'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' and its sequel series, the currently-airing 'Spartacus: Vengeance' don't do a perfect job of keeping to historic records, but if history is to serve as any kind of guide, we know that things are going to get a lot worse for the slave uprising before they get better.

Though 'Spartacus: Vengeance' won't conclude its current season until sometime next month, Starz has already seen fit to order a third season of the epic historical drama, and with that order comes today's news that two very major villains have been cast! 

According to the press release from Starz, Simon Merrels (l.) and Todd Lasance (r.) have been cast as Marcus Crassus, and the one and only Julius Caesar!

While Crassus has been oft-mentioned in 'Spartacus,' the press release describes Marcus Licinius Crassus as "the richest man in the Roman Republic. Envied and despised by the highborn among the senate, he craves the power and respect that defeating Spartacus and his rebel army would bring."  Historically speaking, Crassus took up the mantle of defeating Spartacus' and his slave uprising after Gaius Claudius Glaber (Craig Parker) and Publicus Varinius (Brett Tucker) - SPOILER ALERT - failed.

Though historically speaking (read: Wikipedially speaking) Julius Caesar hadn't much to do with Spartacus or the Third Servile War, the announcement defines the character thusly: "Gaius Julius Caesar is a handsome young rogue from an esteemed lineage. His deadly intelligence and skill with a sword will be brought to bear against the rebellion. And Caesar will begin his ascent towards the all-powerful ruler he will one day become."

Todd Lasance best known for his roles in the Australian legal drama 'Crownies as well as TV miniseries 'Cloudstreet, while Merrells held a role in UK drama 'London’s Burning, maintained a recurring role in the crime drama 'Mersey Beat,' in addition to 'Family Affair' and 'Doctors.'

Most of the current cast of 'Spartacus: Vengeance' is expected to reprise their roles into a third season, though it is unknown if the series will keep or change the sub-title "Vengeance."

What say you, 'Spartacus' fans?  Are you excited to put faces to some of the rebellion's greatest threats?  How will it all play out when 'Spartacus: Vengeance' wraps up its current season in a few weeks!  Give us your bloody and sandy theories in the comments below!

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