[people screaming]
Close the door!
[coughing]
Hey!
[coughing]
Get the burlap! Quickly!
Gavros!
[hushes]
[splutters]
Scorpus.
Come back.
What is your name?
- Xena. - Ah.
[footsteps approaching]
Vesuvius has erupted.
The winds have carried the ash cloud over a hundred leagues
across much of Rome and beyond.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are no more.
[exhales]
Survivors?
Fifteen,
perhaps 18,000 are making their way to Rome.
A few ships had time to raise sail.
They're arriving at Ostia with a few hundred survivors.
We'll send a cohort of Praetorians to meet those on the Appian Way.
Food, physicians, clothing.
There's more.
Worse.
The Vestal flame has gone out.
A sign of doom for all of Rome.
It was unattended.
It has been reignited and the Vestal Matron has been flogged.
Her corpse hangs in atonement.
Set encampments.
Gather food.
Send word that Rome will open her gates for those in need.
At once.
[Hermes] What's wrong?
That gladiator,
the Numidian,
when I was giving him his prize money,
he was moving to grab a gladius from one of my guards.
He was going to kill me.
Can you imagine?
A man of auctoritas and gravitas such as myself,
killed... by a mouse.
Step on him.
I think Flamma will do the stepping.
He's ripe for revenge.
That would be the most...
entertaining...
way to crush the little creature.
[horse whines]
- [footsteps approaching] - [gasps]
- Hey! - Hey!
What's going on?
- Wait! - Stay back! Stay back!
But what has he done?
[Atticus] He has excited the animus of Domitian.
[Kwame groans]
There will be a rematch with Flamma,
earning Kwame a special death.
Take him away.
You bastard!
[Kwame shouts]
Water only, no food.
Let's take some of the fight out of him.
Wine.
[door opens]
[Jula pours wine]
Just received from Gaul.
Look.
[Antonia chuckles]
It's our son.
As handsome as his father.
[Marsus] There's thousands of refugees pouring in from Pompeii,
more en route.
Titus has promised them housing and food.
It's the moment we've been waiting for.
Out.
[coughs]
I spoke with Tilia and Soro
and some of the other fence sitters in the Senate.
They're wavering.
Well, we're asking a lot of them.
Their families and fortunes have suffered in the Year of the Four Emperors.
And it is a gamble for an Emperor to die
and be replaced by you.
It helps that the Senate sees Titus draining the treasury.
They're meeting tomorrow night, in secret,
to listen to me.
[door closes]
[coughing]
[knocking on door]
[loud knocking on door]
[coughing]
He's not here.
It is urgent.
[coughing]
[in Numidian] Little sister!
[in English] Tenax has you working here now?
Yes, but freed now.
Jula... Jula.
I had a chance to buy her freedom.
I promise I will do the same for you.
I'm so happy for you.
I wish it had been you who was freed.
Do you have something for me?
[indistinct conversation]
All of them?
Yes.
Well done. Go.
We have been away too long.
- We're going. - She's right.
I need to get back before my mistress notices.
Go, be safe.
[horse whines]
[coughing]
[Jula] Think it was this way.
- Excuse me. - [horse whines]
We've lost our way.
Easy to do.
But I would be honoured to help you.
I have to go to the Esquiline.
I... I can show you.
Follow me.
This is the way out.
To the left.
Thank you.
The streets are dangerous enough at night.
I will accompany you.
Please do.
Let's go.
I'll see to it that she gets home safely.
Do not take advantage.
This way.
[both chuckle]
[Elia] And so, Jula,
you ended up becoming a slave...
[Jula] In the house of Consul Marsus.
[Elia] And you can go out alone?
[Jula] I can, but I have to be careful.
[people coughing]
[coughing]
[baby crying]
[crying continues]
[Jula] Tell me about your brothers. They sound like a handful.
[Elia] Imagine sharing a room with them.
At least at home we had our space.
Rolling hills,
grass so thick you could swim in it.
I can imagine your horses loved it.
Mm.
I have had this feeling of late.
That I will never set foot in my homeland again.
That is a feeling I know well.
Thank you for walking me, Elia.
Can I see you again?
Maybe.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[footsteps approaching]
Titus Flavius Domitianus.
A man of many talents,
not least of which is...
pissing off your brother.
Or are you saying that the...
sacking of Jerusalem was Passus' idea?
I am rather proud of it.
And don't call me by my brother's filthy name.
Domitian will do.
I know how you can win your brother's trust
and get our faction back up and running.
I'm listening.
Marsus has convened a meeting of the Senate.
In secret.
So I...
swoop in, arrest them all and...
save the Emperor.
You just need to be there.
See it all and let them hang themselves
on their own words.
There's another group of refugees en route to Rome.
Prepare an encampment on the flats of Campus Martius.
Provisions, firewood, urban guards.
Make it quick. I'm busy.
I could serve you better if you treated me with more respect
than that of a clerk or a client.
It's a habit. Too many days in a command tent.
Out.
You're in jeopardy, as am I.
In order to protect us both,
I need you to suspend my confinement.
[indistinct conversation]
[doors close]
[horse whines]
Brother...
this is the man I spoke of.
My client, Tenax.
This way, Caesar.
You two, with me.
[doors close]
[Marsus, above] You brave the night in troubling times,
I thank you.
For centuries our families have been charged with
protecting our beloved city and Empire
from those who would anger the Gods.
Yet now their terrible verdict rains down from the sky!
And we all know that with the Vestal flame extinguished,
we are no longer protected
by Vesta and the Gods,
and this could truly be...
the end of times.
So I ask myself, brothers,
what has changed since the happy days of the past?
And I can find no other answer but...
that we have a new Emperor.
[stamping]
Tread lightly, Consul.
We all tread lightly today, Senator,
on ashes!
[Marsus] Just consider an Emperor...
who favours the country...
over Rome itself...
[senator] Yes.
...and who lies with a heretic Judean Queen.
No wonder the Gods have chosen to bury us!
[senator] But he has discarded his Judean Queen
and taken a Roman wife.
His taking a Roman wife
only further compounds his crime.
For the Judean viper...
still shares his bed...
and hisses her poison in his ear.
The Hebrew God delights
as Rome sinks to her knees.
[feet stamping]
[Marsus] And what of the Roman people?
Our people?
Our clients?
Our sacred duty?
Our people...
sleep in the sewer,
while Titus opens the floodgates
to thousands of refugees.
He suckles these strangers...
and spends what's left
on garish monuments to himself and his family,
while the people of Rome starve!
[stamping]
[Torel] No one questions the need for change.
[senators agree]
[Torel] The only question is,
can it succeed?
It can...
and it must.
I assure you,
the distant legions,
the close guards,
the people of Rome
and the Gods themselves
will applaud the change.
- [stamping] - The fate of Nero.
The fate of Nero.
[stamping]
- [stamping] - [cheering]
[cheering continues]
Consul Marsus,
Senator Torel and Sepulcius,
traitors all.
Arrest them.
Lord.
The Gods beseech us to act.
- And the time is now. - [senators cheering]
The Consul Marsus...
and Senators Torel and Sepulcius
are hereby arrested...
- for treason. - Take him.
- [senator] No! - Shh!
[senator] No!
And him.
- Take them! - [senator] What are you doing?
With me.
[senators murmuring]
So you drove for the Blues and the Whites?
Eleven firsts.
[Elia] Wow.
What happened?
Wine.
- [horse whines] - And high living.
Scorpus does that.
He still drives.
It was that and more.
Takes a lot to put a man in a chariot,
and even more for him to give it up.
[Elia] So why did you?
I started racing because of the horses.
Like you,
I can feel them.
[chuckles]
But racing is different.
A four-horse race
is a suicide you...
somehow survive.
I saw half-a-dozen friends die on the track,
and I barely...
avoided death myself more times than that.
And then one day...
I walked off that track and I was...
done.
Once you start thinking about death,
it's over.
My brothers both want to race.
[Gavros] You worry about them.
Life rarely goes the way you expect.
[water dripping]
[shouting in distance]
Psst. This is for you.
[Viggo] Just a short while.
Brother.
Mm.
I feared I was to die on an empty stomach.
[exhales]
The Emperor's brother seems to have
an interest in your death.
The feeling is mutual, brother.
But I think he will get his wish first.
The crowd likes a rematch.
They carry the excitement of revenge.
How many times on the eve of battle...
did you make your peace with death?
Too many to count.
[Kwame chuckles]
And each time you cheated death.
In battle, my people are known for our roar as we charge,
terrifying our enemy.
Before we run at their swords and shields,
we whisper a quiet entreaty to death.
"Tak mik Halja
en lofar lífi...
pér mun pjóna Aõra myrpa."
"Take me if you will, o'Death,
but is it not better to let me live
and serve you by killing others?"
Bold words.
Offering a deal to Death himself.
Herself.
Death is a woman.
[Viggo] She has so far listened to me.
Halja, perhaps she will listen to you.
[Kwame chuckles]
I think she...
is too in love with Flamma...
to save me, brother.
When do I die?
Five days.
[exhales]
And my friend brings me wine.
A short life...
can still be a good life.
[chuckles softly]
[footsteps receding]
[gate closes]
[Titus] I am in your debt, brother.
I worry only for your safety,
as I did Father's.
- How do you think the senate will react? - They'll watch.
And wait for the reaction of the mob.
Huh.
So what do you suggest?
Increase the grain dole.
Porto?
Tell me.
We have grain stores enough to double it.
Then do so.
What else?
Increase the Inaugural Games from 50 days
to a hundred.
And bring back the people's hero.
Let Scorpus race again for the Gold Faction.
Very wise.
The faction owners have replaced me in their affection,
so I shall replace them in the mob's.
The Gold faction will be reinstated.
You have my word.
My brother has granted me another opportunity to serve him.
I am to organise the increased Inaugural Games
of our Flavian Amphitheatre.
The enormity of the wagers will be to your liking.
[Tenax] No doubt.
But who will be master of these games?
Passus?
He has experience.
Courtesy of the factions and beholden to them.
You have another suggestion?
What about me?
[chuckles]
You are ambitious.
I have made no secret of that with you.
You do have certain talents.
But is the art of entertainment one of them?
With all due respect, Your Highness,
you are too far above...
the lower order to know what they really want.
I know because I'm one of them.
I have felt their hunger...
and lived in their filth.
I know what they fear and I know what they crave
and I can devise entertainment that will feed that craving.
They're more base than you can imagine.
Very well. A test.
Let's see how you do with the execution of the traitors.
And while you do so,
get Scorpus back on one of my golden chariots.
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[bell dings]
Yah! Yah!
Yah!
You can do it!
Come on!
- [crowd cheering] - Yes!
[groans in frustration]
- [crowd cheering] - [woman] Yeah!
[crowd chanting] Scorpus! Scorpus! Scorpus!
[indistinct chatter]
Have you seen...
It's Scorpus!
[Scorpus] Ladies.
[money slams]
You're under arrest.
No.
I'm Scorpus,
lead charioteer of a faction.
- Get your hands off me. - [guard] Come on.
[door closes]
[chuckles]
[Scorpus] Oi!
You listen.
I am the great Scorpus.
Not one of your animals.
The Emperor will hear of this!
[sighs]
[gate opens]
[footsteps approaching]
You did this to me.
You pig.
Well, you've had your fun with Scorpus.
- Now, let him out. - You were arrested for illegal betting.
Illegal betting?
[scoffs]
It's a joke, coming from the likes of you.
- Yes? - Funny for me, my friend, not really...
for you.
But...
for the sake of our old friendship,
I could probably end this,
if you simply sign back to the Gold Faction.
Oh, for fuck sake's, Scorpus.
You own 25% of the Gold Faction.
It's worth ten times, a hundred times more
than the measly 600,000 that Leto's paying you!
Go fuck yourself.
[sighs]
[footsteps receding]
Wait.
Wait!
I will drive for the Gold,
but you...
don't ever call me a friend again.
Good choice...
my friend.
Hey!
Hey, you let me out, you little shit.
[groans in frustration]
[sighs]
A prayer for Vesta,
all Goddess of the eternal hearth.
Your prayer will be heard.
[Antonia] Cornelia.
Look at you,
Virgo Vestalis Maxima!
Chief Vestal.
Your father and I rejoice at your elevation.
A woman...
clubbed and flogged to death...
because the Vestal fires went out.
That is a source of your pride?
So, what is this meeting about?
You may not have heard.
The Vestals hear everything.
As Vestal Matron, you speak for the Gods.
If we go before the Emperor together
and plead for your father's life...
No.
Cornelia, your father needs you.
He did not need me...
when he condemned me to this golden cage
for nearly 30 years.
We gave you the opportunity to commune with the Gods.
I've never heard them.
Not once.
You placed me in this prison.
You sent me here, not for my benefit,
but for your own glory and that of my brother.
It was my duty to give you up.
And now it is your duty...
to help save your father
from being thrown off the Tarpeian Rock.
I would help push him off if I could.
Do not say such a thing.
You are his daughter.
I'm a Vestal Virgin.
I am no longer his daughter...
or yours.
Cornelia!
I beg of you!
[Elia] Did you get my letter?
I understand how much you love your Spanish horses,
but please tell me you visited the baths before coming.
Always!
Always, he says!
Oh. You did go to the baths.
Your words hide the truth.
I know how much you love the smell of stable.
Oh, never.
I want to steal you away from here.
Then you would see me nailed to the cross.
Marsus is in a cell.
He can no longer harm you.
What about my mistress?
We'll buy your freedom.
With what?
I have my wages and a small portion of the stud fees.
After a few wins it will be worth something.
Three thousand sesterces?
Because that is what she paid for me.
I believe...
if you had the money...
you would save me.
Jula, stop.
Otherwise I won't want to stop.
What if I don't want to stop?
I feared...
my first time...
would be with...
I want it to be with you instead.
At least I know how it should feel.
I don't know how it should feel either.
Then...
let us discover it together.
Are you sure?
I am sure.
They look the same to me.
[chuckles] Yes.
It would appear so.
But they're much, much lighter.
More difficult to drive,
but much faster.
And what about my payment?
Let's talk about money later.
What is this?
What am I supposed to do with this?
[horse whines]
[man] Hold it. Steady.
Approved.
All good?
All good.
- [crowd cheering] - [bell dings]
[crowd cheering] Scorpus! Scorpus! Scorpus!
Come on, faster!
Yah!
Scorpus makes his move again.
Could be his third victory this week.
[crowd chanting] Scorpus! Scorpus! Scorpus!
You were right, Domitian.
The mob content.
The Senate...
cowed.
May our blood prevail.
Till Rome itself falls.
[shouting]
[cries out]
[screams]
[crowd groan]
[man] Oh... dear.
Where are you going? The race is not finished.
My driver's shipwrecked. Why should I stay?
Yah! Yah!
Yah!
[cheering]
I'm beginning to understand the crowd's love for this, Scorpus.
Yah!
Yeah! Yes!
- Yes! - [crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Scorpus! Scorpus!
Ah, the victorious faction owner!
I have a question.
The betting is always stopped before the race starts, yes?
- Of course. - Why?
It's always been done that way.
That's the law.
Do you always follow the law?
You are leaving money on the table, lots of it.
In Numidia, with horse racing, cock fighting, wrestling,
the betting goes for the whole match.
And what if you get caught?
The key to breaking the law is not to.
[chuckles]
All we have to do
is change the betting system.
And how do we do that and take the new bets?
We put your kids
in the stands.
[groans with uncertainty]
"Congratulations.
You have your Gold Faction back.
Your winnings...
or your boys will continue to die,
and your secret will be a secret no more.
This will never end...
unless you end it."
[Rufus] Tenax.
Somebody wants to speak with you.
[sighs]
[Hermes] He wants a conference with you.
Tell him I'll be there first thing in the morning.
He's waiting for you...
now.
[whispers] Tenax is here.
Excuse me, brother, one of my clients.
Out!
I thought I would collect my winnings in person.
[exhales] Coming, Dominus.
These big bets are made on credit.
We have to wait for the Patricians to pay their debts.
Bring me what you owe tomorrow.
Understood?
[Leto] You!
You stole my driver.
You'll have to talk to Scorpus about that.
Scorpus made a deal.
He belongs to the White Faction now.
He doesn't seem to think so.
If you want loyalty you should pay your men more.
You...
fucking upstart!
[bag slams]
I want him back!
You...
[slams]
All of you.
You think the Gods have anointed you to lead.
You're wrong!
Your positions are as fragile as those men you killed
to get to where you are,
now step aside.
Or should I call the guards?
I'm a busy man.
Thank you, Senator.
Tenax!
Are you just going to leave without giving me my share from today?
I'm in a hurry.
Hey, what is wrong with you?
You're drunk?
Yes, I am.
And I need my money, I have a victory orgy to pay for.
Have it on credit.
I won!
Our faction won!
Come on, Scorpus must be paid!
When I have it.
What is in that cart?
I don't want to hear anything else from you until I have my money.
I want my money!
I want my money.
- Anything? - Not yet.
[footsteps receding]
[winnings jangling]
[Tenax screams in frustration]
[screaming continues]
[screaming and banging]
[screaming]
I have returned on the Ides, as you requested.
Would you help me?
There's a man.
Tenax.
A criminal.
Do you know him?
Yes.
He owned my eldest daughter as a slave.
I bought her freedom,
and now she and I work for him.
He carries the stench of his crimes.
You are tainted by that stench too.
I only do it for my children.
And yet...
you sort to deceive me...
and use me to free your daughter.
No, no, no.
You assumed I bear ill will toward my parents,
and you thought you could use that to free your child from them.
Yes.
There's much you still need to learn of Rome...
and the Vestals.
I belong to this city,
not to my father.
He conspired to break the Divine Order and must die.
You are not worthy of my intercession.
No, please.
My daughter, she's an innocent.
She's worthy of your protection.
[Cornelia] Only Rome is worthy of my protection.
What's wrong?
[sighs]
A dark day.
Agreed...
at the moment.
What is that look?
I'm reconsidering my association with you.
[music plays]
[cheering and laughter]
[cries out]
[table creaks]
[chuckles]
Come. Let's dance.
[music distorts]
- [creaking] - [door opens]
[foot on step]
[footsteps on stairs]
Nica...
Nica, wake up.
[footsteps approaching]
[Woola breathes shakily]
You stay here.
[coins rustling]
[dog barks in distance]
- [knocking on door] - [Woola] Tenax!
[knocking continues]
[Woola] Tenax!
Big man, whip scars on his face.
Lock the door.
[door closes]
[whistles]
Where's Dacia?
- No idea. - Hurry.
[faint sound of man whispering]
[creaking]
[door squeaks open]
[door closes]
Wait here.
[footstep behind door]
[whispers] Drop the knife.
[sighs]
[knife clatters]
You should pay your men more.
You want to live?
The knife,
move it slowly...
to your weak hand.
Pass it to me, underhand.
[screams]
[Noro whimpers]
[whimpering continues]
- [screams] - [grunts]
If you want something done,
do it yourself.
Now...
that I've taken everything from you,
I'm going to kill you.
Good.
You learned from fighting thugs and low-lives.
I learned from fighting in the greatest army on this Earth.
[Tenax screams]
[sound distorts]
[Tenax breathes heavily]
[screams]
Quintus.
You're just a whiny...
little weakling.
Now...
I leave you,
as you left me.
Before we killed our master,
he revealed his darkest secret to me.
Because his wife owned a stud farm,
he hid you as a slave right under her nose.
While you roast in hell,
think about this.
He was your father.
[man screaming]
That's right.
Patrician blood runs through you.
[breathes shakily]
Farewell...
little Quintus.
[splutters]