'It's for anybody who's ever been wronged' — Spartacus: House of Ashur star on excruciating death in episode 2

Try not to gag while watching

Features By Jasmine Valentine published 10 December 2025

Tenika Davis as Achillia in Spartacus: House of Ashur. (Image credit: Starz)

Warning: spoilers for Spartacus: House of Ashur episode 2 ahead.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. It's a saying as old as time itself, but Spartacus: House of Ashur episode 2 took the ethos to new heights.

In episode 1, we were introduced to Achillia (Tenika Davis), a young woman on the run from a mysterious past. She's captured while showing off some serious combat moves, with Dominus Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) immediately having a plan in mind for her.

After Achillia tries to escape and kill Ashur in the Starz show, the price is her freedom. What does she have to do to earn it? Become a gladiator in Ashur's flock of muscular men.

Of course, this goes down like a lead balloon with the other gladiators, who immediately berate and assault her at every chance. However, she spectacularly gets her own revenge at the end of episode 2, and it's one of the best things I've ever seen committed to television history.

If you're squeamish, this definitely isn't one for you, but I couldn't resist asking Davis about the excruciating maiming in Spartacus: House of Ashur episode 2 while I had the chance.

'Totorous' Spartacus: House of Ashur episode 2 scene is everything I needed it to be

In short, one gladiator tries to sexually assault Achillia at the very end of episode 2, and she's able to physically fight him off. Not content with stopping there, she makes an example of him for her peers by cutting his testicles off, leaving him to bleed to death. I told you it was brutal.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors