Andy Whitfield, star of the Starz Entertainment sword-and-sandal series "Spartacus," died in Australia on Sunday at the age of 39. British-born actor Andy Whitfield, star of the TV series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it was confirmed today. Fans of Starz Entertainment's original drama "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" know Whitfield as the titular gladiator. Some claim he belonged to a rich family and was mistakenly enslaved. My view then and now is that Files invented the story for the money it would earn him. This page specifically explores the sexuality as portrayed by Jean Simmons as Varinia in the film Spartacus (1960). The movie, which starred Kirk Douglas and was directed by Stanley Kubrick, won widespread critical acclaim. Little is known about this fighting enslaved man from Thrace beyond his role in the spectacular revolt that became known as the Third Servile War (73–71 BCE). They and Spartacus retreated to the mountainside of Mount Vesuvius. Spartacus Blood and Sand Episode 13 Recap / Review by MaryD Credits for this episode: Directed by Steven S. DeKnight and Jesse Warn Writing credits (in alphabetical order) Steven S. DeKnight (written by) Brent Fletcher (story editor), Aaron Helbing (staff writer), Todd … Sura is Spartacus’ Thracian wife, who is a Prophetess of the Gods and has the ability to foresee the future in dreams. Whitfield met his future wife, Vashti, in London after being introduced to each other by a mutual friend. Crixus resists aiding Spartacus in hopes of reuniting with his lover Naevia; however, after learning he was weakened to ensure Spartacus' victory, at the last moment he joins with Spartacus. Spartacus (1960) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. She is tragically killed during the first season by Alulus under Batiatus’ orders. Appian says he was “a Thracian by birth, who had once served as a soldier with the Romans, but had since been a … His wife, however, said there was no twin, and Kroll confirmed there was no twin. Andy Whitfield, who starred in the television series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia. She was a Thracian tough-as-nails country gal and now-former slave, and she was also "a kind of prophetess," says Plutarch. In the scene, Thracian he-man Spartacus, played by Welsh-born actor Andy Whitfield, is making love to his wife. Since about 9 November 1918 Germany had been run by a coalition of Social Democrats (SPD) and Independent Socialists (USPD). Spartacus happened because producer Eddie Lewis brought the Howard Fast novel to Douglas's attention, and he optioned the book, seeing its potential to become a popular epic. There are many theories on his origins. Spartacus escaped in 73 BC and took refuge on nearby Mount Vesuvius, where large numbers of other escaped slaves joined him. In March 2010, Whitfield was diagnosed with stage IV non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and began undergoing treatment immediately in New Zealand. In any case, he was enslaved and sold at auction to a trainer of gladiators in Capua. Whitfield enjoyed critical and ratings success on Spartacus' first season in 2010 after playing the titular gladiator. 14. When she first meets Spartacus, she informs him that she already knew of him and that she would be the only woman he would ever love. With his own natural charisma and the prophecies of his wife, Spartacus led a riot of his fellow gladiators against their captors. On the other hand, the film’s broader strokes are more on point. MAJOR SPOILERS if you haven't watched the series finale of Spartacus: War of the Damned! Plutarch also says Spartacus' wife, a prophetess of the same tribe, was enslaved with him. "Spartacus" actor Andy Whitfield has died, CNN has confirmed. was a gladiator from Thrace, most famous as a leader in a major slave revolt. In regards to his ties with the Roman Empire, historians aren’t quite sure of what exactly happened. Months after British actor Andy Whitfield (pictured) played the lead in Spartacus, he succumbed to a rare form of cancer. The camera lovingly pans down their writhing naked bodies. In the new film "Be here now" Andy and his wife vashti allowing cameras to roll during his inspiring journey battling lymphoma. The 'Spartacus Week' (uprising) ran from 5-12 January 1919 in Berlin. They had two children together. 12 with a blood-soaked shocker of a finale. Of the 200 gladiators that tried to escape only 73 made it. Read on to find out the five things about the episode that truly took our… Here his anguished widow tells of his shocking decline. It is known that Spartacus was of Thracian origins and eventually captured and enslaved by the Roman army. The revolt of the gladiator Spartacus in 73-71 BCE remains the most successful slave revolt in the history of Rome.The rebellion is known as the Third Servile War and was the last of three major slave revolts which Rome suppressed. It's a multitude of emotions. What is it like to watch the film. Himmler spent very little time with his wife. by Emily Drisch 1 Overview 2 Jean Simmons' Sword and Sandal Roles 2.1 Jean Simmons 2.2 Diana inThe Robe 2.3 Varinia in Spartacus 3 Other women in Spartacus 4 Jean Simmon's Legacy 5 References In Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 film Spartacus, sexuality is addressed in ways that no … Spartacus gains support from Mira, Batiatus' wife's slave, who is tasked with opening the gate to the villa from the training area. Spartacus did have a wife, whose name we’ve never known and who was sold into slavery with him, but there’s not even a hint of proof that she was then purchased by any Roman general. Of course they're going to think she's another Crassus spy, but given what happened to his wife, it's not entirely surprising that Spartacus would show mercy on another abused woman. Eventually, Spartacus would find himself as a gladiator and earn quite a name for himself as one of the best fighters in the ring. The legend of Spartacus has inspired so many fanciful retellings, it's easy to lose track of what actually happened back in 73 BC. Subscribe to our Spartacus Newsletter and keep up to date with the latest articles. Spartacus (c. 109-71 B.C.) According to the New York Times, the 39-year-old passed away on Sunday in Sydney, Australia from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 15. It is our sad duty to report that Andy Whitfield, the original star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in his home country of Australia yesterday.The 39-year-old actor is survived by his wife and two children. Spartacus was purchased by a man named Lentulus Batiatus, who was the one that enrolled him in the gladiator school in Capua, which Batiatus just so happened to own. As a gladiator, Spartacus was trained in the role of a “murmillo,” a heavyweight gladiator. Bella Fromm , a journalist commented in July 1937 she saw Himmler with his "dirty-blonde, insipid, fat wife" and "the pleasures of the table are apparently about the pleasures she gets, since Himmler keeps her at home." Inside Spartacus Star Andy Whitfield's Brave Final Fight Against Cancer. Her name is lost to time, but she may have actually inspired the revolt in the first place, says Cornell professor Barry Strauss . Lina Heydrich suggested that Himmler was embarrassed by her appearance: "Size 50 knickers, that's all there was to her." Oenomaus would probably sympathise with Spartacus and Sura, as he and his wife were in the same situation. The film traces the story of the slave Spartacus SPOILER ALERT! He was 39. His real name is unknown. ‘Spartacus: War of the Damned’ ended its run on Apr. Spartacus had no love for that sort of celebrity lifestyle. This uprising against the Roman Republic, commonly referred to as the Third Servile War, saw Spartacus joined by a number of Gauls in fighting against Roman dominance. Spartacus, American epic adventure film, released in 1960, that recounts the story of a historical slave uprising (73–71 bce) against Rome. Spartacus (approximately 100–71 BCE), was a gladiator from Thrace who led a major revolt against Rome. Then there's Spartacus' wife. Once Oenomaus became Dominus, I have no idea who he would make Doctore. Their insurrection came to … The couple moved to Sydney, Australia and were married in 2001. Others say he was a deserted Roman soldier. I don't know how long it would take but Spartacus would slaughter in the arena for however long. We expected a giant battle, and by the gods, we got one. He honestly might have to go with an outside hire. 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