Septimus and Lusinia

The side plot of Septimus’ love for Lusinia is another area of change. The earlier film presented Lusininia as already established in Timarchus’ household when the new slave girls arrive, and her relationship with Septimus as long established. Indeed, they already have (or at least Lusinia already has) a five year old daughter. In contrast, the later Lusinia arrives in Durostorum with the new slave girls (in this version it is Deirdre who is already there) and her relationship with Septimus develops during the film. Similarly Septimus himself is the resident gladiator trainer, a slave with many years loyal service to Timarchus, in the earlier film, but arrives, together with the new gladiators, to Durostorum, in the later version. He is instantly recognised by Timarchus, who recognises him and declares him to be the best. This appreciation of Septimus’ skill does not stop Timarchus from beating him ruthlessly or cruelly cheating him of Lusinia, by deliberately miscounting the coins Septimus gives him to buy Lusinia’s freedom. Thus Timarchus becomes far more actively involved in Lusinia’s death in the second version.

It is Timachus’ responsibility for Lusinia’s death that leads Septimus to attempt to assassinate him in both films, as discussed above. The aftermath of the assassination attempt lends the earlier film an additional scene, however, that does not feature in the later one. Septimus’ sense of disgrace at the manner of his death ("A man should die as he lives") leads the centurion accompanying him to allow him to fall on a sword and die with dignity, ignoring Timarchus’ decree of crucifixion. In sharp contrast to this meeting of dignified minds, where centurion and gladiator trainer mutually respect each other, in the 2001 version Septimus is brutally hacked to death by a group of Roman soldiers; no Roman can be allowed to be shown exhibiting generosity or nobility of character in this film.