacus. Tiberius apologizes to his men for getting caught and says not to give the crowd entertainment in death. Kore goes to taunt him. Tiberius tells her that Crassus still loves her and that if she helps him escape he will reunite them. She says shell return at nightfall... to watch him die.
Spartacus whips up the crowd, who have created their own arena for the games. The Romans freak out during his opening remarks about honoring their dead with Roman blood The first soldier is pulled up and says hes a Roman and he wont fight for entertainment so Spartacus kills him. He says they will fight or die. he calls up two soldiers and fights them simultaneously, doing them both in. Next up is Gannicus who decides to show off and fight three men. Laeta, in the stands, flinches at the gore but revels in its meaning. The other rebel slaves cheer and shout and scream for the death of the Romans.
The other former gladiators dispatch with all the other Romans, including Nasir who kills one in Agron's honor. Tiberius is saved for last and Naevia is given the honors.
As she fights him, Caesar arrives and has a sidebar with Gannicus and Spartacus. He tells them that Crassus is willing to release 500 prisoners back to Spartacus in exchange for his son. Spartacus can't bear the thought of not sparing so many souls but he leaves it up to Naevia. Just as she's about to do Tiberius in, Spartacus stops her and says it's up to her: take her vengeance or save 500 of her brothers and sisters. She lets him live but promises she will do him in. The crowd is really disappointed, none more so than Kore who just can't take it. As they lead Tiberius away she charges from the crowd and knifes him. Now everyone is mad at her. But Caesar thinks it's a salvageable situation. Instead of his son, they will deliver Kore, who he loves. It works.
The prisoners return, including Agron who has a poignant reunion with Nasir.
Later, they all assemble. Spartacus lays Crixus's head on a funeral pyre and talks about honoring the dead. As he lights the fire members of the crowd call out the names of those lost in battle and finally join into a group chant of "Crixus! Crixus! Crixus!"
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