Spartacus will cross swords with two historical giants in the third season with the addition of Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus to Starz's bloody epic.

Todd Lasance, best known for his role in the Australian drama Crownies, has been cast as Gaius Julius Caesar, described as a handsome young rogue whose deadly intelligence and skill with a sword will be brought to bear against the growing slave rebellion. London's Burning alum Simon Merrells will play Marcus Licinius Crassus, the richest man in the Roman Republic who sees the defeat of Spartacus as a way to gain the power and respect he craves.

The current season, Spartacus: Vengeance, has averaged 3.1 million viewers. A new episode airs Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.