A prequel to the popular series Spartacus: Blood And Sand, Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena tells the story of the rise of the House of Batiatus and its champions before Spartacus entered the picture. Basking in the glow of the newest champion of the house, Gannicus, a young Batiatus is ready to overthrow his father and assume control of the ludus. With no qualms whatsoever about betraying or gracing whomever necessary to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand, he will count on the help of his equally cunning and calculating wife Lucretia to put his schemes into plan. Together, they will stop at nothing to keep the favour of the masses in Capua and achieve power.
Batiatus seeks vengeance for all that has befallen him; the opening of the new arena promises a spectacle of combat and blood.
Batiatus' father announces a tournament to determine the worth of his stable of gladiators; Crixus is drawn into the power play within the house.
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 is stunned by the return of his father, which puts his attempts to gain rank by exploiting those above his class at risk.
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.
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.
