The Gaul woman Varinia and her village are attacked by the Romans. Her entire village is taken into slavery, and she is sold to Lentulus Batiatus. Spartacus, a Thracian slave condemned to the mines, attempts to protect another slave. Spartacus is nearly crucified before Batiatus purchases the man. Spartacus and a handful of other slaves are brought to Batiatus' ludus to be trained as gladiators. Spartacus and the other slaves are brought to the Gladiators to eat, where he meets Nardo, Draba and David, before a fight breaks out between Draba and Gannicus, they are stopped by their trainer.