[AngrySpud]

Spartacus: my all-time favorite movie, even if it diverged a bit from historical accuracy.

[vbmoneyspender]

Thanks for posting that.

[Cincinatus]

Colleen McCullough (whose Roman Republic novels are masterpieces of historical research) claims that the real Spartacus was not "Thracian" but that honorific indicated the type of gladiator he was (or style of fighting -- Thracian gladiators were heavily armored, versus the lighter armed "Gallic" or "Celtic" gladiator.) She further claims that the real Spartacus was a Roman centurion, sold into gladiatorial service after a mutiny, thus explaining his apparent tactical genius against the legions sent against him.

[txzman]

If you have an interest in this period of history, please give yourself a treat and pick up the highly readable 'Cicero' about the greatest orator and politician Rome knew, and whose contemporaries were Pompey and Julius Ceasar.

It is a relatively short book, and was a NYT best seller for many months.

[u-89]

Lentulus Batiatus (Peter Ustinov—won Academy Award for best supporting actor)