Much isn't known about Spartacus, the Thracian gladiator who led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic around 73 BC. Surviving records about his life were recorded more than a century after his death, making it doubly difficult to piece together what actually happened before and after the uprising. Whatever little we do know must be taken with a huge grain of salt, as details about Spartacus' personal life remain uncorroborated or contradictory.

But these gaps in history did not stop Steven S. DeKnight from creating "Spartacus," the salacious Starz historical drama comprising three miniseries installments and one six-episode prequel. In keeping with the show's violent subject matter, "Spartacus" is quite graphic, featuring loads of blood, guts, and unexpected deaths .

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