‘Spartacus’ Season 3 Gets Title, Teaser, Poster and End Date?

Well, this is quite a move.  We've heard bits and pieces on the forthcoming season of Starz' 'Spartacus,' which had a much smoother time getting off the ground than 'Spartacus: Vengeance,' but now the show seems to have bled out its most revealing news of all.  Not only does the new season of 'Spartacus,' set to debut in January 13 officially have its title and poster, but some very distressing news for fans of the series.

According to Entertainment Weekly, 'Spartacus' creator Stephen S. DeKnight intents for the show's third chronological season to be its last.  Titled 'Spartacus: War of the Damned," the show's final ten episodes will premiere in January 2013, focusing on Spartacus' war against his ultimate historical foe Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells) and a young Julius Caesar (Todd Lassance).  Says DeKnight of the abrupt end:

Looking at the story in the history books, it’s wave after wave of Roman senators going after Spartacus who are defeated until [Roman general Marcus Crassus] comes in. So let’s pick out the most interesting moments in this struggle and lay out a clear narrative for Spartacus and his rebellion. I wanted to lay out a strong forward narrative with a strong antagonist.

I would much rather end a series with the audience wanting more than limping to the finish line, with only the die-hard fans sticking around for the wrap up. We want to make the 10 best episodes we can. I can’t wait for everybody to see it.

The series has long been mired by difficulty, suffering a delay in its second season that forced the production of a prequel series and eventually recasting due to series lead Andy Whitfield's non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and ultimate death.  Still, with 'Spartacus: Vengeance: being the show's most watched and critically acclaimed offering to date, it seems a curious move to end after taking so long to finally get the formula working.

“This show has always been a challenge,” DeKnight says. “I’m particularly thankful to Starz. Any other network, if the show’s lead actor had fallen ill and eventually passed away, they would have canceled the show. Starz felt like we owed it to the audience and to Andy to finish the tale.”

Even if they be bittersweet now that we know the end is coming, the news also accompanies a new teaser for the final series, and a teaser poster that while distinctly aping 'Game of Thrones,' remains nonetheless awesome.  Check out both below, and tell us your reaction to this devastating news in the comments!