Original subtitles

Bye.

so so

is blameless.

You all right?

Looking pointy. Some news from Ostia.

Three grain ships from Alex and Musso's people.

Have a cup of wine. Set you up.

Take 25, no less.

Give the lading to Ajax.

Well, Musso will complain.

He does cut out his tongue.

You think I'm joking?

I'll see to it now.

Barinas.

Nothing.

Many of the Caelians here.

They asked to see you.

Salve, Memio.

Please, sit down.

Weather's turning, eh?

I lack a bit of heat.

What brings you to the Aventine, Memio?

No chit-chat. Straight to cases. I like that.

A young nephew of my colleague Carbo here was defiled by an Aventine man.

Name of Quintus Bubba. You know him?

I know him?

With your permission, Cabo wishes to avenge his family's honor and kill this

Quintus. Boy is only 12.

Was sucking his cock for pennies.

He was paid then.

Yes, but he didn't ask me first. The boy was paid.

Nobody in my family sucks cock without prices.

Cabo is from respectable people.

The boy took money.

He was working as a prostitute.

Quintus Bubo's committed no offense. You won't touch him. Brother Varinus,

perhaps you misunderstand.

I misunderstand nothing, brother.

I've been given a strict mandate by Mark Antony to maintain the peace.

Quintus Bubo is a man of property and respect.

You will not touch him.

Money or not, though, he took advantage of the boy. I mean, perhaps some

moderate form of punishment.

We come to you out of politeness, a mere formality.

I've given you my answer.

Wrong fucking answer.

This man got pieces on my name, on my family honor.

Control your man, Memio.

Varinas, the man has a fair point.

Silence, pull up.

Brother Varinas, in all candor, even your own man knows. My man doesn't know

when to keep his mouth shut.

I've given you my decision.

And we graciously accept your judgment. I thank you for your time, and I

apologize for the disruption.

You didn't have to insult me in front of your life. Do not question my authority

in front of others. Do not question my authority under any circumstance.

Authority?

Well, being the boss, eh?

Good stuff.

Is it?

How does one tell?

Try.

Hold your breath.

It's horrid.

In a minute, you'll feel delicious.

You know Jocasta?

Do I?

We met at the theatre last year. I was with... What are you doing?

We're inhaling hemp.

I can see that.

You're making the whole house stink.

In future, do it outside if you must.

Yes, Mother.

Is it any good?

Excellent.

I brought back two sacks from

Macedonia. So much better than the Italian kind.

Macedonia?

Papa has quarries there.

We're going there when Anthony takes up his governorship. What's it like?

My dear, it's ghastly.

Oh? Filthy climate, vile food, beastly people.

Perhaps you didn't mix in quite the best society.

Oh, no.

Papa's hideously rich.

But there's no society to be found.

The men are overly fond of fucking their sheep.

And when you meet the women, you can hardly blame them.

It truly is the end of the world.

I'm no snob, Octavia, and I don't mind that you bring home a tradesman's

daughter.

But let's just stop there, shall we?

No actors, no gladiators, all that sort of thing, eh?

Don't mind her.

She's been an infernal grump since Octavian left.

Send to ask Anthony when he's coming home. No, don't.

Fig for him.

Yes, Domina. Daimon is waiting, asking if it pleases you to see him.

Domina.

Domina. Go away.

But Merrily said... Change my mind.

Hello Bureau.

Yes, it's good.

It's good.

Very good.

Hello, Abba, we're learning Hebrew.

I can see that.

They'll be reading Torah in no time.

Can't wait.

You came in very late last night.

Business.

Business involving wine, vomit and sex.

I'm sorry.

Did I disturb you?

Not at all.

Do please wait me before you come at me so it would be a little less...

...larming.

I was thinking about Macedonia.

Were you?

Do we have to go? Can't we just stay here?

No.

Once my consulship is over, we're gone.

But it's so far from Rome.

We have dressmakers and jewel merchants in Odessa, just like here.

Once you are gone from Italy, your enemies will no longer fear you, and you

will be powerless to strike at them.

I don't want to strike at them.

There's no juice in it anymore.

I want peace and quiet and a nice rich province to squeeze.

Peace and quiet? Mm-hmm.

While you are swilling wine in Macedonia, do you think Brutus and

Cassius will be idle?

Those abject creatures.

Abject only while you have power.

Your enemies will not rest until you are dead. You have a wolf by the ears. You

can't let go of him now.

Pass the oil, would you?

Thank you. Thank you very much. We'll see you next week?

Yeah. Okay.

Brother!

Who's that man?

Who?

The man you were speaking with.

Oh, you mean Barak? He's a saffron trader.

Doesn't look like a saffron trader.

Not everybody looks like what they are.

Huh?

I beg for justice!

Who's this?

Quintus Bubo and his wife.

Gelder by Memio's voice.

Please come to justice!

Come on, calm down, brother.

The old man shouldn't have been goating around anyhow.

Memio disobeyed me.

Well, he didn't kill the old fool, at least. He disobeyed me!

Let me go talk to Memio. I'll sort out a compromise. No.

If you punish Carbo over this trivia, Memio's going to take it as disrespect.

He'll have to retaliate. You'll start a gang war. Very likely. But I've got no

choice. And it's your fault.

What?

How is it my fault? You questioned my authority in front of Memio. That gave

him license to disobey me. Oh, bollocks.

Now you go and find Carbo, and you show him the same disrespect that he has

shown me.

Everyone is in the wrong here. I gave you an order.

This isn't the mump in Legion. I take orders from no man. Then you're no use

to me. You, don't do it.

Will do, Captain.

You are thinking all backwards.

I warned you about questioning my authority.

You'd learn your place.

My place?

Well, fuck you, you miserable bastard. I'm the one trying to keep you alive.

Oh, you'd like nothing better than to start a gang war, eh? Get yourself

killed, put an end to all your misery, take half the city with you.

Well, I tell you what.

You can die a thousand times and it won't bring back Niby or the children or

Caesar.

Listen, I'm your friend. I'm trying to help you. You've never helped me.

Have I not?

Well, who saved your life a dozen times? Who took care of that snake, Evander?

Who carried you home when you were drunk?

What do you mean?

Took care of Evander?

Nothing. Didn't mean anything.

What do you mean?

I killed him.

I found out what he'd done. I killed him.

Listen, she loved you.

You were happy together. What was I supposed to do? If I'd told you, you

would have killed her. Get out!

What was I supposed to do?

Atia thrives, I trust?

She does, she does.

And the rest of the family?

Good enough.

Yes, a surprising boy, isn't he?

Octavian. Such vim and vigour for one so young. They say it's a considerable army

he's raised.

Buying up all the fools and cripples in Campania is hardly raising an army.

You are right, no doubt.

But many veterans also.

Eighth Legion men.

Seventh Legion.

Sat on their backsides, taking his money to cheer him as he goes by.

Caesar, my arse.

But I didn't bring you here to talk of children.

Indeed, I await your pleasure.

When my term as consul is over, I no longer wish to take the governorship of

Macedonia. I wish to take Gaul.

But Decimus is governor of Gaul.

You can have Macedonia if you like.

I want Gaul. The weather's better.

I'm afraid that will be difficult.

The Senate may suppose you plan to emulate Caesar, camping your legions on

our border. Close enough to Rome to scare us into doing anything you wish.

Steady on.

That didn't even cross my mind. I just prefer Gaul.

But you understand why the Senate would not pass such a measure.

You are the Senate, Cicero.

The next time we meet, perhaps you will propose my governorship of Gaul.

No one can make any trouble if the noble Cicero is backing me.

I don't think that's a good idea.

No?

Not that I did not wish to help you as a friend.

But the Senate would know I was backing you only through...

Through fear of death.

Oh.

Oh, I understand.

You do not want to seem cowardly.

Tell them I bribed you.

Would you accept a bribe? I would not.

Rich enough, huh?

It's always worth a try.

You'll leave me only one option, then.

It always comes to this.

I know.

I'm sorry.

Such times we live in.

Please go on.

Make your threats.

I don't like to submit to mere implication.

There is a question I've always wanted to ask you.

Your old friend Crassus, when he was captured by the Parthians, is it true

that they poured molten gold down his throat because that would really sting?

Thank you.

It is correct what you say.

The weather in Macedonia is...

I thought maybe you'd want to know a bit more than what I said. I don't.

You should know Nyby wasn't... She wasn't... Don't speak of her.

It's in the past. It's done.

Brother, I'm sorry I kept it from you.

I thought it was for the best. I'm sorry.

I forgive you, brother.

I understand.

Why you didn't tell me, I understand.

I hear you say that, but... I mean it.

I forgive you.

How can I not forgive you, Pullo?

You're all I've got left in life.

Speaking of that, this business with the Kalians... What of it?

We can still stop it turning into a war.

Let Carbo pay a fine.

If I go and talk quietly to Mamio, we can sort it out so that no one loses

face.

You suggested that before.

Worth a go.

Better than a war.

You may be right. You may be, but it's too late now.

Salve, Cabo.

Tell your mistress I have a message from her son.

Piss and blood.

Forgive the intrusion.

I was entranced.

Who are you?

I am Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

A friend of Caesar.

Of Octavian, as was.

Have I the honour of speaking to his sister Octavia?

Yes.

Is my brother here? There's nothing wrong, is there?

He's all right?

No.

Yes, I mean, no, he's not here, but yes, he's well.

I left him five days ago, thriving, happy.

I am to convey his best wishes to you.

No letter?

I told him we ought to write, but you know how he is.

Please.

In place of writing, I am charged to tell you that he loves you as ever, and

to answer verbally any questions you may have, consonant with political security.

He has grown no less pompous, then.

It suits him better now than at school.

He's a powerful man.

So everyone says. I cannot believe it.

My little brother.

Your little brother has an army 10,000 strong. I have written him a hundred

times asking him to stop this madness.

But he does not listen to me.

On the contrary.

I think you are the only person in the world he does listen to.

Is this the messenger?

This is Agrippa, a friend of Octavian.

Deeply honoured.

And so?

He asks that I make certain you are well and to assure you of his respect and

fidelity.

We are very well.

And as for his respect and fidelity... He begs that in the name of family you

keep an open mind as to your future prospects.

You came all the way from Campania to say that?

I have other business.

With whom?

I am not at liberty to say.

Oh.

Intrigue, is it?

I imagine you're a master.

Does Mark Antony know that you're in the city?

I expect there are a great many citizens. His location is unknown to the

consul. True.

But he does like to know where the traitors are.

Mother. Well, they are traitors, aren't they?

Antony is consul in Rome, and Octavian is deliberately challenging him.

This is not a traitor. I don't know what is.

I have said what I must.

I will take your leave to go.

Tell my son I... No.

Tell him nothing.

Soon to tell Anthony that Marcus Agrippa is in the city. Martha, no.

Who knows what Anthony will do to him? Nothing pleasant, I would think. He is

your son's friend.

I have no son.

I'll pee it, my honey. How goes it?

You know you're not allowed in the kitchen.

Well, I'm hungry.

You won't tell on me, will you?

You should try some.

We've been waiting for you.

Keep waiting, honey.

Where's your mistress?

Never mind about my mistress.

I want to speak to her.

She doesn't speak to the like of you.

And I don't speak to the like of you.

She wants the job done. She'll see me. You speak to me.

Maybe some other time.

Wait.

So you're Sevilla then, are you?

Choice.

Very choice.

Address me by my name again and I'll have your tongue nailed to a wagon

wheel. Forgive me.

I've not spoken to nobility before.

What's his name?

Duro.

Duro.

Eleni was right.

You're a pretty little man, aren't you?

You've been in the house of the Julii for some time now.

Why is Attia still alive?

Trouble's finding the right time.

They always eat together, her and the daughter.

If you don't mind killing the young cunny, I can do it tomorrow.

No.

No harm to the girl.

Well, then.

If I could only put the poison on Anthony's cock, we'd be sweet.

The domina dines on that regular.

Failing that, you'll have to be patient.

You have any foul jokes to tell me? Why you come here?

Shekels, Queen.

Shekels.

He wants money.

Has he not already been paid?

The job's taking longer than we thought.

Let's be fair, eh?

Give him what he asks.

Make it 300.

Wait.

Give me a kiss before I go.

Excuse me.

Kiss me.

I don't think so.

You want this woman dead?

Kiss me.

That's very good.

So, if we could return to the subject of money.

Please bear in mind, Your Excellency, that those that help us now will have

good friends in Rome when Mark Antony, the traitor, is deposed. Very good

friends. And it's only a matter of time. With or without your help, we shall

raise an army.

We shall.

Antony's head will rot on a spike.

There are Roman women.

who are fucked by baboons.

Excuse me?

I've heard there are shows where such things can be seen.

Ah, well, they're not so much shows, really. They're more a punishment.

I should like to see that.

We do not have such in Bithynia.

I should imagine it's simply a matter of training the baboons. We have no baboons

here. No apes of any kind.

I wasn't aware of that.

So, as I say, those who help us now... Yes.

You want my money to raise an army.

I want to see a Roman woman fucked by baboons.

Perhaps arrangements can be made.

I killed him.

I did.

I had to.

It's in my blood. My ancestor dethroned the tyrant Tarquin. I understand there

were a great many who stabbed your Caesar.

But I delivered the final blow.

Seems a bit cowardly, no?

You say what?

He was wounded already, dying, defenseless, alone.

And you stabbed him yet again.

He was a tyrant.

Now, killing him was a necessity.

A necessary and noble act. Perhaps I shall find a fresh corpse to stab and

become great myself.

You dare to insult me?

Excuse me. Senator of Rome.

Stand up.

Stand up! I suppose we should get some air. This man, this dog insults me.

Dog, he says?

I'm a dog. Excuse us, it's the wine, the heat. We are guests here looking for

favour. Favour?

Ask no favour of such.

Animals.

Control yourself, you fool.

Why do you call me a coward?

Come with me. Come on.

I am a senator.

My friend, you have lost your way. Rally me alone. Leave me alone!

I'm sorry I'm sorry

Wine in the bath.

Bad sign.

You're late again.

Something to revise your expectations, my dear, and I will always be early.

Did you get my message?

About?

Octavian's man, Marcus Agrippa. Oh, yes, yes. I know all about him.

Well, did you catch him?

There's no need.

But he's up to no good.

I know exactly what he's up to.

Octavian sent him to meet secretly with Cicero, hoping to form an alliance

against me.

Well then.

Cicero will refuse.

I have my foot on his throat.

And I'm happy for your son to know it.

Agrippa can come and go as he pleases.

What will become of Octavian?

Oh, don't worry yourself.

I'll not harm him.

On Jupiter's star.

He's family.

Give me a hand here.

Carry your own piss.

You big whore. Say you like a whipping, eh?

I'll be sure that it's Mamiel's work.

Killian, coin in his mouth.

Call armed assembly.

Here we go.

So, you think we should ignore this, I suppose?

No, you wanted a war, you got it. We have to fight now.

You don't think you should go and talk to Mimeo? Find a compromise?

It's too late for that.

Surely he'd listen to you, wouldn't he?

Are you saying I'm with Mimeo? I didn't say it, you did. Quick as mercury.

Brother.

Brother, can't you see what's happening to you? Oh, I can't see it, brother.

What is happening?

What is it that you, you can see so clear that I can't? A demon. A demon has

possessed you or I don't know what. You see, a demon, is it? What does it look

like? Listen to yourself, man. Me and Mammy-O, how could you think that?

I'm your friend. I love you. I would never betray you. ...going behind my

back. It was never like that.

What was it like, Mammy?

You tell me.

Did you enjoy fucking my wife?

What? Is that why you didn't tell me?

Because you were fucking her. You have stepped over the line. You fuck my wife.

I am asking you a question. Get out of my way. I am asking you a question. What

does it matter what I say? You're not going to believe me. If you're telling

the truth, then I will believe you.

Varinas, on the bones of my mother, there was nothing between me and Niobe.

Nothing, never.

I don't believe you. Tell me the truth.

All right, I fucked her, all right? I fucked her, me and half the men of the

hill. Any time you were in her way, bang, legs open, line at the door.

Ugh!

Where are we going now?

I don't know.

Anywhere.

Away from this damn place.

Divine Janice, as this day follows the night, let me start my

life anew.

Let the shore be scoured by the tide.

Let me be cleansed.

Let the seed become as the flower.

Let me be born again.

I'm so sorry. Am I late?

We have completed taking roll. A quorum exists.

Excellent. Then, let us begin.

Actually, not quite yet.

I see that Cicero outdoes me in his tardiness.

Cicero is regrettably ill and unable to attend this session.

But he has an important matter to propose regarding my governorship of

Gaul. Should I send my litter-bearers to carry him here?

He did, however, provide me with a speech that he most urgently insisted be

read into the rolls.

Then by all means, let us hear the words of mighty Cicero.

These being the words of Marcus Tullius Cicero.

When I was a young man, I defended our state.

As an old man, I shall not abandon it.

I give sincere thanks to Mark Antony, who has generously presented me with the

most promising theme imaginable.

I address you directly, Antony.

Please listen, as if you... As if you...

Go on.

Please listen as if you were sober and intelligent and not a drink-sodden,

sex-addled wreck.

You are certainly not without accomplishments.

It is a rare man who can boast of becoming a bankrupt before even coming

of age.

You have brought upon us war.

pestilence and destruction.

You are Rome's Helen of Troy.

But then... But then... Go on.

Go on!

A woman's role has always suited you best.

Write a note.

To Octavian. Caesar, rather.

Tell him I have exposed Antony for the debauched rat he is.

At this time, the Republic would be most grateful to accept Caesar's offer of

assistance.

We shall need his army at once.

In Gaul, the renegade Mark Antony has... has laid siege to the city of

Mutina. But salvation is at hand.

The Senate sends an army led by the generals Perseus and Panza.

The noble patriot, young Caesar Octavian, joins our generals with

his own legions to crush the rebels.

Too much traveling.

All the way to Massilia now. Come all the way back.

Crazy. Sorry, love. Had to do it.

The gods have me vexed over Varinus.

Can't go on until I sort things out with him. That's all.

Then we'll be on our way again.

Baskets? What's all this?

Expecting visitors.

I never thought I'd see you again.

Nor are you.

Any road.

It's good to have you home. We need every man we can get.

We're not stopping. I just came to talk to Varinas. Where is he?

He's not here.

When's he back?

I don't know. He's gone.

Went north with Mark Antony.

Went north?

Months ago.

Antony gathered his troops and set off to take Gaul.

Varinas went with him, asked for a special by Anthony himself.

He's left me in charge of a right old mess.

Ever since we gave Cabo one up the arse, Cayley and boys and their friends have

been going at us like fucking Belgians.

We lost ten men this last month.

Come on, are you sure you're not stopping?

What?

No. No, I just came to talk to Varinas.

I don't know.

I don't understand it.

The gods are playing tricks.

Go back to Rome, they say. Talk to Varinus.

Then they hide him from me.

I did as I was told.

If he's not here, he's not here.

I can leave my letter.

Dear Varenus, I don't fuck your wife.

Something like that.

Let's be going, eh?

Let's get out of Italy.

Civil war's coming again, looks like.

You people.

Is this the way to hunt?

Oh, Lord.

Don't you know me?

Lady?

But you're all right.

You're all right. Thank you. Thank you.

Where have you been? The children.

The children are alive.

Where's Octavia?

Out with Jocasta.

Excellent.

She'll finally be able to enjoy my dinner in peace.

What is this?

Sea urchin's domino.

I don't care for it. What else is there? A savoury stew of goose and root

vegetables.

Bring me that.

Still here?

I can't get enough of you, my love.

Come in.

Go on.