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.

Batiatus breaks the news that Spartacus is to service the richest woman in Rome.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.