Battle, betrayal, and bloodshed: 9 TV shows like Spartacus worth watching

If you were into Spartacus for the brutal clashes the betrayals that went one step too far and indiscriminate slaughter you'd be in good company. This series was all about raw energy unforgettable characters and gripping storylines of survival and power.

Not many shows manage to deliver this intoxicating mixture of action, politics, and emotion, but there certainly are worthy contenders to be checked out. From battlefields in Rome to the frosty realms of the Vikings, epic stories of warriors, kings, and rebels fighting for glory, love, and revenge have been imparted by television.

Each series has a different feel, whether it's political intrigue in ancient empires, the brutal warfare of medieval kingdoms, or the sheer heroic warfare of myth. Here are nine shows like Spartacus to get your heart racing.

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Battle, betrayal, and bloodshed: 9 TV shows like Spartacus worth watching

1) Rome

Rome is an engrossing historical drama that delves deeply into the fall and rise of the Roman Republic. The show combines political intrigue with gory battles illustrating how power and betrayal have formed history. It traces the lives of two soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo whose personal lives are entangled in the affairs involving Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

With its combination of politics war and illicit love the series provides action and drama. Although brief it paved the way for future historical epics and is still one of the most meticulous interpretations of ancient Rome ever produced.

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2) Vikings

Vikings follows the mythical life of Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer turned one of the most feared fighters in history. It is full of battles, betrayals, and the harsh realities of Norse existence. From battles in England to backroom politics at home, it combines action with culture, mythology, and family. The series features the conflict between ambition and loyalty, depicting how Ragnar and his descendants forged Viking history.

Its realist tone and memorable characters make it a great watch for anyone who loved the blood-drenched fights and fluid alliances in Spartacus.

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3) Vikings: Valhalla

Vikings: Valhalla is a spin-off series that takes place around 100 years after the initial Vikings. It features legendary Norse characters such as Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and Harald Sigurdsson as they shape their destiny at the tail end of the Viking Age. The series blends historical fact and gripping drama, depicting the conflict between ancient paganism and the emergence of Christianity.

With hard-fought fights and changing allegiances, it is both old and new. The newly refreshed graphics and multicultural characters provide the series with a modern look, making it a great show for people seeking action-filled drama, such as Spartacus, but with a new time.

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4) Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones turned into the most discussed show in TV history. It is famous for its jaw-dropping betrayals, political scheming, and epic battles, so it has all the entertainment that Spartacus fans would crave. It is located in the imaginary land of Westeros, where noble families battle for the Iron Throne while ominous supernatural forces brew beneath.

What set it apart was its unpredictability; no one was safe from death or betrayal. The large scale coupled with intricate relationships and bloody battles makes it a great show for anyone who enjoyed the combination of gore and drama in Spartacus.

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5) House of the Dragon

Unlike many spin-offs that are considered to live in the shadow of their originals, this show truly blossoms and has carved out its own identity. Set some two centuries before the era of Game of Thrones, the focus shifts to the Targaryens at the peak of their power when dragons ruled the skies.

The death-defying fights that might otherwise have appeared to hold the lid on the gripping nature of this tale are set aside to exist side by side with the slow tear-down of family bonds: brothers, daughters, and cousins betray each other, for only the thirst for power was able to destroy even blood ties. With the stakes raised recently with season 2, the series has kept the fans on the edge of their seats, awaiting each karate punch.

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6) The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom traces the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon lord kidnapped and brought up by the Vikings. Torn between two worlds, Uhtred grapples with loyalty and survival when England is invaded and power crises erupt. Set amidst real history and fictional drama, the show is informative and captivating. Betrayals, shifting allegiances, and bloody battles propel the drama, similar to Spartacus.

It also delves into issues of identity and honour as Uhtred repeatedly seeks to find out where he belongs. With incisive storytelling and charismatic characters, The Last Kingdom is one of the most compelling historical dramas in recent years.

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7) Marco Polo

Marco Polo is the story of the young Venetian adventurer who ends up in the palace of Kublai Khan the Mongol emperor. Packed with epic combat political treachery and struggles for power the series weaves together historical fact and compelling drama. It presents the sheer size of the Mongol empire combining martial arts, palace politics, and war strategies.

What sets it apart is its cultural richness, delving into Asia's storied past and practices while still offering ample action. Although it lasted only two seasons, Marco Polo is an underappreciated gem for Spartacus fans looking to delve into battles and backstabbing set in a different context.

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8) Barbarians

Barbarians is a historical German drama reenacting the famous Battle of Teutoburg Forest, in which Germanic tribes fought together against the Roman Empire. It is a tale of revolt, treachery, and resistance to a more powerful force. Gritty battles and emotional struggles present a raw and realistic portrayal of war in ancient Europe.

The struggle between Roman allegiance and love for home is at the center of the show. With its quintessentially European focus, Barbarians offers a fresh take on historical battles that will keep fans of Spartacus engaged.

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9) Troy: Fall of a City

Troy: Fall of a City reimagines the ancient Trojan War, marrying Greek myth to human heart. The series centres on Paris and Helen's romantic tale while framing the war's battles betrayals and bloodshed. Audiences see famous moments like the Trojan Horse and Achilles' fury reimagined with contemporary storytelling.

Unlike some of the other retellings, it not only stresses the war but also the political and personal conflicts that lie behind it. To fans of the passion, power struggle, and bloody fighting in Spartacus, this series provides an epic but humanised retelling of ancient legend.

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While Spartacus's last were perhaps made decades ago other television shows carry the essence of rebellion loyalty and gory drama. Each series presents an enthralling concoction of power struggles betrayals and epic battles with its fresh twist for the viewers.

Whether you are inclined toward Roman politics Viking raids or legendary wars it just proves that the fight for survival and dominance never goes out of style. So if you want something after Spartacus these nine shows will keep you in suspense.