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Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 episode 3, titled Unworthy, debuted on December 12, 2025. After the first two episodes, Ashur is under pressure to train his gladiatrix, Achillia, to fight, while his trusted Doctore, Korris, goes on an uncontrollable mission.
Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers from Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 episode 3. Reader’s discretion is required.
In this episode, the question of loyalty and control takes center stage. Ashur is desperate for results from Achillia, whose lack of progress threatens his authority. Meanwhile, Korris is sent on a mission by Ashur, though it becomes evident that not all is as it seems. Cossutia, Ashur's political rival, orchestrates the assassination attempt on Korris.
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The growing tension at the Ludus in Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 episode 3
Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 episode 3 opens with a palpable sense of urgency. Achillia's slow gladiatorial training frustrates Ashur. Achillia is underperforming despite her early potential. She keeps missing shots in training, frustrating Ashur. Ashur wants results quickly, as time is running out.
Ashur, who dislikes losing power, is especially uneasy with Korris' public promise to defend Achillia. Ashur is shaken by this open loyalty, which threatens his power. Not Korris' forced vows, but his Dominus status should protect Achillia. Ashur gets afraid that Achillia's failure will reflect poorly on him and his ludus as training continues. He makes a risky choice out of desperation.
Also Read: Inside Spartacus: House of Ashur (Exclusive)
Ashur takes matters into his own hands
As the situation escalates, Ashur steps into the arena himself. He confronts Achillia in the training pit to train her himself. Ashur fights Achillia in gladiatorial attire instead of commanding from the sidelines. He feels Achillia will only overcome her boundaries via pain and frustration. A calculated gamble to drive Achillia to face her anxieties and find her strength.
Ashur attacks Achillia all day. Her willpower is tested in each match, while the ludus watches the brutality. Ashur breaks Achillia's spirit and forces her to accept her potential and failures, not merely train her. Achillia always loses despite her best attempts. She ultimately admits in a quiet moment that she is not good enough after a huge emotional toll. She doubts she can be a gladiator.
In an unexpected turn, Ashur reframes her failure. He tells her her past doesn't matter in the arena rather than accepting defeat. Fighting is all that matters. Ashur changes his mind and believes in her potential despite her self-doubt. Ashur brands Achillia with his house's brand, making her a ludus gladiator despite other gladiators' doubts.
Korris’ secret mission in the city
Meanwhile, Korris embarks on a mission outside the ludus. He's assigned to get grain for the ludus, but the task is a cover for something more significant. Korris meets Opiter, a competing ludus owner, and Fides, a mercenary with ties to Ashur's foes, in Capua. Fides threatens to divulge Korris' background to Ashur, making their meeting unpleasant. After a brief fight, Korris breaks Fides' nose before leaving.
Korris encounters Opiter, who offers assistance with the grain shortage. Korris experiences Opiter's decadence during a sumptuous, politically fraught evening. Opiter suggests Korris abandon Ashur's ludus and become Doctore during their time together.
This idea forces Korris to choose between devotion to Ashur and a higher position. Korris cautiously accepts the offer. He asks Opiter to persuade Cossutia to let Ashur's gladiators into the arena to bolster his position.
The shocking assassination attempt on Korris
The real danger for Korris, however, emerges later that evening when he is ambushed in the streets. A group of masked assassins, led by Fides, attacks him. Despite his wounds, Korris fights off the invaders in a violent encounter. As Korris prepares to kill Fides, the mercenary escapes, leaving him to recuperate and return to the ludus.
Fides' ties lead Ashur to suspect Proculus coordinated the attack. The episode takes a startling turn here. The ending scenes reveal that Gabinius' politically adept wife, Cossutia, killed Korris. The episode shows Cossutia's growing displeasure with Ashur's rise to prominence and relationship with Crassus.
She hates Ashur and wants to overthrow him with violence. Cossutia tells Fides to kill Korris in the final scene to hide her treason from her spouse. The murder attempt's mastermind is discovered, setting the stage for further perilous power conflicts in Rome.
You can watch Spartacus: House of Ashur season 1 episode 3 on Starz.
