The novel "Spartacus": the author of the work, a summary

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The novel "Spartacus" is the most famous work of the Italian prose writer Raffaello Giovagnoli. It was written in 1874, after 6 years it was translated into Russian. The book is dedicated to a real historical character, the gladiator Spartacus, who led a slave uprising in 74 BC.

Author of the novel

The novel "Spartacus" became Giovagnoli's most famous work. With this historical work, the writer opened a whole cycle of works dedicated to the history of Ancient Rome.

It is worth noting that in his work the author of the novel "Spartacus" invariably adhered to the romantic tradition. He was influenced by Dumas Père and W alter Scott. Giovagnoli is not only a writer, but also a historian who belonged to the representatives of the democratic and liberal intelligentsia. Many then were imbued with heroic pathos, the actions of Garibaldi.

Now you know who wrote the novel "Spartacus". Giovagnoli was very interested in the uprising of Spartacus. After all, the final idea of the gladiator was the liberation of his homeland, Thrace, which at that time was under the protectorate of Rome. For Giovagnoli, this motive has not lost its relevance and topicality. For example, the conspiracy technique of the gladiators was similar to that of the Italian Carbonari. As a result, Giovagnoli emphasizes the social essence of the Spartacus uprising, portraying as obvious utopians all those who confine themselves exclusively to the nationalist ideal.

Roman "Spartacus" in Russia

In our country, this work was censored. At the beginning of the 20th century, the novel was published exclusively in an abridged version, only as an adventure story for teenagers.

After 1905, it began to be published in abbreviated versions, along with the Notes of Lorenzo Benoni and The Gadfly. It was only after the fall of the tsarist regime that it began to be printed in its entirety.

Interestingly, another Giovagnoli novel, Messalina, was popular in the Soviet Union. It tells about the reign of the Roman Emperor Caligula.

Therefore, most Soviet schoolchildren knew very well who wrote the work "Spartacus".

Lyric motifs

In his work, Giovagnoli used not only real historical characters, but also a large number of fictional ones, for example, actively introducing romantic lines. In particular, about the relationship between the main character and the patrician Valeria, their birthdaughters.

In general, Spartak is popular with women. The Greek courtesan Eutibida is in love with him, but Spartak categorically rejects her. Offended, Eutibida betrays her lover. According to the author's intention, this plays a significant role in the death of the hero and the defeat of the entire uprising.

The author also pays much attention to the relationship between the Gallic gladiator Artorixa and the sister of Spartacus named Mirtza, who was previously a slave.

Spartacus loves Valeria so much that he is ready to start negotiations for her sake even with his worst enemies, he is considering the option of ending the uprising. The book ends with the defeat of the rebellion and the assassination of Spartacus, as happened in reality.

Summary

The action of the novel "Spartacus" (Giovanoli) begins in Rome in 78 BC. Sulla, the dictator, is retiring, ending with epic gladiator fights.

The attention of everyone around is attracted by the gladiator Spartacus, who is distinguished by his courage. He is a Thracian who defeats seven Samnites in a row. Matron Valeria turns to Sulla with a request to grant freedom to Spartacus, to which he immediately agrees.

The protagonist begins to form a conspiracy of gladiators, he wants to raise a large-scale uprising, with which he will try to crush all the domination of Rome.

Meanwhile, Valeria becomes Sulla's wife. In doing so, she enters into a secret relationship with Rudiarius, who heads the gladiatorial school.

In Spartacusthe Greek woman Eutibida also falls in love, who, as soon as she finds out about his relationship with Valeria, wants to tell Sulla about this, but does not have time to do this, as the dictator suddenly dies.

Spartacus manages to initiate a conspiracy. He sacrifices his love and moves to Capua, where he leads a gladiatorial school.

Scammer

In addition to the noble heroes, there are enough traitors in the novel "Spartacus". An actor and drunk named Metrobius finds out about the plans of the gladiators, decides to tell Caesar about everything. He meets with the main character, trying to prove that his idea is hopeless.

At this time, the messengers convey information about the upcoming riot, the city authorities manage to prevent it, the uprising fails. Spartacus, left with a handful of loyal supporters, leaves in the direction of Vesuvius. His positions are stormed by the Servilian tribune, but Spartacus defeats the Roman detachment.

Encouraged by his success, gladiators begin to flock to him. A detachment of Clodius Glabra arrives from Rome, blocking the army of Spartacus. It is not possible to break through by force, then the gladiators embody the daring plan of their leader, risking their lives, descend to the very bottom of the abyss. They get behind the lines and defeat the enemy.

Spartacus wins several more convincing victories, being stronger than Publius Varinius and Praetor Anfidius Orestes. Then the Greek woman Eutibida tells him about her feelings, he refuses her, but she decides to destroy him.

Rebellion gains momentum

To expand the scope of his rebellion, Spartacusinvites the patrician Catiline to lead an army of gladiators. But the scout sent by Eutibida kills the emissary from the protagonist.

The second emissary reaches the patrician, but fails to convince him to support the gladiators. Then Spartak decides to go to the Alps. The troops of the consuls Lentulus Clodian and Gellius Publicola come out to meet him. Eutibida, whose anger does not subside, persuades the German Enomai, who himself is in love with her, to leave the army of Spartacus. As a result, a 10,000-strong detachment of Germans is almost completely killed. He is being destroyed by the army of Gellius.

Spartacus manages to defeat the consuls, and then the praetor Cassius. The path to Gaul is freed, but the gladiators do not want to leave Italy, demanding that their leader lead the campaign against Rome. Spartacus is forced to agree.

The denouement of the novel

The work "Spartacus" ends with the fact that Praetor Mark Crassus from Sicily receives official authority to defeat the army of gladiators, for this he gathers a large army.

After another betrayal of Eutibida, Crassus breaks the 30,000-strong corps of Crixus. Spartacus tries to leave for Sicily, but the pirates betray him without providing ships.

Several battles take place between the troops of Spartacus and Crassus, the army of Pompey arrives to help. The protagonist finds himself in a virtual stalemate, but refuses the offer to surrender, starting a general battle.

Romans are much more, they break the gladiators in the decisive battle. Spartak himself dies on the fieldbattle.