Swords

Swords and other weapons are symbolic of power. While the slaves have no real access to weapons, they are unable to defeat the guards and soldiers surrounding them. Once Spartacus and the other gladiators retrieve knives, they are able to end their slavery and escape the school.

Additionally, the Romans realize that power lies in the masses as well as the swords. They are terrified when they discover that the slaves have weapons and are creating an army to fight Rome and escape Italy. Finally, the slaves find power, and the Romans are proven weak.

The Crosses

Both in the film and in real life, thousands of crosses line the Appian Way after Crassus defeats the slave army. He wants to show everyone in the country what happens to those who try to stand against Rome.

The crosses, though, symbolize more than that. They symbolize the love of...