Spartacus and his ragtag army take on the mighty Roman army in Ben Kane's brilliant recreation of one of the best-known epics of the modern era   Spartacus has already done the impossible—not only has he escaped from slavery, he and his seconds have created a mighty slave army that has challenged Rome and defeated the armies of three praetors, two consuls, and one proconsul. On the plain of the River Po, in modern Northern Italy, Spartacus has defeated Gaius Cassius Longinus, proconsul and general of an army of two legions. Now the road home lies before them—to Thrace for Spartacus, and to Gaul for his seconds-in-command, Castus and Gannicus. But storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. One of Spartacus's most powerful generals has defected, taking his men with him.