1 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,600 Does it hurt? Of course it hurts. 2 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:02,360 Do you think I'm made of wood? 3 00:01:07,960 --> 00:01:09,960 I didn't mean to scratch so hard. 4 00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:12,120 And I'm on stage today. 5 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:15,920 No one will see your back. You'll have your clothes on. 6 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,200 But I'm doing Ulysses and Circe. 7 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,600 When I'm washed up on the beach, my dear, I'm naked to the waist. 8 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,360 That's not in the play. It is when I perform it. 9 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,480 Where are you going? 10 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,480 To the theatre. 11 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,280 Stay here. 12 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,160 Look, I have a performance to give. 13 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:39,480 You can give it here, just for me. 14 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,640 I've already performed for you! 15 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:46,960 Don't be insolent. 16 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,560 No, no, no, you shouldn't hit my face. 17 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:55,880 I am an actor. 18 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,520 And that's all you are. 19 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,040 Just remember that. 20 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:03,280 I don't know why I put up with you. 21 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:07,120 You put up with me because you're bored and because I make you laugh. 22 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,720 Do you think I'm bored? Unbelievably. 23 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:14,960 I think there are times when you would crack the universe open if you could, just to see what would happen. 24 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:21,400 Well you may be right. You know, 25 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:21,400 you ought to have accompanied the Emperor on his invasion of Britain. 26 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:27,560 They say the men there are so savage that the women live in a permanent state of ecstasy. 27 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:29,800 I should have been an actor. 28 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:31,480 Or a sculptor. 29 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:34,000 They never seem to get bored. 30 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,240 They have their art 31 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:37,760 but what do I have? 32 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:39,800 You, you have your lovers. 33 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:41,760 Oh, my lovers. 34 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:47,160 When I make love, 35 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:51,120 I reach for something that men never dream of. 36 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:52,640 What's that? 37 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,120 I don't know. 38 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,400 But it's there. 39 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,640 Always just out of reach. 40 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:06,520 Sometimes, I feel as if... 41 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,440 I could take on the whole of Rome in a night. 42 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:12,640 I'd be no worse for it in the morning. 43 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:14,160 And why don't you? 44 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:17,720 You'll mock me once too often some day. 45 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,440 I'm not mocking you, I'm serious. 46 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:26,400 Why, we could stage the greatest night of love the world has ever seen. 47 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,600 A tournament of sex. 48 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:34,520 We could challenge the Guild of Prostitutes to provide a champion to compete with you. 49 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:37,880 Who would last the longest? 50 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,200 The interminable versus the inexhaustible! 51 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:43,640 THEY CHUCKLE 52 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:46,320 You're mad! 53 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,680 There is no-one who could compete with me. 54 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:54,200 No? 55 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,600 What about that Sicilian woman, what's her name, Scylla? 56 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,080 Don't underestimate her. 57 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,360 They say she boards a ship at Ostia, 58 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,400 works the whole crew and then walks off steadier than any one of them. 59 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,840 Are you serious? Why not? 60 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:18,200 Why not? What a spectacle it would make. 61 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,520 Two tidal waves of male passion 62 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:26,120 dashing their fury against two timeless rocks of love. 63 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:27,880 Who will be the first to yield? 64 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,080 Who will be the first to break? 65 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,320 It would be unprecedented. 66 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:40,920 Copulation on a cosmic scale to set the universe RINGING 67 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:40,920 to the cheers of the gods. 68 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,760 Do you think I'd win? Who can tell. 69 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,960 That Sicilian woman, they say... 70 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,360 she's formidable. 71 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,680 But I am more so. 72 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,800 Now I know why I put up with you. 73 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,400 Bring on your Sicilian... 74 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,360 and let her look to her laurels. 75 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,800 They've taken 8,000 prisoners and counted nearly 5,000 corpses. 76 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:17,560 Caractacus has left Colchester and fled to the west. 77 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,280 Aulus has taken the 9th Cavalry in pursuit of him. 78 00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:23,760 And our losses? Oh, insignificant - 79 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:26,920 380 killed and 600 wounded. 80 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:28,520 Britain is almost subdued. 81 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,520 The Emperor's on his way home. 82 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:33,040 Er... 83 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,960 If he's on his way home, that solves our problem. 84 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,000 Not necessarily. 85 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,000 It solves the problem of whether we should write to him. 86 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,280 Whether we should tell him 87 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,280 when he gets back is another matter. 88 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,600 And it becomes the same problem we had before he left. 89 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:12,320 The golden hair that Galla wears is hers. 90 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:16,200 Who would have thought it? She swears it's hers. 91 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:20,400 And true, she swears, for I know where she bought it! 92 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,520 LAUGHTER 93 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:26,040 AUDIENCE CLAMOURS 94 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:35,600 You ask me how my farm can pay, since little it will bear. 95 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:40,680 It pays me thus, 'tis far away and you are never there! 96 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:47,400 Order! Scylla, President of the Guild of Prostitutes. 97 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,240 At last. 98 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,640 Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! 99 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:06,760 Permit me to introduce myself, my name is Mnester. I'm an actor. 100 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:09,040 Most people have heard of me. 101 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:13,720 My name is Scylla and I'm a whore, everybody's heard of me. 102 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:19,360 Allow me to introduce you to the Lady Messalina, 103 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:23,360 your challenger and the Emperor's wife. 104 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,720 This is Scylla the Sicilian, and anybody's wife! 105 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,280 I am honoured. 106 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,040 You are most welcome. 107 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:36,080 They said you were beautiful, but their praise did you small justice. 108 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:38,080 You are most generous. 109 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,080 And it was sporting of you to accept the challenge. 110 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,320 Sporting?! 111 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,040 I see, there's no money in it(!) 112 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,760 You are here for the honour, woman, and to defend your reputation. 113 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:53,280 Would you defend yours for nothing, Greek? 114 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:56,680 Lady, I'm a professional. I work for money. 115 00:07:56,680 --> 00:08:00,280 The honour I gladly leave to you. 116 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:05,080 What impudence. She expects to be paid and in this company. 117 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:10,280 The difference between you and me, actor, is you're a snob and I'm not. 118 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:16,400 And the difference between this great lady and myself 119 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:16,400 is that my work is her hobby. 120 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:20,040 My hobby happens to be gardening for which I don't aspire to be paid. 121 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,160 You shall have your money. 122 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,880 Shall we say... Five. 123 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,680 Three gold pieces a head. 124 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:32,680 A head?! 125 00:08:32,680 --> 00:08:35,800 Seems an odd way to describe it. 126 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:37,720 Win or lose, of course? 127 00:08:39,560 --> 00:08:41,920 That seems satisfactory. Satisfactory? 128 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,960 You've never earned so much in a whole year. 129 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,720 This Greek will drive me to distraction. 130 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,680 Nothing I say pleases him. 131 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:51,320 Let us begin. 132 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,760 Which side of the bed do you prefer? 133 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:57,760 Left, or right? 134 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:04,560 Lady, give me a support for my back and let the games begin, as they say. 135 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,200 Let the games begin! 136 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,880 You know what's going on at the palace at this moment? 137 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:19,320 The Emperor's wife competes with a prostitute to see who'll wear out 138 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:19,320 most men. It's been going since noon! 139 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:22,440 Well that is shocking, I can hardly believe it. 140 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:28,480 I've had my suspicions for weeks. This is the final straw. It's outrageous. Something must be done. 141 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:34,480 Have you discussed this with anyone else? Only my immediate superior. Colonel Rufrius? Yes. 142 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:38,880 When did you discuss it with him? A week ago - I had good grounds 143 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:38,880 for my suspicions but no proof. 144 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:42,520 He advised you to do nothing and wait for the Emperor's return? 145 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:45,760 Yes and I did wait but this is too much! That's why I've come to you. 146 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:48,040 I think you must write to the Emperor 147 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:48,040 at once. 148 00:09:49,560 --> 00:09:52,800 I don't think you can put that sort of thing in a letter. 149 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,760 I see. 150 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,760 Well maybe YOU can't, but I can! 151 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,640 Justus? 152 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:04,360 I think you have been immensely foolish. 153 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:10,640 Are you threatening me? No, but did 154 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:10,640 you not know that your superior, 155 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:14,640 Colonel Rufrius, was one of the Lady Messalina's inner circle of friends? 156 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:21,800 If you have confided in him, he has most certainly confided in her. 157 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:26,640 I should think she has already applied to the Emperor for a warrant for your execution. 158 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,560 My execution? 159 00:10:29,560 --> 00:10:31,560 Are you serious? On what grounds? 160 00:10:31,560 --> 00:10:34,800 Does it matter? Conspiracy. 161 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:39,120 Emperors are very nervous when away from their capitals - they'll sign anything. 162 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,480 If I'm any judge, that warrant's 163 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,480 already on its way back here at this very moment. 164 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:46,680 You mean...? 165 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:50,960 What are we to do? 166 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,160 You must help me, you must back me up. You MUST! 167 00:10:54,160 --> 00:11:00,400 I will choose my own time when to tell him, not yours or anyone else's. 168 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,920 I have learned to tread very carefully in a burning building. 169 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,480 What have I to do? 170 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,160 What can a dead man do? 171 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:21,680 Go and get buried. 172 00:11:21,680 --> 00:11:24,280 MOCKING LAUGHTER 173 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,720 Then victory have conceded be. 174 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:28,920 The Queen is dead. 175 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,280 Long live the Queen! 176 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,280 CHEERING 177 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:35,080 Thank you, whore. She's not finished! 178 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,400 It's inhuman. 179 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,840 Her insides must be made out of old army boots! 180 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:44,800 The money! 181 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,440 Where's my money? Here, lady, here. 182 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,440 Three gold pieces per head. 183 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,680 Will you take them? Or shall I have them sent? 184 00:11:53,680 --> 00:11:55,320 I'll take it. 185 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,320 Amateurs! 186 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:30,200 FANFARE PLAYS 187 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:54,920 Senators, 188 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:59,840 we have re-established Britain as a province of Rome. 189 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:06,680 108 years after the divine Julius left it not very well secured, 190 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:11,160 it has again become part of the Roman world. 191 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:17,200 When I left, Caractacus, our principal enemy was 192 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:17,200 in f-f-full flight. 193 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,840 We have won a great victory. 194 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:27,800 "A Roman triumph is seldom granted but they granted one to me. 195 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:31,880 "Me, Claudius the idiot, the stammerer, the fool, 196 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:36,720 "but what life gives with one hand, it takes back with the other. 197 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:42,880 "I would gladly have foregone my triumph for the tragedy that was about to unfold. 198 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:48,880 "Shortly before I left for the invasion of Britain, 199 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:48,880 Marsus Vibius, my governor of Syria, 200 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:52,440 "had written to me giving me the startling news 201 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,960 "that my old friend Herod Agrippa was fortifying Jerusalem. 202 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:02,720 "I had hastily written to Marsus Vibius asking him to find out more 203 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,680 "and report to me personally on my return." 204 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:08,400 Do you think this is d-directed against us? 205 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,200 Yes, Caesar, but there's more. 206 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:15,200 Before I left I learnt that he was organising a secret meeting 207 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:15,200 with certain neighbouring kings. 208 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,280 He is plotting a revolt against Rome, that is certain. 209 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:22,000 Why? Why? Does it matter what his motives are? 210 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:25,160 Well, it does to me! 211 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:27,280 I'll tell you something, Marsus. 212 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:30,520 Before I left, I had a letter from Herod's uncle, Antipas. 213 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:36,280 It was full of gossip, as usual, but in the course of it he said he was convinced 214 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:41,920 Herod believed himself to be this Jewish Messiah whose coming has 215 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:41,920 for so long been prophesied. 216 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:45,200 Yes, well others have thought that too. 217 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,480 Your nephew Caligula for one. 218 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,200 Yes. 219 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,040 Perhaps it was him. No... 220 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:57,320 Oddly enough, Caligula filled the requirements of the prophecy in many respects 221 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:01,680 except he did not die in the year foretold by Thrasyllus the astrologer 222 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,360 and Thrasyllus was never wrong about dates. 223 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:08,800 When was this Messiah supposed to die, according to Thrasyllus? 224 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,720 In the same year as my grandmother, Livia. 225 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:15,440 Well, if the Messiah is already dead, it can't be Herod Agrippa. 226 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:19,640 Herod is a Jew, he wouldn't believe anything Thrasyllus said. 227 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,920 Well, where does all this speculation get us? 228 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:27,040 If he is planning a revolt against Rome, what difference does it make why? 229 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:29,080 He's my dearest friend. 230 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,360 If he becomes my enemy, I want to KNOW why! 231 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:37,480 Now how much do you know about this Messiah in the literature of the Jews? 232 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,560 Well, very little but I can find out and make a report. 233 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:43,880 I have Jewish agents in Jerusalem. 234 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:43,880 DOOR OPENS 235 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,520 Am I interrupting? No, no, come in. 236 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:53,080 Marsus Vibius was just reporting the very grave situation in Jerusalem. 237 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,840 Well, we'll meet again later and talk some more. Caesar. Lady. 238 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:04,840 Are you worried? 239 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:07,960 Hurt... 240 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,120 that my old friend should... 241 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:15,520 Well, there may be nothing in it. Here. I missed you so very much 242 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:15,520 while I was away. 243 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,240 And the ch-children. 244 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:20,960 I never rested properly a single night thinking about you. 245 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:23,120 What would I do without you? 246 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:27,360 Here, when you wrote to me about the Quintus Justus affair I thought, 247 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:31,040 "Thank heavens Messalina's there to take care of things!" 248 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:36,720 Well, do you want something special? 249 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:43,840 Only to say that if I slipped into your room tonight, would I find you alone in bed? 250 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,480 My love... 251 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:48,760 I'm not asking for details. 252 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:52,920 Only that I shouldn't find the little Calpurnia in my place. 253 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:55,400 Oh, I know that she sometimes visits you. 254 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,920 Oh...she's an old f-friend. 255 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,520 I don't mind a bit. 256 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:04,480 It's very good for your health. 257 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:10,000 But sometimes I feel a great desire to have your arms about me. 258 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,960 And I should hate to embarrass you. 259 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:15,680 Come tonight, please. 260 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:17,560 I should be so grateful. 261 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:21,040 Be alone, then. 262 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:29,320 Oh...there is one thing. 263 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,520 Oh, anything. 264 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:34,280 I wish you would speak to Mnester. 265 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,800 He's got so big-headed lately and insolent. 266 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,480 During your absence he was very rude to me - 267 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:46,080 always making excuses for not putting on this play or that 268 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:46,080 which my friends wanted to see. 269 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,160 Couldn't you have punished him yourself? 270 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,000 I didn't want to do that. 271 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,040 He's a great favourite with the crowd and they might have held 272 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,040 that against you when you returned. 273 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:57,440 Well, I shall speak to him. 274 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,800 Just tell him that when I ask him to do something, he is to do it 275 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:05,000 and not make a fuss. 276 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:10,920 "I was her slave. Is there anything so foolish as an old man in love? 277 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:13,240 "Well, I spoke to Mnester. 278 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,120 " "Listen, little Greek," I said. 279 00:18:16,120 --> 00:18:22,880 "If the Lady Messalina tells you to do anything, you will obey, 280 00:18:16,120 --> 00:18:22,880 do you understand?" 281 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,600 " "Anything?" he asked. 282 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,680 " "Anything," I said to him. 283 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,600 "I played, as usual, into Messalina's hands. 284 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,640 "She had fallen maniacally in love with Gaius Silius - 285 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:40,520 "the Consul Elect and the handsomest man in Rome. 286 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,600 "Knowing Mnester to be on close terms with the family, 287 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,520 "she had asked him to bring Silius to see her. 288 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:50,320 "Mnester had refused out of respect for Silius' wife. 289 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,400 "Hence Messalina's complaints to me. 290 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:58,840 "Like a fool, I secured for her what she most wanted. 291 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:04,000 "He was not an easy victim of her passion but she was clever. 292 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:08,520 "She did not talk at first of love but of politics. 293 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:12,560 "Tiberius had executed his father and she played on that, 294 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:16,400 "telling him I was more corrupt even than Tiberius. 295 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,800 "Before he realised it, he was comforting her. 296 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,400 "Before he realised it, 297 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,560 "he was making love to her. 298 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:31,240 "He was as much her abject slave as I was. 299 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:35,720 "Claudius, Claudius, you go too fast. 300 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,840 "Too fast. 301 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:41,920 "More grave news of the situation in Jerusalem was handed to me, 302 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:44,760 "by Marsus, from his agent Catalus." 303 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:49,480 Yeah, but...but what exactly is this M-Messiah? 304 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:54,920 A king, Caesar, who is to come and redeem Israel of all its sins. 305 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:58,080 Philo, their greatest living scholar, has declared 306 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:02,360 that he must be descended from King David and born in a village called... 307 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,800 Ah... 308 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:08,880 HE WHISPERS 309 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:10,800 What? 310 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,280 Bethlehem. 311 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:17,640 Bethlehem? Yes. In what year? 312 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:21,960 Well, opinions differ as they always will in events of this kind. 313 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:25,640 But have there been any candidates recently? No, not recently. 314 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:28,960 The last one, I heard from a learned Jew, died 15 years ago. 315 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:32,000 15? Yes. 316 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,160 Is that significant? 317 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:40,440 Who was this man? 318 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,520 His name was Joshua bar Joseph. 319 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:45,280 A native of Galilee. 320 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,960 He had a large following amongst the uneducated 321 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:51,520 and used to preach to gatherings by the lakeside. 322 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:54,520 He was also called Jesus by the Greeks. 323 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,840 And was he born in... 324 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:01,720 ..B... 325 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:03,640 Bethlehem? ..B-Beth...? 326 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:06,280 Well, it's not precisely known. 327 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:09,200 There was some scandal concerning his birth. 328 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:13,720 A Greek soldier allegedly seduced his mother, who was a tapestry worker in the Temple. 329 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:20,400 What happened to this, um, Joshua? 330 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:25,360 Well, he tried to form a new religion out of Judaism but of course he lacked the authority. 331 00:21:25,360 --> 00:21:30,640 He then began identifying himself with this Messiah. 332 00:21:25,360 --> 00:21:30,640 He was executed as a heretic. 333 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,280 Did you find out what King Herod thought of it? 334 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:38,360 Not very much, I imagine, because he recently executed one of his followers - a man called James. 335 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:41,000 He's looking for one called Simon. He has followers? 336 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,760 Yes, yes, yes. It's a cult. 337 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:45,320 There are always cults. 338 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:59,120 All this is most interesting for you, Caesar, with your fascination for strange religions. 339 00:21:59,120 --> 00:22:02,440 But what more does it tell us of King Herod's intentions? 340 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:04,600 I will tell you, Pallas. 341 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:08,040 King Herod 's mother was on her way to Jerusalem for her lying in 342 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:11,000 when she was overtaken by her pains in a small village. 343 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:12,640 King Herod was born there. 344 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,520 The name of the village was B-Bethlehem. 345 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:18,800 There's no doubt in my mind. 346 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,360 My friend, Herod, 347 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,360 believes himself to be this Messiah. 348 00:22:22,360 --> 00:22:26,120 And worse, many others believe him to be this Messiah. 349 00:22:26,120 --> 00:22:30,360 His intentions are clear - borne on this great wave of 350 00:22:26,120 --> 00:22:30,360 religious fanaticism, 351 00:22:30,360 --> 00:22:33,960 he intends to free the East from the dominion of Rome. 352 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:37,200 He intends to make war on us. Marsus is right. 353 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:42,640 If we don't move quickly, Herod will seize the Eastern Empire and we shall lose Egypt! 354 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,560 My friend has become my enemy. 355 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:57,160 What are you doing with that? 356 00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:01,520 The mistress told us to take it down, lady. Why? Where are you taking it? 357 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:05,360 If there's a mark when it arrives, I'll have you whipped! Where's it going? 358 00:23:05,360 --> 00:23:08,920 Hurry up with it! I'm giving it to someone as a present. 359 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:10,520 To Silius? 360 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:12,560 Yes. Iris! 361 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:14,400 I want my headdress. 362 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:19,320 But that was a present from your husband. 363 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:23,480 I know that. Silius fell in love with it, so I'm giving it to him as a surprise. 364 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,360 And if he comes and finds it gone? He doesn't come here. 365 00:23:26,360 --> 00:23:29,240 And if he does, I'll tell him I've put it somewhere else. 366 00:23:31,480 --> 00:23:33,800 (Have you taken leave of your senses?!) 367 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,520 Have your wits deserted you entirely? 368 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:41,080 You have lavished gifts on that man from all directions - 369 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:42,800 half of them from the palace. 370 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:49,040 Are you so much in love that you have lost all sense of discretion? 371 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:50,720 Yes. 372 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:52,240 I am in love. 373 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:56,600 Child, you've been in love before, but you've never been in peril of your life. 374 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:58,640 I shan't imperil my life. 375 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:02,880 All Rome knows that you visit him openly at his house. 376 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,240 And take him gifts. 377 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,040 His wife complains bitterly about it. 378 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,440 He's divorcing his wife. 379 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:13,320 Divorcing her? For what reason? 380 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:17,960 For no other reason than he loves me. He will have to give a better reason than that. 381 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:21,920 They're not married in the strict form. 382 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:21,920 It only requires a declaration. 383 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:25,920 But you are married. You can't marry him! 384 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:27,800 So why is he divorcing his wife? 385 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:32,400 Because I can't bear the thought of him sharing her bed every night, 386 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:32,400 when he gets out of mine. 387 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:36,240 "I heard nothing. 388 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:41,160 "Not a breath of the scandal that was known to everyone else in Rome. 389 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:43,080 "Even the slaves. 390 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,320 "They're laughing at me. 391 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:53,640 "Still. 392 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:56,480 "After all these years, 393 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:58,800 "still laughing at me." 394 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:04,880 Herod... 395 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:07,680 HEROD: "Trust no-one, my friend. No one." 396 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:14,440 Yes, Caesar, dead. Herod Agrippa is dead. 397 00:25:18,760 --> 00:25:22,360 How? Tell me. Tell me what happened. 398 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:28,440 Well, he had come up from Jerusalem to Caesarea for the festival to be 399 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:28,440 held in honour of your birthday. 400 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:32,360 But really to meet with the kings with whom he had formed his alliance. 401 00:25:32,360 --> 00:25:38,760 Yes. Only Phoenicia, Tyre and Sidon had stood outside the alliance and now they had decided to join. 402 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,640 Their formal submission was to be made to King Herod upon their arrival. 403 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:50,120 Did Herod truly believe himself to be this...Messiah? 404 00:25:50,120 --> 00:25:53,240 This anointed one? Oh, yes! 405 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:55,920 Yes, he had revealed himself to the high priests. 406 00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:58,200 Now he was to reveal himself to the nation. 407 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:02,760 Go on. 408 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:07,520 Well, when he arrived in the amphitheatre, 409 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:07,520 the whole audience rose. 410 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:10,840 He was wearing a royal robe of silver tissue, 411 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:16,000 that flashed in the sun so brightly that it tired the eyes to look at it. 412 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:19,800 The whole audience shouted, "Oh, King, live forever," 413 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:23,320 but this was not enough for the men of Tyre and Sidon. 414 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:28,240 They grovelled at his feet and said "We repent of our ingratitude. 415 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:32,840 "We see now that you are superior to mortal nature." 416 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:36,160 "Tyre and Sidon," he replied, "You are forgiven." 417 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:39,480 And they answered, "It is the voice of God!" 418 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:44,520 "Thou shall have no other Gods but me." 419 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:50,000 Isn't that what the God of the Jews said? 420 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:51,840 Yes, Caesar. 421 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:55,000 But, evidently, Herod had forgotten that. 422 00:26:55,000 --> 00:27:00,600 He was about to give a signal for the ram's horn to be blown 423 00:26:55,000 --> 00:27:00,600 when he stopped. 424 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:06,160 An owl flew into the arena - it had been blinded by the sunlight. 425 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:08,160 It perched on his throne, 426 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,520 hooted five times, and then flew off. 427 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,000 An owl, yes! 428 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,000 An owl is always an ill omen. 429 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,840 Well, he groaned. 430 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:23,200 He seemed to feel stabbing pains in his chest. 431 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,320 And he cried out, "I am ill! Carry me out!" 432 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:27,840 They carried him out. 433 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:31,760 And the ram's horn never blew. 434 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:33,960 The crowd set up a wail. 435 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,760 The festival was over before it had begun. 436 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:40,040 And within five days he was dead. 437 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:46,680 His body racked with pain and rotted into an unrecognisable mass of sores. 438 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:51,440 The kings departed and the crowds went home. 439 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:55,760 The storm passed without a single drop of rain. 440 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,120 And the Messiah? 441 00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:05,720 Who then is this M-Messiah? 442 00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:07,680 Who knows? 443 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:11,120 Perhaps the Jews must wait a little longer. 444 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:14,480 Perhaps. 445 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:21,840 HEROD: "Marmoset, I am dying. 446 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:24,200 "My body is full of maggots. 447 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,200 "Forgive me. 448 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:34,080 "Forgive your old friend who loved you dearly, yet secretly plotted 449 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:34,080 to take the East away from you. 450 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:38,520 "I have failed. 451 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:40,960 "I played too dangerous a game. 452 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:47,880 "Little marmoset, you're a fool but I envy you your folly. 453 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:51,600 "Do not weep for me. 454 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:54,120 "My punishment is just. 455 00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:57,200 "I offended against the only living God. 456 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:12,000 "Farewell, my friend - whom I love more truly than you suppose. 457 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:14,560 "Farewell, little marmoset, my school fellow. 458 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:18,000 "And trust no-one. 459 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:20,880 "No- one. 460 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:23,400 "Your dying friend, 461 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:25,400 "Herod Agrippa." 462 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:29,520 "I was alone. 463 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:34,040 "For the first time in my life, I was alone. 464 00:29:36,040 --> 00:29:40,040 "They were all gone now, those friends of my youth - 465 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,440 "Domenicus, Postumus, Castor... 466 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:47,160 "Herod, all gone. 467 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:51,040 "There was no-one now I could turn to except Messalina. 468 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:54,200 "YES, she helped me. 469 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:56,800 "How she helped me. 470 00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:00,720 "She persuaded me to let her use 471 00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:00,720 the duplicate of my seal. 472 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,880 "Say "fool", Claudius, "fool"! 473 00:30:03,880 --> 00:30:06,680 "I know it, I know it. 474 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:08,200 "But she was clever. 475 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:17,320 "I also began this most strange history of my life, that you shall read and find, I promise you. 476 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:22,760 "But now you shall see how my ignorance of my own domestic affairs came to an end. 477 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:25,560 "I said I would tell all, and I shall. 478 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:31,720 "Her adultery with Silius had gone so smoothly that she was becoming bored. 479 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:34,360 "Not with him, but with their situation. 480 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:37,600 "While he, on his part, began to feel that the longer it went on, 481 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:40,240 "the greater the danger of their being discovered." 482 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:43,200 Divorce him?! Why not? 483 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:45,120 And marry you? 484 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:47,680 Wouldn't you rather be my wife than my mistress? 485 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:50,760 Your wife? 486 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:57,080 Oh, Gaius, more than anything in the world. 487 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:01,440 But how? Divorce is simple enough. 488 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:04,480 You send your freedman to your husband's house and tell him. 489 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:06,080 I know that. 490 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:08,520 I meant, how do we do it and survive? 491 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:10,760 We have gone far enough with concealment. 492 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:15,040 Sooner or later he will find something out and we shall be taken unprepared. 493 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:17,600 No... 494 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:19,400 it's safer to stay as we are. 495 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:23,440 We can wait until he dies of old age. 496 00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:26,000 I am TIRED of waiting! 497 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:29,480 Gaius! 498 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:32,560 Don't you think that I am tired of waiting, too? 499 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:37,520 Oh, don't turn your back on me, please. 500 00:31:39,360 --> 00:31:44,400 Nothing would please me more than to be your wife 501 00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:47,720 and belong to you entirely, for everyone to see. 502 00:31:50,160 --> 00:31:54,120 But we'd made a long-term plan. Let's keep to it. 503 00:31:54,120 --> 00:31:58,640 Only innocent people can afford long-term plans. 504 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:00,840 Well I think of myself as innocent. 505 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:04,080 Don't you? Innocent of adultery? 506 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:08,280 What?! Of unbridled promiscuity? 507 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:10,920 Of taking bribes? 508 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:12,480 Of judicial murder? 509 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:15,640 Gaius, what...? WE are GUILTY! 510 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:20,920 Now, stop deluding yourself with these childish notions. 511 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:20,920 We are GUILTY! 512 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:23,520 And I don't care - I love you! 513 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:28,880 You are everything to me but GUILT needs daring! Look at me! 514 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:33,640 I am without a wife. I am ready to marry you and adopt your children and be at your side always. 515 00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:37,400 You power will remain undiminished. 516 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:41,560 But we will never have any peace of mind until 517 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:41,560 we put an end to this FARCE! 518 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:45,080 And if we marry, 519 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:46,440 what then? 520 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:49,440 We have friends. 521 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:52,120 Powerful friends. 522 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:55,440 They share our danger and they look to US for peace of mind. 523 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:03,120 If we marry openly and publicly, all Rome will see how Claudius is abandoned. 524 00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:05,920 All Rome will see the contempt in which YOU hold him. 525 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:09,960 We will declare the Republic restored and people will flock to our cause! 526 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:13,360 When? Tomorrow. 527 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:16,680 Tomorrow I go with him to Ostia to examine the new harbour works. 528 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,920 When you return, then. 529 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:20,520 No. 530 00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:22,360 Tomorrow. 531 00:33:22,360 --> 00:33:25,120 Let him go on his own. 532 00:33:25,120 --> 00:33:26,640 I'll have a headache. 533 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:29,400 He's used to my headaches. 534 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:33,240 While he dallies in Ostia, we marry in Rome. 535 00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:38,320 By the time he returns to the city, it will belong to us! 536 00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:40,840 "I went down to Ostia. 537 00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:45,280 "She was supposed to come with me but, at the last moment, she had one of her headaches. 538 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,360 "I was disappointed but it was too late to change my plans. 539 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:54,520 "By the time I arrived in Ostia, 540 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:54,520 they were already married." 541 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:12,280 "It will seem incredible, I know, but in a city where nothing escapes notice or comment, 542 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:17,000 "they could have felt themselves so secure, and yet they did. 543 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:20,920 "And I was perhaps the only man 544 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:20,920 in Rome who knew nothing of it." 545 00:34:20,920 --> 00:34:23,600 Scandalous! It's scandalous! 546 00:34:25,720 --> 00:34:29,000 While all of Rome trooped in and out of her bed, we said nothing. 547 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:34,800 We closed our eyes and ears and said nothing. But this is different - utterly and unbearably different. 548 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:36,080 This... 549 00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:41,680 This puts the Emperor's life in danger. 550 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:43,640 And if it puts his life in danger, 551 00:34:43,640 --> 00:34:47,680 it puts ours. And I say that's a very different bowl of fish. 552 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:49,840 But has she divorced him or not? 553 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:53,360 She has. She sent a freedman with her declaration to his chamber. 554 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:56,400 But the Emperor wasn't here. You think she didn't know that?! 555 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:58,800 Is the marriage bigamous or not? 556 00:34:58,800 --> 00:35:00,680 Do you think she cares? 557 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:02,800 Do you see? 558 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:07,440 The marriage is a public declaration that the Emperor's wife has abandoned him 559 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:12,160 as being too old, too corrupt and stupid any longer to govern Rome. 560 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:15,280 That she has chosen the Consul Elect as her husband 561 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:17,680 is a clear indication and invitation 562 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:20,240 to the Senate to restore the Republic. 563 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:22,840 In view of Messalina's known viciousness 564 00:35:22,840 --> 00:35:25,080 when it comes to getting her own way, 565 00:35:25,080 --> 00:35:28,680 the Senate will take the hint and put them both at the head of it. 566 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:36,760 Well. 567 00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:40,200 He must be told. 568 00:35:40,200 --> 00:35:42,520 This time, he MUST be told. 569 00:35:42,520 --> 00:35:44,400 But how? 570 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:47,040 He won't believe a word said against her. 571 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:50,240 It's the old problem. 572 00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:53,320 From the moment we tell him, time's on her side. Not ours. 573 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:57,760 Then from the moment we tell him, we must keep her away from him. 574 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:02,440 We must ensure she never sees him. She must be eliminated without a hearing. 575 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:06,880 That's taken for granted, but how do we tell him? 576 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:09,000 Whom will he most readily believe? 577 00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:15,280 There is... 578 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:19,480 There is s-someone. Someone he trusts utterly, who's been his friend for years - 579 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:21,800 the little prostitute, Calpurnia. 580 00:36:25,320 --> 00:36:27,560 Oh, Calpurnia. 581 00:36:27,560 --> 00:36:31,680 What is this? A note thrust into my hands?! 582 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:35,440 "Grave danger to Rome - come to my house." 583 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:38,640 I hope this isn't some silly, girlish prank. 584 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:41,120 You've quite alarmed me. 585 00:36:41,120 --> 00:36:44,520 Especially if the ram I was sacrificing in the temple 586 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:47,880 turned out to be the most vicious beast I've ever seen. 587 00:36:47,880 --> 00:36:50,000 It's entrails were awful. 588 00:36:52,600 --> 00:36:55,960 Why are you trembling? What's the matter? 589 00:36:55,960 --> 00:37:00,160 Oh, Caesar! What's the matter? Calpurnia, get up! Get up! 590 00:37:00,160 --> 00:37:02,480 I hate people grovelling. 591 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:04,360 Oh, Caesar... 592 00:37:04,360 --> 00:37:07,160 Will you please tell me what you have to say? 593 00:37:09,240 --> 00:37:12,120 I shall tell you, because nobody else dared tell you. 594 00:37:12,120 --> 00:37:14,960 But when I do, you will have me tortured and flogged. 595 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,440 Calpurnia, dear as you are, you are making me angry. 596 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:21,960 Do you still trust me? 597 00:37:21,960 --> 00:37:24,560 In my life, I've trusted three women - 598 00:37:24,560 --> 00:37:27,320 my mother, Messalina and yourself. 599 00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:30,960 Why must you include your wife in that list? Messalina? 600 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:33,000 I would trust her with my life. 601 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:38,080 She has just married Gaius Silius 602 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:41,200 and the wedding party is still going on in Rome. 603 00:37:42,200 --> 00:37:46,120 Are you mad? Or wicked, or both? 604 00:37:46,120 --> 00:37:48,200 They are married. Your wife and Silius. 605 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:50,320 Everyone in Rome knows. 606 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:52,640 But I left her in bed with a headache. 607 00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:54,520 Now she's in bed with Silius. 608 00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:56,920 Don't you understand? He's her lover! 609 00:37:58,440 --> 00:38:00,520 I thought you knew. 610 00:38:00,520 --> 00:38:02,560 Everyone assumed you knew. 611 00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:06,440 That was why you slept apart all this time. 612 00:38:06,440 --> 00:38:10,320 CALPURNIA SOBS 613 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:16,760 Oh! I wouldn't have told you even now but they are married 614 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:16,760 and I've seen the wedding party. 615 00:38:16,760 --> 00:38:18,720 You haven't been to Rome. 616 00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:21,440 Yes, yes. I've been. Narcissus came and fetched me. 617 00:38:21,440 --> 00:38:24,440 I've been to Rome and back today. 618 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:28,560 The garden of the palace is decorated with vine leaves and ivy, 619 00:38:28,560 --> 00:38:30,600 bunches of grapes, 620 00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:32,560 wine vats and presses. 621 00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:36,320 They're all dancing about like wine-soaked gods...! 622 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:37,720 I don't believe you! 623 00:38:37,720 --> 00:38:39,560 I refuse to believe you. 624 00:38:39,560 --> 00:38:42,080 SHE SOBS 625 00:38:42,080 --> 00:38:43,600 It's true, Caesar. 626 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:48,960 Every word she says is true. 627 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:56,880 Caesar, how else could you have been told? 628 00:38:56,880 --> 00:38:58,560 When have you been prepa... 629 00:38:59,560 --> 00:39:04,240 When have you been prepared to listen to the slightest 630 00:38:59,560 --> 00:39:04,240 criticism of your wife's excesses? 631 00:39:04,240 --> 00:39:07,160 EXCESSES?! What are you talking about?! 632 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:13,640 Caesar, her adulteries are as numberless as the sands on the shore! 633 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:15,280 That is no figure of speech! 634 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:19,080 When you were away in Britain, 635 00:39:19,080 --> 00:39:24,720 she competed with a prostitute to see who could wear out the most lovers in a day. 636 00:39:24,720 --> 00:39:27,080 Half of Rome saw it! 637 00:39:27,080 --> 00:39:29,760 If you have any doubt about Silius, go to his house. 638 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:31,680 It will seem like home to you. 639 00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:34,200 All your most expensive furniture is there - 640 00:39:34,200 --> 00:39:36,960 paintings, tapestries, statues... 641 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:38,800 even Imperial slaves. 642 00:39:39,960 --> 00:39:41,600 But that is nothing. 643 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,280 Do you know you are divorced? 644 00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:52,280 Nation and Senate have witnessed her wedding to Silius. 645 00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:57,400 Act now, or her new husband controls Rome. 646 00:39:59,600 --> 00:40:01,600 I can't believe it. 647 00:40:09,440 --> 00:40:12,080 My dear, you must. 648 00:40:12,080 --> 00:40:16,560 And you must act quickly or you'll be condemning us all to death. 649 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:18,160 She's right, Caesar. 650 00:40:18,160 --> 00:40:20,960 We must return to Rome and arrest them all at once. 651 00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:24,920 But, am I...still Emperor? 652 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:30,000 Some officers of the guard may have been seduced but the soldiers are devoted to you. I'm certain of it. 653 00:40:37,880 --> 00:40:40,280 Yes, arrest them. 654 00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:44,960 Hurry back to Rome and arrest them...ALL! 655 00:40:44,960 --> 00:40:48,000 LOUD HUBBUB AND LAUGHTER 656 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:45,880 Mnester! Yes? 657 00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:47,200 What do you see? 658 00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:51,840 I see a cloud in the shape of Claudius rising over Ostia. 659 00:41:51,840 --> 00:41:53,360 Is he drifting this way? 660 00:41:53,360 --> 00:41:56,840 He was - but he just farted and blew himself out to sea! 661 00:41:58,960 --> 00:42:01,680 Out of the way! 662 00:42:01,680 --> 00:42:03,200 Help me up. 663 00:42:05,240 --> 00:42:07,360 What is it, Mnester? What do you see now? 664 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:11,400 I see a troop of guards climbing the hill towards us. 665 00:42:11,400 --> 00:42:13,920 Splendid! 666 00:42:11,400 --> 00:42:13,920 Wave them in and give them wine. 667 00:42:15,480 --> 00:42:20,400 I think not, Gaius Silius. Their swords are drawn, every one of them. 668 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:24,920 The guards! The guards! Listen to me! 669 00:42:24,920 --> 00:42:28,800 The guards are coming to arrest us! 670 00:42:28,800 --> 00:42:30,760 The Emperor's in Rome! 671 00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:34,040 They're arresting everybody! Run! 672 00:42:41,040 --> 00:42:42,840 Where is the Emperor? In his study. 673 00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:47,720 We've arrested 200 people. Silius was taken in a marketplace. Lady Messalina has not been found. 674 00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:51,360 She is not to be allowed to see the Emperor without first consulting me. 675 00:42:51,360 --> 00:42:52,880 You understand? 676 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:04,720 Where is he? 677 00:43:04,720 --> 00:43:06,600 Where is my husband? 678 00:43:09,680 --> 00:43:11,880 He doesn't wish to see you. 679 00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,280 Out of my way, you Greek! 680 00:43:22,280 --> 00:43:24,960 You dare stand between me and my husband?! 681 00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:26,880 Which husband? You whore! 682 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:29,080 Which one? OUT of my way! 683 00:43:29,080 --> 00:43:31,840 Get out of my way! Let go! 684 00:43:31,840 --> 00:43:33,800 Let go! Get her out. Get her out of here! 685 00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:44,280 Let me see him! Claudius! 686 00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:46,800 How dare you stop her? 687 00:43:46,800 --> 00:43:50,320 She is the Emperor's wife and the mother of his children. 688 00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:53,040 But is he the father? 689 00:43:53,040 --> 00:43:55,880 Who knows whose litter they are! 690 00:43:55,880 --> 00:43:58,680 Liar. LIAR! 691 00:43:58,680 --> 00:44:01,920 Here's a list of your adulteries. D'you wanna read it? Hundreds! 692 00:44:05,080 --> 00:44:07,080 And you call HER a mother?! 693 00:44:10,080 --> 00:44:12,120 Take her home. Let her wait there. 694 00:44:12,120 --> 00:44:14,160 NO! 695 00:44:14,160 --> 00:44:16,480 SHE SCREAMS 696 00:44:14,160 --> 00:44:16,480 NO! 697 00:44:16,480 --> 00:44:19,680 MOTHER! CLAUDIUS! 698 00:44:19,680 --> 00:44:23,240 CLAUDIUS! 699 00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:27,440 Arrests have been made all over the city. 700 00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:29,160 Silius has been taken. 701 00:44:29,160 --> 00:44:32,520 Thank heaven most of the Guard proved loyal. 702 00:44:32,520 --> 00:44:34,040 Poor woman. 703 00:44:35,560 --> 00:44:40,720 What ever made her d-d-do such things? 704 00:44:40,720 --> 00:44:43,800 How unhappy she must have been. 705 00:44:49,720 --> 00:44:52,200 You must sign these, Caesar. 706 00:44:52,200 --> 00:44:54,560 They're the charge sheets. 707 00:44:54,560 --> 00:44:56,840 They need your signature urgently. 708 00:45:21,360 --> 00:45:24,280 Sleep, Caesar. Sleep. 709 00:45:24,280 --> 00:45:27,160 You need your rest. 710 00:45:27,160 --> 00:45:29,360 Save yourself for Rome. 711 00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:34,600 Peter, 712 00:45:34,600 --> 00:45:38,040 here's the warrant for her execution. Hurry. 713 00:45:38,040 --> 00:45:39,720 And, Peter, 714 00:45:39,720 --> 00:45:42,120 offer her the dagger first. No! 715 00:45:42,120 --> 00:45:47,000 If she takes her own life, it will save us having to show him the warrant in the morning. 716 00:45:52,560 --> 00:45:54,280 Take it to the palace. 717 00:45:54,280 --> 00:45:59,280 Tell no-one that you have it, only that you want to see your father. 718 00:45:54,280 --> 00:45:59,280 Now hurry. 719 00:45:59,280 --> 00:46:02,080 When he reads it, he'll forgive your mother. 720 00:46:02,080 --> 00:46:04,840 You'll see. 721 00:46:04,840 --> 00:46:06,800 Hurry. Hurry. 722 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:24,960 He must see me. 723 00:46:24,960 --> 00:46:27,560 He must! 724 00:46:27,560 --> 00:46:29,280 How could you, child? 725 00:46:29,280 --> 00:46:31,600 How could you? 726 00:46:31,600 --> 00:46:33,280 Is that all you can say? 727 00:46:36,720 --> 00:46:38,560 Why don't you do something? 728 00:46:46,600 --> 00:46:48,920 Why don't you see him on your own? 729 00:46:48,920 --> 00:46:51,480 DOOR RATTLES 730 00:46:51,480 --> 00:46:53,320 He's coming! 731 00:46:53,320 --> 00:46:55,800 He's coming to see me! 732 00:46:57,400 --> 00:46:59,360 KNOCKING 733 00:47:04,120 --> 00:47:05,320 What do YOU want? 734 00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:07,960 Your life, Lady. Your husband's orders. 735 00:47:09,800 --> 00:47:11,000 No! 736 00:47:11,000 --> 00:47:13,840 He wouldn't do that. 737 00:47:13,840 --> 00:47:16,120 My husband wouldn't do... Read it! 738 00:47:16,120 --> 00:47:17,720 It has his signature. 739 00:47:27,520 --> 00:47:30,880 I'm to offer you the dagger first, if you'll have it. 740 00:47:30,880 --> 00:47:34,200 And then to cut off your pretty head and put it on a spear. 741 00:47:36,520 --> 00:47:38,120 NO! 742 00:47:40,640 --> 00:47:46,120 NO! Not my HEAD! Not my HEAD! 743 00:47:46,120 --> 00:47:49,240 Child! Child! 744 00:47:49,240 --> 00:47:52,080 Your life is done. 745 00:47:52,080 --> 00:47:54,400 Take the dagger and use it. 746 00:47:57,480 --> 00:47:59,760 Don't let them take my head. 747 00:48:01,320 --> 00:48:03,040 NO! 748 00:48:16,840 --> 00:48:19,640 Oh... 749 00:48:19,640 --> 00:48:21,160 No... 750 00:48:23,680 --> 00:48:25,240 he wouldn't do that. 751 00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:29,880 Not Claudius. 752 00:48:31,160 --> 00:48:32,320 Use it. 753 00:48:32,320 --> 00:48:33,840 Use it quickly. 754 00:48:41,920 --> 00:48:43,200 I can't! 755 00:48:44,720 --> 00:48:46,440 I can't! 756 00:48:48,240 --> 00:48:49,480 NO! 757 00:48:49,480 --> 00:48:51,120 NOT MY HEAD! 758 00:48:51,120 --> 00:48:52,280 Not my...! 759 00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:13,320 I'll see my... 760 00:49:13,320 --> 00:49:15,280 w-w-wife now. 761 00:49:17,960 --> 00:49:21,760 She was executed last night. 762 00:49:21,760 --> 00:49:25,040 At your orders, Caesar. 763 00:49:25,040 --> 00:49:26,680 Here is the warrant. 764 00:49:38,760 --> 00:49:41,640 There is a dispatch from Britain, Caesar. 765 00:49:41,640 --> 00:49:45,200 The temple that was to have been dedicated to the god Augustus 766 00:49:45,200 --> 00:49:48,080 in Colchester has been dedicated instead to you. 767 00:49:48,080 --> 00:49:51,560 Aulus Plautius writes that Augustus means nothing to the Britons, 768 00:49:51,560 --> 00:49:54,120 but they are more than happy to worship you as a god. 769 00:49:54,120 --> 00:49:57,600 He regrets having taken the decision without first consulting you, 770 00:49:57,600 --> 00:50:02,280 but feels sure you understand that it was politically correct. 771 00:50:04,160 --> 00:50:09,600 The temple is known as The Temple of the God Claudius. 772 00:51:28,080 --> 00:51:31,960 Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2006 773 00:51:31,960 --> 00:51:36,000 E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk