Spartacus

 The movie Spartacus is about a fearless slave that tries to lead his followers to liberty. His main aspiration in life is to see his son born free. Eventually, he and Antoninus, a good friend of his, are forced into a gladiator battle by Crassus. The winner faces crucifixion, and the loser would of course die. Spartacus does not know if he should kill Antoninus and get crucified, or spare him and be crucified.

            Spartacus’s decision takes place in a dirt ring. Many soldiers and generals are watching from outside the dirt circle. One of these generals is Crassus. Both Spartacus and Antoninus have a light breastplate, and each is armed with a sword. Neither wants to slay their best comrade. Neither wants to murder the individual who was always on their side. Both of these two heroes have innocent looks on their faces. Spartacus’s appearance shows that he can defeat Antoninus, but he does not know if he should.

            Spartacus faces a terrible dilemma. He does not know if he should kill the man who he adores as the son he thinks he will never see. If he spares Antoninus, Spartacus will be killed, but Antoninus will face the painful experience of crucifixion. Either way, both will die. Spartacus can either face the tip of the sword, or he can face the lethal cross. The slavery of Spartacus and Antoninus will end no matter who kills whom.

            Spartacus’s decision saves Antoninus from a terrible death. Spartacus thrusts his blade through the heart of Antoninus, and he informs Antoninus that he loves him like the son he thinks he will never see. The reason Spartacus kills Antoninus is because crucifixion is a poorer death than the tip of the blade. Spartacus does not wish for Antoninus to suffer, and he would rather have himself suffer. Six-thousand of Spartacus’s followers were crucified along the Appian Way. If their leader was not crucified, it would not be fair to the people who risked their lives to follow him. Spartacus’s love for Antoninus makes him give Antoninus a less painful death than those six-thousand slaves.

            Spartacus made a good decision by killing Antoninus and letting himself be crucified.  It was a good decision, because it would break the heart of Spartacus if his best companion had to face such a horrifying death. If Spartacus isn’t crucified, it shows that he is too much of a coward to face the same threat as his people. Although Spartacus was killed, he achieved his goal. His son was born free.