A young Batiatus finds himself in control of his father's gladiator school; Batiatus uses his most skilled fighter to win favor with a nobleman.
Batiatus conjures up a devious plan and enlists Lucretia, Gaia and a clutch of gladiator recruits to see it through; Oenomaus longs to reclaim the top gladiator rank, but new challenges cross his path.
Batiatus is stunned by the return of his father, which puts his attempts to gain rank by exploiting those above his class at risk.
The house of Batiatus is caught in the power struggle between the younger and elder Batiatus; Lucretia agrees to her husband's risky plan; Gannicus is on unstable ground.
Batiatus seeks vengeance for all that has befallen him; the opening of the new arena promises a spectacle of combat and blood.