Appearance
Barca has light-brown skin
tone and is the tallest gladiator in the Ludus. He has long,
shoulder-length black hair, which he wears behind him in dreadlocks and allows
it to fall on his shoulders. He usually wears a dark-colored light vest, which
covers his right side and comes down diagonally from the left shoulder, in
addition to his subligaria.
Barca fights in the style
of hoplomachus, and is equipped in the arena accordingly with
a spear, round shield and short sword.
Personality
Barca has been shown to be quite a round character in the
series. He is on close, respectable terms with Crixus and
sees Ashur simply as a partner, as he speaks plainly to him as well
as demands Ashur to pay his debt. He is one of Batiatus' most loyal
gladiators, as he serves as one of Batiatus' escorts when he goes into the city,
and has been shown in the city on assignment from Batiatus without Batiatus'
presence. He is generally seen as silent and powerful, as he enjoys seeing the
discomfort and deaths of the new recruits as much as Crixus and he coldly and
effortlessly slew a recruit during the final trial of the recruit's initial
training. Despite his ferocity and bully-like attitude, he holds the other
gladiators as true friends and respects strength and skill. He reveals a
gentler side with those he loves dearly, such as Auctus and later Pietros and
forms strong friendships with many others, especially Crixus who he comes to
see as a brother.
Combat Prowess
Barca has earned the epithet, "The Beast of
Carthage", for his legendary prowess in the arena. At the beginning of,
and before Spartacus' arrival, he is commonly said to be the most skilled
gladiator of the Ludus - only before Gannicus and Crixus. It is said that
Barca's father, Mago, was a legendary warrior, yet Barca was able to kill him,
thus further showing his expertise in battle. While skilled with a sword, his
preferred weapon is the spear and shield combination.
History
The Beast of Carthage
Barca came from a fierce
warrior village a region near Carthage where he enjoyed playing with
birds alongside his best friend Cyprian. However, Barca's father Mago, the
Chieftain of the village, saw this as pathetic and told his wife Elissa that
their son was becoming weak by playing, not a strong warrior like he should
grow up to be. One day, Roman soldiers invaded the village and Elissa told
Barca and Cyprian to hide in the closet while she confronted a soldier that
broke into their home. Barca was forced to watch as his mother was being
beheaded by the soldier, causing him to fall into a depression where he would
stay by his late mother's side for many days until his father and the men of
his village returned. Mago, returning to his house, found his son crying
over his wife's corpse. Sad and angered, Mago blamed his son's cowardice for
his wife's death and disowned him.
Barca, now out of a home
and family decided there was only one thing he could do which was train for
many years the young boy trained until he became a formidable warrior during
this time Barca and his group of assembled men had fought and defeated several
many Roman legions. At some point during this time Barca and Cyprian had
become lovers and had march their men towards Rome before they
crossed a steep river Barca had his men fill the water with the bodies of a
group of Gaul’s they had defeated "The Gaul’s proved themselves
useful" quoted Barca on this victory. One night while he and his men were
gathered around fire a legion of Romans attack though they fought well the
Phoenicians were simply no match for the romans who either killed or captured
them. In the fray Cyprian was killed while trying to protect Barca who called
out to him the dying Cyprian told Barca "Remember me" this angered
Barca who attacked the soldiers with full might but despite his best efforts he
was defeated and captured along with his surviving men.
The Phoenicians were taken
to Capua where they were forced to fight each other Barca was able to defend
himself and take down many of his own people and was one of the two remaining
warriors on the sands as he turned to face his opponent and came across a
shocking sight his father Mago was also in the arena. Father and Son were
shocked to see each other and knowing there was no way out the two began to
fight each other as they did one of the watching nobles saying “I would
purchase the winner". On the sands Mago and Barca battled and both
possessed an advantage for Mago it was strength and years for Barca it was
strength and youth they fought for half a day but eventually Barca gained the
upper hand over Mago and was able to bring him to his knees. As he was on his
knees Mago looked up at Barca and in an admiring tone stated" Barca,
you are my son!" Barca told him “And I live veral father"
he then stabbed Mago through the throat after some hesitation. From that moment
on Barca became the "Beast of Carthage" and was then purchased
by Titus Lentulus Batiatus
House of Batiatus
Barca became a prominent and ruthless gladiator in The
House of Batiatus. He became trained in the style of Hoplomachus, befriend
other gladiators Oenomaus and Gannicus, and grow close to
another Hoplomachus named Auctus, who would then become his lover.
Gods of the Arena
Barca is one of the most skilled gladiators, known as the
"Beast of Carthage" and serves the House of Batiatus. He often
torments and insults the recruits alongside his lover, Auctus. The two are
often at odds with Ashur and Dagan and frequently pick
fights with them, which later escalades into a full-out brawl between the
gladiators. He often taunts Crixus for being too small and weak.
Barca is selected alongside Auctus, Gnaeus and
Crixus to fight in the arena. He is pitted against Gnaeus,
a Dacian gladiator who has longed to fight Barca. Despite this
eagerness he is bested by Barca, but fortunately allowed to live. From that
point on Gnaeus has held Barca with both disdain and admiration. Auctus then
fights Crixus, with Barca cheering his lover on. Surprisingly, Crixus manages
to defeat and kill Auctus. Through this Crixus gains the mark of the
brotherhood and while Barca now greets Crixus as a brother he enters a state of
depression which reflects in his training, which Crixus takes note of.
Eventually, Crixus
Barca and Auctus.
comes to Barca and explains his reason for wanting to
become a gladiator and states that Auctus will never be forgotten and also
offers Barca his bread to feed his pet birds. From that point on the two would
grow fond of one another and later become great friends, often training with
one another. When Batiatus plans to settle things with Tullius and Vettius,
he selects Barca along with several other gladiators to storm and brawl in the
streets. Barca is stabbed by one Tullius' thugs, but saved by Batiatus.
Barca in Gods of the Arena.
Due to his injury, he is unable to fight in the Games of
the New Arena and instead aids his brothers in preparation, particularly
Crixus. Gannicus later wins his freedom from the games after
defeating Caburus. Back at the Ludus, Barca bids farewell to Gannicus and
promises him that he will one day win his freedom and find him one day to
embrace him as brother once again, but this time as a free man.
Blood and Sand
Barca serves as the second best gladiator in the Ludus as the
"Beast of Carthage" and best friend to the current Champion of Capua,
Crixus. Like Crixus he constantly berates and insults both Spartacus and his
recruitment class. He is also the lover of the young Pietros, a slave who
serves Doctore.
During the final test for Spartacus and his recruitment group
he is set to face Marcus, whom he soundly defeats. He then watches as
Crixus is bested by Spartacus (Through means of the piece of cloth belonging to
his wife).
Barca serves
Barca and Crixus taunt Spartacus.
directly as Batiatus' bodyguard and often escorts him into
town, but is also sent along with Ashur on several occasions. When
preparing Spartacus for The Pit, because of his unsuccessful career as a
gladiator, he sees that Spartacus has endured a lot and gained some respect for
the Thracian.
Ashur and Barca later make a wager on the Shadow Games where
Crixus and Spartacus are to fight the legendary and undefeated Theokoles.
Barca puts coin into their favor with Ashur gladly receiving as he is certain
the duo would lose to the Shadow of Death. This proves troublesome for Ashur as
Spartacus manages to defeat Theokeles and therefore owes Barca a large margin
of coin, which the latter constantly threatens him for.
Barca seeks to purchase his freedom along Pietros using his
winnings from the wager along with other coin he had earned in the arena. His
intent is for them to settle near where Carthage once stood and live their
lives as farmers, which Pietros happily takes too. Pietros, however, becomes
worried
Barca and Pietros.
about Barca and his deeds after finding some bloody
clothing that Barca wore when he killed Ovidius and his entire house,
including a young boy which saddens Pietros. In order to keep Pietros from
feeling despair he tells him that he had actually let the boy go and that they
would be gone before the boy would be discovered and stating that Pietros alone
will be the one to command him in the future, showing more of the love he has
for him. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Ashur had overheard the entire this
and quickly plots a way to be free of his debt.
The Death of Barca by Batiatus.
Batiatus soon learns that the son of Ovidius lives and is
infuriated with Ashur coming forward about a possible revelation that Barca
betrayed him. Batiatus first speaks to Pietros and manipulates the conversation
to confirm the suspicions. Barca is brought to Batiatus (Barca believing that
he is there to speak of his freedom) and is questioned about the subject. Barca
states he lied to Pietros in order to comfort him. Batiatus begins to believe
Barca, but before this could happen, Ashur stabs Barca and begins a fight.
Barca valiantly defends himself but being unarmed and outnumbered is defeated.
As he weakenly crawls his way out he is stopped by Batiatus who grabs his
hair and slits his throat yelling "Now you're free!" clearly mocking
the gladiator’s desire for freedom leaving him to die in the rain. Barca's body
is then carried out of the room by two houseslaves on batiatus orders due to
impending guest.
The guest is Magistrate Calvaius, who is Ovidius'
cousin, arrives stating that Ovidius' son was indeed killed and not found alive
at all, another part of the plot conducted by Ashur, thus confirming that Barca
was telling the truth after all. Batiatus and Lucretia later justify
his death as desiring freedom was a treachery in itself and thus wipe the concern
from their minds.
Barca’s death inevitably causes Pietros to suffer in the
Ludus where he is abused greatly at the hands of Gnaeus and later
takes his own life. Crixus comments that losing his best friend and with
Spartacus being champion is equivalent to him "awakening to a world of
shit"
War of the Damned
At the tribute games to
honor Crixus one of the rebels (presumably a gladiator or slave of the House of
Batiatus) shouts his name to honor him.