Rome

In the dawn of our history...

we men of Rome were strong and fierce.

But also uncouth and solitary creatures.

It was only when we acquired wives...

that our rise to greatness truly began.

It is the women of Rome with their steely virtue

and chaste morals....

who have conquered the world.

It is by their virtuous light,

that we men have trod the perilous paths of glory.

It is the women of Rome...

who guarded hearth and home while we men burnt Carthage.

It is the women of Rome...

like the she-wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus

who have raised a nation of wise statesmen...

and invincible warriors.

And on behalf of we, men...

I take this moment to thank you all.

When the time is right...

I shall make sure that you women are rewarded for your virtue.

In the future, I shall enact laws...

that reward fertility...

and sanctity in marriage.

I shall enact laws that severely punish adultery...

promiscuity...

and vice... of all kinds.

That's very good. I shall remember that one.

If you'll excuse me.

- What did you think? - Your speech? Oh, strong stuff.

Very amusing. They bought it wholesale.

I mean every word.

Yes, I really think you do.

For myself, I suspect that the women of Old Rome

were a parcel of whores and termagants.

We shall agree to differ.

There's the young piece I was telling you about.

- She's very presentable. - As ordered.

Impeccable family, young, healthy, proven fertility.

- How many children? - Uh, just the one.

A son, Tiberius.

Introduce me.

Caesar, may I present Alfidia and her daughter Livia?

Honored.

Tell me, how would you like to be married to me?

I would like that...

If my husband does not object.

- What is his name? - Uh, Claudius Nero.

I know the family. They're good, patriotic people.

They will not say no to a divorce.

No, I'm sure not, sir.

Excellent.

See to the details.

She'll do nicely.

Now that, um, other business.

Before I dive back into this female swamp.

Herod's gold is offshore

at Ostia waiting on the high tide.

I've been liaising with Antony's man, Posca,

on the details of delivery.

We were thinking of using the Aventine Collegium

for transportation, if you are agreeable.

It's a good idea. They have men allied

both to myself and to Mark Antony. That's good.

Make sure the entire business is invisible.

I want complete deniability.

If the bribe comes to light, it must be Antony's fault alone.

Papa, when we get to Jerusalem,

- will Uncle Levi be there? - Maybe. Maybe not.

Remember when we first met?

- Your cousin's house. - Yes.

I saw you and I thought, "There,

there is a good man for me.

Maybe not such a nice dresser as I would like,

but a good man."

It's been many years now...

and you have never proved me wrong.

Papa, are we there yet?

It's gorgeous. I can have it?

Anything you like, my love.

My little caramel.

Why don't you, uh...

go inside and see...

if there's anything else you like?

How good you are to me?

Off you go.

Take your time.

You might have chosen a less conspicuous conveyance.

This is my third best litter. You are quite nondescript enough

for the both of us.

Has the, uh...

has the Judean shipment arrived yet?

You needn't worry about them. They don't understand

a word we say.

Do you, my darlings?

The lower orders understand more than you think.

Ah.

Really, you are too absurd.

We are stealing from our own chiefs.

No precaution we take is too absurd.

I wouldn't call it stealing.

It is merely a small commission for services rendered.

They won't even notice the shortfall.

Don't fool yourself!

We are thieves. If Antony or Octavian discover it,

- we shall both die. - They won't discover it.

Where and when shall we extract our share?

The Aventine men will make delivery

to the temple of Saturn by night.

You and I will be alone with the gold until day.

Bring slaves you trust.

- Oh. Hello, Maecenas. - Jocasta.

Why on earth do you travel in such a garish litter?

I thought sure my husband was intriguing with an actress

or some such trollop.

- How amusing! - So, where are we going?

The gold will be in Ostia tomorrow, Argosy Docks.

Ship's name, Triton's Crown.

We take it from there.

By river or road?

I'm told Octavian and Antony's men will take it

by river, so, we'll take it by road.

- Avoid any leaks therein. - Clever.

No one. No one must know what the shipment contains.

Secrecy is essential.

I'll use Rasca and his boys. They're reliable.

- They don't ask questions. - Good.

But... Pullo's going to handle this, not you.

But I always handle Ostian business.

This is different.

You don't trust me, is it?

I trust you.

Octavian and Antony, they both know Pullo.

They trust him.

Anything should go wrong, it won't come back on us.

It's all right. I understand.

Third fucking man.

Your tea, Domina.

Help! Help!

Help! Help, somebody!

Help!

Get a doctor. Get a doctor. It's Eirene!

There's blood. There's blood!

She'll put you right.

No trouble.

I don't think.

- She will. - Please, no burning.

In my country we are buried.

Don't talk like that.

No burning.

Put me in a black shroud...

And bury me...

in an open field.

No trees.

No trees.

You are not dying.

Promise me.

I'll not promise anything. You are not dying.

Promise me.

When you're old and grey...

I promise I'll bury you.

If I'm still around. You'll probably

be on to your second husband by, then.

The baby?

Was it boy or girl?

A boy.

Bury him with me.

Don't be sad.

You make me cry.

You gods that might know this woman

as one of your own.

Please listen to me.

We here call her Eirene.

But she was called Adela where she came from.

Somewhere beyond the Rhine. Not sure exactly where.

Anyway, you'll know her.

She was a good woman.

She always spoke very highly of you.

So, please...

look after her. And our boy.

My name is Titus Pullo, Ex-Thirteenth Legion.

Her husband.

Wasn't always as good to her as I should have been.

I give my life to you to use as you like...

if you'll see that she's happy now.

It's Mascius, sir. There's trouble.

Go on.

- Be still, Mascius. Be still. - Careful, you bastard.

I'm not poultry.

- What happened? - Ambush.

Just before we got to the Ostian gate.

- All but me and him are dead. - The gold?

It's gone.

Do you have any idea who it was attacked you?

No. They were good, though.

They didn't give us a chance.

And brother...

they were waiting for us.

All right.

Call on every man. Tell them to cover the city.

Pay coin, give torture, kill if necessary.