Triumphant in both execution and attention to detail honoring one of history’s most legendary figures, Tibaldi conceived the perfect pen to revere the heroic spirit of the gladiatorial ring, and pay tribute to these ancient warriors’ noble sacrifice, fearlessness, and skill. Never more is the grand historical tradition of the gladiator more apparent than in the case of Spartacus, a name remembered throughout the ages of antiquity for his unprecedented bravery in the face of adversity in his quest for freedom. With the new Spartacus Limited Edition series, Tibaldi offers a way for art collectors, historians, and pen enthusiasts of all kinds to remember this remarkable interlude in the history of the old Roman Empire dating as far back as 310 B.C.

“The story of the gladiator Spartacus is a tale that has been told since its beginnings thousands of years ago up to this day because of its remarkable nature. In his unrelenting quest for freedom, Spartacus personified all the traits we as people admire, bravery, courage, and honor,” comments Giuseppe Aquila, Chief Executive Officer of Tibaldi S.p.A. “To recognize this amazing story, Tibaldi is pleased to introduce a series of pens that not only celebrates Spartacus’ great achievements, but also pays homage to the grand gladiatorial tradition that forged his indomitable spirit.”

Spartacus became famous not only for his great accomplishments as a gladiator, but also as a champion of the people in overcoming oppression and adversity. The tale has been famously portrayed in any number of theatrical reenactments, most recently becoming popularized in Hollywood adaptations such as Spartacus and Gladiator. Outmatched and against great odds, Spartacus battled the aristocratic Italian government as a slave who revolted and won liberties for thousands of oppressed peoples. Now, gladiators have become one of the most iconic figures of ancient civilization. In place of the hundreds of thousands that once gathered in coliseums to view the brutal yet beloved gladiatorial games, people today now remember Spartacus for the virtues he expressed both in and out of the ring fighting for his freedom.

In honor of these great achievements, Tibaldi has delicately depicted hand painted frescos in the tradition of the art of the day commemorating the legendary hero’s exploits in the gladiatorial ring. Available in two separate sterling silver sets with just 310 pens roller ball and fountain pens each, Tibaldi will also be issuing a very special set of Spartacus limited edition pens with 18k gold trim, comprised of just 36 fountain pens and 35 roller balls each.

In the Spartacus Limited Edition, Tibaldi has chosen to feature the two most famous gladiator schools, Capua, where the famed Spartacus was trained and the factory headquarters of Tibaldi are located, and Pompeii, the legendary city destroyed by the eruption of mighty Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The entire collection is imbued with aesthetic details depicting gladiatorial life. To begin, the enameled cap of the Tibaldi Spartacus Limited Edition boasts the Roman imperial eagle, paying respects to the great Empire creating gladiators. The pen’s clip ring also features a three dimensional reproduction of the famed Coliseum in corresponding precious metal to the pen’s trim. Other design details abound such as with the pen clip, which is a gladius, or gladiator’s sword, that forms from the hilt to point on the pen cap.

The miniature mural surrounding the pen’s cap displays gladiators in combat, hand painted by expert Tibaldi artist Lorena Straffi. The amazing attention to detail continues to be shown throughout the exquisitely detailed and executed bas relief encapsulating the pen’s barrel in either sterling silver or solid gold. The image is of a famously known gladiatorial combat scene in the fashion of Gustave Doré. Owners of the Tibaldi Spartacus Limited Edition are also free to personalize their writing instrument by engraving their initials or other preferred insignia along the plain rings encircling the writing implement.

Never one to overlook even the most minute details in craftsmanship, Tibaldi artisans finish the Spartacus Limited Edition off by shaping the barrel end, or blind cap, in the shape of the “gladius” grip. Staggered and visually compelling, those writing placing the pen to paper will use a two-tone solid yellow gold and rhodium nib providing stellar fluidity in writing. With the nib etched with a motif reminiscent of patterns found on a mighty gladiator’s shield, every small detail of the Spartacus Limited Edition was taken into account to provide the perfect commemoration to Rome’s greatest gladiator.

The Spartacus Limited Edition contains an expertly crafted built in piston filling system, part of the patented filling mechanism, and, as for all TIBALDI pens, every Spartacus Limited Edition writing instrument has been designed in accordance to the Divine Proportion. Tibaldi has also constructed an exclusive wooden box in which to store the pen, highlighting a reproduction of a famous gladiatorial combat mosaic on its lid.