Ask any “Spartacus” fan, there are countless reasons to admire the show: plot twists, murders, historical setting among them. “Spartacus” attracts a wide demographic of fans including women, who watch and relate to the show for several reasons. Here are five fabulous “Spartacus” features that hold the attention of female viewers in particular.
Roman Fashion
Roman fashion dictated status. Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) is particularly attentive to her own appearance, indicating that jewelry is an investment in the reflection of her upward mobility in society. Selling her necklace pains her in “The Thing in the Pit” (Season 1, Episode 4), especially when political rival Solonius (Craig Walsh-Wrightson) finds out she’s selling it. Like modern women, Lucretia adds items of sentimental value to her wardrobe. Particularly significant are the colors of her wigs, which vary as she matures and keeps different female company. Additionally, the colors worn by the women in Capua provide a vibrant, fertile contrast to the bleak cliff behind the ludus and the area’s general landscape — a deliberate reinforcement of the Roman woman’s roles and ambitions and a celebration of femininity.
Social Dominance
While women (and men) still compete socially today by displaying status symbols, it’s easier to reflect on the “social game” through the lens of “Spartacus,” which demonstrates social domination through Roman behavior. Most schemes and assassinations are more tolerated in “Spartacus” than in contemporary society, but through this safe lens, the female audience can examine social survivalistic “alpha” behavior at its best.
Steamy Sex Scenes
For females who prefer men, it’s often a challenge to find shows that display objective sex scenes, or those not solely focused on the female’s body. Shows such as “True Blood” and “Spartacus” deviate from the norm, the latter offering plenty of sex scenes involving gladiators, ranging from vulgar to emotionally intimate in nature. Actors Andy Whitfield , Dustin Clare and Manu Bennett have particularly large female fan followings due to their physiques and acting talents — especially in the intimate scenes! “Spartacus” also features steamy scenes between women as Lucretia becomes close with her female friends.
Women in Rome
Women had clearly defined roles in Rome, but women in Lucretia’s position didn’t lack a certain means of power. As shown in the show, women have a unique and important role and their perfect parties, displays of hospitality or social snubs can define their families and advance their husbands’ careers.
Gladiatorial Combat
Many contemporary women are interested in full-contact sports such as football and wrestling due to the competitive nature of the sports and the drama of the display. While you won’t find women going topless in present-day arenas as they do in “Spartacus,” the sports fanaticism displayed by modern female fans is every bit as audacious as that shown in the TV show. Through various periods in history it wasn’t always considered acceptable or appropriate for women to attend sporting events or scream in support of a favorite team, but in modern day Western culture and in Rome, supportive female fans are present and appreciated. “Spartacus” reinforces this role.