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

  1. @dragosstefany: No idea on books about China, sorry. Vikings, oh yes, I’ve some great recommendations: The Raven Blood Eye trilogy by Giles Kristian, and The Oathsworn Quartet of books by Robert Low. Very different to each other, but both outstanding in my opinion.

  2. @drewlaird47: I’m afraid not, no. Not in the next 5 years or more, anyway. Probably never. I felt the storyline was better ended with uncertainty, as that’s often how life is. Sorry! Also, too many ideas for other books in my head…

  3. hi ben

    i think it was crixus who helped spartacus escape the ludus.

    thanks

  4. @Everyone: Thanks so much for your good wishes, and your competition entries. Keep ’em coming, please!

  5. Really enjoy allyour books I read a lot of different books by lots of authors on Roman fiction but its not all pure fiction as all do research for there books.
    The answer to the question is Crixus Spartacus’ right hand man & jealous friend.
    Looking forward to the new book.
    jacoby67.

  6. Is it Crixus? I might be off on that but I remember him being pretty instrumental in the whole thing. Thanks!

  7. Hey, thanks for the greetings and hope you have an awesome new year.
    Well i watched the first season of Spartacus and it was Crixus that became his ally. It’s supposed to be based on fact so I guess this is right. 🙂

  8. Hi Ben,

    Glad you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

    I believe the answer is Crixus! Hopfully Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a little bit historically accurate! (I am of course joking, I did use a verified reference book!)

    Take care

    Tom

  9. Spartacus’ friend and rival was Crixus the Gaul. After losing their connection at Brundisium, theplan was to march north to Gaul but that changed. It was Crixus who eventually separated from Spartacus so he and his followers could freeboot through Italy. They were destroyed by Crassis soon after.

  10. In my books, a fictional Titus Crastinus (father of Gaius and Marcus) is one of the two Centurions killed by Spartacus as he fights his way to Crassis.

  11. hi Ben,
    I Think it was crixus who was his rival and became his ally,he was a gaul and his name meant “one with curly hair” in gaulish.I hope that this is correct.All the best for the coming year,I am rellly looking forward to reading the new book.
    regards
    Gavin

  12. HI BEN.
    YOU MUST CONTINUE WITH THE 4TH BOOK AFTER ROAD TO ROME.BRENNIUS MUST BE KEPT ALIVE WITH ROMULUS AND THE ETRUSCAN AND THEY MUST CONTINUE IN THE FOURTH BOOK,READ ALL YOUR 3 BOOKS IN THE SERIES,AND THEY WERE GREAT.
    MY SON THOMAS ALSO TOLD ME YOU GAVE HIM A REPLY.MANY THANKS.
    GOT 3 MORE BOYS AND THEIR WIVES,WILL TELL THEM TO READ YOR BOOKS.
    WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
    BASIL LOBO
    MUMBAI
    INDIA

  14. Hi Ben

    The answer to the competition is CRIXUS

    Hope you have a great 2012 cannot wait for Spartacus really looking forward to it.

  15. @tomhaslett: thanks, and the same to you and yours! Good luck in the competition.

    @dragosstefany: You’re welcome.

    @sunkinggem: Nice to hear from you again; thanks for spreading the word! Sorry, no 4th book in the Forgotten Legion series!

  16. @Everyone – thanks for all your entries and good wishes. Keep them coming!

  17. Hello Ben, nice to read you have a new book coming. May 2012 be full of good health, inspiration and joy ! as for the competition..here’s my entry : Crixus the Gaul. warm regards, Stephan

  18. @stephan: Thank you – and a Happy New Year to you too! Good luck in the competition.

  19. Hi Ben,

    The answear to your quiz is Crixus, looking forward to the new book,

    Kind Regards,
    Jamie

  20. I already posted on Facebook for the contest,so I will not repost here. I just wanna wish you good luck with „Spartacus”. Oh, and by any means, WATCH Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I am not one to judge historical accuracy, but it ‘s bloody(no pun intended) entertainment at its best. My dad loves it, and he’s no big period series buff. Think Gladiator meets 300 and you get the feeling it inspires.

  21. Competition answer : Crixus

    Enjoyed your Roman books very much – looking forward to Spartacus

    Steve R

  22. I am afraid to say i have only read the 1st book to your trilogy, but as soon as i get back to england, ill be hunting down the remaining 2! Then ill be moving onto Hannibal and Sparticus!!! Just love your books, thanks.

    I think the answer to the competition is Crixus……..

    PS – Happy New Year and All the Best for 2012

  23. Opps pressed post by mistake….. of course i may not need to buy the books *fingers crossed* even so, i could read them over and over again…and there are other prizes 🙂

  24. Hey Ben,

    Happy New Year! I have read The Forgotten Series and almost completed The Hannibal, I am looking forward to getting your new book, Spartacus! All amazing books!

    I believe the answer to the competition is Crixus.

    Thank You and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

  25. Hi Ben
    Crixus is the Gaul who escapes with Sparticus.
    Another key leadership figure of the slave army is Oenomaus but I do not think he is the co-escapee you’re referring to in this case.
    So my answer for the competition is Crixus!
    Regards
    Brian B.

  27. Answer: Crixus

    Your books sound great! I look forward to diving into them in the future!

  29. Hi Ben,

    After having read the non-fiction book “The Spartacus War” the answer is of course CRIXUS, a Gaulish co-gladiator who had later on disagreements with Spartacus on how to proceed with their “salve revolt” if to march on Rome or in which direction they should go. Later on they split up and Crixus and his group got defeated by the Romans.

    Have a good year 2012!

  30. I think Crixus helped Spartacus….almost sure…i wish you a very good 2012 and hope that Hannibal and Spartacus stories will be published in italy too….
    Greetings from italy..

    bye

    djugo

  31. Greetings Ben

    An excellent competition, I will hopefully catch up with you in Monmouth in a couple of weeks!

    Answer: Crixus The Gaul

    Good luck me!!

    Jason
    The Re-Enactor

  32. Hey guys I wonder what the history would have been like, had Spartacus & Crixus managed to split the Roman Empire into two or even conquer Rome! Just thinking…. -:)

  33. Just finished the forgotten legion books top stuff.
    answer. Crixus .
    CHEERS..

    Dave..

  34. Hi there, my best wishes for this new year!
    About the competition my answer is Crixus.
    Greetings!

  36. Morning Ben, not going to enter the competition because I’ve already ordered the book, thought I’d found another website with all these people about! Hope the writings going well, looking forward to the new book, cheers John.

  37. Answer is Crixus- great new year surprise , didn’t know Spartacus was about to be published

  38. Hi Ben hope you had a fantastic Christmas and New year the answer is Crixus

  39. @John: Cheers, mate – good on you! Writing is going furiously – I’m supposed to finish Spartacus 2 (Rebellion) by mid-Feb. I hope life with you is good – how’s your manuscript doing?

    @weetam: glad you got a nice surprise! Good luck.

    @richie_rich: cheers, I did thanks, and I hope you did too? Best of luck in the competition.

    @jaydub @sandrin @oddmandave: Many thanks and good luck as well.

  40. Hey there ben, I sent an entry in for your awesome competition, but I cant see it up there, just wondering if you got it??? Ive already ordered Sparticus – Im soo excited!!!

  41. I believe the correct answer is Crixus. Didn’t know about the new book, im running for it.

  42. @silvermum: your entry IS there somewhere – along with the nearly hundred others! (And the dozens more from Facebook and Twitter.) Thanks for ordering the book already 🙂

  43. Ben Kane, you are too nice of a man! Much appreciated.
    Loving the Lost Legion! Beautifully written and an absolute treasure to read!
    Anyway, I’m jabbering! It appears to be Crixus!
    All the very best,
    James

  44. And of course, when I wrote “Lost” I meant “forgotten”. Sorry – my minds all o er the shop! It is a book
    I’m struggling to put down! #LoveIt!

  45. @jamescorden: You’re very very welcome! The more the merrier. With about 175 entries so far, you have about a one in 11 chance of winning a prize. Or something like that! Best of luck, and I’m very pleased that you’re enjoying The Forgotten Legion. It’s my favourite thing to hear that someone can’t put it down. 🙂

  46. answer: Crixus

    I’ve already pre-ordered Spartacus but would willingly accept a signed copy :).

    Daphne

  47. @Tanzanite/Daphne: Thanks – and good luck – you might end up with two copies – or a copy of Hannibal!

  48. Hi Ben,

    I just finished ‘The Forgotten Legion’ trilogy and I loved them! I look forward to reading your other work 🙂

    I believe the answer to your contest is crixus.

    Thanks!
    -Amber

  49. Thats cool, Im glad I was able to order a copy, as I havnt been able to buy the others yet!! And it means I wont have to wait what feels like a billion years to read it!! Fingers crossed, I want that coin sooo much its probably considered wrong in some countries haha, but I guess Ill just have to wait, and pray to something, maybe one of the old Roman gods!!!!

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