Spartacus and his formidable army continue to outwit Rome's best commanders; the powers of the Empire desperately turn to wealthy politician Marcus Crassus for help in crushing the rebellion.
The existence of a possible spy causes tension between Spartacus and his men; Crassus uses a long-abandoned form of Roman punishment to teach his soldiers a brutal lesson.
Gannicus is trapped behind enemy lines when Crassus leads an onslaught against the rebel-occupied city; Tiberius must hold a celebration in honor of a man he despises.
Crassus learns that a fellow prominent Roman is attempting to steal the glory of defeating Spartacus; Spartacus aims to secure a bargaining chip he can use against the Romans.
Spartacus urges his rebels to train for the defense of their new sanctuary; Lucretia and Ilithyia become close; Glaber's forces swell with some deadly new recruits.
Spartacus becomes enslaved in gladitorial school and his desire for vengeance must be suppressed after his new master promises to reunite him with his wife.
Spartacus accepts his role as Champion of Capua and kills many opponents in the arena; Crixus is slowly recovering from his wounds and wants his title back.
Batiatus trys to gain favor with the magistrate by hosting his son's coming-of-age party, with Spartacus and Crixus competing in an exhibition match; Crixus is out for blood and wants his title back.
Spartacus is distraught at his part in the death of Varro; he leaves a wound from the fight untended and lapses into a fever of haunted and prophetic dreams.
Spartacus and Crixus are to battle at the ludus for the well-to-do of Capua; bent on revenge, Spartacus enlists help for an uprising, but there is one man who can stop him.