All language subtitles for 5 Ides of March

Do not talk about
what you're about to see.

Understand?

Yes.

May I?

Just do what you need to do.

Was this the first time?

No.

I've been having them for years.

Though they are becoming more frequent.

How have you been sleeping?

Fine.

Though I have been having headaches.

I see.

Drink tea with fennel and juniper.

It will help the headaches.

And what about the fits?

Hopefully they will lessen over time.

Hopefully?

I'm afraid there's not much I can do.

This illness...

is of the gods.

[Brutus] And this just started now?

He's been having them for years.

- You knew?
- No.

Will this kill him?

I don't know...

no one does.

I suppose it doesn't matter.

Either way...

he's finished.

How's that?

The Senate will tear him apart.

How will they know?

You're not going to tell them.

Why wouldn't I?

Because right now he's vulnerable.

You should be looking for ways
to take advantage.

[narrator] Julius Caesar
has appointed himself dictator of Rome,

giving him authority to pass any law
he sees fit.

But in the midst of achieving
this unprecedented power,

he faces a mysterious illness
that has no apparent cure.

[Toner] The ancient sources
described him as having

a kind of falling sickness,
what we might describe as epilepsy.

All of which, I suspect,
showed the kind of ongoing stresses

involved in the job that he was doing.

[narrator] Despite his health problems,

Caesar focuses on making a stronger,
more unified Rome.

Since returning from Egypt,

he's fed a starving population

and restored order to the Senate.

Now, with the city under control,

Caesar wants to fix a Republic
that he believes is broken.

For decades,

Caesar has watched an inefficient Senate
grow increasingly powerful.

But he knows the future of Rome's success

lies with the people.

A consistent problem in the Roman state
had been the issue of the Roman economy.

You had a number of poor Romans who filled
the city of Rome looking for work,

and being unable to find jobs.

So Caesar sought to reform this.

[narrator] To get the Roman citizens
back to work,

Caesar begins a massive
construction program.

Building temples,

libraries,

and a new harbor,

providing jobs for thousands of Romans.

[Strauss] Caesar was a paradox
as a politician.

On the one hand,
his priority was always Caesar.

He wanted to advance himself.

But on the other hand,

instead of always supporting the side
of wealth and power,

he would try to extend more benefits
to ordinary people.

[narrator] While his construction projects
help the people,

his most innovative
and long-lasting reform

is the introduction of a new calendar.

[Irvin] When Caesar returns to Rome,

he finds that the calendar is off
by at least 40 days.

The Roman government
had become so corrupt,

so inept,
that they had literally lost track

of the days, the months, the seasons.

[narrator] Caesar bases the new calendar
on a solar year,

putting the entire Republic
on a universal timetable,

one that is still used today.

While Caesar's reforms are popular
with the people,

he's acting on his own.

Without the support of the Senate.

Over the past hundred years,

Rome has experienced a time
of unprecedented growth.

We've expanded our borders
north into Gaul,

east into Macedonia,
and west into Hispania.

Growth is good.

It fuels the economy.

It makes us stronger,

more powerful.

But in order to preserve that power,
we must consolidate it.

Beginning...

by granting full citizenship

to those living in the conquered provinces
of Gaul.

If we neglect them

and continue to treat them
as prisoners of war,

there will be another rebellion.

If we acknowledge the Gauls
as Roman citizens,

they will behave as Roman citizens.

This is the cost

of maintaining the peace.

There will be no debate.

This legislation

takes effect immediately.

[Strauss] Caesar wants to acquire
all the power that he can,

but he's also trying to create

a bigger, more impressive system
of Roman government

that is fit for purpose when it comes
to ruling what is now a global empire

stretching across the whole
Mediterranean world.

And now Caesar can push through his own
legislative agenda,

do whatever he wants,

without having to worry
about getting the Senate's support.

He's stripped us of all authority.

We have no power whatsoever.

It's only temporary.

I wouldn't be so sure.

As soon as he's accomplished
his political goals, he will step down.

Once you have power,
it's very hard to let it go.

[narrator] While Brutus disagrees
with Caesar's methods,

he works closely with him,

helping Caesar write legislation.

And Caesar begins considering Brutus
as a possible heir.

Caesar was concerned with his legacy,

because he did not have a male son
of his own.

He was just taking thought
for the future success of his name.

We need a census.

- A proper census of the city.
- We've had surveys done in the past.

But they weren't done properly.

Brutus had long been considered by Caesar
something of a surrogate son.

He wanted Brutus to recognize
that there was something

maybe greater that they could do together.

[narrator] For Brutus,
everything is about to change,

with the arrival of a foreign ally

with news that will shock the Republic.

[Ruggeri] Cleopatra, within a year
of after Caesar leaves Egypt,

follows him to Rome.

Most Romans knew Caesar's reputation
as a bit of a playboy.

Most Romans also understood
that commanders and leaders abroad

tended to have flings.

What was unusual

was that person going to Rome,

particularly if they had the reputation
of somebody like Cleopatra.

This was not only a foreigner

but a queen in her own right.

She was so far outside the mold
of how Romans saw their women,

it must have been
a bit of a shock to them.

So...

how was your journey?

Long.

But I hope worthwhile.

What is this?

His name is Cesarion.

Your son.

One of the most shocking features
of Caesar's return for Rome

was the arrival in Rome of Cleopatra...

with a son.

For the de facto head of the Roman state

to have a romantic relationship
and then a child

with the queen of an autonomous
Mediterranean power,

that sent shockwaves reverberating
around the world.

She has him wrapped around her finger.

- He barely said a word.
- He didn't have to. It was obvious.

- We don't know if it's even his child.
- You think that makes any difference?

Now he has a son.

- To the Queen of Egypt.
- It doesn't change anything.

- It changes everything.
- For Rome or for you?

Excuse me?

- I just meant...
- This isn't about me.

Or Rome.

This is about you.

Whether or not you realize it,

you've just been replaced.

As long as Cleopatra's in power
and their son is alive,

you don't matter.

Let's not overreact.

Whatever position of power you think
you've secured for yourself,

it's temporary.

So what do you want me to do?

Make friends with the Senate,
you'll need them.

Is that all?

For now.

And keep your eyes open.

People in your position of power
don't last very long.

It's hard to imagine that Servilia
didn't see Cleopatra as a rival,

especially when Cleopatra came to Rome.

Servilia's chief loyalty was to her son,
Brutus.

After all, he was her son

and he did represent the future
of her house

in a way that Caesar never could.

He has your eyes.

One day, he'll be the King of Egypt.

And maybe Rome.

Rome won't accept a king.

It did once.

That was a long time ago.

Then it could again.

[Strauss] I think that Cleopatra plants
the seed of monarchy

and all it can be in Caesar's head.

Does Caesar come away from Cleopatra
thinking, "I want to be a king"?

Perhaps not quite in such bald terms,

but I think he comes away convinced
that there's really no future for Rome

without him being the man who runs it
in one form or another.

[narrator] By 45 B.C.,

Julius Caesar has conquered
over 200,000 miles of territory,

pulled Rome out of chaos,

and named himself dictator
for the next ten years.

But with the arrival of a son,

Caesar begins thinking about a dynasty.

[Strauss] The conclusion
that Caesar reached

is that Roman politics should be dominated

by just one family,

by his family.

He's feeling his way toward some kind
of monarchy.

[narrator] To secure his legacy,

Caesar begins a citywide project
celebrating his image

which he puts on display
alongside Roman gods.

Ivory towers are built in his honor,

including the Basilica Julia,
which still exists today.

[Strauss] Caesar was an arrogant man.

He had broken all the rules,

so he felt that he was entitled
to make all the rules.

It's hard to avoid the conclusion
that power had gone to his head.

[narrator] His birthday is declared
a public holiday,

and he begins wearing a purple robe,

a garment once reserved for Roman kings.

I think everyone saw some form
of autocracy,

but how severe it would be
was anyone's guess.

Whether Caesar viewed himself as a king
or something else,

I think he really did want to be a god.

[narrator] Caesar believes leading Rome
is his destiny,

so he looks to solidify his power.

Permanently.

Julius Caesar has faithfully served
the Republic of Rome.

Through his dedication and sacrifice,
he has ushered in an unprecedented era

of peace and prosperity.

He's conquered foreign enemies,

expanded our borders

and eased the burden
of our less fortunate citizens.

His astounding achievements deserve honors
of equal merit.

It is with that in mind,
that I hereby name Julius Caesar

Dictator in perpetuity.

On me!

Cover it up!

Julia... has passed.

Stay back.

The man has himself proclaimed
as dictator for life

and then collapses in a convulsive fit.

I don't know where to begin.

He's going to step down.
Isn't that what you told us?

I can't see that happening.

- Did you know he was sick?
- Of course not.

I think you did.

Perhaps that's how you finagled
your position?

I earned my place.

What else aren't you telling us?

Are you questioning my loyalty
to the Republic?

Don't ever question my loyalty.

Then we can count on you
to do whatever's necessary

if and when the time comes?

War is coming.

It's time you picked a side.

[Strauss] Emotionally,
Brutus was conflicted.

On the one hand, Caesar was a great man.

Brutus had known him since he was a boy.

On the other hand,
Caesar was the dictator for life,

the man who posed a threat
to the Roman Republic

and everything that Brutus held dear.

[narrator] Despite their personal history,

Brutus is forced by his colleagues
to make a choice,

while Caesar looks to distract the Senate
from his illness

with plans of a shocking new conquest.

Knowing his sickness
could make him seem weak to the Senate,

Caesar decides to temporarily leave Rome.

[Strauss] I think Caesar was frustrated
by being in Rome,

dealing with the minutia
of Roman politics,

jousting with Senators,
having to negotiate with people

he no longer considered his equals.

On the battlefield,
everything was simpler and cleaner.

[narrator]
So Caesar declares he'll invade Parthia,

the same empire that defeated Crassus.

[Toner] Caesar decided to invade Parthia

to keep the Roman people on side.

It may have been a ploy
to distract the people,

but it also shows that he's something
of a conquest junkie.

He's addicted to the thrill
that comes from conquest

and the power and money
that it generates for him.

[narrator] A victory in Parthia
would bring Caesar not only riches,

it would make him even more popular
with the Roman people.

Caesar's career followed a course

where when he's out on campaign
conquering new territory for Rome,

defeating Rome's enemies,
he's very popular, everything is great.

Once he has to actually come back
and govern,

things get stickier, things get harder.

If we come up through the north,

we can cross the mountains.

The only other option is the desert route,
but we don't want to do that.

- Well, Crassus went through the desert.
- Crassus died in the desert.

All the armies in the world can't save you
from dying of thirst.

Do not underestimate the risk.

He was arrogant.

He listened to the wrong people.
That's what killed him.

You called for me.

Ah, you're here. It's all right.

I want you to call a meeting
with the Senate.

I'm announcing a new campaign.

We're going to conquer Parthia.

Parthia?

That's a bold choice.

I'll arrange a meeting immediately.

Tomorrow will be fine.

Now, where were we?

[narrator] For Brutus, an invasion
of Parthia shows that Caesar values power

over the welfare of the Republic.

[Strauss] I think Brutus saw
as much as anyone

that Caesar was a threat
to the long-established

constitutional order
of the Roman Republic.

Brutus was a philosopher,

and he saw that Caesar threatened
Roman ideals.

Brutus also felt that as the descendant
of the founder of the Roman Republic,

he had a particular responsibility

to defend the Republic against someone
who was opposing it.

- Thank you for meeting with me.
- Your message was cryptic.

Let him speak.

Caesar is calling an emergency meeting
of the Senate.

He's going to announce his plans
to invade Parthia.

He thinks another conquest will serve
as a distraction.

He's not serious.

Are you really that surprised?

We don't have the funds to finance...

There are far bigger implications
than finances.

The last thing we need is another war.

Then talk to him.

It's too late for that.
He's already made up his mind.

- There's no talking him out of it.
- Then perhaps we should let him go.

When he's gone, we can take back control
of the Senate.

We can't risk him returning more powerful
than he already is.

Well, that's assuming he's successful.

If he fails,
he'll bring the Republic down with him.

How are we supposed to stop him?

I thought you were prepared to do
whatever's necessary?

Inside Rome,

there's a real fear
that's beginning to set in

that what Caesar's gonna do
is make himself king of Rome.

The idea that there would be
a king of Rome

was anathema
to Roman political psychology.

Inside the Senate,

this is really the moment when they say,
"We have to get rid of Caesar."

[narrator] Three days before Caesar
is scheduled to leave for Parthia,

an emergency Senate meeting is called.

[Strauss] Caesar's planned war
with Parthia

frightened his political opponents,

because they knew that once he left Rome,

and took his position as a general,

he would be defended by a bodyguard.

In Rome, Caesar had no formal bodyguard.

So he would be virtually untouchable
once he was a general in the field.

[narrator]
To guarantee there are no intruders,

the Senate hire guards to stand watch
outside the theater.

[Toner] I think most of the reason why
Brutus decided to conspire against Caesar

was political.

He could never tolerate a situation

where the Republic had been defeated
by an individual man

who had taken powers to himself
in perpetuity.

May I have a word regarding my brother?
He's in exile.

- After the session
- Please!

Let me through.

- Please. I'm not above begging.
- You can bring it up with the magistrates.

I haven't seen him in a decade.

Then a few more hours won't matter.

Please!

Get off me.

Get him off me!

- [Caesar] And what's your name?
- Brutus.

[narrator] On the 14th of March, 44 B.C.,

Julius Caesar is stabbed 23 times

by a faction of senators,

led by Brutus.

[Duncan] Caesar knew that he had enemies.

Caesar knew that some of those enemies
would kill him

if they had the opportunity to.

I don't think that Caesar thought
that they had the balls to do it.

[narrator] The assassination
of Julius Caesar shocks Rome.

Slaves carry his body through the streets

as the city mourns.

Brutus and his conspirators
try to restore order,

but things quickly spiral out of control.

The death of Caesar created
a huge political vacuum

at the top of the processes

and men immediately started to fight
for how to achieve

clarity in the system going forward.

[narrator] In the months that follow,

Brutus and Mark Antony become
bitter rivals

fighting for power on the battlefield.

Brutus is defeated

and as he's being captured,

takes his own life.

Mark Antony's allies will soon conspire
against him,

and he flees to Egypt,
where he marries Cleopatra.

After war breaks out
between Egypt and Rome,

Antony and Cleopatra die
in a double suicide.

Caesar's child, Caesarion,
rules Egypt for two weeks,

before he's killed at age seventeen.

By assassinating Caesar,

the Roman senators believed
they were saving the Republic.

But the opposite occurs.

And after years of violence and upheaval

the only way to restore peace
is through the leadership of one man.

His name is Octavian,
the nephew of Julius Caesar.

And on the 16th of January 27 B.C.,

he becomes Rome's first emperor,

ruling for the next 40 years.

Caesar, in the end,
destroyed the Republic.

The example that he set,
the wheels that he set in motion.

After Caesar,
nothing could be the way that it was.

[narrator] Just 20 years
after Caesar's death,

Rome is an empire...

with over 50 million people
living within its borders,

roughly twenty percent
of the world's population.

No man helped shape
that transformation more...

than Julius Caesar.

Caesar has been one
of the most influential figures

in the history of Western civilization.

His assassination directly tied
to the end of the Republic

and the start
of this imperial autocratic rule.

So he's been hugely influential
in that sense.

[Tempest] Caesar certainly stands
as one of the great men of history today.

He did take steps to curb corruption,

to eliminate debt,

to make life a bit better
for the poorer citizens

and they loved him for it.

So, part of his legacy is bound up
with that reputation.

[narrator] Caesar's legacy goes beyond
the borders of Rome.

Foreign leaders,

including Russian Tsars and German Kaisers

use translations of his name,

and the month of July
is named in his honor.

[Duncan] Caesar's legacy is enormous.

He's one of the two or three most famous
human beings that has ever lived.

Every subsequent leader
for the last 2,000 years,

anybody who's politically ambitious,
militarily ambitious,

knows about Julius Caesar,
and whether consciously or not,

is comparing themselves to Julius Caesar.

He looms enormous
in the political and military history

of the Western world and the whole world.

And of course he stands
at one of the most famous

political transitions in human history,

which is when the Roman Republic
becomes the Roman Empire.

And who's at the very center of that?
It's Julius Caesar.