The Romans, in an effort to protect their homeland, seek the help of Thracian warrior Spartacus and his team of fighters. After a violent incident, Spartacus must enter the gladiator ring to face his punishment from the Romans.
Enslaved in gladiatorial school, the newly christened Spartacus must try to suppress his desire for vengeance when his new master promises to reunite him with his wife.
Though Spartacus proved himself during training and now wears the attire of a gladiator, his coarse attitude and relentless quest to see his wife isolates him from his fellow gladiators and Doctore.
Having performed shamefully in the arena against Crixus, Spartacus is forced to fight in the Pits. Batiatus, determined to profit from Spartacus, may be at risk if his debts aren't repaid.
Batiatus is presented with a gladiatorial opportunity of a lifetime. Spartacus and Crixus must overcome their mutual hostility to fight as a team against a legendary and unbeaten opponent.
Lies, distrust and duplicity plague the house of Batiatus and impact the hopes of both Barca and Spartacus, who have benefited from good fortune and envision a future away from the grounds. Barca expects to buy his and his male lover's way out, while Spartacus anticipates his promised reunion with his enslaved wife, part of his reward for a monumental victory in the arena. But just in case things go wrong, Spartacus dreams and schemes an escape plan.
Overcome by the pressure of Batiatus's control, Spartacus must make a choice: leave his past behind and assume the mantle of a champion gladiator, or die.
Batiatus purchases a fresh batch of slaves during an auction to be trained as gladiators and ponders the idea of selling Crixus.
Batiatus breaks the news that Spartacus is to service the richest woman in Rome.
Numerius is honored with an exhibition match for his birthday celebration at the ludus. Ilithyia gives Numerius a surprising gift, but asks for something in return.
Spartacus hovers on the brink. Meanwhile, Batiatus plots revenge against his enemies
Lucretia and Batiatus await the arrival of Glaber with the intentions to receive his patronage, while Spartacus focuses his attention on his plan for revenge.
In the season finale, Spartacus enlists the help of an accomplice in order to get his revenge.
A younger Batiatus finds himself newly in control of his father’s gladiator school. He uses his most skilled fighter to win favor with a cunning nobleman behind the building of the new arena.
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.
Just as his fortunes are on the rise, his future clear before him, 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 reluctantly agrees to her husband’s risky plan. Gannicus finds himself on unstable ground.
Batiatus’ father announces a tournament to determine the worth of the men that make up his stable of gladiators. Crixus, dedicated to proving himself, is drawn into the power play within the house.
Batiatus seeks vengeance for all that has befallen him and retains his gladiators and Solonius in the cause. The opening of the new arena arrives, promising a spectacle of combat and blood.
Spartacus realizes that becoming the leader of a mass of freed slaves can be challenging and he struggles to keep the rebellious group intact when news of Claudius Glaber's arrival in Capua reaches him.
Spartacus and his men liberate a Roman villa, but its slaves are wary. Oenomaus throws himself into the brutal Pits, and Glaber supports Lucretia’s prophecies, despite Ilithyia’s protests.
Spartacus is forced to mediate when the gladiators are close to divide into groups after news of Naevia's fate reaches them. Lucretia exchanges a long-held secret for some information and an attack puts the rebels at risk.
Spartacus seeks the safety of the woods for his surviving men while Crixus finds himself revisiting past horrors. Meanwhile, Lucretia spies Ilithyia's affairs.
In an ironic twist of fate, a gladiator from the house of Batiatus will stand in the way of Spartacus trying to free Crixus from Roman captivity. Ilithyia's scheming puts her marriage to Glaber at risk.
Spartacus and his rebels train hard to keep their new sanctuary safe while Glaber's forces are made stronger with the enlistment of some new deadly recruits. Lucretia and Ilithyia become close again.
Spartacus and his group of rebels attempt to free those who became slaves by falling in foreign wars while Lucretia manages to recruit one of her husband's former gladiators.
While Spartacus finds an opportunity to get revenge, Glaber is surrounded by intrigue.
Spartacus has to once again use his leadership skills to convince his band of rebels to unite against the Roman assault. Lucretia struggles to get rid of those men standing in the way of her fate.
When a shortage in supplies has the rebellion about to fail, Spartacus tries his best to give his men hope.
The rebellion Spartacus has created has turned into thousands and now with Crixus and Gannicus they begin to take on Rome. Unknowingly to them, the powers of the Empire are forced to turn to wealthy, ambitious Marcus Crassus to aid the campaign, along with a young Julius Caesar.
Spartacus leads a daring assault to provide food and shelter for his people. Crassus builds a fearsome army and receives an unexpected visitor.
Spartacus considers striking a deal with a band of marauders to ensure his people stay supplied and fed. Crassus son Tiberius makes a bold and fateful decision.
The possible infiltration of a Roman spy causes tension to mount between Spartacus and his men. Crassus resurrects a long abandoned form of Roman punishment to teach his soldiers a brutal lesson.
Spartacus puts a plan in motion to weaken Crassus forces and gain the upper hand. Betrayal threatens to foil the plan.
As Crassus leads an onslaught against the rebel-occupied city, Gannicus finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. Tiberius is tasked by Crassus to hold a celebration in honor of a man he despises.
Their forces trapped on an impassable, snowbound ridge, Spartacus and Crixus clash over the method of escape. Crassus discovers it increasingly difficult to control the actions of those closest to him.
Spartacus and the rebels arrive at a crossroads. With the relentless Crassus driving his men hard in the pursuit of Spartacus, the conflict between Tiberius and Caesar escalates.
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 and his outnumbered rebels make one last attempt to win freedom in a final battle against the Romans led by Marcus Crassus.
