EPISODE 12: THE ETERNAL ## PROLOGUE: THE NAME In the language of Thrace, which would one day be forgotten, Spartacus meant "bright sun." His mother had named him that because he was born at dawn, the first rays of light falling across his face as he drew his first breath. She had hoped the name would give him luck—that he would shine bright in a world that was often dark. She could not have imagined how literally her hope would be fulfilled. Two thousand years after his death, his name would still burn bright. Tyrants would fear it. The oppressed would whisper it. Poets would immortalize it. A name given to a Thracian infant in a mountain village would become a symbol for everyone who ever dreamed of breaking their chains. But that comes later. First, we must speak of what was lost, and what remained. --- ## PART ONE: THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH ### Chapter 1: The Field The valley stank of death. Roman work parties moved through the carnage, separating their own dead from the enemy. Roman soldiers were prepared for burial with military honors. Rebel dead were dragged to pits and thrown in without ceremony. Crassus walked the battlefield, his staff officers following at a respectful distance. He had won. The rebellion was crushed. His legions had...