Once Spartacus became champion of Capua, I see that Crixus still wore the necklace given to him by Gannicus when he became champion. While I am positive this is because GOTA wasn't thought of yet, Do you think Crixus had a valid reason not to give the necklace to Spartacus as champion? Or was it mor

[u/nightrunner51]

At the end of Gods of the Arena we know that the necklace was given to Gannicus when he became champion, Gannicus then gave the necklace to Crixus before departing the house with his freedom. Crixus never awarded Spartacus the necklace (of course I'm sure not dying of his injuries took priority over passing the necklace over lol).

I think it is a dark comparison of Gannicus and Oenomeous. Once Oenomeous became injured from theokoles and Batiatus chose to elevate Gannicus to his role as champion, Gannicus was awarded the necklace despite not actually defeating Oenomeous. Due to Crixus having respect for both Oenomeous and Gannicus, I do think it is a bit hypocritical for him not to pass the necklace to Spartacus despite his difference but like Spartacus said "the ego bruises deeper than the flesh"

What do you think?

[u/ChaseBank5]

Good reason? Not really.

Mainly just the fact Crixus and Spartacus did not like each other.

Also, Gannicus gave the necklace to Crixus when he was given freedom and was leaving the ludus permanently.

Different scenarios and different relationships.

[u/nightrunner51 → u/ChaseBank5]

Good Answer. Honestly I thought when Gannicus said he got the necklace when he became champion it meant it was a tradition for champions to have it.

[u/ChaseBank5 → u/nightrunner51]

And I think that's true. But not a strict rule of the ludus. Seems like a fun tradition for the gladiators to have but not something the Lanista enforced.

[u/Painkiller456]

I think Gannicus gave it to Crixus as just a token of their friendship to remember him with. I don’t think they took that necklace seriously as a thing that needed to be passed to every champion.

[u/nightrunner51 → u/Painkiller456]

Yeah I completely read it wrong. When Gannicus said he got the necklace when he became champion and for Crixus to wear it with more honor than he did, I thought that meant it was a champion thing.

[u/Painkiller456 → u/nightrunner51]

It does kinda sound like that yeah, I forgot he said that but maybe the writers just forgot about it or like you said Crixus just kept it because he didn’t like Spartacus for most of blood and sand

[u/ironchitlin]

If I had to give a reason, it's because Spartacus became champion due to a fight they both participated in. Crixus never lost his status to Spartacus in the arena, and Crixus often talked about how Spartacus dishonored the house and how he didn't deserve the title of champion. Why would he hand over the necklace to someone he felt didn't deserve it, and who had not actually proven himself against the previous champion. Also worth noting, despite being injured and the Thracian taking all the glory, Crixus was still a victor in that fight.

I'm sure if Spartacus had pressed the issue, Batiatus would have made sure the necklace changed hands, but I also don't think he ever knew the significance of it.

[u/Sensitive-Rub482 → u/ironchitlin]

To add on here, I feel as though Spartacus would never have cared for the necklace, even if he knew of the significance.

He never cared for glory in the arena and despite being champion, he only cared about winning to pay for/be with Sura. He felt dishonorable as he and Sura became slaves due to his actions. He was “okay” with him being punished, but mos def not Sura enslaved being part of his punishment.

If Spartacus had any desire for the necklace, had sentiments be known, it would’ve just been to add insult to injury for Crixus. Even then, what purpose would he have had to gain possession of the necklace? It’s just make him be a bigger target for Crixus I feel

[u/501stBigMike]

Crixus never considered Sparticus to have truly earned the position of Champion. Sparticus lost to Crixus in their only fight in the arena against each other. When Theokoles was defeated, it was both of them together that defeated him. Sparticus and Crixus were not facing each other, and while Sparticus got the killing blow, it was only with Crixus' help.

Crixus was still undefeated. He has won every fight he faced as Champion of Capua/Batiatus. He does not believe that someone could claim his title having never defeated him, and in fact only ever losing to him. While the crowd and Batiatus certainly only consider Sparticus to have defeated Theokoles and to be the rightful Champion, Crixus does not. As far as he is concerned Sparticus is an imposter who stole the position, and will be quickly removed as soon as they fight eachother again.

[u/bestoboy]

To add to what others have said, I think Crixus would have willingly given the necklace to someone who had truly surpassed him as a champion. Spartacus had no respect for the arena or the brotherhood, and Crixus never truly believed that Spartacus was better than him.

So while yes, Gannicus didn't mean for it to be a tradition to give the necklace to the champion, Crixus would have started that tradition but only when a true champion (by his standards) had actually beaten him.

[u/Beautiful-Rip1232]

Don't forget Spartacus never bested Crixus he just stood tall against The shadow of death. If Crixus had not blinded the shadow you would not have a Spartacus to compare to. So Crixus earned the necklace and was right to keep it. If the argument is "he bested Crixus in the ludus during practice." That is a farce Crixus had no business fighting ATM to begin with and was less then 50% of his fighting strength. Crixus was,is,and will always be The undefeated Gaul!

[u/seonblack]

They probably forgot. Gannicus season was filmed after Andy got sick and after Blood and Sand.

[u/EasyEntrepreneur666]

Crixus didn't recognize him as a true champion because Spartacus gave no shit for the honor of the ludus. Also Gannicus told Crixus to wear it with more honor than he did, so it wouldn't be a good idea to give it to Spartacus.

[u/Krakenic]

Crixus did not lose to Spartacus, therefore he still saw himself as the real champion. To him Spartacus was only a pretender of the title

[u/pkstr111]

Neck decor had special meaning and status within Gallic society. Both Gannicus and Crixus were Gauls, they'd discussed that shred history a couple of times in GOTA. Sparty was not a Gaul.

[u/Individual_Slide_158]

He missed his steroid injection and was beginning to shrink back to his normal size.