Two of the rebel slaves, Agron and Nasir, who form a lasting relationship in the series STARZ Spartacus, were – and continue to be – extremely popular among fans of the show. An internet search provides numerous videos and pictures of the couple, including fan “vids,” videos featuring clips of Nasir and Agron together set to music, and original artworks on the fan art website deviantart.com. The relationship between Agron and Nasir, or “Nagron,” has also proved to be a favorite topic for fan fiction writers, who appropriate the characters to expand on their onscreen story, and also to tell new stories.

A NEW RELATIONSHIP

The second season, Vengeance, introduced the openly gay relationship between Agron and Nasir. Agron, a Germanic warrior sold into slavery, had been purchased together with his brother Duro to train as a gladiator at the ludus of Batiatus in the first season, Blood and Sand. The brothers become successful gladiators and are among the first to join Spartacus in the slave revolt, but Duro is killed by a Roman guard before he can escape the ludus at the end of the season. Nasir, initially known by his slave name Tiberius, is a Syrian bodyslave who is freed by the rebels when they capture the villa of his dominus. He had held a position of respect in the household and is initially unwilling to join the rebellion, even attempting to kill Spartacus. Agron wants Nasir to be killed for his actions, but instead Spartacus trains Nasir to be a fighter. When Agron and Nasir speak of the brothers that they have lost (Nasir was parted from his brother at a young age), a bond begins to form between them. After proving his loyalty by later saving Spartacus’ life, Nasir joins Spartacus and Crixus on their mission to rescue Crixus’ lover, Naevia, from slavery in the mines. He returns injured, to be cared for by Agron, and they share their first kiss (episode 205, Figure 10.1).

What is remarkable about the onscreen relationship between Agron and Nasir is that this same-sex relationship progresses unremarked upon in the series. It is seen as completely natural by the other characters, and Agron and Nasir are treated as a couple in the same way that Crixus and Naevia are in their heterosexual relationship.