In the time before the arrival of Spartacus, the House of Batiatus faces many challenges from competitors, and within its own household.

Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed through the gates onto the sand.'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus, in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival where honor was just finding its way into the arena.

Before the advent of the legendary Spartacus in Spartacus (2010) and before becoming the greatest lanista in the Republic, an inexperienced but rapaciously ambitious Quintus Lentulus Batiatus finds himself stuck in an all-out power struggle. With his father Titus temporarily out of the equation, Batiatus thirsts for recognition, wealth, and status, dreaming of rising far above his judgemental parent, with the help of his wife Lucretia, by choosing and training a new breed of gladiators. So, to elevate the House of Batiatus to gladiatorial stardom, Quintus puts cocky gladiator Gannicus' extraordinary fighting prowess to good use in high hopes of writing history in the blood-soaked sand of the new Capua Arena. But it takes more than an ambitious plan and a supportive wife to win favour with Capua's elite. Can mighty Gannicus, the Celt, help turn around the House's luck?—Nick Riganas