Real Name Updated - Spartacus
There is no known alternative name for Spartacus. The most honest and historically accurate answer is: His real name was Spartacus. Any other claim is speculation or fiction.
Executive Summary:
| Scenario | Likelihood | Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Most Likely | This was a standard Thracian name. Romans would have had no reason to change it. Slaves often kept their foreign names. | | 2. He had a different Thracian name, but adopted Spartacus in Roman service. | Possible but Unprovable | Gladiators were often given stage names. He might have adopted a famous Thracian royal name (like the earlier King Spartacus) for his fighting persona. | | 3. His name was a longer Thracian name, shortened by the Romans. | Possible | Many Thracian names were compound words. "Spartacus" could be a Latinized short form. But no long form is known. | | 4. He had a separate "real" name (as in fiction). | Virtually Zero Evidence | This is pure speculation with no basis in ancient history. | Conclusion For a historian, "Spartacus" is his real name. It is the name given to us by all primary sources. The search for a "hidden" or "original" name is a modern invention driven by popular culture's desire for a more mysterious or heroic origin story. spartacus real name
The message passed across “No Other Name” was certainly impressing but maybe it’s just me feeling like Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) was the only song that is worth repeating over and over again. After setting the bar high with the release of last year’s Zion, I expected to hear something more powerful. The rest of the songs sounded like the Hillsong I used to know before Zion. I just felt the release of the album was too soon when I heard the announcement.
Hillsong is definitely one of those bands with ‘hit and miss’ albums. To me, I enjoyed this album thoroughly. Obviously when they do yearly albums (ZION was Hillsong UNITED actually, not Hillsong Worship!) some albums will resonate more so with different listeners. No worries if you didn’t like this album as much, I don’t think the band is concerned if they are universally liked or not!
Yeah “Broken Vessels” is pretty cool, and I think Taya Smith is one of those vocalists that will be big in the near future, for Hillsong and for CCM and worship music overall as well!
Yes, you’re right Josh. They changed their name to Hillsong Worship; perhaps that’s why they have a different sound. I will be looking forward to their next album. 🙂