People Misunderstand Gannicus

I have read way too many posts either a.) argue that Gannicus was just a thoughtless, one-dimensional hedonist or b.) fixate on how cool his whole rock-n-roll lifestyle was. To me Gannicus is alot more thoughtful than the first group gives him credit for and far more serious than the second group acknowledges. I think its important to recognize that he does have a clear raison d'être for why he is the way he is. Much of what motivates his character is the ever present reality that his life was not his own to command. Like every other gladiator, he finds a particular meaning in that lack of freedom in a way that makes sense to him. Oenemaus choses to see honor in a life of hard work and service to the ludus. Crixus finds meaning in glory through victory in combat. Spartacus on the other hand repudiates this very culture and goes through his own journey of radicalization as he increasingly recognizes the injustice of slavery. But for Gannicus the possibility he might fall to an opponent's blade or die the whim of his master compels him to live life to its fullest as if every day were his last. He says as much to Melitta when she chides him for his seemingly buffoonish behavior. Its his way of coping with the absurdity and brutality of a life where he must kill in order to stay alive. Since the only thing he can choose to be is happy, he will maximize his pleasure while he can. It is a rational and hopeful response to an irrational and hopeless existence.