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.
Batiatus' father announces a tournament to determine the worth of his stable of gladiators; Crixus is drawn into the power play within the house.
Batiatus seeks vengeance for all that has befallen him; the opening of the new arena promises a spectacle of combat and blood.