Source: screenshot
I will like to start by saying the Spartacus franchise has been a rather spectacular franchise. I never watched the first movie, and I totally forgot about it. Then I came across the house of Ashur and wondered what it was like so I started watching.
Turns out they resurrected a dead character from the first movie. The Syrian Ashur was one of the gladiators training in the house of Batiatus, he got injured by Crixtus in one of the games in the primus and he couldn't compete in the games again for a period of time.
during such period he proved to be more than just a muscle or another sword, he proved to be resourceful, a man capable of being the right hand of his DOMINOS and he carried out all his dominos's dirty work for him without fail and he rose in ranks due to his cunning.
After the death of his DOMINOS, in his quest to climb up the ladder of power, he swore loyalty to the sworn enemy of Spartacus the Pretor Glaba. He aided the death of many of Spartacus men and it later costed him his life. he died by the hands of a woman, she chopped off his head after he almost killed her.
The house of Ashur brings Ashur back from the land of the dead rewriting his narrative to be a man who helped bring down the rebellion of Spartacus and his hoard of rebels, and he was favoured by Crassus a powerful member of the Senate. elevating him to title of a Lanister and given the house of his late master Batiatus and his ludos to oversee
ASHUR still very strong with the desires to be acknowledged and respected as he ascends the ranks of power struggles for acceptance in Capua. He falls in love with the daughter of the Gabinius a senator in Capua and then she was later promised marriage to Pompeii another roman senator who was at war with Crassus, Ashur's benefactor.
Julius Caesar an Ally of Crassus came to Capua with ulterior motives under the banner of Crassus, toying with Ashur and taking over his house. he threatens to ensure Ashur loses his favour with Crassus due to the marriage promised between the daughter of Gabinius and Pompeii. Ashur was ordered by Cesar to end Gabinius life so that the marriage will be cancelled.
Ashur couldn't because of the feelings he holds towards Gabinius daughter, he knew how much she held her Father in regard so he sought alternative means to dissolve the marriage. opportunity came when Pompeii came to Capua to accept the marriage proposal. he asked to see Ashur's Champion Achilia who impressed him in her duel against Tarcon.
Ashur put the idea of having a personal audience with the goddess of war Achilia and Pompeii agree, he was drugged afterwards by Achilia and noble Gabinius caught his promised son in law in bed naked with a slave. though nothing happened, he assumed the worst and renounced his promised proposal for marriage.
Pompeii still drowsy from drugs taken tried to silence Gabinius for unreasonable claims of his infidelity when he brought out his sword and Gabinius was lying down in a pool of blood.
source: screenshot
All these was planned by Ashur who regretted it immediately after Gabinius came into his house and acknowledged him to be man whom his father should be proud of. he tried to stop his own plans but it was already set in motion and now he was guilty for the death of the Father of the woman he holds so
the first season ends in the 10th episode which I cannot wait to watch ,,, I won't be rating this movie today. But it is worth watching. the struggle for power, politics and thrill is captured perfectly in this movie spices up with forbidden romance ,,, it is a full package. The house of Ashur was the reason I went back to watch the first movie Spartacus. so I hope you enjoy it.