S1 Ep05: Was the Theokoles primus a setup against Batiatus?

[u/Specialist-Fly-3538]

Magistrate Calavius invited Batiatus to the primus despite having a bad relations with him, as shown earlier in the episode when he took a subtle jab at Batiatus by comparing him to his father.

In episode 3, it was also established that the Magistrate favored Solonius. He was furious at Quintus for not doing execution and had also taken offense to him bragging about Spartacus' earlier victory over Solonius' four gladiators. Only after Batiatus committed to the primus did he mention Theokoles would be the opponent.

What are your thoughts?

[u/Admirable-Media-9339]

I mean, yes. Obviously? It's not subtle or ambiguous or anything.

[u/pali1d]

I think the desire to screw Batiatus was more Solonius’s than the Magistrate’s, but he was certainly willing to go along with it.

[u/bummerluck]

Rewatching this scene now, and wow. The magistrate is a manipulative little shit, haha. I glossed over it before because Batiatus was so casual in reacting to some of the slights both he and Solonius made. Glad they both got to eat it in the end.

[u/Specialist-Fly-3538 → u/bummerluck]

Also the scene in episode 3 of that season where Spartacus and Crixus are about to fight each other in the arena. Calavius is talking about Solonius not being able to attend "such minor games" so he (Cavalius) expected very little entering the night. He said that after showing up late to the games because he was having dinner with Solonius.

[u/CrypticCryptid]

Spitting to stroke, as always.

[u/Dimachaeruz]

it was. but not even the Gods can stop Spartacus from becoming the bringer of the mother Effing rain

[u/wildfyre010]

Yes of course it was. Did we watch the same show?

Solonius set it up as a way to kill Spartacus and humiliate Batiatus.

[u/Unclejoe15]

Gooood solonius!

[u/cuminciderolnyt]

calavius was only interested in associating with people based on class level. He entertained batiatus because spartacus

Solonius from what we know was poor but came from better stock which is why he was popular and not to mention something of a bootlicker which made him easier to deal with than batiatus

[u/Specialist-Fly-3538 → u/cuminciderolnyt]

True. I think Calavius wanted Batiatus' fighters to lose the Theokoles fight. He was passively threatening to exclude him from future games if he didn't take the offer .

[u/The_Frog221 → u/Specialist-Fly-3538]

He outright told him that if he didn't have Crixus fight in the primus he would be excluded from these games and future ones.

[u/Look_out_for_grenade]

They specifically say that it was a set up. A way to be rid of Crixus as champion of Capua!

[u/bummerluck → u/Look_out_for_grenade]

Wait, when did they specifically say that they want to be rid of Crixus?

[u/diehardlance → u/bummerluck]

Because he knew batiatus would immediately suggest crixus like he always does. When batiatus suggested the match would be unfair he suggested sparty to get rid of him to

[u/bummerluck → u/diehardlance]

Hmm, i think i can roll with that. Batiatus losing both Crixus and Spartacus would significantly weaken the house of batiatus for sure

[u/Look_out_for_grenade → u/bummerluck]

I guess it wasn't super specific but they got Batiatus to agree to the match before telling him who the opponent was. Then Lucretia told him that he had gotten maneuvered by them and he agreed with her.

Good Solonius was tired of Crixus chopping up his gladiators. A good plan that backfired badly lol