Ben Kane

The author's official web site and blog

Competition!

by 117 Comments

OK, it’s time for the big Spartacus competition to start:

Up for grabs:

2 x signed hardback first editions of Spartacus: The Gladiator;

5 x large format signed paperbacks of Spartacus;

5 x signed paperbacks of Hannibal: Enemy of Rome;

1 x silver Roman coin, from 47 B.C. (value in excess of £60/$90);

1 x steel Roman gladius letter opener; 1 x Roman mug with “Veni, Vidi, Vici” inscription.

Question: What was the name of Spartacus’ co-escapee from the ludus, a man who became his MAIN rival?
Answers (ONE per person) have to be posted on the website, received by email, Facebook or Twitter by midnight UK time on Sunday 15th January.

The prizes will be allocated as follows:
The first name out of the hat gets 1 Spartacus hardback and the coin.

The second name gets 1 Spartacus hardback and the mug.

The third to seventh names each get 1 large format Spartacus paperback.

The eighth name gets 1 Hannibal paperback and the letter opener.

The ninth to twelfth names each get 1 Hannibal paperback.

Ben’s decision on all prizes is final, and the prizes are non-negotiable. You can enter from anywhere in the world – I’ll pay the postage too!

GOOD LUCK!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Hi,

    Bit confused as to where to send my answer (via email, as I don’t use facebook or twitter)- can you please advise?

  5. The answer is Crixus! There appeared a split between those under Spartacus, who wished to escape over the Alps to freedom, and those under Crixus, who wished to stay in southern Italy to continue raiding and plundering,
    Thank you . dragosstefany

  6. First of all, best wishes Ben, I hope that this year will be filled with success and happiness for you and your loved ones.
    Then I’ll go with Crixus as well.

  7. @Kara Iskandar: merci beaucoup, et le meme a vous et votre famille! Bonne chance!
    @dragosstefany: Thanks, and good luck!

  8. Hey Ben

    I’m also saying Crixus and keeping my fingers well and truly crossed this time 🙂

  9. I would say Crixus Ben. He was the champion gladiator at the time of Spartacus’ arrival at the ludus.

  10. @Ben: Thank you for your quick answer Ben. By the way, can you also recommend some good literature on vikings or on Middle Ages China? I am trying to find some good books about these, too. Unfortunately, what I found wasn’t so good.
    Thanks a lot.

  12. Thanks for replying Ben.

    OK …the answer is Crixus. He split from Spartacus, as Spartacus wanted to away to Gaul, whilst Crixus wanted to stay in Italy to continue raiding. Crixus, however, was eventually defeated and killed. However, whilst Crixus and Spartacus may have split following their differences of opinion, Spartacus honoured Crixus by doing away with 300 Roman prisoners…

  14. Hope this year is a good one for you, Ben!
    Cant wait to start reading Spartacus! My need for roman blood is well and truely ignited XD
    And i’m going for Crixus.

  15. Hi Ben! All the best for the new book!!!! In answer to your question, may I go with the answer Crixus.

  16. Happy new year Ben and family. The answer is the Gaul, Crixus. My two boys have told me I’m well boring on the subject of Spartacus (like!) but Seb and Leo have bought me a voucher to buy a certain authors new book. Don’t suppose you’re down Dorchester way to promote it?

  18. Ben – My wife and i are huge fans. We are nuts about historical fiction and you have an amazing talent.
    Keep writing and wish you a wonderful New Year and
    Many more successes. I hope the sequel to Hannibal will come soon!

  19. Hi Ben,
    Happy New Year to you! All the best with the new book. Can’t wait to get my hands on it! My answer for the competition is Crixus.
    Cheers,
    Matt

  20. HNY Ben – what a fantastic set of prizes !

    Crixus is my answer – good luck to all

    Kev

  21. Hi Ben, happy new year to you and your family, have to say Crixus is the answer. Can’t wait for the new book too 🙂

  23. Hi Ben, Happy Holidays and a safe New Year. Thanks much for the email invite to the compitition. The answer is Crixus of Gaul who before capture by the Romans faught for the Allobroges Tribe. He was sold as a slave to the Ludus of Lanicta Lentulus Quintus Batiatus wher he became gaditorial champion by defeating Gannicus. Crixus, one of the slave rebellion leaders (Sparticus of Thrace being the other) died in 72 BC during the Third Sevile War, while fighting with his army of 30,000 slaves in the Apulia region at Mt. Garganus. He was defeated by the Roman Legions led by one of the 2 Consuls, Lucius Gellius Publicola. Sparticus honored the memory of Crixus by holding funeral games in which he forced captured Romans to fight to the death, as he and Crixus were forced, as slaves for the enjoyment of the Roman mob. I have several books on Sparticus, love the compitition, one of my fav’s. Thanks again!! from your #1 USA Fan!!! -Randy

  24. The answer is Crixus or Criso in spanish language 🙂

    Thanks for the opportunity.

  26. My best wishes for this new year that begins!
    My answer for the competitions is CRIXUS
    Greetings from Argentina.

  27. Crixus, of course, who Spartacus sacrificed 300 to after he died with a army of 3000.
    I think only about 80 or so made it out of the initial escape…

  28. Hi Ben, greetings from Singapore!
    Your books are great, I’m collecting them all. My answer to your question is Crixus. Good luck to you in 2012! Can’t wait for your newest book to reach our shore! God bless.

  29. i believe it to be Crixus as well ,love all your books and hope you write many more

  30. Happy New Year Ben! I hope both you, and your family have a wonderful 2012!! My answer to the question is Crixus, the Gaul.

  31. I believe the answer to your competition is Crixus! Good luck with the launch and all the best for the new year!

  33. Then Crixus it is.

    Wasn’t entirely sure about it but group pressure and all that. =)

  34. I am looking forward to reading this one as I loved the SKY TV presentation.

    Answer to competition : CRIXUS

  35. Crixus! Can’t wait to read your Spartacus book and for the Hannibal one coming out too! 🙂

  36. Hey Ben Happy new years! Im gonna have to go with Crixus too, IM SO EXCITED!

  37. @dragosstefany: I’ll do my best. Literature as in textbooks, or are you looking for novels?

  38. @Everyone: Thanks a lot for the New Year good wishes! The same to you and yours all over the world!

  40. Hi Ben,

    Wishing you and yours all the best for the new year.
    Crixus is the answer I think.

  41. Hi Ben,
    The answer is: Crixus the Gaul. Thank you for the great books, loved all 4!

  43. Firstly happy new year Ben and family and fellow site users.
    Crixus is the one for me although Oenomaus was also a leader and fellow escaper but I will stick with Crixus.

  45. HI BEN .WISH YOU BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AVERY HAPPY NEW YEAR .MAY YOUR BOOKS SPARTACUS AND HANIBAL BE ON THE BEST SELLER LISTS.NOW ONLY A FEW WRITERS WRITE ABOUT HISTORY.AND YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.KEEP IT UP BUDDY.
    THE ANSWER IS CRIXSUS,WHO BECAME THE ENEMY OF SPATACUS.
    THANKS
    BASIL LOBO
    MUMBAI
    INDIA

  46. @Ben: I am looking for novels (fiction) based on historical facts/characters (novels such as yours ).

  47. Never mind the last comment, I miss read the question ( dur ) yeah im going to say Crixus also.

  49. The answer’s Crixus.

    here’s a question… Will Brennus and Romulus ever march again?

    Looking forward to another great read in Spartacus. Cheers.

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