Original subtitles

THE EMPEROR

Jewels, more jewels!

You don't know where to put them, all

the coffins are full of them!

No!

No!

And then, no!

Messalina laughs at the Empire, and that would

be nothing.

But she laughs at the Emperor, and that's

not good.

Of me?

Of me?

Look, Augusto, what a rarity!

The gifts, twice the gifts!

Look, O Divino, they're no longer the jewels,

but the joy!

Scoundrel, liar, scoundrel!

Forty talents of gold gifted by Rivaldo!

Not even the excavation work of the Port

of Ostio.

They cost me a lot.

Gold costs a lot more!

And then there's the work of the artists!

Even my butchers are artists.

And yet your death wouldn't cost me anything,

eh?

Always in bad shape, my lord!

Ah, and you think I'm joking?

You're right, Claudio, but don't get angry.

Poor man, he does his job.

And they ordered these wonderful jewels?

The Empress, in person.

Would you like to take a look at

these plans in the meantime, sir?

And the Port of Ostia?

Yes, sir, it's a brilliant idea.

Towers, very tall towers.

And at the top, a great flame, to

guide the ships in the harbour, which will

be able to enter both day and night.

Thirteen towers!

Thirteen?

Oh, beast, why thirteen?

Terrible number, terrible sign.

Twelve, then.

Or fourteen, twelve is better.

How many do you think?

Thirteen, no, thirteen, never!

Messalina, Messalina!

Messalina, twelve or fourteen lighthouses for the Port

of Ostia?

Not even one.

Pallante has already eaten too much.

And so has the architect.

He's now far too rich.

But at night, the ships?

They'll put pillars with torches on top.

Good, you're right.

Messalina is a miracle of domestic economy.

Come, dear, the jewels.

Come closer, you thief!

Look, what a divine beauty!

When you have the discounts, and the percentage

reserved for Pallante, come back here.

Don't doubt it, Augusta.

Wonderful, you should be the superintendent of all

state affairs.

I wouldn't have any more time to make

you happy.

This necklace was enchanting you.

I hoped you'd like it.

I like it.

And also this ring, just as worthy of

you.

When the jeweler comes back, I'll talk to

him.

Where are you going?

But you're in charge of monitoring the public

morals.

And who's more worthy than you?

The suburb sometimes worries me.

I'll have to talk to Menester.

What a good advice, it'll be very useful

to you.

If Pedistrione mocked morals so much, it means

he knows all the tricks.

D.V. Claudio, you'll have to pay the

jewels for Messalina.

Ah, yes.

What are you bringing me, Menester?

Accusation against one of our friends.

Valerio, the Asian.

Finally.

Here, Narciso.

I know how to put them in good

hands.

You'll find the best time to give it

to the emperor.

Come, Menester, we have a lot to do.

D.V. Claudio, won't you give Polonio the

instructions for your grave?

Ah, yes, Polonio.

I've devised it myself.

You'll finish it with great care.

It's clear that to tempt fate, to think

so much in advance, has its own last

delay.

One risks disrespecting the god of darkness.

But the grave is very important.

If it's for a piece.

The gods are with you, divine Augustus.

Better, better.

And what foretells?

Excellent.

Tell me right away.

The center of the sky is happily occupied

by three planets.

Mercury, which indicates fortune, and the sun, glory.

Saturn, the opposite star, is chained by the

sun's rays and by the spires of the

serpent Eurobos.

Signs, Faustus.

Divine.

So everything that begins today is destined to

be fulfilled happily?

Everything, divine Claudio.

But the ante is not a secret with

him.

Since the stars are favorable, sir, don't you

think it's appropriate to consider the act against

Valerius the Asiatic?

What a thing.

There are many faults.

And in fact Messalino is angry with him.

I'll think about it, I'll think about it.

We'll have to think about it later, later.

Did you see Lucio?

No, sir.

Didn't you see Lucio?

No, sir.

Ah, that boy makes me tremble.

But where did you go now?

How often

does Palatine think of this room?

Messalino.

It's only here, among these poor walls, that

I am happy.

And it's days and nights that I would

like to leave everything to find myself in

your arms.

And the other days?

In those other days, I think that if

I were not an empress, you would not

love me, I love you.

And if you were not an empress, how

much more would you be mine?

Shame on you, little orphan, to spy on

our guests and here in our house.

No.

You'll end up in the galleys.

No.

Go.

You need

me to go.

No, no, stay a little longer.

I can't, my love.

The emperor is waiting for me.

He's weak, but impatient.

You know I'll be back.

As soon as I can, Menester will tell

you.

Messalina, what do you decide for Valerius?

I forbid you to name him before me.

Valerius is my friend, and if you love

me, you can't condemn him.

He insults me in public, he despises me,

he conspires against me, and he doesn't think

he can overthrow the empire.

The empire has always served him with loyalty.

It has never thought that it has the

glory of Rome.

Would you defend me if someone spoke ill

of me as you defend him?

And if I persuaded him to be silent?

He has already spoken too much.

To leave Rome to his fate?

It will be Rome to get rid of

him.

I don't understand why all this hatred.

You love him too much, and me too

little.

Go away.

Confess, I'll give you his wealth.

Yes.

Yes!

I'm unruly, perverse, evil.

That's what you meant, right?

So, what are you doing here?

I'm leaving.

I'm kicking you out.

Temporal air.

Menester!

Come on, we have to see the Empress

tonight.

Prepare the bed.

But it's Licisca.

Licisca?

Yes, Licisca.

She's really beautiful.

Why are you covering your face?

Bardi, you're a lonely man.

I'll come to see you later.

With that grunt, you'll make her run away.

You're always in love with me, Licisca.

Men will betray everything.

Silviso only sells the rest.

I'd like to know if he really looks

like Messalina.

Take off your veil.

Tauro, do you remember Tauro?

If she tells you, she'll crush you like

a pumpkin.

Ah, finally!

You've been waiting, haven't you?

My regular customers.

I'm a poor wretch.

Not happy to reduce the palace to a

lupinarium, you come here to give yourself to

the first to happen.

I don't understand, he's taking me for another.

You can make a joke, Messalina.

It's deceiving those who want you, not me.

I despise you, and that's why you hate

me.

I despise you because you're the dishonor of

Rome.

If you weren't really a poor girl, you

could remind me that your name is Valerio

Asiatico.

I don't wear a mask.

And I wait calmly for the sentence you

prepare for me.

Come, dear.

I'm waiting, Licisca.

All the same.

Let's go, Bardi.

I am Licisca.

You are Licisca because a master told me

so.

Come on, hurry up.

What are you waiting for?

Oh, by the way, Licisca costs a silver

coin.

Try to remember it at the right time.

That's your cell.

What are we playing?

You.

Why do you want to give us this

money?

We didn't earn it.

It's a reward.

Then we don't do anything.

We were ready.

Rome will wait a little longer for your

release.

Sir, you no longer trust your old soldiers.

Yes, Tauro.

But I have to go.

A long journey.

My friends will need you.

Who do we take orders from?

Who wears this ring on his finger?

Look at it well, you others.

Do you recognize him?

Yes, sir.

You can leave quietly, Valerio.

I'll try, Tauro.

Do you need a escort?

We're all ready to follow you.

No, thank you.

Where I will be forced to go, it

is better to present yourself alone.

It is a place of peace.

Goodbye, friends.

Let's go.

Let's go to the Vigilia dei Giochi.

It's strange.

I prefer ten fights to a speech that

I don't understand anything.

We are not paid to understand.

Sometimes it would be nice.

If you always had to know why you

kill yourself, life would no longer be possible.

Let's drink.

Let's drink.

Come on.

You're a cheater.

Even you like Cinzia?

Don't touch her.

You're jealous.

You're a

fool, kid.

An almost women's show.

And I'm so sorry for your education.

Not at all.

You're still so young.

Forgive yourself.

Think of your victims, you, old poison master.

Offer your filters a friend's advice, dear Locusta.

Are you the one who will need

me soon?

I am the death that knows good.

I will try to make her a nicer

face.

Remember your friend Locusta.

Free exit tonight?

He will have other ways to distract himself.

At the next circus games it will be

up to you to distract her.

Come boy.

Do you know that it is tempting the

gods to reveal their decrees?

But I said for fun.

You have not changed, Mnester.

Always so mischievous.

Eh, what do you want?

It's my only luxury.

Great handsome boy.

It is my adoptive son.

My Lucietto.

That imitates wonderfully the singing of the fringuetto.

Locusta, come.

Look what I brought you.

From your country?

From Egypt?

From further away.

I went to the springs of the great

river to look for these perfumes.

These ointments that restore youth.

This miraculous water that washes the faces from

wrinkles.

And this.

A deadly secret.

A poison.

Life and death are good neighbors.

A new poison.

A drop of tefolmina.

It would be a little flame that dances.

I would like to get drunk.

Death.

But why, mother?

It is an innocent serpent.

Go, it's death.

A dancer touched by a serpent will die

dancing.

My sister did not escape this fate.

Cinzia.

It's like all of us, Smene.

He likes Cinzia too much.

Why?

I was afraid of that serpent.

You also know that he is my friend.

You have already danced too much.

But I'm not tired.

I have to talk to you, my soul.

Exquisite girl.

It will be a delicious corpse.

And then I expect you interesting.

A girl full of life under the weight

of such a threat.

You will always be a vile soul.

Always.

Yes.

But an artist's soul too.

I'm sure Messalina would appreciate it.

Good night.

Yes, beautiful night.

But there are real men in this house

of yours.

Vinicius.

Vinicius.

The answer is to him.

No, not him, not him.

No, you are here to serve customers.

Do you understand?

Vincisca.

Are you there?

Like every night.

Well.

If I found someone with you, I strangled

him with my hands.

Do you understand?

You're drunk.

Do you know why they pay you so

much?

Because those fools think you look like Messalina.

But it's not true.

I know it's not true.

No, you're drunk.

Go away.

I had, before coming here, to help my

memory and find the memory of that night

that I held in my arms.

It was the night of my triumph.

I had buried five Aversari.

Time has passed, but I have never forgotten

the smell of his body.

And you haven't let your tongue rip you

yet.

You don't know that I remember.

Go away.

What?

Go away.

I don't want you tonight.

Stupid.

You believe Messalina.

Poor stupid.

Messalina, you know you can say I don't

love you.

You don't.

What are you doing with these veils?

Go away.

No.

Go away.

No.

I'll bring you misfortune.

It's so much misfortune that I'll wear it.

Slowly, slowly.

I woke up the client.

If they come to you to sleep.

Take off the veil.

Take off everything.

He's right.

A silver coin is not his.

Go away.

Go away.

You're not Ricisca.

I know you.

I...

Giulio.

Giulio.

If you came with me, it wouldn't happen.

What a pleasure to talk about the good

times I've had with you.

Look, if my soul were enough, I would

make love to you.

You're a snob.

Goodbye, witch.

Come, Lucio.

We have nothing to do with it anymore.

Why kill that poor Yulia?

Some client found her too hot.

What if they say it was Alicisca who

killed her?

The death of a prostitute doesn't deserve so

many words.

It's so dangerous.

Prostitutes are essential to the balance of the

city.

Those who kill them, save for accidental causes,

must answer to them.

A soldier chased a woman who was running

away.

Let's hope he doesn't reach her.

Let's go.

Messerina!

Long live the Empress!

It's fast to say, but then...

We need a genius.

Don't you have one?

Not enough.

Or maybe I'm too complicated for this job.

What's going on?

Nothing, Uncle Claudio.

The Empress will surely return to the palace.

Messerina is very popular.

Maybe she's not so beautiful to be loved.

She's more acclaimed than the Emperor.

Right.

And more beautiful than me.

Uncle Claudio, don't you think it's about time

to go and pick up Valerio and Zerlina?

I don't like this.

You promised Messerina.

Narcissus, you know how sensitive I am to

conjugal sweetness.

All right, send for Valerio.

Your gardens are wonderful, sir.

They are the most beautiful in Rome.

Lucullo created them.

They made me feel the vanity of things

and give up the fragility of weapons.

I'm no longer a winner, Octavio.

I served the Empire, dreaming of the Republic.

You don't do people's good to their disdain.

They fatten us in their jealousy.

I no longer want to help them get

out of it.

You speak as if you had everything in

the hands of the gods.

It's true.

I'm a dead man, Octavio.

What are you saying?

As soon as I came back from Asia,

I could have kept Messerina's favors.

But I never liked women in the military.

And then, these gardens make them hungry.

And acclaimed by the people.

Why be disgraced?

By the way...

Hi.

Claudio wants to see you, Valerio.

When?

I have to take you to him.

Why?

I think it's something insignificant.

He wants to ask for your opinion.

It's nothing.

What are you doing now?

The Emperor is waiting for you.

You said it was insignificant.

Wait a little longer.

They don't like you.

You scare them.

You have little sympathy for Messerina.

Or maybe too much.

Narcissus.

Oh, sir.

If you weren't an emperor, you might hate

her.

Well, well.

Stay between us.

Friends, right?

What is it?

Divine Claudio.

Tonight, a prostitute from the suburb killed a

companion.

One of my men was able to follow

her.

She's about to reach the entrance here.

In the palace, he says.

And he saw her.

So she's a prostitute, the one you hope

to find in my house.

A whore, my friend.

A whore everywhere.

And don't leave behind not even a scratch.

She took my rooms.

And even my alcove.

You're bad at making fun of us.

Sir, this man is right.

The murderer came to me to tell me

the thing.

I had offended his victim with blood.

And I forgave him, Licisca.

I recognize your great heart, Messalino.

You're free.

There's no shade of what you were looking

for.

The empress has already done justice.

Are you angry with me that I thanked

that girl?

Licisca, I heard about it.

I think she deserved to live.

Too many of our fellow citizens would have

had to bear the burden.

Ah, here he is, sir.

The speaker leads him.

Who?

But, Valerio.

Ah, finally.

Have you decided to show yourself energetic?

To defend the empire against that intruder?

No.

But since you're all asking me for his

death, I want to please you.

Marital life is made of these little courtesies.

Send me two soldiers of my escort.

You're more robust.

Did you call me, sir?

Ah, Valerio, Valerio.

When the news reaches my ears.

Long live Caesar.

What news can touch your greatness?

Betrayal, Valerio.

Betrayal of friends.

They tell me that you have forgotten my

benefits.

The soldiers I sent to Germany and that

you made so many mercenaries of your money

are ready for all misdeeds.

And they also told me, poor Valerio, that

you committed adultery with Poppea defaming your sex.

Valerio, Valerio, you whom I considered like a

brother and you didn't think about the pain

I would have felt at the expense of

so much stupidity.

Defend yourself, my friend.

Valerio, for the love of me, can I

speak freely?

Not too much, not too much, because I

can't stand excessive crudeness of language.

Let him speak.

Speak.

Thank you, Messalina.

It would have been more meritorious for me

to die a victim of the policy of

a Caesar than for the manoeuvres of a

woman and the slander of his impudent mouth.

Here you see him.

He lacks tact.

Let him speak.

I accept death, but I don't renounce my

defence.

I want Rome, which made me consul twice,

to know how much debtor my sword is

and I entrust it to you.

Strange news, Caius Silio.

Valerio the Asiatic has been called by the

Emperor.

I thought it was a misfortune.

Precisely.

When a Caesar receives someone in misfortune, it's

a bad sign.

Poor Valerio.

He was nice.

Shut up.

He was too virtuous.

Shut up!

This has been my life, sir.

I broke my sword and I only aspired

to the peace of my gardens and to

the healing of the spirit.

And if I deserve a sentence, it will

be if ever, because I have resigned myself

to vices.

You now try to put the waters of

the mountains in the fountains of the squares

of Rome, but I no longer believe that

men have the heart to wash their hands.

I don't care about them anymore.

Here is the truth.

All the rest is a lie and brazenness.

You know, sir, and with complete serenity I

put my fate in your hands.

Wonderful speech.

You're right.

You're right, Valerio.

And you do not in vain call for

my justice.

And what do you say, Messalina?

What do we decide for Valerio?

He deserves to be given the choice of

his death.

The Empress has sensed my thought, as always,

of the rest.

Go home, Valerio.

In such a splendid dungeon, it will be

easy for you to die by a man

of good taste.

Your mercy is miraculous.

I embrace you all.

From Licisca, Valerio.

I have already turned to Messalina.

She did not want to know.

They will intercede for me.

There is no other way than the escape.

No.

Why?

The faithful gladiators will cover your shoulders.

I am a winner, Caius.

The gods have always been favorable to me.

And now I will have to flee, ignominiously?

My friend, you know me little.

But in short, Valerio, life...

Life is a useless thing.

Many of my soldiers have died.

And then there is the other, Caius.

What?

I no longer want to live.

And our plans?

The republic that was to happen to this

imperial march is a dream that is lost

with you.

No, because you will take my place.

Friends will obey who will show them this

ring.

No, Valerio.

It is not possible.

Yes, Caius.

You are younger than me, more agile.

My example will serve as a guide.

Where probability has not succeeded, cunning will succeed.

And since Messalina loves you, it seems, serve

Messalina to betray Messalina.

Don't you think that one day I could

love Messalina?

That day you will have signed your death

sentence.

You would no longer be to serve her,

but a toy in her hands.

You will know how to avoid this foolishness.

Here, my life ends here.

Look, that ruby that will burn my corpse

is made of the most fragrant branches of

my garden.

So the smell of my death will be

pleasant to friends and enemies.

Valerio, I beg you.

No, it's useless.

I'm already there.

And now go away.

Your presence here is a danger to you.

Friends, please move to the right, so that

the flames do not attack the trees.

If there were really gods, they would descend

from heaven to save you.

At this hour, the gods are in bed.

They are sleeping.

I hope to have a day with Messalina

under these yamans.

It's not the time to talk about her.

Look, Octavio, who could regret entrusting himself to

such a sweet death?

Caio.

Why did you call me here while Valerio's

funeral Why?

Because I love you.

You're lying to torment me.

To console you, Caio.

You're still lying to enjoy my pain.

But why did you condemn him?

He was outraging me.

No, it's not true.

You're jealous.

You're fed up with everything.

Now they were making you with her her

palace, her gardens.

She was conspiring against Claudio.

And you?

And me?

And all of us?

Patriarchs, liberals, senators.

And we ourselves, the two of us, aren't

we conspiring too?

I'm his wife.

If I conspire, it's only for his own

good.

And me?

You?

You would always prefer my bed on the

throne of the Caesars.

You speak like a woman who...

I'm not, yes.

And with this, I love pleasure.

Who's to blame?

You, who don't know how to give me

anything when you're asked everything.

To be loved isn't my destiny.

And if I loved you?

You?

The day I want something will be the

death of the Empress.

When you're happy, you already have your hands

around my neck.

You're going mad.

I'm going mad.

I'm going mad.

I'm afraid of death.

Yours, not the others'.

Don't start again now.

Don't start again.

Don't start.

Look at the night, how beautiful it is.

You can see all the stars.

Even this light smoke that goes up to

us has a spring scent.

Do you know where this smoke comes from?

Caius.

From Valerius' funeral prayer.

And that's why it seems so pleasant to

me.

I'll make you scream for love under the

hands of my executioners.

Why are you laughing, sir?

I'm laughing because I'm the imam of my

empire.

An empire that crumbles perfectly on its feet

from the beginning and to the end.

Messalina, where are you?

Messalina, where are you?

I'm here, sir.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

I was listening to the singing of the

frog.

I had ordered to kill them all.

The singing of the evil star Presagio.

What a smoke!

What is this smoke?

Valerius.

What do you want?

Valerius at this time of night?

Go away!

I don't want to see him anymore.

It's not the time of ghosts.

I'm here.

Messalina, I'm afraid I drank.

Maybe I drink too much.

Why deprive you of a pleasure?

But when you prefer another.

Even if I say ...

Don't think about it.

Tomorrow I'll be here.

As always.

When you want it.

And so much that the frog sings under

my windows.

And we spent the whole night together.

Ah, a night like there will never be

another in the world.

Lucio!

Lucio!

Will you still talk to us about her?

Yes, later.

Ungrateful!

Bastard!

Abusing my trust like this!

How can you treat someone like this?

One who, in the grace of the Empress

...

And you also boast of your fortune!

What a fortune!

Ungrateful!

And all the palace that rises from the

ground laughing!

All jealousy!

Jealousy?

Idiot!

What will she say now?

What will she do in the face of

your indiscretion?

She loves me.

Holy innocence!

She loves him!

You who see the indiscreet more willing than

the dead you live.

Go, hide in your room.

But ...

Go away!

Look, Augusta, he didn't even have time to

suffer.

Do you want him to die in the

midst of atrocious pain?

No, it is enough for me that he

does not speak anymore.

Understood?

Complete silence.

Well, Augusta, take away.

Get out of there.

You don't need that boy to see you.

No, youth has no suspicion.

Sit down.

Is that you, Lucio?

What is it?

Are you forcing me to call you home?

I'm sorry, Augusta.

What's wrong?

Are you afraid of me now?

I've met you less shyly.

Hey, Nestor!

They're all over the place!

So, dear Lucio, you're on the rise now?

Oh, nonsense!

Nonsense from a young age!

I've put him under lock and key, in

punishment.

That idiot.

There's no key that locks the door to

a messenger of the Empress.

Lucio would be here.

What are you doing?

Don't you dare not arrive in time.

I don't want to bother you, O Divina,

but they told me that Lucio...

Lucio!

Dear Lucio!

He didn't suffer.

And me?

He talked too much.

It was necessary.

Yes, I know.

You're infallible, Augusta.

It was necessary for Iulia, for Valerio.

Like for this little boy.

And tomorrow, for whom will it be?

For me?

For Claudio?

For Caiusilio?

Shut up!

Yes, you'll exterminate them all!

But death calls death.

And at the end of the road, waiting

for you, there will be all of them.

All at your convenience.

Do it!

We're leaving, yes.

We're leaving.

But remember...

One day you'll find yourself on a large

deserted square.

And around you, you'll have nothing but fear.

And death will come.

Close the door.

Poor Mnestor.

I made it in Balsamare.

It must be a great pain to see

such a precious creature taken from you.

How did he die, my friend?

Messalina.

Messalina?

Come on, Mnestor.

The Empress?

What would Claudio think?

Shut up!

I'm not asking you to answer me.

I know you, you're too prudent.

Reflect.

But you can listen to me.

And when you've listened to me, you can

even sell me.

Mnestor, now you're offending me.

Let him speak.

But you won't sell yourselves.

Because my plans are for you.

I know you two hate Messalina.

It's false, such a dear woman.

We can all but deplore her evil influence

on the Emperor.

I want her ruined.

Since she took my son from me.

If I could believe she's really in love,

I'd push her so far away that not

even the Emperor's mercy could save her.

What do you want, Mnestor?

If you're worthy of receiving me, Augusta, you

won't refuse the forgiveness I humbly ask of

you.

I don't have the virtue of indulgence.

I know you, Augusta.

I know you're capable of forgetting a few

words that have escaped your pain.

I loved Lucio.

What happiness to be loved.

But no one loves me.

No one.

Love is not the warmth of my body.

When they leave my bed, I'm left alone.

Alone and with the frost inside my bones.

It's sad, Mnestor.

Because no man is worthy of you.

One, perhaps.

Only one.

I could live my whole life with him.

It must be so easy to be faithful

to someone you love.

Have you told this to Caius Ilius?

No, never.

It's a shame.

He loves you in his own way.

If I could believe it.

But he doesn't love me.

He enjoys mortifying me, reproaching me for Valerius'

death.

Do you still think about it?

I suffer any humiliation from him.

Mnestor, I'm the most envied woman in Rome.

Even the most ungrateful.

A love like this deserves to shine in

everyone's eyes.

May I help you, Augusta?

In everyone's eyes?

Why do you say nonsense?

I'm the emperor's wife.

A knot can be untied to tie other

ties.

The drawings of the gods are mysterious.

They must be deciphered.

And I'm very inventive.

Augusta, I'm faithful to you.

I'll help you.

Messalina, I'll take you to Caius Ilius.

He won't come.

You'll be happy, Augusta.

Mnestor, I beg your pardon for Lucio.

A child's life doesn't count in the face

of the emperor's happiness.

What?

Not even the funeral urn?

His ashes were scattered in the wind according

to his will.

Nothing remains of him.

His memory?

That too will disappear with those who loved

him.

We'll try to survive the murderers.

Ottavio, do you trust me?

Valerio trusted you.

And you?

You're Messalina's lover.

And Messalina had Valerio killed.

You're the last person I'd expect to find

here.

A dog at the service of a dog.

The skulls lick the hand of the one

who beats them.

Go and get it.

It's not my presence that you want, it's

yours.

I'm not going.

In these gardens, allow me to remind you

of the death of poor Valerio.

I'm not afraid of death.

And I'm talking about death.

But if Valerio had been more understanding, less

rigid, the greatness of Rome would have served

him better.

Thank you for coming.

I obeyed.

Aren't you the empress?

I'm just a weak woman here.

And yet you came out of here when

you were condemned, Valerio.

I regret his death.

It's easy to mourn one's victims.

It's not just him I regret.

It's us too.

Caio, here with you, I'm humble.

And if you want, I'm ready to ask

you for forgiveness.

Forgiveness for loving you.

What is this comedy?

I love you.

You came down from whose bed?

Yes, it's true.

I can only give you an impure body.

No.

I didn't despise it for a while.

What do you want from me?

And if there was a heart so caressed

in this body?

Caio, what would you do?

Don't think you can convince me of your

love.

I don't believe it.

That I love you.

Oh, yes.

You must.

You must believe it, my love.

You must believe it, my love.

In front of you, I'm weak and helpless.

And this must be love.

Look at yourself if you want to recognize

it.

I've never recognized it.

Not even in your eyes.

Let me look at them, Caio Silvio.

You are my lord.

And I'm ready to give up everything for

you.

Even the empire?

Give up the empire?

Oh, no, my love.

I'm talking about you, my emperor.

Me, emperor?

For Messalina's love, I would reign over Rome.

And Claudio?

Claudio is not just a man.

And every day, when the sun rises, before

nightfall, so many people die.

Murder him?

More blood on your hands?

Just a little water to wash them.

And there are many ways to suppress a

man.

Invent something that dishonors him.

Something that kills him, leaving him alive.

You are a monster.

I am a monster?

You are right, my love.

You are always right.

And to be an emperor...

I'll marry you, Caio.

Claudio is not dead.

Almost.

You said it yourself.

Something that kills him, leaving him alive.

We'll get married, Caio.

A magnificent marriage.

It will amaze Rome so much that no

one will dare to protest.

Wait for me.

Menester?

Here I am.

Are you ready?

Yes, I'm so devoted to you that if

you need me, I can feel it.

Did you hear, Menester?

I heard.

Yes, these walls are so thin.

And I don't dream of serving your fortune

and that of Caio Sillio.

Do you already have an idea?

Maybe.

During dinner, in the gardens of Lucullo, many

things can happen.

No blood, huh?

I don't need to kill, Augusta, to make

myself liked.

Messalina gives his first dinner in Valerio's garden

tonight.

A great opportunity, which perhaps will never happen

again.

And it would be nice to avenge the

Asiatic, right in his garden, where he was

reduced to ashes.

We swore loyalty to Valerio.

And who speaks of betraying him?

You, when you forget his will.

He chose him, our leader.

And we must wait for his orders.

And if he never gives us?

I don't think there is such a risk.

Valerio knew how to choose his friends.

Obey him.

Timo!

Captain!

I beg you, don't take my girlfriend away!

No!

No!

No!

Cinzia!

Cinzia!

Timo!

Cinzia!

Cinzia!

Timo!

Cinzia!

Timo!

What have you done?

I didn't want them to take my girlfriend

away.

Where to?

To Messalina's party.

They'll make her die and she won't dance

anymore.

Who's forcing her?

Messalina.

If Cinzia dies, I'll avenge her.

Wait.

Tonight I'll come to free you.

Can you

recognize me?

Yes.

Oh, yes.

Do you remember everything?

I remember the oracle.

But not too much.

It's the model of the amphitheater that the

divine Augustus wanted to give to the Romans.

I hope to carry out the project myself.

If I'm lucky, it'll give me life.

Mnester.

Mnester!

Are you sure I won't have nightmares because

of all this?

An emperor is used to these shows that

entertain him a lot.

But...

Be careful with the signal.

It's a delicious evening.

There's no shortage of...

And you can feel his absence in these

gardens that were so dear to him.

It's...

Yes.

An ungrateful mistake.

But it doesn't matter.

If tonight the gods allow him to see

us, he'll understand that I don't deny him

my forgiveness.

Not even the Empress.

What are you saying?

Mnester...

Hera!

Look!

What?

Look!

I am your past.

I am your present.

I am your...

I'll do it myself.

The emperor...

Sir.

I don't know where the goddess Hera is.

The gods will avenge her.

Interrogate the oracle.

I want to know how long my grave

will be empty.

I am in good health.

You see?

Witch!

I'm not the flower of the ages.

I'm just a tablecloth.

I like wine.

But I only abuse it once a day.

In the evening.

Answer!

Answer, damn you!

I'm a butcher.

All right.

You want to know about me?

About me?

My bed!

My soldiers, my bed!

But Claudio, not all oracles come true.

But if this is what you think.

I feel very bad.

I have to concentrate.

There!

My soldiers, my bed!

Come closer.

And you.

Come to dinner.

And pretend I'm dead.

Laugh.

But not too hard.

Because I'm not dead yet.

Since it is the will of the emperor,

the dinner continues.

Caius.

Why?

Of course

I don't want to die.

It was all so easy.

Men are stupid.

Even when they are emperors.

It was all a farce.

Almost.

Almost.

We should make him die of fear.

Where are you going?

To finish it.

I've served you well.

May she really be dead.

No, no.

Thank you, mercy!

You didn't touch me.

You didn't touch me.

It was me, Miss.

Look.

Messalene's husband doesn't have the time to live.

A long time like an eternity.

And short like a hair.

A tournament for that prophecy.

I would like to see you instead of

me.

You're not Messalino's husband.

You're Messalino's husband.

I'm the husband.

Yes, isn't there anyone else?

It's a shame, because if there was someone

else, since I'm the emperor, I could designate

someone else.

But no, it's just me.

You thought of staying a widow.

But that doesn't change anything, because even if

you die, I'm still the husband.

A widow, but still the husband.

Sir, I have an idea.

What if I married someone else?

You're crazy.

But to save your life.

That's right.

That would change everything.

Between Messalino's two husbands, death would be the

most recent.

Do you like this idea?

Worthy of the most profound consideration.

Note that only a magnanimous spirit, solicited by

the health of Rome, could understand it.

But who?

Who would you see?

You or me?

A bit old, the oracle won't take it

seriously.

Yes, yes, it's true.

Flaminio.

Wouldn't he try to exploit the situation?

Very capable.

Let's see, I'm waiting for an idea.

Caius Silvio.

Yes, not bad.

I hadn't thought of it.

You know he's very loyal to you.

And you two already know each other so

well, don't you?

And now sleep, Claudio, sleep a little.

Are you talking to me?

Right now?

Maybe.

And do you think you can convince him?

Let's hope so, now sleep, sleep a little.

And don't forget!

Gentia, my dear.

My soul.

Timo.

Timo, lost.

No, don't worry.

Nestor will save him.

Sleep peacefully.

But before falling asleep, he agreed to see

us married.

How is that possible?

I came up with a very wise idea.

Caius, you will be a prodigy emperor by

my side.

I can't believe it.

Tomorrow, for the opening of the games, we

will show ourselves together in public.

Our august emperor, for an excess of fever,

will not be able to attend the opening

of the games today.

He allows the games to take place equally.

And he offers you new squads of gladiators

and eurygists.

It is an unusual show of lions.

Pray to the gods for his quick recovery.

Have fun!

And be grateful to the emperor for this

act of generosity.

An emperor who is ill for the opening

of the games is not a real emperor.

It's not his fault.

I remember Caligula.

He was once ill.

Yes, an iron salute.

So much so that they had to kill

him.

That's why Claudius is dead, my friend.

And his son is thought to be Messalina.

Messalina couldn't live without a man.

You're right.

I like Cagliosilio too.

And they get along so well together.

You're offending the gods and the emperor.

He's not here.

He doesn't deserve it.

They're stupid.

They can't even be happy when I'm not

there.

They love you, sir.

They have all the air, the idiots of

the manor.

Did you know that Messalina's husband has more

than seven short days and nights?

Endless nights of insomnia.

Calm down.

It's a word, calm down.

Yes, but my grave is already open.

My son

will die.

So what's the use of your witchcraft?

No.

Imagine, this old witch would have said that

my wife would have done things to him.

And she didn't?

She didn't.

Go away.

No.

Where will I go?

Go away.

My son is alive.

I can't do anything to him.

He threatened the empress and must die.

Save him.

Save him for pity.

For pity.

And who was pitiful to me?

Who sold the poison to Augusta that killed

Lucio?

I didn't know anything, nothing.

Save him, Mnester.

Save him.

Save him.

I curse you, Mnester.

Let me do it.

I won't listen to you anymore.

The emperor will listen to me when I

tell him about the prophecy, about the tomb.

And you think you can get there?

Wretched woman.

Insult the emperor.

Devil to death.

To the wolves.

To the wolves.

Take this woman away.

She's a public servant.

Go away.

What's going on?

Two murderers, three thieves and a witch condemned

to the wolves with the others.

Nice muse to trap her, poor agent.

Where are you from?

From Judea.

And who are you serving?

Christ.

Unknown.

Another adventurer.

The son of God.

Crucified and dead in Jerusalem.

He was 33 years old.

Do you believe in these gods that die

so young?

It's not allowed to be so stupid.

To the lions.

To the lions.

Go away.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

You can't stay.

But I don't want you to die.

There is no escape for me.

What's the point of loving so much?

Listen, dear.

We have to leave this city where death

awaits us.

I'll die with you.

Go away.

Go away, now.

No.

Don't despair.

Life doesn't stop here.

You'll find yourself forever in a world where

there will be no more ferocious beasts.

Pirate!

Pirate!

Don't hurry.

Pirate!

Puss.

Puss.

Pirate!

Move along, too.

Come on.

Let's go.

Pirate!

Let's go.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

Move!

Stop.

Have faith in Christ, sister.

His power is infinite.

No!

I want to die with him!

Go ahead, if you want to.

I live!

Cinzia!

Even Messalino was right.

He saves my life and I take his.

Why marry a beautiful widow?

We don't understand.

Not at all.

But it doesn't matter.

Yes, it's very important.

Listen to a lesson in high politics.

Caiosilio...

...marries my wife.

What?

What does he say?

It's a secret marriage.

An intimate ceremony to attract Caiosilio...

...the lightning of the oracle.

Isn't it a strong argument?

But a bit strange.

My life is no longer in there...

...but in Caiosilio's.

Sir, the grain is coming from Sicily.

The ships are sailing fast.

Isn't this a warning from the gods...

...that with a blink of an eye...

...they call me away from Rome...

...to buy their fate in peace?

And the air of the sea...

...will rejoice me a lot.

THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN The

Rezziatro wins!

Enkis, his opponent!

How well

he defends himself!

I don't know him...

...but if it happens to Tauro, he's screwed.

Have faith, sister.

The one who saved him from the lions...

...will protect him from Tauro.

Look at the young lion!

Look how he fights!

I'd like to see him fight Tauro.

Muzio also fought.

Yes, but Tauro saw him.

Muzio was one of his own.

Look, he's furious.

He's looking for him.

I'd like to be in his shoes.

You were

good, Minister.

You finally found an opponent worthy of Tauro.

And the son of Ismene, the witch of

prophecy...

...threatens to reveal everything to the emperor.

What?

The prophecy?

This, never!

It's a fight!

And how can we do it?

They'll ruin everything...

...if we deprive them of this fun.

Now I know who's our boss.

Who?

What are you saying?

Who?

It's Caius Silvio...

...who's holding Valerio's ring.

And if he showed it to us today...

...it's a sign that the hour is near.

The hour we've all been waiting for...

...to put an end to Rome's fate.

Caius Silvio!

The one and only!

We'll discuss it later...

...after Valerio's last order...

...and Caius Silvio's first.

I've always hidden myself in your eyes...

...but it was at Valerio's will.

When his wickedness was defeated...

...he advised me to be cunning.

In the shadows...

...I prepared the shield.

Brothers, today we'll need you.

Now it's only a matter of hours.

Be ready to answer my first call.

Listen to me, all of you.

You know me.

You know I was Valerio's.

I was his friend.

Yes, I know.

Listen to me.

I'm sure Valerio wouldn't approve...

...Caius Silvio's conduct.

But if he doesn't even know...

...what I had in mind.

I know his everyday life.

I know about the nights he spends with

Messalina.

Valerio thought of an honest republic.

The one that prepares us for Caius Silvio...

...is born of mud and shame.

The Asiatic wouldn't want to know.

Let's go to Caius Silvio...

...and ask for an explanation.

Ottavio is right.

It's too soon to talk about the dead.

It's so easy to wait for Caius Silvio...

...to explain his plans to us.

Yes, let's go.

Thank you, sir.

The work has been finished just in time...

...so that the ships can sail.

I'm content with modest joys...

...but I have a passion for great works.

You've done a lot for Rome, sir.

In Rome, all this will seem natural.

Strong roads will open up.

Buildings will rise.

Credits will be made, wars will be won...

...and in the end, what will remain?

A few figs and a poorly preserved tomb.

Speaking of tombs...

...on my return to Rome...

...I'll start working on mine.

On your return to Rome?

Yes.

I don't think it will be long...

...since today is the day...

...when my beloved wife...

...sacrifices herself...

...to save my life.

Ubi tucaius ego caia.

Pallante and Narciso will lead you to him.

Just tell him what's going on here.

Go.

Look, Claudio, the first ship that enters...

...is your Triumph.

How many ships are on board?

Four hundred.

And all loaded...

...with Sicily's finest grain.

Pallante, even Augustus...

...has distributed so much grain at once.

Now you're truly mine, Caius.

I've always loved you, Messalina.

You're my husband...

...and you'll be the emperor.

No!

No!

No!

It's not true!

I know Messalina.

It's all a trick to save my life.

Besides, it was my idea.

Your idea, yes...

...but wouldn't she have suggested it to you,

by any chance?

And the trick is not against you, sir.

Claudio's wife...

...who marries Caius Ilius...

...secret marriage...

...celebrated in front of the whole of Rome...

...you weren't the only one missing.

But...

...it's true that everyone forgets...

...who I am, the emperor!

We only wish to defend your crown, sir.

And who's going to take it away from

me?

Who?

Messalina.

The empress?

Sure, marrying Caius makes her an emperor.

I can't believe it!

There's a witness who's just arrived from Rome.

It's Marco.

Do you want to speak to him?

Greetings, Augustus.

I thought you were Messalina.

You think so too?

And you betrayed her!

To serve you, sir.

Then speak.

Messalina married Caius Ilius...

...in front of the whole of Rome.

Tomorrow, Rome will greet a new emperor.

He won't have to come down from your

wife's bed.

Shut up!

It's not the truth that you must punish...

...but those who want you on the ground.

Those who betray your good faith.

Explain yourselves.

The oracle didn't come from the gods.

Silence!

The chariots are ready, sir.

The chariots?

And why the weapons?

To unmask Caius.

To test your power in time.

Do they think you're already dead?

No!

I'm alive!

I'm alive!

The last grain of sand has fallen...

...and I'm still alive!

But the oracle is valid!

Messalina's husband will die!

The nights are beautiful when you're near me.

Every night will be beautiful for us.

Augustus!

Augustus!

The ruin, the catastrophe, the revenge of the

gods!

Who is it?

A messenger from Orsia.

Claudius returns to Rome furious...

...throwing threats, insults and curses.

He's afraid for his own sake.

He's in the middle of his soldiers...

...and he slaughters them all!

This banquet ends in a bloodbath...

...and the worst is yet to come!

You should try to escape the fury.

Never!

The time has come.

There are men gathered at the Tavern of

Sobriety.

Men capable of being killed for me.

When I reach them...

...we'll have nothing to fear from Claudius.

Tomorrow we'll be the masters of Rome!

Don't leave me alone, Caius!

Have faith in me, my soul.

Don't leave me alone!

Come on!

Hurry up!

Come on!

I see you follow my advice.

Escaping danger is a well-tried method.

Escaping in front of Claudius?

No!

I want to go against him.

One look from me will suffice to have

him at my feet.

Madness!

Impudence!

Impudence would be to listen to you!

Wait, my friend!

Wait!

Wait!

What is it?

It's none of your business!

Shut up!

Have you taken my vehicle for a ride...

...or do you think you're crazy?

He's an imbecile!

He's the Empress!

So what do I have to do?

Let's go!

Who are

you?

I'm Messalina.

Didn't the Emperor recognize you?

Stop arguing!

I'm a poor man.

When the poor want something from someone, they...

You see?

Hurry up!

Watch out, you idiot!

Come on, hurry up!

Now that Messalina has recognized you...

...we can tell you the whole truth.

I don't need you.

I don't want to hear unpleasant truths.

Aren't you interested in your wife's lovers, sir?

Of course I am.

But you wouldn't have me come back just

for this.

I'd risk breaking my neck.

Yes, but this...

...I forgot about it.

He's a nice guy, though.

I liked him.

Sabino.

Yes, Sabino, but why here?

Before Marcello.

Always in exactness.

He's not a serious talker.

Did you know everything, sir?

You're wonderful, my friend.

It's my destiny...

...to always have impudent wives...

...but not impunished.

Caius Illio, yes.

But you can also erase that...

...because he was her husband, he must have

been her lover.

And in the end, he saved my life...

...and this, at least, I must acknowledge.

A happy idea, though.

An idea worthy of Nessalina.

And what do you decide about her?

I want her to come here...

...and I'll be very humble.

I'll give her all the rewards she deserves.

And then...

...but much later, you mean.

She'll have to forgive herself...

...for that dear, crazy Pestolina.

Go and call her.

Already done, sir.

Let me through!

Let me through!

Don't you recognize me?

You, ugly!

Remember, you beast!

I saved you from the witches!

Let me through!

And you, ugly!

You forgot!

Let me through, you scoundrel!

I'll make you all pay for this!

I'll make you stick under my eyes!

Let me through!

You!

You!

Fulvio made you official!

You don't remember, do you?

You forgot!

Let me through!

Let me through!

Nessalina!

These will be the orders.

But I have to see Claudio!

I know him!

He'll throw me at his feet...

...and he'll be the one to ask for

forgiveness!

It's true.

Do you believe it too, Minister?

I'm sure of it.

That's why you'll never see him again.

What are you saying?

The truth.

No one will ever expect anything from you

again.

Minister...

...my friend...

You killed Lucio.

Today it's Lucio who's pushing you into the

pit!

Claudio!

Claudio!

Call him!

Go and get him to his burrow!

He's there, in your place!

Do we still have to believe him?

No!

No, no, you're wrong!

Listen to me!

Nothing is lost, everything is possible.

We just have to march on the Imperial

Palace...

...and tomorrow Rome will be a...

Nessalina!

Nessalina, what are you doing?

Get away from her!

She's not your wife!

She's your beloved wife!

You're the emperor of that empress!

Even Nessalina is a republican!

It's not about Nessalina, it's about Rome!

No, it's about you two!

You betrayed me!

How dare you take me for granted?

Have you forgotten the ring and your oaths?

We haven't forgotten anything!

You've forgotten Valerio!

You're lying!

His thought was Rome.

Yours is just a woman.

But he served us!

Of course he did!

He served half the world...

...one more, one less...

Only thanks to her can we try tonight!

We can't try anything tonight, dear Silvio!

We don't trust you anymore...

...and we won't let you kill anyone...

...so that you can enter Claudio's bed with

her!

But you, the Praetorians, will follow me!

My friends won't take another step!

So you don't want to help me fight?

We fight for the Republic, not for you,

Nessalina!

But you, Tauro, remember!

I don't want to remember!

What if I told you that you're afraid?

Afraid to kill me?

You have to die, Caio Silvio!

I think they're right.

You can't leave here alive.

Take the ring!

You're idiots!

You'll only get the ring with my life!

Stop!

Go away!

Caio!

Caio!

Caio!

Caio!

Who are you?

Where is Caio Silvio?

We're all where the gods wanted us to

be.

One day you'll find yourself on a square...

...a big deserted square...

...surrounded by fear...

...and death.

Where is Caio Silvio?

He's dead!

No!

He didn't wait for me!

He didn't know you'd come.

Hurry!

I want to reach him!

Kill me!

No, I won't!

That night at the opening of the game...

...you came to me.

I was still covered in blood.

You were with me until dawn.

I'll never forget it.

A murdered woman!

It's Licisca!

No, it's Nessalina!

Licisca, come and see.

It's Nessalina.

She looked like me.

She didn't look like anyone.

What's going on?

Another murdered prostitute.