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 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' 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.