Spartacus by Leigh Gordon Giltner
Spartacus is a historical novel about the life of the legendary gladiator and slave rebel who led a massive slave revolt against the Roman Republic in 73 BC. The novel follows Spartacus from his childhood in Thrace, through his enslavement and eventual escape, to his leadership of the slave revolt. Along the way, Spartacus must confront the harsh realities of slavery, the brutality of the Roman Republic, and the power of his own ambition. The novel is told from the perspective of Spartacus himself, as well as from the perspectives of those around him, including his wife, his fellow slaves, and his enemies. Through these perspectives, the novel paints a vivid picture of the ancient world and the struggles of those who lived in it. The novel also explores the themes of freedom, justice, and power, as Spartacus and his followers fight for their freedom and attempt to create a new society based on justice and equality. In the end, Spartacus must decide whether to continue his fight or to accept the offer of amnesty from the Roman Republic.
By Leigh Gordon Giltner · First published 1900 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 274 words
First lines
He stands storm-browed, imperial, chief / Of all Rome's gladiators; brave / Beyond all others; fearless in belief, / A captive--but no slave.
His brow is like a god's--a brow of power, / Lips soft with human sweetness--ere the day / He entered the arena, and the hour / He first beheld man's life-blood mixed with clay.
Felt rise within him bestial strange desires / And savage instincts in a brutal heart / That battened on men's blood; burned with unhallowed fires / Of slaughter--till--a thing apart,
A hired butcher of his fellow men, he stands / Daring the fasting lion in his den, / Or some fierce gladiator on the blood-stained sands,-- / A savage chief of yet more savage men!
What this Textopian page supports
Spartacus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Leigh Gordon Giltner, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Leigh Gordon Giltner
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Drama
- Length: 274 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Spartacus by Leigh Gordon Giltner
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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- Song Of The Greek Exile by Fanny J. Crosby
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is based on the true story of Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt against the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC.
- Adventure — The book follows the story of Spartacus and his journey to lead a slave revolt against the Roman Republic.
- Romance — The book includes a romantic subplot between Spartacus and his wife, Varinia.
- Drama — The book follows the dramatic story of Spartacus and his struggle to lead a slave revolt against the Roman Republic.
Tags
American poetry · acclaims · arena · bestial · blood-stained · brow · brutal · clay · cyrasella's · daring · entered · fellow