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♪ ♪

2
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[distant yelling]

3
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Commodus.

4
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I don't know how
things have gone so far.

5
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There have been mistakes.

6
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Unlucky breaks.

7
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But the idea that I'm
somehow behind all this...

8
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it's insane.

9
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These were freak accidents,

10
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one after the other.

11
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No one could have prevented them.

12
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The plague was a freak accident.
Without question, Emperor.

13
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But the grain shortage?

14
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Now that was a calculated act.

15
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You'd have me believe Cleander
wanted my people to starve?

16
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I'd never presume to
know the mind of any man,

17
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but I do know that this grain
shortage was no natural occurrence.

18
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How do you explain it, Cleander?

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[Cleander] Simply.

20
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Dio is trying to
overcomplicate the matter.

21
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There was a grain shortage.
We tried to resolve it.

22
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The plague prevented us from doing so.

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It's a catastrophe, but that's all.

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[Dio] A grain shortage.

25
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In Egypt.

26
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Where else?

27
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[Dio] What was it? Drought? Blight?

28
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We've heard nothing on our end.

29
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The Senate will never understand

30
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the details that go
into running an empire.

31
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[Dio] You're right, Cleander.

32
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But reports have made their way to me.

33
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And all of them say the grain
shipments have continued uninterrupted.

34
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[Cleander] Shipments are
disrupted all the time.

35
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Marauders. Storms.

36
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[Dio] You're right, Cleander.

37
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It happens constantly.

38
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But it's never been enough
to cause a shortage before.

39
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Commodus,

40
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what possible reason could I
have to see the people starve?

41
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There isn't one.

42
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[Dio] That depends on
where the missing grain is.

43
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If it's at the bottom of the ocean,

44
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or in the hold of a renegade
ship, then I would agree.

45
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And where else could it be?

46
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Commodus.

47
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If your people are starving,

48
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if their very lives are in danger,
the lives of their families,

49
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and then one man swoops in to save them

50
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at the last minute with his
own personal grain supply,

51
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well, that man would be called a hero.

52
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With one act, that man would
win the people's undying love.

53
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Ambition knows no limits.

54
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You would speak of ambition? You, who...

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[Commodus] Enough.

56
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♪ ♪

57
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[Cleander] Who do you trust, brother?

58
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Dio?

59
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Or your brother, who has stood
beside you your whole life?

60
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Right now, I don't trust either of you.

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[narrator] <i>At the end
of the second century,</i>

62
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<i>a shortage in grain has
devastated the Roman Empire.</i>

63
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<i>And with riots in the streets,</i>

64
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<i>the Emperor's closest advisor
and members of the Roman Senate</i>

65
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<i>now blame each other for the chaos.</i>

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[theme music]

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<font color="
www.addic7ed.com

68
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[narrator] <i>With no one he can trust,</i>

69
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<i>Commodus is forced to
face the possibility</i>

70
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<i>that he's been betrayed by his advisor.</i>

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It doesn't make any sense.

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- Senator Dio is hiding...
- [Comfortable] No.

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Cleaner.

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Nothing he's saying makes any sense.

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I don't trust the Senator either.

76
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I don't trust what he's
doing, or why he's doing it,

77
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but...

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What?

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Speak.

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Even if he's doing it
for the wrong reasons,

81
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that doesn't mean it's not the truth.

82
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You're right.

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I want nothing more than to
believe what Cleander is telling me.

84
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But he's lying.

85
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What are you going to do?

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[narrator] <i>Responsible for</i>
<i>the Empire's grain supply,</i>

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<i>Cleander must now stand trial...</i>

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<i>to determine who's to
blame for the shortage.</i>

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Cleander, my entire city
is calling for your head.

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[Cleander] There have been oversights.

91
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- I've admitted that already.
- That's not enough.

92
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I've done all I can to relieve
you of the burdens of government.

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Perhaps I put too much on myself.

94
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But everything I've done,

95
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I've done for you.

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My loyalty cannot be questioned.

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With your permission, Emperor.

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I have someone, I believe, who
can speak to Cleander's loyalty.

99
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You and I both know
Dio cannot be trusted.

100
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Remember the lands with the military?

101
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He's betrayed us before,
he's only trying...

102
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Tell him.

103
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[servant] I, uh...

104
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You understand, Emperor,
the awkward situation...

105
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You were my sister's servant.

106
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Yes, Emperor.

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I'm well aware of
Cleander's affection for you.

108
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What's Dio giving you?

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Nothing.

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You wouldn't be here if what
you'd say wasn't beneficial to him.

111
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But I can't see why you'd
speak against Cleander for Dio.

112
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It's not for Dio.

113
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It's for my mother. She died.

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Earlier this week. From the plague

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From Cleander's plague.

116
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You're only repeating
the word on the street.

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Emperor. He knew.

118
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He knew of the grain shortage, yes.

119
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He was working to stop it.

120
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No. Not the grain shortage. He
knew of the plot to kill you.

121
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I overheard Lucilla talking
about it with Senator Quintianus.

122
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Cleander pushed me to find
out more and I told him.

123
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I told him everything,
but he didn't just know.

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He helped them.

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He was angry, with you.
Saoterus. He killed...

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- he killed him.
- [Cleander] Oh, bitch!

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- He bragged about it before.
- You bitch!

128
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Dio must be paying her! You lying bitch!

129
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You hear me? You filthy
whore. I'll kill you.

130
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I'll fucking kill you!

131
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[exclaims]

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[Cleander] Commodus.
Commodus, she's lying.

133
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Dio must have gotten to her.

134
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I would never do such a thing.

135
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You know me.

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Dio must be paying her.

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[Cleander] Commodus. You're my brother.

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I wouldn't...

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[screams]

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[gurgles]

141
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[coughs]

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♪ ♪

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[Prof. Corey Brennan] <i>When
Cleander is killed,</i>

144
00:11:44,012 --> 00:11:46,638
<i>it was very clear that
all the important elements</i>

145
00:11:46,639 --> 00:11:48,983
<i>of Roman society were against this guy.</i>

146
00:11:51,352 --> 00:11:55,522
<i>I mean now you had the people rising
up, the Senate hated this guy,</i>

147
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<i>He just had to go.</i>

148
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[narrator] <i>The Roman Emperor has
been betrayed by his closest advisor,</i>

149
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<i>the one man he trusted, to
help him rule the Empire.</i>

150
00:12:12,582 --> 00:12:16,135
<i>And now, Commodus has no choice</i>

151
00:12:16,544 --> 00:12:20,098
<i>but to give the Roman
people what they want.</i>

152
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<i>With the people demanding justice,
Commodus hands over Cleander's body,</i>

153
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<i>and it's soon decapitated and
dragged through the streets.</i>

154
00:12:34,813 --> 00:12:38,366
[Prof. David Levene] <i>Rome is
an extremely violent place.</i>

155
00:12:38,817 --> 00:12:42,611
In the case of Cleander, it's
fairly clear that there was, in fact,

156
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a mob calling for his blood.

157
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<i>There were people who
were literally out there,</i>

158
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<i>ready to tear him to pieces.</i>

159
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[narrator] <i>Commodus has
killed his closest friend,</i>

160
00:13:03,883 --> 00:13:06,394
<i>and to bring order to Rome,</i>

161
00:13:07,470 --> 00:13:11,190
<i>he looks to his only
remaining source of support.</i>

162
00:13:14,227 --> 00:13:16,812
[Dio] My apologies for
keeping you waiting, Emperor.

163
00:13:16,813 --> 00:13:19,323
I was not expecting visitors so late.

164
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My city's in chaos. We must act.

165
00:13:28,241 --> 00:13:29,834
I couldn't agree more.

166
00:13:31,494 --> 00:13:34,756
The question is, what do we do?

167
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We go to war,

168
00:13:38,835 --> 00:13:41,387
expand our borders,
strengthen our glory,

169
00:13:41,755 --> 00:13:44,015
show the people what
it means to be Roman.

170
00:13:44,716 --> 00:13:48,061
And with victory, we'll prove
the Gods are still behind us.

171
00:13:50,430 --> 00:13:51,597
Do I have your permission

172
00:13:51,598 --> 00:13:53,316
- to speak candidly?
- Of course.

173
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Wars take time, money, people.

174
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All things we are dearly lacking.

175
00:14:00,231 --> 00:14:03,192
Well, I won't just sit
here while my people riot.

176
00:14:03,193 --> 00:14:05,161
So tell me, Dio,

177
00:14:06,237 --> 00:14:07,404
what should I do?

178
00:14:07,405 --> 00:14:09,156
Grain? Land?

179
00:14:09,157 --> 00:14:12,001
[Dio] Well, those things have
worked for you before, but...

180
00:14:12,952 --> 00:14:14,661
we have never faced anything like this.

181
00:14:14,662 --> 00:14:16,547
Well, then what, Dio?

182
00:14:19,959 --> 00:14:22,211
I'm afraid there is no clean answer.

183
00:14:22,212 --> 00:14:24,880
There is no one action you
can take to correct this.

184
00:14:24,881 --> 00:14:26,140
Commodus...

185
00:14:27,759 --> 00:14:30,895
the Empire works best with balance.

186
00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,097
The Emperor provides
strength for the people, yes,

187
00:14:33,098 --> 00:14:35,775
but the Senate must
filter that strength.

188
00:14:36,518 --> 00:14:40,062
Our job is to act as a shield
between you and the people.

189
00:14:40,063 --> 00:14:43,148
Otherwise, there is just
a single man at the top,

190
00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:45,868
one person they can blame
for all their problems.

191
00:14:46,319 --> 00:14:48,496
And we've seen the danger in that.

192
00:14:49,239 --> 00:14:52,917
- So this is my fault, then?
- No, Commo... no, Commodus.

193
00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,880
We must all share the blame for this.

194
00:15:02,877 --> 00:15:05,805
We failed in our duty to prepare you.

195
00:15:07,215 --> 00:15:08,808
I see that now.

196
00:15:10,468 --> 00:15:12,562
So what would you have me do?

197
00:15:14,889 --> 00:15:17,025
Let us help you.

198
00:15:19,227 --> 00:15:22,822
Trust us to help you.

199
00:15:26,151 --> 00:15:27,869
Trust you?

200
00:15:43,293 --> 00:15:47,880
[Jeffrey Stevens] <i>While many people may</i>
<i>accuse Commodus of having been paranoid,</i>

201
00:15:47,881 --> 00:15:51,675
<i>if you've been raised with
this power from birth,</i>

202
00:15:51,676 --> 00:15:55,596
there had to have been a legitimate
concern on the part of Commodus

203
00:15:55,597 --> 00:15:58,608
that there is something to be feared.

204
00:15:59,434 --> 00:16:04,113
<i>It is not paranoia if people
are actually trying to get you.</i>

205
00:16:05,065 --> 00:16:08,242
<i>♪ ♪</i>

206
00:16:15,742 --> 00:16:19,128
[narrator] <i>As conditions in
Rome continue to decline,</i>

207
00:16:19,621 --> 00:16:24,500
<i>Commodus begins to realize that
he has no one left to turn to.</i>

208
00:16:24,501 --> 00:16:26,844
[thunder cracking]

209
00:16:27,879 --> 00:16:30,390
[crowds yelling]

210
00:16:33,426 --> 00:16:38,180
<i>And just when it seems the state
of the Empire can't get any worse,</i>

211
00:16:38,181 --> 00:16:42,226
<i>catastrophe strikes
in the heart of Rome.</i>

212
00:16:42,227 --> 00:16:45,196
[fire crackling]

213
00:16:48,566 --> 00:16:51,327
[crowd yelling]

214
00:16:52,153 --> 00:16:54,539
[narrator] <i>Triggered by a passing storm,</i>

215
00:16:54,906 --> 00:16:58,501
<i>a massive fire erupts in
the center of the city,</i>

216
00:17:00,453 --> 00:17:03,423
<i>causing widespread
destruction and panic.</i>

217
00:17:16,469 --> 00:17:19,179
[Prof. Aaron Irvin] <i>The fire was
started by a lightning strike</i>

218
00:17:19,180 --> 00:17:21,306
<i>within the city itself,</i>

219
00:17:21,307 --> 00:17:24,986
leading immediately to rumors
of divine wrath and retribution.

220
00:17:27,397 --> 00:17:30,274
<i>The Gods themselves were
angry with Commodus,</i>

221
00:17:30,275 --> 00:17:31,734
<i>were angry with the city of Rome,</i>

222
00:17:31,735 --> 00:17:35,538
and were therefore going to
gut it and going to destroy it.

223
00:17:38,783 --> 00:17:43,620
[narrator]<i> In just days, the fire
destroys ancient government buildings</i>

224
00:17:43,621 --> 00:17:45,956
<i>and religious shrines,</i>

225
00:17:45,957 --> 00:17:49,260
<i>devastating the Roman people,</i>

226
00:17:51,546 --> 00:17:53,389
<i>and their Emperor.</i>

227
00:18:04,017 --> 00:18:05,392
[yelling]

228
00:18:05,393 --> 00:18:06,694
[chalice crashing]

229
00:18:08,396 --> 00:18:11,732
Commodus was affected by many of these

230
00:18:11,733 --> 00:18:16,245
<i>traumatic experiences in the
various stages of his reign.</i>

231
00:18:16,446 --> 00:18:20,324
<i>He faced all of these other
plots, plagues, fires,</i>

232
00:18:20,325 --> 00:18:22,785
<i>and these forms of disasters,</i>

233
00:18:22,786 --> 00:18:26,038
and it's not surprising,
having faced all of these plots,

234
00:18:26,039 --> 00:18:30,510
that he did not necessarily
trust the old system anymore.

235
00:18:37,133 --> 00:18:38,976
[narrator]<i> With the city in ruins,</i>

236
00:18:39,385 --> 00:18:43,398
<i>Commodus realizes he has
no one to turn to for help</i>

237
00:18:44,265 --> 00:18:51,030
<i>and begins to believe that he's
the only person who can save Rome.</i>

238
00:18:52,190 --> 00:18:54,575
<i>♪ ♪</i>

239
00:19:06,996 --> 00:19:10,003
<i>With a plan to gain
control of his Empire</i>

240
00:19:10,028 --> 00:19:12,743
<i>and restore glory to Rome,</i>

241
00:19:14,838 --> 00:19:18,015
<i>Commodus calls a
meeting with the Senate.</i>

242
00:19:22,429 --> 00:19:24,647
To start this formal session,

243
00:19:24,681 --> 00:19:29,360
I have the honor of
introducing Emperor Commodus.

244
00:19:35,275 --> 00:19:37,452
I've heard talk of omens,

245
00:19:38,945 --> 00:19:41,664
of dissatisfaction amongst the Gods.

246
00:19:42,824 --> 00:19:45,960
Our great city has been devastated

247
00:19:46,536 --> 00:19:50,715
with famine, plague, fire.

248
00:19:52,125 --> 00:19:54,260
Streets have been destroyed,

249
00:19:54,669 --> 00:19:57,972
temples burned to the ground.

250
00:19:59,466 --> 00:20:01,309
Lives have been lost.

251
00:20:06,598 --> 00:20:11,027
But I'm here to tell you
this is not a bad thing.

252
00:20:19,611 --> 00:20:23,456
In a forest, fire is
far from a catastrophe.

253
00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:25,958
It's a necessity.

254
00:20:27,535 --> 00:20:29,295
It burns out the dead wood,

255
00:20:30,455 --> 00:20:33,716
allowing new growth, new life.

256
00:20:33,792 --> 00:20:38,346
Senators, we stand at the
dawn of Rome's rebirth.

257
00:20:38,630 --> 00:20:43,184
A new age is upon us,
and we must embrace it.

258
00:20:45,804 --> 00:20:47,688
To celebrate this new age,

259
00:20:48,848 --> 00:20:50,692
and the coming of the new year,

260
00:20:51,643 --> 00:20:56,197
I'm announcing 14
days of Plebeian games.

261
00:21:00,860 --> 00:21:03,705
They'll be the greatest
games that Rome has ever seen.

262
00:21:05,365 --> 00:21:08,084
An excellent idea, Emperor.

263
00:21:10,703 --> 00:21:13,414
I'm sure I speak for all the Senate

264
00:21:13,415 --> 00:21:17,719
when I say I cannot wait to
watch these games by your side.

265
00:21:22,132 --> 00:21:24,058
No, Dio.

266
00:21:24,676 --> 00:21:27,937
My place will not be
in the Imperial box,

267
00:21:28,304 --> 00:21:30,231
but on the battleground.

268
00:21:31,015 --> 00:21:33,359
The greatest games in our history

269
00:21:33,768 --> 00:21:36,195
will have its greatest
gladiator as well,

270
00:21:36,563 --> 00:21:38,573
the Emperor himself.

271
00:21:39,023 --> 00:21:41,576
- [murmuring]
- [shouts of outrage]

272
00:21:42,485 --> 00:21:44,412
Emperor,

273
00:21:44,821 --> 00:21:47,373
gladiators are slaves.

274
00:21:47,407 --> 00:21:49,500
The Emperor cannot be...

275
00:21:54,706 --> 00:21:58,051
I'm not asking for your permission, Dio.

276
00:21:59,836 --> 00:22:02,805
The Senate will be in attendance.

277
00:22:03,047 --> 00:22:08,936
You and all of Rome will
bear witness to my triumph.

278
00:22:09,387 --> 00:22:11,105
[outraged chatter]

279
00:22:12,182 --> 00:22:14,400
♪ ♪

280
00:22:23,985 --> 00:22:26,454
This fool will destroy Rome.

281
00:22:28,073 --> 00:22:30,249
If he survives.

282
00:22:51,888 --> 00:22:56,693
[narrator] <i>To restore his city and
regain the faith of the Roman people,</i>

283
00:22:57,227 --> 00:23:03,324
<i>Commodus will put on the biggest
show of games Rome has ever seen.</i>

284
00:23:04,818 --> 00:23:09,154
<i>And for the first time, at
the center of the arena,</i>

285
00:23:09,155 --> 00:23:13,117
<i>the Emperor will fight as a gladiator.</i>

286
00:23:13,118 --> 00:23:14,178
[Prof. Irvin] <i>All of a sudden,</i>

287
00:23:14,203 --> 00:23:16,556
Commodus decides that
he wants to be involved

288
00:23:16,581 --> 00:23:18,296
in the governing of the city.

289
00:23:18,321 --> 00:23:20,833
<i>All of a sudden, he wants to
be there, he wants to be known,</i>

290
00:23:20,834 --> 00:23:23,585
<i>he wants to be praised by the people.</i>

291
00:23:23,586 --> 00:23:26,713
You might almost think of
it as an apology of sorts

292
00:23:26,714 --> 00:23:29,133
for those years when
he wanted nothing to do

293
00:23:29,134 --> 00:23:32,803
<i>with being Emperor and now he does,
and now he's going to make it right,</i>

294
00:23:32,804 --> 00:23:34,930
<i>but he needs to prove himself first,</i>

295
00:23:34,931 --> 00:23:37,900
<i>and he does so by becoming a gladiator.</i>

296
00:23:40,770 --> 00:23:42,530
[narrator] <i>For the people of Rome,</i>

297
00:23:42,772 --> 00:23:45,059
<i>no figure is more inspiring...</i>

298
00:23:45,084 --> 00:23:49,186
<i>than the man fighting to
the death in the Coliseum.</i>

299
00:23:51,781 --> 00:23:53,991
[Prof. Marden Nichols]
<i>These gladiators allowed</i>

300
00:23:53,992 --> 00:23:57,453
the Romans to indulge in a fantasy world

301
00:23:57,454 --> 00:23:59,955
that had a very close relationship

302
00:23:59,956 --> 00:24:03,032
<i>to their views of themselves</i>

303
00:24:03,057 --> 00:24:06,453
<i>and the values that they
considered important.</i>

304
00:24:07,797 --> 00:24:11,383
[narrator] <i>By staging 14 days of games</i>

305
00:24:11,408 --> 00:24:14,136
<i>and starring as a gladiator,</i>

306
00:24:14,137 --> 00:24:16,473
<i>Commodus is certain...</i>

307
00:24:16,498 --> 00:24:21,009
<i>that he can usher in a new
era for the Roman Empire.</i>

308
00:24:21,227 --> 00:24:24,322
[Prof. Berman]<i> Commodus, as an
Emperor, went one step beyond</i>.

309
00:24:24,439 --> 00:24:27,733
Many emperors had given
expensive, lavish games.

310
00:24:27,734 --> 00:24:29,193
But up to this point,

311
00:24:29,194 --> 00:24:32,362
<i>no one had ever fought as a gladiator.</i>

312
00:24:32,363 --> 00:24:34,740
<i>I mean, it's one thing to give a show,</i>

313
00:24:34,741 --> 00:24:37,785
it's another to give the show
and also star in the show.

314
00:24:37,786 --> 00:24:40,546
[crowd chattering]

315
00:24:41,664 --> 00:24:45,176
♪ ♪

316
00:24:55,220 --> 00:24:58,064
[narrator] <i>Knowing the
dangers of the Coliseum,</i>

317
00:24:58,389 --> 00:25:02,276
<i>Commodus enlists a slave
who will train him to fight,</i>

318
00:25:05,605 --> 00:25:10,034
<i>a skilled Roman gladiator
named Narcissus.</i>

319
00:25:10,443 --> 00:25:13,445
[Toner] <i>Narcissus was
an athlete, a wrestler,</i>

320
00:25:13,446 --> 00:25:15,072
<i>and Commodus looks to him</i>

321
00:25:15,073 --> 00:25:18,409
to train him, because he wants to
achieve the kind of level of fitness

322
00:25:18,410 --> 00:25:21,421
that you need need to have
to appear in the games.

323
00:25:21,955 --> 00:25:25,499
<i>If he wants to pass
himself off as a gladiator,</i>

324
00:25:25,500 --> 00:25:28,168
<i>then he himself has to look the part.</i>

325
00:25:28,169 --> 00:25:32,306
<i>He has to look as fit as
someone like Narcissus.</i>

326
00:25:36,511 --> 00:25:39,772
[narrator] <i>With shows of
strength and survival,</i>

327
00:25:41,599 --> 00:25:44,464
<i>Narcissus has made a name for himself</i>

328
00:25:44,497 --> 00:25:47,812
<i>as an invincible Roman gladiator,</i>

329
00:25:48,565 --> 00:25:54,162
<i>and will now train the Emperor to
fight to the death in the arena.</i>

330
00:26:01,286 --> 00:26:03,254
You summoned me, Emperor.

331
00:26:05,582 --> 00:26:07,717
You're going to train me, Narcissus.

332
00:26:09,794 --> 00:26:11,512
Every day.

333
00:26:12,464 --> 00:26:14,182
Starting now.

334
00:26:29,773 --> 00:26:31,157
[careful breathing]

335
00:26:33,693 --> 00:26:35,828
[grunting]

336
00:26:37,322 --> 00:26:38,956
Again.

337
00:26:40,158 --> 00:26:42,034
[grunting]

338
00:26:42,035 --> 00:26:43,169
[yells]

339
00:26:43,620 --> 00:26:45,954
That's good, but don't stop
when you have the advantage.

340
00:26:45,955 --> 00:26:47,131
We'll reset.

341
00:27:03,139 --> 00:27:04,607
Down.

342
00:27:04,891 --> 00:27:07,110
Let me steady my feet.

343
00:27:10,146 --> 00:27:13,482
[grunting]

344
00:27:13,483 --> 00:27:16,318
Look at me, not my blade.

345
00:27:16,319 --> 00:27:18,246
Come on, Emperor, push harder!

346
00:27:21,574 --> 00:27:23,042
Harder!

347
00:27:26,788 --> 00:27:27,964
Again.

348
00:27:30,625 --> 00:27:31,801
Come on!

349
00:27:41,136 --> 00:27:42,219
Enough.

350
00:27:42,220 --> 00:27:43,971
[heavy breathing]

351
00:27:43,972 --> 00:27:45,690
Enough for today.

352
00:28:14,085 --> 00:28:15,428
Not bad.

353
00:28:16,504 --> 00:28:18,181
Not bad.

354
00:28:21,885 --> 00:28:25,354
See this? This is simple.

355
00:28:26,306 --> 00:28:29,525
Out there, you stand before
your enemy face-to-face.

356
00:28:30,226 --> 00:28:32,070
There's no tricks.

357
00:28:33,813 --> 00:28:35,531
It's not simple.

358
00:28:37,609 --> 00:28:42,455
Maybe not simple, but it does
all come down to skill in the end.

359
00:28:43,531 --> 00:28:45,083
Skill plays a part.

360
00:28:47,035 --> 00:28:49,003
I saw you fight. You were unbeatable.

361
00:28:50,288 --> 00:28:53,841
I'm a man, just like everyone.

362
00:28:55,835 --> 00:29:00,390
But you're right. People
thought I was unbeatable.

363
00:29:03,301 --> 00:29:06,604
You see, it's not enough just
to be better than your opponent.

364
00:29:07,013 --> 00:29:09,816
That leaves room for
Fortuna to play her hand.

365
00:29:10,266 --> 00:29:11,526
No.

366
00:29:12,811 --> 00:29:16,614
See, I won my battles before
I even entered the arena.

367
00:29:17,524 --> 00:29:19,826
Men came to me hopeless.

368
00:29:21,653 --> 00:29:23,746
How did you make the
people believe that?

369
00:29:25,198 --> 00:29:27,583
I gave them something
they'd never seen before.

370
00:29:29,577 --> 00:29:31,337
I was invincible.

371
00:29:31,538 --> 00:29:35,258
♪ ♪

372
00:29:59,691 --> 00:30:01,200
Eclectus.

373
00:30:02,277 --> 00:30:03,953
Emperor.

374
00:30:04,070 --> 00:30:06,905
Cancel the meetings. I need
to increase my training.

375
00:30:06,906 --> 00:30:08,207
As you wish.

376
00:30:11,619 --> 00:30:14,329
[Prof. Nichols] <i>Commodus
was all about image.</i>

377
00:30:14,330 --> 00:30:15,497
<i>He is someone who is</i>

378
00:30:15,498 --> 00:30:20,136
eager to prove himself,
prove his masculinity.

379
00:30:22,505 --> 00:30:26,425
<i>He wanted to be loved and adored.</i>

380
00:30:26,426 --> 00:30:31,064
<i>Commodus was very concerned
about the populace.</i>

381
00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:35,777
[people murmuring]

382
00:30:37,187 --> 00:30:38,780
[birds cawing]

383
00:30:46,946 --> 00:30:50,741
[narrator] <i>As Commodus
continues to train,</i>

384
00:30:50,742 --> 00:30:55,463
<i>members of the Senate look to
put an end to the Emperor's plan,</i>

385
00:30:56,081 --> 00:30:59,675
<i>including Cassius Dio.</i>

386
00:31:03,755 --> 00:31:09,134
<i>For years, Dio has watched the Emperor
violate centuries of tradition,</i>

387
00:31:09,135 --> 00:31:12,271
<i>and defy the authority of the Senate.</i>

388
00:31:12,555 --> 00:31:15,299
<i>But with the announcement of his games,</i>

389
00:31:15,331 --> 00:31:18,934
<i>Dio believes the Emperor
has gone too far,</i>

390
00:31:19,979 --> 00:31:22,502
<i>and knows there's only one person</i>

391
00:31:22,527 --> 00:31:26,059
<i>in a position to change
the Emperor's mind.</i>

392
00:31:42,168 --> 00:31:44,053
Senator Dio is here to see you.

393
00:31:44,337 --> 00:31:46,097
Send him in.

394
00:31:51,010 --> 00:31:54,054
- I hope I'm not interrupting.
- [Marcia] Not at all.

395
00:31:54,055 --> 00:31:56,023
Are you here to see the Emperor?

396
00:31:58,184 --> 00:31:59,643
No, no.

397
00:31:59,644 --> 00:32:02,363
I'm here to see you Marcia.

398
00:32:06,484 --> 00:32:08,745
Now, you and the Emperor, you've, uh...

399
00:32:09,612 --> 00:32:11,622
become quite close.

400
00:32:12,365 --> 00:32:14,167
I'd like to think so.

401
00:32:16,119 --> 00:32:18,203
Oh, I'm sure there's no
one he feels closer to.

402
00:32:18,204 --> 00:32:19,922
There's no one he talks to more.

403
00:32:21,166 --> 00:32:24,168
I'm sure you've heard all about
his big announcement today.

404
00:32:24,169 --> 00:32:26,387
He plans to fight in the games.

405
00:32:28,548 --> 00:32:33,102
I'm afraid the Senate is more
upset than the Emperor realizes.

406
00:32:33,762 --> 00:32:37,356
I'm not sure Commodus cares
if the Senators are upset.

407
00:32:38,349 --> 00:32:39,892
And why would he?

408
00:32:39,893 --> 00:32:41,268
He's the Emperor after all,

409
00:32:41,269 --> 00:32:45,823
and we are but a bunch of old men
rattling on about tradition and honor,

410
00:32:46,566 --> 00:32:49,786
but I've known Commodus
since he was a boy.

411
00:32:50,195 --> 00:32:52,455
I don't want to see him hurt,

412
00:32:53,698 --> 00:32:56,209
or even worse.

413
00:33:03,833 --> 00:33:05,426
Marcia...

414
00:33:08,129 --> 00:33:10,923
Commodus will be entering
the arena as a gladiator.

415
00:33:10,924 --> 00:33:14,852
He will fight to the death
against a trained killer.

416
00:33:17,430 --> 00:33:20,733
These are uncertain times.

417
00:33:26,606 --> 00:33:28,793
Now, please...

418
00:33:28,818 --> 00:33:32,227
forgive me for
interrupting your evening.

419
00:33:40,370 --> 00:33:42,621
[Stevens] <i>Marcia, under
the Emperor</i> Commodus,

420
00:33:42,622 --> 00:33:45,588
does seem to have been
able to almost rise

421
00:33:45,613 --> 00:33:48,321
to the level of a significant advisor.

422
00:33:48,346 --> 00:33:53,090
<i>She was trusted by Commodus, and
what is interesting with Marcia,</i>

423
00:33:53,091 --> 00:33:57,136
<i>is that even though she comes
from a very low background,</i>

424
00:33:57,137 --> 00:33:59,638
the sources suggest that
the amount of influence

425
00:33:59,639 --> 00:34:04,152
that she actually had over him may
have been very, very significant.

426
00:34:29,335 --> 00:34:31,929
It's natural to be worried.

427
00:34:32,881 --> 00:34:34,214
You doubt me?

428
00:34:34,215 --> 00:34:36,559
No, no.

429
00:34:51,941 --> 00:34:53,326
[Eclectus] Emperor.

430
00:34:58,782 --> 00:35:00,083
What is it, Eclectus?

431
00:35:01,034 --> 00:35:02,710
Well, I can return.

432
00:35:03,703 --> 00:35:05,004
[Commodus] Just be quick.

433
00:35:09,626 --> 00:35:13,003
I have reports on the
capture of the exotic animals

434
00:35:13,004 --> 00:35:14,889
that you requested for the games.

435
00:35:22,472 --> 00:35:24,389
They were able to retrieve everything.

436
00:35:24,390 --> 00:35:26,725
Yes, but there appear
to be complications

437
00:35:26,726 --> 00:35:29,404
in keeping the crocodiles
alive during transport.

438
00:35:30,188 --> 00:35:32,147
Have them collect twice what we need.

439
00:35:32,148 --> 00:35:33,732
Some are bound to survive.

440
00:35:33,733 --> 00:35:36,202
- Yes, sir.
- Good.

441
00:35:53,044 --> 00:35:55,096
What was that about?

442
00:35:56,214 --> 00:35:58,099
The Games.

443
00:35:58,925 --> 00:36:01,144
♪ ♪

444
00:36:32,375 --> 00:36:33,718
[Narcissus] Emperor.

445
00:36:36,171 --> 00:36:37,388
No!

446
00:36:39,758 --> 00:36:42,310
It's time I learned what
it's really like in the arena.

447
00:36:43,970 --> 00:36:46,147
No more practice swords.

448
00:36:48,516 --> 00:36:50,651
Today we use live steel.

449
00:36:51,352 --> 00:36:53,237
Give me everything you have.

450
00:36:56,858 --> 00:36:58,743
Is this wise?

451
00:37:34,896 --> 00:37:37,073
- [grunting]
- [steel clanging]

452
00:37:41,277 --> 00:37:42,995
I order you to fight me.

453
00:37:44,489 --> 00:37:46,249
- [grunting]
- [steel clanging]

454
00:37:48,952 --> 00:37:51,662
If only the people could see you now.

455
00:37:51,663 --> 00:37:52,830
Narcissus,

456
00:37:52,831 --> 00:37:55,216
the feeble gladiator!

457
00:37:55,333 --> 00:37:57,626
The weak, the ignoble,

458
00:37:57,627 --> 00:38:00,596
the disgraced, the dishonorable!

459
00:38:08,096 --> 00:38:12,650
[Narcissus yelling]

460
00:38:28,783 --> 00:38:30,117
[Toner] <i>It wasn't just about</i>

461
00:38:30,118 --> 00:38:32,953
violence and machismo.

462
00:38:32,954 --> 00:38:34,621
It was also about skill

463
00:38:34,622 --> 00:38:37,258
<i>and self-control.</i>

464
00:38:38,918 --> 00:38:40,544
<i>When a gladiator fell,</i>

465
00:38:40,545 --> 00:38:43,607
he had to accept the death
blow from his opponent,

466
00:38:43,632 --> 00:38:46,208
with a calm expression.

467
00:38:48,803 --> 00:38:54,692
<i>He had to stare calmly ahead as the
blade was plunged into his throat.</i>

468
00:39:04,611 --> 00:39:07,038
♪ ♪

469
00:39:31,304 --> 00:39:32,939
Leave me.

470
00:39:53,410 --> 00:39:58,589
♪ ♪

471
00:40:32,073 --> 00:40:33,541
What's happened?

472
00:40:38,371 --> 00:40:41,924
- Are you sure you want to do...
- Leave me, please.

473
00:41:01,519 --> 00:41:05,981
[narrator] <i>After months of training</i>
<i>and preparation for his games,</i>

474
00:41:05,982 --> 00:41:10,912
<i>Commodus begins to realize
he's not ready for the arena,</i>

475
00:41:11,237 --> 00:41:14,073
<i>and with the games quickly approaching,</i>

476
00:41:14,074 --> 00:41:17,960
<i>he starts devising a way
to secure his victory.</i>

477
00:41:29,881 --> 00:41:33,059
[chattering]

478
00:41:35,053 --> 00:41:37,605
<i>On the eve of the games,</i>

479
00:41:41,142 --> 00:41:45,062
<i>Commodus hosts an elaborate
feast for the gladiators,</i>

480
00:41:45,063 --> 00:41:47,573
<i>honoring Roman tradition.</i>

481
00:41:47,982 --> 00:41:50,984
On the evening before
gladiators appeared in the arena,

482
00:41:50,985 --> 00:41:53,529
they were given a last supper.

483
00:41:53,530 --> 00:41:56,791
Spectators were actually allowed
to come and watch them eat this,

484
00:42:02,747 --> 00:42:06,583
<i>and we have descriptions
of how some ate heartily</i>

485
00:42:06,584 --> 00:42:08,585
and seemed to enjoy the occasion.

486
00:42:08,586 --> 00:42:10,763
[cheering]

487
00:42:11,965 --> 00:42:15,351
<i>And it must have been
a very poignant scene.</i>

488
00:42:30,734 --> 00:42:32,410
[Narcissus] How's your neck, Emperor?

489
00:42:32,610 --> 00:42:34,162
It's just a scratch.

490
00:42:34,362 --> 00:42:36,539
The badge of any true gladiator.

491
00:42:38,742 --> 00:42:40,168
Wear it with honor.

492
00:42:43,079 --> 00:42:44,797
Look...

493
00:42:45,247 --> 00:42:47,297
you were right to push me.

494
00:42:48,376 --> 00:42:51,929
It would have been unfair to send
you into the arena unprepared.

495
00:42:53,006 --> 00:42:56,059
I failed my duty as your
trainer. Will you forgive me?

496
00:42:56,259 --> 00:42:57,894
I already have.

497
00:42:59,637 --> 00:43:01,680
[crowd cheering]

498
00:43:01,681 --> 00:43:03,232
Listen to them.

499
00:43:06,352 --> 00:43:09,489
You are part of a brotherhood now.

500
00:43:10,315 --> 00:43:13,951
"To be burned, to be
bound, to be beaten,

501
00:43:15,945 --> 00:43:18,331
"and to be killed by the sword."

502
00:43:19,324 --> 00:43:22,043
Those men out there in
the pit, they're your...

503
00:43:22,952 --> 00:43:24,295
they're your family.

504
00:43:27,957 --> 00:43:29,675
So am I,

505
00:43:30,877 --> 00:43:33,137
and I know you will do us honor.

506
00:43:35,256 --> 00:43:36,682
Brother.

507
00:43:44,390 --> 00:43:46,192
[murmuring]

508
00:43:54,609 --> 00:43:56,652
[narrator] <i>Commodus
has laid the groundwork</i>

509
00:43:56,653 --> 00:43:59,473
<i>for the most impressive show of games...</i>

510
00:43:59,498 --> 00:44:02,107
<i>the Empire has ever seen.</i>

511
00:44:04,452 --> 00:44:07,880
<i>And while the Emperor knows
he's not ready to fight,</i>

512
00:44:08,248 --> 00:44:10,883
<i>he still decides to move forward,</i>

513
00:44:11,418 --> 00:44:14,554
<i>determined to secure his legacy.</i>

514
00:44:15,213 --> 00:44:16,723
My brothers.

515
00:44:17,257 --> 00:44:20,435
Tomorrow is the beginning
of 14 days of games.

516
00:44:23,763 --> 00:44:27,525
The greatest that have been since
the dedication of the Coliseum.

517
00:44:30,687 --> 00:44:33,948
Untold glory awaits us.

518
00:44:35,191 --> 00:44:40,329
By the time the festival is over,
Rome will have been born anew,

519
00:44:41,448 --> 00:44:44,751
into an era of unprecedented greatness,

520
00:44:45,785 --> 00:44:49,005
and she will have been lifted
there upon your mighty shoulders.

521
00:44:49,748 --> 00:44:53,885
As Emperor, I salute you.

522
00:44:56,004 --> 00:44:57,972
And as a Gladiator,

523
00:45:00,216 --> 00:45:02,685
it's an honor to be one of you.

524
00:45:11,478 --> 00:45:14,072
I will endure to be burned,

525
00:45:14,272 --> 00:45:16,741
to be bound, to be beaten,

526
00:45:18,985 --> 00:45:21,162
and to be killed by the sword.

527
00:45:22,614 --> 00:45:26,042
[swelling music]

528
00:45:29,454 --> 00:45:32,748
- "I will endure to be burned..."
- "I will endure to be burned..."

529
00:45:32,749 --> 00:45:34,166
- "... to be bound..."
- "... to be bound..."

530
00:45:34,167 --> 00:45:35,834
- "... to be beaten..."
- "... to be beaten..."

531
00:45:35,835 --> 00:45:38,962
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"

532
00:45:38,963 --> 00:45:42,424
- "I will endure to be burned..."
- "I will endure to be burned..."

533
00:45:42,425 --> 00:45:43,926
- "... to be bound..."
- "... to be bound..."

534
00:45:43,927 --> 00:45:45,427
"... to be beaten..."
"... to be beaten..."

535
00:45:45,428 --> 00:45:48,940
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"

536
00:45:49,516 --> 00:45:52,559
- "I will endure to be burned..."
- "I will endure to be burned..."

537
00:45:52,560 --> 00:45:53,936
- "... to be bound..."
- "... to be bound..."

538
00:45:53,937 --> 00:45:55,479
- "... to be beaten..."
- "... to be beaten..."

539
00:45:55,480 --> 00:45:59,108
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"
- "... and to be killed by the sword!"

540
00:45:59,109 --> 00:46:02,620
[cheering]

541
00:46:17,710 --> 00:46:20,221
[narrator]<i> Despite the Senate's outrage,</i>

542
00:46:20,588 --> 00:46:23,599
<i>and his unknown fate as a gladiator,</i>

543
00:46:24,843 --> 00:46:28,521
<i>Commodus will enter the
arena in the morning,</i>

544
00:46:31,516 --> 00:46:35,695
<i>not knowing if he'll exit alive.</i>

545
00:46:44,821 --> 00:46:48,367
[theme music playing]

546
00:46:48,392 --> 00:46:52,508
Synced and corrected by Aaronnmb
www.addic7ed.com