Fifteen years after the premiere of the hit Starz drama, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” its creator, Steven S. DeKnight, returns to the ancient Roman Republic to rewrite history with the sequel series, “Spartacus: House of Ashur.” In the original series and its subsequent installments, Spartacus (played by Andy Whitfield before his untimely death, and later by Liam McIntyre) killed the traitor Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) at Mount Vesuvius.
In “House of Ashur,” the former gladiator meets an alternate end, one in which the arrogant Syrian survives. Instead of being killed, Ashur takes Spartacus’s life and is consequently rewarded for his betrayal by the Roman Empire. A spectacular story steeped in violence and eroticism, this new series follows a man desperate to cling to his newly acquired elite status as he embarks on a quest for honor and glory.
Creator: Steven S. DeKnight
Stars: Simon Arblaster, Joel Abadal, Evander Brown
The 10-episode first season (critics received five for review) opens with a dreamlike sequence. Instead of meeting his end, Ashur (Tarabay, reprising his role) turns on Spartacus to aid the Roman soldiers. For his efforts, he has been granted his own gladiatorial house and the patronage of his former master, Batiatus. Although Ashur is delighted with his new position, which includes the company of his personal slaves Hilara (Jamaica Vaughan) and Messia (Ivana Baquero), as well as Korris (Graham McTavish), the Doctore in charge of training his gladiators, he remains the laughingstock among the elite, who accuse him of stabbing Spartacus in the back like a coward.
There is much to be gained for everyone under the banner of the House of Ashur, if he manages to rise to power. Ashur’s gladiators, especially the ambitious Tarchon (Jordi Webber) and Korris, are eager to enjoy the notoriety, riches, and freedoms that champion status would afford them. Unfortunately, Ashur's plan to achieve this goal enrages everyone. When his current champion is slaughtered in the arena, Ashur and Korris head to the docks where the slaves are kept, searching for potential new fighters. There, Ashur is distracted by a chained woman defending herself against the guards. Fascinated by her agility and ferocity, Ashur buys her, renames her Achillia (Tenika Davis), and forces Korris, much to his horror, to train her as a gladiator. It's a role for which Achillia is neither mentally nor physically prepared.
Like its predecessors, “Spartacus: House of Ashur” is replete with sex and violence. These themes are so ingrained in the series that they function as key plot elements. The amount of sex and nudity shown will undoubtedly make even the most liberal viewer blush. Inside and outside the gladiatorial arena, DeKnight highlights how brutal and volatile this world is. From slit throats to crushed skulls and disemboweled soldiers, human organs and entrails are constantly on display. However, one gruesome (but deserved) act at the end of Episode 2, “Forsaken,” will undoubtedly shock viewers.
Furthermore, while most of the action focuses on street fights and arena battles, “Spartacus: House of Ashur” also reveals the treachery that permeates the politics of the time. Although Ashur is currently thriving, everyone's position in Capua is precarious and susceptible to change at any moment. Ashur desperately strives to gain the favor of Senator Gabinius (Andrew McFarlane), despite the evident contempt the senator's wife, Cossutia (Claudia Black), feels for him. However, his efforts are constantly thwarted, especially with the arrival of Julius Caesar (Jackson Gallagher) and his treacherous wife, Cornelia (Jaime Slater), from Rome.
Overall, “Spartacus: House of Ashur” is a dynamic continuation of the previous chapters. A classic tale of rich and poor in ancient Rome, where power is everything, DeKnight's world remains as captivating as ever. By offering Ashur this new life and intertwining his story with Achillia's, the series introduces two highly unlikely figures, showcasing the extremes they go to in order to preserve their positions. It also highlights the ferocity with which their adversaries will fight to ensure the downfall of the traitor and the gladiator.
“Spartacus: House of Ashur” premieres December 5th on Starz, with new episodes available weekly on Fridays.
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