Rome

- Hurry up, girls. - Nearly ready.

You have too much metal on you.

It's not so much.

I'm a magistrate, not King of Asia.

Give one to your sister.

Give one to your sister!

Will you stop fussing and put that veil on, please?

We're going to be late.

Patron, I kiss you.

Mabinio, you honor me. What do you want?

I um... well, I'll go straight at it then.

My piss pots were all broken this past nine day.

- Oh? - Soldiers, naming no legions,

thought it funny to tip them out over the heads of honest citizens.

Now now, who's to say it were soldiers?

Might have been gladiators simulating.

I know soldiers when I see 'em...

not as I'm prejudiced.

Most soldiers are good men like yourself.

But there's a lot of a foreign element these days... -

- It won't happen again. - I should hope not.

Roman citizens that need and deserve respect

are getting drenched in piss instead!

There's not a drop left!

How am I to make cloth without piss?

- How am I supposed to make... - It won't happen again.

Thank you, Patron.

Minerva keep you.

Brother Mascius.

Ah, Brother Vorenus.

Big man now, eh?

You're not so small.

Ah... these Roman bitches.

I've done nothing but fuck and eat and fuck since I got here.

We're not under goatskin now, brother.

No disrespect to your women, huh?

I am pleased to speak with you more, Mascius,

but I must see to my clients first.

And they are upset if not received in their proper order.

Of course, of course.

Excuse my crude soldier's ways.

What brings you here, Mascius?

Oh, just seeing how you do...

which is good, looks like.

But where's that old Titus Pullo?

I don't know. I haven't seen him.

Gerrae!

You and Pullo were like Castor and Pollux.

Pullo's dead to me.

Well, I'm glad to see you're doing so good.

- How's our old chief then, eh? - He is well.

Good good.

I'll not lie,

your brothers are unhappy, very unhappy.

They feel the old chief's forgot who brung him here.

They cannot have more coin. There is an agreement.

Ay, there is. There is.

And it's adequate coin.

Got his picture on it now I see.

A coiner may depict what he likes.

Fact is, our brothers need more than just money

if they're to lead honorable and peaceful lives.

Money runs out one day, then what do they do?

What?

They need to take up a trade maybe?

It's unlikely. What are they to do?

Do not pose questions at me, brother. Speak directly.

We want land in Italy.

Caesar will give all veterans land when he can

as he promised he would, but not in Italy.

Caesar gave you land in Italy.

I am a magistrate, and he must have an income.

But I am one man, not legions.

Must be lovely.

I haven't seen it yet. I'm too busy.

Of course. Busy busy.

- We don't want to be unreasonable... - Then don't be.

We have an agreement.

Talk it over with your man.

- Mars and Bellona keep you. - And you.

Cavi, Chief.

Salve, Pullo.

How goes it?

Want some mouse?

You should. They do 'em savory here.

Best mouse in the city.

So... do you have some work for me?

Always somebody needs mortality.

Give me a name.

Trouble is, my honey, you want discretion.

This last job?

You ran that poor scurra up and down the Aventine

like Justice chasing chickens.

Might as well have done it in the Forum.

- I'll go quiet next time. - I don't know.

I've my reputation to think of.

People come to me for their mortality work

- because they know my men are reliable. - That's right.

Reliable men.

I'll be quiet as death next time.

Come back tomorrow, same time.

Urbo will take you to your man.

Give me some money on spec.

Not here.

This is a respectable place for decent citizens.

What would they have me do?

I cannot make farmland.

Certainly you can. It's called eviction.

- And who shall I evict? - Your enemies.

- Enemies? I have enemies still? - Strange to say.

I shall make friends of them in time.

And make enemies of your veterans... unless something is done.

Is it possible they turn on me?

They would never fight against you,

but if they're not satisfied

they will turn to banditry and raiding.

In your name. Not good.

Tell Mascius

I respect his honesty.

Tell him my veterans are as sons to me,

and to all loyal veterans I shall give good lands in...

Pannonia. Good fertile bottomlands.

- Pannonia? - Speak freely.

It's hard country, Pannonia, and far away.

Mascius will refuse it.

Does Mascius have the men's full trust?

Can he sway them either way?

He can sway the 10th men, and what the 10th men do will sway other legions.

Make him a personal offer then.

- To what limit? - You be judge of that.

Oh, Magistrate Vorenus...

my niece is holding a symposium next market day

and I should like you and your wife to come as my guests.

We are honored, sir.

You look troubled.

My wife and I are simple people, sir.

No matter. You shall get used to good society.

How is it?

Much more comfortable.

I don't think my back could take another of Cicero's eulogies.

No, he praises you so long and high,

one might think he was being sincere.

- Salve, Magistrate. - Salve, citizen.

My husband is home.

It was so good of you to visit.

Oh. Not at all, I'm sure.

Please come again. I'd be so happy to receive you.

Thank you.

Desist that now.

Receive us, she says.

- I would... - Ladies.

Magistrate, sir.

- Husband... - What are these now?

Leased, and at very good rates too.

And don't they look impressive?

Put some more cloth on 'em.

You look tired.

Why don't you lie down?

I wish I could.

"By claim of the Senate and people,

our beloved Father, Gaius Julius Caesar,

has been declared Dictator for life.

Furthermore, the fifth month is

henceforth name July in his honor."

Erase that.

Cassius.

It will do no good. The image is on every wall, on every hill.

Don't worry about those scribbles.

King Caesar knows you're his loyal friend.

Oh, I'm not worried about that.

No, it's just, do I truly look like that?

It's near.

- Well, how tragic. - Hmm.

But an image cannot catch your vim,

your noble vitality.

I speak only what's true.

You have that grace in action they say your noble ancestor had.

That's why plebs put you on the walls.

- They see him in you. - They see my wretched name, that's all.

Simpletons. Let us speak of something else.

There's weight in names, isn't there?

You may call a cat a fish, but it will not swim.

The plebs love liberty. In your name they...

They would not pluck a hair for liberty.

Plebs like to see their betters fight.

It's cheaper than theater and the blood is real.

Come, come here with me.

Look now. Look at that.

It is a chair. What of it?

Chair? It's a throne!

I believe thrones are generally more decorative.

That is decidedly plain and chairlike.

- Are you blind? - Do not become hysterical.

Your mother said you were a coward. I begin to believe her.

My mother is very unhappy.

Forgive me. I spoke in anger.

I am no coward, nor am I blind.

I know what Caesar is.

I can see.

But I have pledged myself his friend...