Young Batiatus finds himself in control of his father's gladiator school. He uses his best fighter to win favor with a cunning nobleman behind the building of the new arena.

Batiatus conjures up a devious plan and enlists Lucretia, Gaia and a clutch of gladiator recruits to see it through. Oenomaus longs to reclaim the top gladiator rank, but new challenges cross his path. A week has passed since he received his severe beating at the hands of Tullius' men and Batiatus has now recovered sufficiently to leave his bed. Tullius sends him a message to the effect that he acted hastily and offers a compromise. Batiatus is in no mood to compromise however and plans his own revenge. Quintillius Varis comes to Capua to select gladiators for his games and Gaia, who knows him, plots to have him come to Batiatus' house. Batiatus will seemingly go to any length to impress Varis but his blind enthusiasm does not sit well with the men. Doctore and Oenomaus settle their differences in the arena.

Just as his fortunes are on the rise and his future clear, Batiatus is stunned by the return of his father - putting his attempts to gain rank by exploiting those above his class at risk.

The House of Batiatus is caught in the power struggle between father and son. Lucretia reluctantly agrees to her husband's risky plan. Gannicus finds himself on unstable ground.

Batiatus's father announces a tournament to determine the worth of his stable of gladiators. Crixus, dedicated to proving himself, is drawn into the power play within the house.

Batiatus seeks vengeance for all that has befallen him, retaining his gladiators and Solonius in the cause. The new arena opens, promising a spectacle of combat and blood.