Act one

A square in Rome. In the centre of the square stands a cage with slaves. General Pompey appears on a chariot pulled by the captives Crixus and Spartacus.
A barracks at the gladiator school. To entertain the slave warriors, the school master Ares brings in concubines. Among them is Valeria. Spartacus is enchanted with her, and Valeria returns his affection. The servants interrupt the lovers’ rendezvous.
The palace. General Crassus and the courtesan Sabine preside over a noisy, uninhibited bacchanalia. The guests demand new spectacles, and gladiatorial fights in the amphitheatre await them.
The arena. Crixus defeats the Nubian Pyrrhus in a short-sword duel. Other gladiators enter the arena, Spartacus among them. At the climax of the fight, Spartacus refuses to kill his last opponent and walks off the battlefield. This breach of ritual provokes Crassus‘ soldiers to attack Spartacus, but Crassus, impressed by his courage, stops them.
The Barracks. Crixus and Spartacus call for a rebellion: it is better to die as free men than to live as slaves. The gladiators attack the guards, seize their weapons, and break free.
Mount Vesuvius. Valeria and Spartacus witness the first sunrise of freedom. More people arrive at the rebel camp — escaped slaves inspired by the gladiators’ bold act. Spartacus is chosen as their leader.

Act two

Sabine’s feast. The guards bring in the captured Crixus. Crassus challenges the gladiator to a duel and easily defeats him. Sabine charms Crixus. Pompey, displeased with Sabine’s behaviour, leaves the villa. At this moment, Spartacus’s army bursts into the palace. Crixus pleads for mercy for those present. A quarrel breaks out between Crixus and Spartacus. Spartacus and his warriors return to the camp.
The Senate. The rebellion has spread throughout Italy. Pompey demands action from Crassus. Crassus mocks the senators’ fears and promises to crush Spartacus’ army.
Sabine’s chamber. Crassus and Sabine conspire against Spartacus. They plan to use Crixus to infiltrate the rebel camp along other courtesans to distract the gladiators.
The Forest. Shepherds capture shepherdesses disguised as sheep. With the arrival of the gladiators, the shepherds abandon their games and join forces with the brave rebels. Crixus leads the courtesans into Spartacus’ camp. Taking advantage of the gladiators‘ revelry, Crassus’s forces encircle the camp. In despair, Crixus rushes to Spartacus and begs to be killed. Spartacus refuses, so Crixus seizes a dagger and plunges it into his own chest
The battlefield. Word reaches Spartacus that a huge army is advancing to reinforce Crassus. Spartacus has no choice: it is better to die in battle than to become a slave again.
The battle. Surrounded by Romans, Spartacus falls. The rebels are defeated. Valeria mourns Spartacus and his fallen comrades.