In the film "Spartacus" the audience is shown a great example of how adversity can bring people together. The main character Spartacus kicks off his journey as a gladiator-in-training. He then bonds with other gladiators who are in similar situations to himself. He later seizes an opportunity to start a riot against the gladiator trainers, and takes his first big step as a leader. After this he continues to gather slaves for his army, and train them to fight. Spartacus is finally able to prove his capabilities after defeating the first couple armies Rome sends to defeat him. The adversity Spartacus and his army faces only strengthens them and makes them more hungry for freedom. After the Roman officials realize they cannot take out the army with small forces, they rely on the main antagonist Crassus to do the job. When he learned of the army he would face, Spartacus began to put many things into perspective.
He realized that he was fighting for more then himself. He was fighting for his future child, and the other slaves descendants. This allowed for him to become a true hero.
Spartacus needed Crassus to oppose him to realize what he was fighting for. The fear of death no longer plagued Spartacus and his army as they realized their movement would change the ancient world. As the battle began the slave army was clearly outnumbered, but held on for as long as they could. After the battle the slaves refused to give up their leader, and went as far as exclaiming each one was Spartacus. It was at this point everyone realized Spartacus was a hero to all his army. They were willing to die for him, and allow him to continue the movement. The threat of the antagonist Crassus allowed for Spartacus to put his life into perspective and become a hero to his people. Thus every hero needs his/her villain.
