David Zarrin

                                                                                                                                                                Core 1

                                                                                                                                                                 10/19/07

The Rebellion of Spartacus

            The movie Spartacus features a protagonist, Spartacus, who is a rebellious gladiator and hero. Spartacus’ goal is to lead himself and his peer slaves to freedom. Spartacus also has another goal. This goal is to have a son born free. During Spartacus’ career, he faces multiple tough decisions. One of the decisions is the hardest he has to make in his career.

            This decision comes up after the final bloody fight against the Roman Empire. This happens once the dark blanket has fluttered down upon earth. Inside of the walls of Rome next to Crassus’ ancestral temple, Spartacus and his artistic friend Antoninus are forced to fight to the death. The fight is meant for the next day but Crassus’ decides to have it right then and there.

             Spartacus has to fight to the death Antoninus and the victor is to be crucified. This is a tough decision for Spartacus because he does not want to be crucified but he also does not want his close friend Antoninus to be crucified either. Spartacus can do two things. The first thing he can do is kill Antoninus and take the torture of crucifixion. The second thing Spartacus can do is let Antoninus kill him and escape crucifixion. This would leave Antoninus to be crucified.

            Spartacus makes the decision off killing Antoninus and taking the torture of crucifixion. Spartacus thinks that he will not allow his companion to suffer an evil death. This is the most unselfish decision. Antoninus also chose the unselfish decision but was beaten in gladiatorial combat by Spartacus. It is a strange fight because even though Spartacus and Antoninus were fighting fiercely because they loved each other, they were fighting to kill. Also, by choosing to be crucified, Spartacus was able to see his free son in the end.

            On the whole, I think Spartacus made the correct decision and I  agree with him. It would have been selfish if Spartacus had let Antoninus kill himself and let his friend suffer the crucifixion. I would have actually done something different. I would have killed Antoninus and then killed myself so neither of us would have to suffer crucifixion. The importance of the decision is great because Spartacus is able to see his free son in the end. Even though it was a tough decision, Spartacus chose the correct path.