Real to Reel Spartacus: Thracian, Gladiator, Freedom Fighter

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Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 classic film, Spartacus, was controversial for its bold exploration of politics, race, and sexuality. But who was the real Spartacus? Join classicist Monica Cyrino for a look inside the true story of a Thracian captive who led a gladiator rebellion that shook Rome to its core. Cyrino reveals how this story about a fight for freedom has been retold in diverse artistic media through the years. Kubrick's film, set in a turbulent period in Roman history, also mirrored significant social and political transformations in midcentury America. Cyrino invites us to consider how the enduring legacy of Spartacus continues to captivate and inspire interest in the gladiator genre in movies and television today.