Belesa

Belesa
First appearance	S3E04: Decimation
Last appearance	S3E10: Victory
Profession	Slave Rebel
Race	Thracian
Relationships	Spartacus (Leader, deceased) Saxa (Lover, deceased) Gannicus (Friend/Admirer, deceased)
Status	Active
Actor/Actress	Luna Rioumina

Belesa is a Thracian slave who becomes part of the rebellion at Sinuessa en Valle.

Appearance

Belesa has long, brunette hair and blue eyes. She wears ragged clothes befitting an escaped slave, yet still possesses an alluring beauty, enough to catch the eye of any man or woman, such as Gannicus and Saxa. Belesa's slave mark is on her breast.

Personality

Belesa possesses a seductive lure and charm about her which she uses to obtain pleasure in whatever form that may take and from anyone she may encounter.

War of the Damned

Belesa comes to Sinuessa en Valle seeking refuge; she is among a large group of other displaced slaves that have heard of Spartacus and his rebellion and are either seeking to join the cause or seeking safety. Anyone who attempts to enter the city must first show a mark or brand labeling them as a slave. Belesa slowly loosens her top and exposes her mark to both Saxa and Gannicus (prompting the later to declare the display "the most fearsome weapons yet exposed"). Saxa proceeds to fondle and kiss Belesa, which neither she nor Gannicus appear to mind.

She joins the rebels in the background as she is a non-combatant. When the forces of Marcus Licinius Crassus invade Sinuessa, the rebels and forced to retreat to the cold mountains and Belesa succeeds to escape too.

Belesa joins her fellow rebels in the mountain camp and survives both the harsh storm and the crossing through Crassus' wall.

As the rebels press forward, the tensions between Spartacus and Crixus rise, but the two leaders eventually decide to part ways. Before, however, they take over a Roman village to have one last celebration together. Belesa lays in the baths and after Saxa confronts Gannicus about his new relationship with Sibyl, she proceeds to kiss Belesa, after which the two become lovers.

Belesa mourning Spartacus passing.

Belesa beside Saxa before the upcoming battle.

Choosing to go with Spartacus over the Alps, Belesa becomes a spectator in watching the tribute games to honor Crixus, cheering especially for both Gannicus and Saxa as they achieve their respective victories.

Belesa stands beside Saxa whilst Spartacus talks about the upcoming battle. Saxa and Belesa share a moment together before Saxa takes to battle with the others.

After the final battle, Belesa remains as one of the few who chose to stay behind and wait for Spartacus. She and the other rebels mourn as the rebel leader passes away and then, led by Agron, takes leave over the Alps to true freedom. 

Quotes

To Gannicus: "I would take no offense to closer inspection."

To Saxa: "Do not fall to the Romans, you wild cunt."

Trivia

• Belesa means beauty or pure beauty in Portuguese and Spanish, probably of Latin origin.
• Belesa may have been part of the Dardani, a large tribal confederation composed of both Thracian and Illyrian tribes, who occupied much of what is now Kosovo and southern Serbia. It would be conquered by the Romans as late as 6 CE. Strabo wrote of the Dardanians as being "so utterly wild that they dig caves beneath their dunghills and live there, but still they care for music...always making lutes and stringed instruments". Another ancient author, Claudius Aelianus, wrote that the Dardani bathed only three times during their lifetime; at birth, before their wedding, and after they died. As a possibly poor country, many Dardanian families may have sold excess children into slavery.