The story of Spartacus and his slave
revolt is well known, not least from the epic film that featured a wonderful score by
Miklos Rosza.
The tale offered many attractions to Soviet composers as well, not least because the slave
revolt could be portrayed as a genuine uprising of oppressed workers against the decadent capitalist ruling elite.
For this very, very long ballet, Khachaturian provided some of his most exciting (and loudest) music, along with some lyrical moments that are very beautiful.
One of them, the famous "Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia" made it into the
soundtrack of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Other part of Spartacus was the theme of 70''s series "The Onedin line" by the BBC.