"Rome, 44 B.C." "Julius Caesar has conquered the known world." "Murdered by the senate," "Caesar names his young nephew, Octavius, heir to the empire." "I don't want to be Caesar." "I'm sure you don't." "But the decisions in this, they're not ours to make." "Fight, Tyrannus." " The 10th legion could use him." " Pity he's a slave." "What did he say?" "Protect who?" "Tyrannus." "I vowed to protect you." "I put my family in danger." " Well, I didn't ask you to." " No, Caesar did." "I have seen the will of Caesar." "It exists." "And that will is Octavius," "Caesar's one true heir." "Octavius." "Octavius!" "Caesar will not rule us from the grave." "Find his will." "Destroy it." "I know the vestal matriarch has sworn the temple will not take sides." "By my vows and duty, I'll keep it safe." "The smoke of the fires has obscured the moon over Rome, just as the lies of the senate have hidden the truth." "Cassius wants the people to believe that Caesar was a tyrant." "If no one refutes this, it will become history." "I am a vestal virgin, one of only six in all the world." "My duty is to tend to the sacred flame." "Vestals are forbidden to engage in politics." "Though I am a vestal, I am a roman first, and I swear the people will know the truth." "By morning light, I will see Caesar's will and testament nailed to every door in Rome." "Listen, listen." "Is it official?" "Read it out loud." "10 denarii for the name of the traitor that posted this!" "Traitor?" "No, no, no." "From here, where your strength lies." "Again." "You don't have to do this." "Go take care of your family." "My family is my business." "Again." "They've probably reached Cyprus by now." "I don't want to speak of them... ever." "Now, try again." "We'll be at Magonius' villa before the end of the day." "Maybe Magonius is the wrong place to look for support." "Cicero has him at the top of his list of likely allies." "So, tell me, how do I convince a seasoned general he should commit his army to me?" "I thought you said you knew him." "From parties, where I most likely tried to seduce his daughter." "No one expects you... to win a war single-handedly." "Just tell this Magonius your plan and let fate determine the rest." "What plan?" "This gate should be locked." "What does a general have to fear?" "Something's wrong." "You invade my home?" "!" "I will see you all hanged!" "The senate demands that you commit the fourth legion to its defense." "If Cassius was man enough to demand it himself, he'd leave here without his head." "You're in no position to make threats, Magonius." "I'm not in the habit of making threats." "And I will not be intimidated, at least not by the likes of Cassius." "Sir, over here!" "My slaves." "Back to the fields!" "Away from my house!" "Farm slaves?" "Take them, also." "I will not tolerate the confiscation of my property." "Oh, you'll tolerate a lot more than that where you're headed." "Take him." "Right, sir." "Let's go." "Come on, come on." "Cassius, Caesar's will is on the street, posted everywhere." "There are accusations that a vestal virgin distributed it." "Well, that sounds like an invention." "There are witnesses." "Did you know that he left the majority of his fortune to the common people of Rome?" "Well, he pandered to them because he knew they were his only power base." "He cared what they thought of him." "What's your point?" "Plebeians are on the street killing senators, chanting, "assassins!"" "That doesn't disturb you?" "There's so much suffering in this room." "Am I with a woman?" "The mob must understand that the senate, not Caesar, now rules." "We'll begin by appointing consuls to replace him and Antony " "Caesar loyalists that please the mob, yet men we can control." "Taking Antony's consulship is like poking a caged tiger." "Good." "Let him understand that without us, he has no legitimacy." "Let his hand be forced!" "I am so sick of your fear!" "Rapax, clean your feet." "You're paying a visit to the vestal temple." "For you, Octavius." "Only the pontifex maximus of Rome has authority here." "Is this the vestal Camane?" "I'm not hiding." "She will be taken into our custody to determine whether she's an enemy of Rome." "No." "Bring her here." "Lay a hand on one of our order, and you risk far worse than your commander's displeasure." "If the citizens of Rome do not strike you down, vesta surely will." "Sir?" "Expect a return visit." "What happens when I canno longer protect you?" "Move to the right!" "Keep moving!" "Faster!" "My dreams are filled with blood, with torture." "I cannot tell if it is Octavius' or my own." "I've defied the vestal order by choosing sides." "If I am charged with treason, the punishment is death." "I will be buried to the neck, and my head broken with stones." "And if the senate finds Octavius, his execution is certain." "Get in line!" "Now's your opportunity." "Go on." "You!" "Arrogant fool." "They're gladiators hired by the senate." "That money will run out." "Cassius doesn't understand that yet." "He's like a little boy with wooden soldiers." "Why is he doing this to you?" "He wants the fourth legion, like you do." "It's true." "I need your support." "Cicero suggested you might sway your soldiers to join me." "I prefer not to discuss politics when I'm in chains." "I recommend you concentrate on the problems at hand." "Quit talking, you two." "Keep walking." "Can't put a man of my station here." "Where are we?" "This is where gladiators are born and all others die -- the combat dungeons of Arkham." "This way, general." "Don't look at him." "Don't look at him!" "Don't look at anyone." "They'll think I'm weak." "Those are gladiator chieftains, choosing slaves for death in the ring." "This is a combat prison." "If you show any sign of courage, you'll be selected to fight." "I'm sure they'd be easier adversaries than you." "As fresh meat, all they'll give you is a wooden sword... against that." "And if you survive, you're a gladiator." "Is that it?" "99 out of 100 don't survive." "And don't turn your back on a chief." "It's a mark of disrespect." "Don't do anything that makes you stand out, because if you do, they'll put you in the ring, and in the ring, you will die." "Do you hear me?" "Octavius?" "This one's wearing oils." "They perfume their whores that way in the city." "You trying to make your masters sneeze, pleasure boy?" "Are you showing me your eyes?" "I'll show you the faces of the gods if I get the chance." "The next time your eyes see mine," "I'll be spitting in your dead mouth... whore." "Marc Antony has disappeared and left Rome to burn." "The senate has no choice but to strip him of his consulship." "In this vein, we nominate the noble Cimber and the noble Quintilius as our new leaders." "I thank you both most dearly, but" "I must decline." "Decline?" "I'm needed on my lands." "My cattle are diseased, you see?" "Though, of course, it pains me to be robbed of the privilege of serving as consul." "Very well." "I'm sure the economic stewardship of Quintilius will leave us in good stead." "Who will partner noble Quintilius?" " I'm losing my vision." " What?" "I have these spots in my eyes." "I'm nearly blind." "The consulship would require too much reading." "It's impossible, I'm afraid." "I put forth Cassius and Brutus to serve as consuls." "Oh, agreed." "Their guidance through this difficult period has been both shrewd and statesmanlike." "Let's not game each other, gentlemen." "In the public's view, we are the killers of their beloved Caesar." "I'm sure you good men will not ignore your duty." "You made this stew, Cassius." "Don't expect us to eat it." "Should any of you expect on going protection from the rioters, alert us now." "The number of our guards is growing limited." "We wouldn't want to forget anyone." "I'm sure Quintilius and myself can find suitable candidates for consul." "Just keep walking." "And for mercy's sake, keep your eyes down." "Hurry up!" "Move yourselves!" "No fight, no food." "Does it hurt?" "Good." "Maybe pain will give you some sense." "I'm a Caesar." "I will not dishonor myself by displays of cowardice." "You think suicide is brave?" "You could have used your famous might to stand with me, which is supposed to be your job." "You don't understand." "I'm known here." "By whom?" "No one recognizes you." "Not by my face." "But I fight in the style of a Cypriot." "If I engage in battle with this man, I'll kill him, and they'll soon identify me as Tyrannus of Rome." "Then you are revealed to your enemies." "I cannot protect you here." "Drink." "I don't want your pampering, mother." "If I'm in the mood to nurture," "I suggest you take advantage of it." "Our general Rapax failed to deliver the vestal Camane as ordered." " Has she fled the city?" " No." "His courageous soldiers refuse to move against the sisterhood, fearing the retribution of the goddess vesta." "What authority will move them?" "This can't go unpunished." "Caesar was pontifex maximus, the highest religious authority in the state." "Like consul, it's one ofthe many offices he held that now stands empty." "Since his death, there's been no replacement." "But a new pontifex?" "Can we do that?" "Fetch us olives, mother." "Get your own olives." "I've examined the writs." "During times of great crisis, the pontifex may be appointed by senate decree." "Your mother's a clever witch, Brutus." "Whom do you favor as the new pontifex?" "Take your new hat and solve my vestal problem." "Now." "Awaken to die!" "Awaken to die!" "Awaken to die!" "Awaken to die!" "Which one of you will be today's fresh meat?" "Give the general a seat of honor." "It could be his last." "You -- pleasure boy." "He stole that move from Tyrannus of Rome." "I saw Tyrannus do it in Cyprus." "I want his face!" "Face!" "Face!" "Face!" "Face!" "..." "The whore is my property!" "If anyone should have his face on a sword, it's me." "Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "..." "Fight me." "Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "..." "Spare him!" "Spare him!" "Spare him!" "..." "He's spared." "Protect Octavius." "Not ready." "Teach him how to fight, my friend." "Teach him how to rule." "Hail Caesar!" "That jackal guard will be around again soon." "So be it." "We don't get to pick which day's our last." "Dying is easy." "Keeping yourself alive is a task worthier of you." "My eyes are open, Tyrannus." "I'm unarmed and marked for death." "You don't know what you're marked for." "Pay attention." "My arm's extended straight." "Where am I weak?" "I don't know." "You said your eyes were open." "Now, use them." " The elbow." " Good." "You pull me forward, step to the outside." "Try it." "Again." "You're weak." "Again." "Better." "Good." " Like with the sword, right?" " Mm-hmm." "My son Piso... his lungs are weak." "I'm worried he'll catch cold on his journey." "It's my fault, all of it." "I should have kept my eyes down." "Leave me with your master, boy." "This is Gaul." "They use smaller tridents there." "And this... a leopard's claws." "I'm unlucky with animals." "Especially when they've been unleashed in an arena, hmm?" "Like in Dalmatia?" "I served in Caesar's armies -- nothing more." "Be as mysterious as you like." "You still dropped your hands to me, which means I'll have to do you over slow and ugly next time." "Water!" "Have you gotten word out of here?" "Is someone coming for you?" "I can't reveal myself." "Your companion -- clearly, he's not some house slave." "Who is he?" "A gladiator of some renown." "His identity must be shielded here as well as mine." "A brave servant isn't enough in here, young Caesar." "Offer him up if you have to." "He'd be executed." "His beating was intended for me." "He sent his family into hardship for me." "You ask for my help, for my legion." "Then show the resolve your uncle had to do what is necessary." "Are you saying you'd betray a loyal soldier who more than once saved your life?" "I'm not claiming to be the next ruler of Rome." "You are." "Steel in a Caesar's sword is useful." "Steel in a Caesar's heart is imperative." "Go." "So, boy, you know the general?" "I'm his farm slave." "A noble man's son... that's what you are." "A noble man's son... without protection." "Do you know the mother tongue?" "Because I will be answered when I speak." "I'll see your heart turned on a spit." "Well, come and get it!" "You're worth more to me alive." "Leave us." "Noble pontifex." "I'm not a noble pontifex." "I'm a political actor, as are you, in a drama that's fast becoming a farce." "Why did you post the will of a dead tyrant on the doors of the senate?" "A dead tyrant who counted you amongst his friends, I thought." "Answer my question." "The people that loved Caesar deserve to know his last wishes." "You must denounce Caesar's will and throw your voice behind the senate." "My vow is to vesta, and I will not displease her by parroting the lies of assassins." "No sanctuary can protect you, girl, if you are officially accused of treason." "Is there no mercy in your maiden's heart for a man pulled between love of his friend and duty... to his republic?" "Vesta has mercy and love for such a man but only if he alters course -- if he decides to live in truth and honor." "Truth?" "Yes, and honor." "An altar asking the gods' protection." "For whom?" "And who placed it?" "The vestal virgin, untainted by the crass self-interest of her senate counterparts," " or a girl with a crush on a prince?" " How dare you!" "Yield a public retraction, denounce Octavius... or I will make this temple shake." "Senator Cassius, this way." "I kept him back here, senator." "Tyrannus." "Well, are the accommodations to your liking?" "Could be better." "Or much worse." "If any harm comes to me, Cassius, the fourth legion will never back you." "Which is why, despite whatever bickering has kept us squabbling in the past, today we have no choice but each other." "See, a lawless dictator, whether Antony or Octavius, only enrich themselves and threaten the landowners -- us." "Are we wrong to protect ourselves?" "I want that legion." "Killing Caesar could have re-established the senate as the true ruling force in Rome if the right man had been holding the knife." "Instead, the senate got Cassius." "The other senators laughed at your dinner invitations, and now you think they'll follow you to the servian walls?" "You're a eunuch, Cassius." "And since harming me would threaten your interests," "I can follow my heart instead of my head." "I'll throw my lot in with the boy." "Cut him to pieces." "Tell them who I am." "Save yourself." "I would have followed you." "Hail, Caesar." "For a general, he wasn't much of a strategist." "I'll have his legion for the senate, and for the anguish he caused me, this estate for myself." "I'll alert my gardener." "Tell him what you told me." "We arrested Magonius here with two slaves." "They arrived on horseback, one a boy." "Slaves on horseback?" "Oh, of course." "Octavius and the gladiator." "This would be their first stop." "Assemble the men." "We're going back to Arkham." "Hail, Octavius Caesar, scion of the Julian line." "I wonder what a would-be emperor is worth." "Freedom, at the very least, I'd say, though I think a few hectares of land might be in order as well." "Is that your scary face?" "Don't bother." "You rich boys fold up and die in here like little flowers without rain." "Don't worry, little flower." "Your troubles will be over soon." "You won't do it." "What happened?" "The chieftain -- he discovered my identity." "Did you hide the body?" "Hmm?" "Octavius, did you hide the body?" "He barely made a sound after I hit him." "I'm a murderer." "Murderer, soldier, gladiator -- what's the difference in the end?" "You did what was necessary." "Listen to me." "The new Rome that Julius Caesar imagined before he died is worth protecting, and so is his heir." "At least I've come to believe so." "Wash the blood off your hands and wait for my signal." "You afraid of a fair fight?" "No, I said a fair fight." "Tyrannus of Rome." "It can't be." "Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!" "What's happening here?" "Find Octavius!" "That's all that matters!" "There!" "There's his bodyguard!" "Where is he?" "Where's Octavius?" "Stop, Rapax." "All right, stop." "Put down your weapons." "Stand back!" "Tell them." "There's two horses behind me." "Release all the other ones." "Now!" "I should kill you for what you did to my uncle." "Oh, do that, by all means." "See how far you get." "One step at a time." "You'll never be Caesar!" "Just tell me which senator accepted the position." "It's complicated." "I'm not sure you realize the hesitancy." "The concern." "Stripping Marc Antony of his consulship -- only a certain type of person would volunteer." "Who is it, then?" "Someone from the outer provinces?" "You couldn't find a senator who wanted to be consul?" "Please don't tell me it's a mayor." "The mayors value their lives as much as the senators, it seems." "Who am I about to anoint leader of the roman republic and roman army?" "These are the aqueduct commissioners of the servian wall," "Herteus and Panza." "The gods test me." "By emergency decree of the senate," "I here by appoint you, Herteus, and you, Panza, to be co-consuls of the republic of Rome." "Don't miss, boy." "I'm hungry." "You do it." "I've had my fill of blood." "Whatever happens now, stay close to me." "But it's Marc Antony." "Just stay close." "No more running, prince."