"THE SLAVES OF CARTHAGE" "Magnificent Julia Marcia, may this day be fortunate for you." "This is indeed a fortunate day for me, since you agreed to escort me." "Now it's up to you to make it happy, Marcus." "No answer?" "Men at arms are too sparing with words." "But they're lavish with actions." "I don't know what ladies prefer." "Go on!" "So, that's how your attentions are taking hold in Julia Marcia's heart." "I don't need anymore proof." "You're in love with her, Flavius Metellus, but she prefers Marcus." "Your sarcasm, Publius, is humiliating." "But I'll marry Julia Marcia, and not just because I love her, but because her father, the proconsul, wants it." "You'd do better to care more for the daughter than the father." "I don't think she's a woman who'd be pleased with a husband... who's unwanted." "I advise you to sharpen your weapons." "Marcus Valerius is a redoubtable rival." "He's worth a lot more!" "The price offered is not worthy of his talents!" "He has strong muscles;" "he knows how to work the land." "I can't sell him for so little!" "I only asked for half his price!" "You're making a good buy!" "2000 sesterces," " Any better bid?" "You made an excellent deal!" "And I couldn't make a worse one." "Go on!" "This one is sweet and devoted." "1,000 sesterces don't suffice to buy her fidelity!" " Quick, make a bid!" "1,000... 1,200 sesterces!" "Bravo!" "The old man can still choose!" " What will his wife say?" "I'm sure that she won't let him waste his money so uselessly." "Stand up." "It's your turn." "And remember to smile!" "A smile loosens the purse of the buyers." "Be quick!" "Unless you want to feel the sting of my whip!" "Courage, Leah." "You've won, old man!" "She's yours for only 1,200 sesterces!" "People of Tarsus:" "Many, many times the sun will set on Cilicia, before you'll be offered again two sisters of such rare virtue." "From distant Carthage, they have been sent to our shores." "On their bodies and their faces can be seen the savage beauty of that blazing land." "Descendants of the noblest stock." "The excellent education they received makes them two splendid jewels, worthy to appear on the crown of an emperor!" "Enchanting!" " You're right: so blonde, so delicate." "Meek as a lamb." "Blonde?" "Delicate?" "I always preferred tigers to lambs." "Believe me, there are few women like that brunette." " Your bids!" "3000 sesterces!" "I accept your offer only as an opening bid." "Otherwise, I'd consider it an insult to the virtue of these two sisters." "4000!" " 5000!" "6000!" " 7000!" " 8000!" "Poor Tullius, you have to give up!" " You're too poor!" "They're worth more!" "Much more!" "The marketplace offers an unusual spectacle." "It interests you, Marcus?" "Yes." "How could I not be interested in those two beauties?" "They are skilled in music and singing." " 9000!" "No higher bid?" "Their delicate hair is like the caress of the warm and heady winds that blow in the desert." "10,000 sesterces!" " What a miserable bid!" "Make it higher!" "Higher!" "Stop!" " No higher bid?" "These jewels are worthy of the house of the proconsul." "Two rare beauties." "20,000 sesterces!" "Magnificent and brave Marcus Valerius!" "A bid so high could only come from you." "I'm happy, Marcus Valerius is my friend." "I didn't know you had so much money." " In fact, I don't." "Then how are you going to pay?" "I couldn't permit that such beauties to go to any other house but that of the proconsul's daughter." "They'll have a worthy place in your palace." "I bought them and you'll pay." "You couldn't pick a better place to erect a temple of your favorite goddess." "Love always takes the best things for itself." "May the Goddess smile on you!" " She will." "I know it." "From your tone, one would think you have something serious to ask Aphrodite." "Yes, very important." "And you know it." "I have many talents but fortune telling is not one of them." "No, you don't have to try too hard to read what's in my heart." "You are a fascinating woman." "My life as a soldier has taken me to every part of the world." "And I never met a woman like you." "I like you a lot but.." " But you don't love me, do you?" "Try to understand me.." "I have lived among the hardships of war." "I haven't had time to think of love." "Of the true one." "Since I met you, I have searched my heart, but still I haven't found an answer." "I know how to wait." "Today, the gods will smile on me." "They are many who suffer for your love, they sigh for you." "The gods gave them this pain." "But I.." "I don't profess anything but friendship." "A dear and loyal friendship." " Wait for me." "You must forget that you were born noble and free." "Now you are slaves, and slaves must only obey." "Therefore, you must submit to your mistress, not only your will.." "but your thoughts." "And you especially remember this!" "Julia Marcia demands a slave to answer only if questioned." "And don't cry." "I'm speaking to you too!" "You must smile." "Always smile." "And walk with grace like a dancer." "Like this." "Why are you laughing?" "Ever since Marcia freed you, you've become a torturer!" "You were a slave too!" "You were." "And don't forget that I demand the highest respect." "Go." "Let me pass." " I can't." "I must do this quick." "I said let me pass!" " And I say I have to do it quickly." "The likes of you should be born and die as slaves." " Esther!" "You heard that?" "The princess has spoken, she wants to pass!" "Shut up, Paulus." "Go on, pass." "However.. you're wrong." "You decided to surpass the fame of the great heroes." "Their deeds became myth after death, yours in life." "I've heard stories that recounted your exploits." "Is it true you killed 200 soldiers in one battle?" "200?" "You defame me." "According to my calculations, it's 2000." "Not hard to believe." "Achilles had his weak spot but you are invulnerable." "I don't know if his body is invulnerable." "But his heart is, for sure." "We've lost a lot of time." "I've been waiting for two weeks for your seal on the decree." "It seems like we're taxing the people too much." "A new tax may provoke a revolt." "Yes, you may be right, if Rome was not asking for ever increasing amounts." "Rome, Rome!" "You always use the name of Rome like a shield." "I contend that if all the gold arrived in Rome, that was squeezed from the provinces, Rome would be swimming in gold." "What are you insinuating?" "Be clear." "I thought I was." "Come on, Publius Cornelius." "The proconsul had no intention to offend." "Yes, it's true." "My words maybe have exceeded my thought." "Today I don't feel well." "Maybe it's the heat." "I feel tired." "I advise you to go to your room." "You know your health won't let you stay up late." "The doctor!" "Always the doctor!" "Good night, father." "Take care of yourself." "This sirocco wears out my nerves." " You work too much." "For a long time you haven't had a rest." " Good night, my daughter." "Finally, we can hear the girls of whom everybody's singing the praises!" "Let's hope their talents can repay Marcus for the money he spent." "A pair of Persian horses would cost me much less." "But beauty is priceless." "And if they are as skillful as lovely, you won't regret the purchase." "You're right Marcus." "I was tempted to give all of my modest savings to purchase the brunette." "The brunette?" "No, look at the blonde." "Look at the sweetness.." "of her face." "# I remember.." "# the land where I saw.." "# the sweet light of life." "# I remember.." "# the parties,  # the lucid colors of the seashells." "# Everything destroyed." "# I remember." "# the friendly echo of the desert.." "This song is sadder than a funeral dirge." "It inspires thoughts of death." "Please Julia Marcia, order them to sing something more cheerful." "You're right Flavius." "This song is not fit for a party." "Enough." "# of the grave.." "# of my death.." " I ordered you to be silent!" "They say that Carthaginian women are experts at brothel songs." "A girl like you should know many." "I would like to hear some." "I promise you I won't blush." "Sing, I order you!" " Forget it, Julia Marcia, you see she can't!" "Perhaps the tribune Marcus Valerius forgets he's in my house?" "I want to hear you sing!" "Obey!" "I think only the whip will teach her to obey." " Yes." "Give her 20 lashes and then lock her up." "So then she'll learn to behave like a slave." "Beloved Julia Marcia, I must take leave of you." "You know I'm a soldier, and my duty comes before everything." "I won't keep you." "Since you prefer your duty to my company." "I realize the beautiful Julia Marcia is not in control of her feelings tonight." "I hope you have fun even without me." "Maybe our hero is not insensitive to the fresh beauty of the Carthaginian slave." "Perhaps Tullius was right:" "invulnerable hearts don't exist." "She's only a slave!" " Yes." "A very beautiful slave." "Could a humble slave hope the noble Marcus Valerius will hear her prayer?" "What do you want?" "I've heard speak of your generosity." "If you could help my sister." "She was whipped and imprisoned." "Do something for her." "She didn't mean to offend the mistress." " The noble Marcus Valerius will not disappoint you." "That you can be sure." "I'll do what I can." "But remember that a slave must always obey his master." "You only need to say one word, to be freed." "You would like to be free?" "Isn't that true?" "Yes, I would." "But not at the price you think." "Esther." "Men like Tullius can make a freedwoman of a slave." "And a queen of a freedwoman." "Supposing that the slave wants to be one." "I do not, Stephen." "I do not." "You're a Christian, aren't you?" " Yes." " Me too." "I'm a Christian." "It is a great joy for me." "Whatever you need, I'd be happy to be of use." "Open." "Do I make you afraid?" "No." "You are good, noble Marcus Valerius." "You were the only one who defended me." "I'll never forget it." "No, I don't deserve your gratitude." "My defense only increased Julia Marcia's wrath." "Certainly a strange woman." "However, maybe not as cruel as she seems." "Maybe you hate her." " No." "I don't hate her." " But she had you whipped!" "She locked you in here for no serious offense." "No one is blameless down here." "Your words are unusual for a prisoner." " They're not my words." "You speak in riddles." " Jesus Christ, our Lord, said," ""Forgive your enemies."" "You're a Christian!" "I heard of your strange religion." "They say that suffering doesn't scare you." "That you consider it a privilege granted by your god." "Are you sure of the existence of this new god?" " More than of my own existence!" "But he's not a new god." "He's the only one." "You're a little fanatic!" "You can't understand, Marcus Valerius." "Because you don't know the comfort of faith." "I didn't understand it also, when I still hadn't seen the light." "You call this fantasy truth?" "Listen." "If you love your life, don't speak to anyone about what you call your "faith"." "Here in Tarsus, Christians are hated by all since the time of that fool, Paulus." "But Rome laws allow our faith!" "Yes, but Rome is far away and not everyone here respect its laws." "If you were my slave, I wouldn't care what god you'd worship." "Julia Marcia may think otherwise." " Free me, Marcus Valerius!" "You ask a lot." "I can't promise anything." "But I'll do my best for you." "I found out this morning." "You think it's true, Stephen, that his words can restore us to peace?" "Not only me:" "All the city knows the prayers, faith and charity of the Deacon." "The Deacon's coming here?" " Yes, Esther." "He's coming to celebrate Holy Easter." "How happy I'd be to hear him!" " But for slaves it's prohibited." "How can you hope for permission?" "I'm certain Deacon Libanius's blessing will fall upon us." "His blessing will fall upon all who believe." "What prodigy brings the divine Marcus Valerius among us mortals?" "Even the gods are susceptible to female charms." "And you came to communicate to me in person?" "It must be a serious reason that makes you come here." "You who are always so sure, now hesitate." "I came on behalf of the young slave you imprisoned." " Ah, the Carthaginian." "And so?" "I admit I feel bad." " That's why you went to the prison to console her." "You're surprised I know?" "I suspected it from the start." "So I ordered the jailer to let me know immediately." " Please, set her free." "It's already done." "As soon as your visit was announced, I ordered her to be brought here." "You have the gift to read minds." "It's a gift that women in love possess." "I beg you, Julia Marcia, you know this:" "I have no plans to marry." "My aspirations don't include family life." "And then.. your father has destined you to marry Flavius." "And he loves you." "And you love that slave!" " No, it's absurd to think so." "You confuse pity with love." " Go on, don't be afraid." "On your knees." "Thank your mistress for her kindness." "You're infinitely kind and generous to release me, Julia Marcia." "And I ask you forgive me." "Is that all of your words of thanks?" " Afra!" "It's Marcus Valerius you should thank." "Not me." "It's he who has a generous heart." "From now on, Afra will treat you with much care." "Right, Afra?" " Yes, my goddess." "Your every wish is my command." "Stand up." "You can go." "Happy?" " I thank you." "Julia, I'm advanced in years." "My heart is tired." "The gods may, at any time, cut the thread of my life." "It's necessary for you to choose a husband." "He can be my successor in the provincial government." "The Emperor listens to my words." "I know, Father." "I know your merits." "I don't want my authority to influence your judgment." "Although, I can't hide from you my preference." "A man worthy of you is Flavius Metellus." "I beg you, Father, let me choose." "I love Marcus Valerius." "Yes, Marcus Valerius is worthy." "But as a soldier, not a politician." "Rome's reasons have nothing to do with love." "Flavius loves you and all of Tarsus knows it." "It's not enough that he loves me." "Can I interpret your answer as final?" "I'm sorry, Father." "That's all I wanted to know." "Cornelius, is it true you spend the night in meditation?" " Why should I do that?" "To think up new taxes." " Taxes!" "Taxes!" "Who, if not me, could care for the public good?" " And yours as well." "What do you mean?" " You have a lot of gold." "If I didn't have a lot of money, think how many would live here in poverty!" "Ave, Proconsul." " Hail." "Come Flavius, I must speak with you." "Sit." "What I have to say saddens me." "However, you need to know." "It's about Julia Marcia." "I prayed to the gods many times to have you as my son-in-law." "Because I think you are the most suitable for governing the province." "I tried by all means to convince my daughter." "But you can't force the heart of a woman." "Julia Marcia.." "loves Marcus Valerius." "We can only bow our heads to an incontrovertible fact." "I tried, but you saw it was too heavy!" " So it was too heavy for you?" "The truth is you're used to being served." "You think you can abuse the mistress's favor and work less than the others." "I will flog you till you bleed!" "You'll see!" " No!" "Get off of me!" "Leave me alone!" " I'll teach you how to work!" "Stop!" " You don't know me yet!" "I'll teach you who I am!" "You don't know me yet!" "No more!" " Another!" " No more!" " Take that!" "Enough!" "Marcus Valerius, I beg you!" "Help me!" "Let go of me!" "How dare you?" "You forget that this girl is protected by Julia Marcia?" "Let me go, I beg you!" "It's not my fault." "I was following orders." " Whose orders?" "Speak!" "I command you!" " It's not too hard to guess." "Julia Marcia!" "It's easy to attack a helpless slave." "But not worthy of you." "It's unjust!" "What matters if it's just if you don't care about her?" "I had promised protection." "And I thought I could trust the word of the proconsul's daughter." "Enough, Marcus Valerius!" "Or else you'll convince me that your words aren't just pity for a slave, but feelings which offend me and wound me." "It's not my feelings for her that should offend you, but my opinion of you." "You speak of piety, but you lie." "You can't want me to be good to a girl who has stolen the little you gave me." "Go, Marcus Valerius." "Please leave." "What I feared has happened." "The proconsul is giving his daughter to Marcus Valerius." "This is the result of your carelessness in winning the heart of Julia Marcia." "We've lost too much time." "We must act now." "Know that if Marcus Valerius is named proconsul, it'll be bad for all of us." "He's honest, and that's dangerous." "If this is the will of Julius Severus, how can we oppose?" "The dead have no will." "What do you mean?" " You know very well." "It's up to you." "Don't ask this of me." " I will ask then for.." "the restitution of all that you owe me." "Why else do you think I lent you so much money all these years?" " No.." "It's monstrous." "I can't." "You have a delicate soul." " Choose somebody else." "I want to be sure of your silence." "I've waited long for you to become her husband." "Because only then you could be proconsul." "Who told you they would elect me?" "They owe me huge sums." "No one will be against me." "It's all in my hands." "And when should I?" " Soon." "On a night like this, the palace guard service is less rigid than usual." "There is nothing to fear." "I took care to cover your back." "Take this Christian cross." "What must I do?" "To demonstrate the truth of a truth is hard." "However, to demonstrate the the truth of a lie is easy." "The proconsul was killed!" "Julius Severus was murdered!" "It happened last night in his palace!" "They killed Julius Severus!" "A crime that cries for vengeance." "Julius Severus did not have to die this way." "No mercy!" "Whoever did it." "Who were the killers?" "They found a cross in the hand of the dead man." "Take them away!" "Christians did it." "A citizen of Tarsus couldn't be capable of such an infamy, believe me!" "People of Tarsus!" "Raise on high our cries of protest!" "Let our wrath tell the authority of Rome our indignation at the death of a just man!" "We need to do something!" " Death to the Christians!" "A shame." "It's lovely work." "Now this tunic won't be used." "It was worthy of our proconsul." "You know who killed him?" "The Christians Everybody says so." "Yes, I heard it from Afra too." "The Christians are a cursed race." "It's not true:" "Christians don't kill." " Are you a Christian?" "Yes, of course." "I am a Christian." "I hope they send you to the mills!" "And your sister too!" "What is it Esther?" "They say we killed the proconsul." " We?" " Yes." "Yes, we Christians." "They accuse us of murdering Julius Severus." " How is this possible?" "There must be a way to tell our side!" " Don't yell, Esther." "It serves nothing to shout." "Our faith teaches us.." " Yes, I know what our faith teaches us." "But I wonder do we have to be meek always?" "Always!" "Always!" "Don't speak so." "You'll distress yourself too much." "You're right, Stephen." "You're right." "There are times when I am at the point of madness." "Too long we've allowed this Christian plague to infest and poison our city!" "Dry your tears, Julia Marcia." "Let your grief be comforted by our loyalty and devotion." "And the Christians will pay for their crimes." "I won't have any peace until the last Christian is punished!" "I want them to suffer, to suffer the death of my father!" "All of them!" "All!" "Yes." "All." "The justice of Rome is the supreme law." "Move it!" " Let go of me!" " You too!" "And you!" "March!" "Go on!" "Cursed!" "Take them away!" "Damned Christians!" "Damned!" "To the mills!" "I, Faustus Domitian, in my role as propraetor." "and by virtue of the Julian law, administrator of the province, propose that I should be entrusted with the proconsulship." "until the Senate and the people of Rome, elect a successor to the late Julius Severus." "Yes, as you wish, Faustus Domitian." "Let's talk about this Julian law." "We all know that Rome, today, would not dominate the world, if it didn't know how to adapt, from time to time, its laws to individual situations." "The promoters of disorder and violence have raised their heads." "They've reached the point of killing the representative of Rome." "An unheard of deed without precedent!" "Marauders scour the frontiers." "The soldiers are insufficient, discouraged." "Therefore, incapable of dealing with this." "And we.. should we choose as our leader a man advanced in years, tired and weak?" " I forbid you, Publius Cornelius!" "I forbid you!" "Perhaps, it's forbidden to remember the massacre of your men in the Parthian war?" "We're not discussing strategy, but the proconsul nomination." "Then your intention is to elect Flavius Metellus." "Do you really believe that a man so young has the wisdom and experience of Faustus Domitian?" "Can you be sure that he would follow the laws?" "Ah!" "Too much we talk of laws, rights, formalities!" "Your words were quite different, Livius, as those of many of you here, when you begged me to restore with my money the financial disasters which had struck you!" "You didn't speak of law then, but of money!" "Only money!" "Having arrived at this point, I propose we vote." "Good." "In deference to Faustus Domitian's age, I propose to the council to pronounce upon his name first." "And now the votes for Flavius Metellus." "Flavius!" "I thank the council for the trust they have shown me." "At this time, to assume the role of proconsul is certainly serious." "A heavy inheritance of duties falls on my back." "But on this difficult road I'll be helped by the memory of him whom I loved like a father." "His ghost demands revenge!" "Stop!" "Wait!" "Let decide the justice of Rome, if these women are guilty." "Come on, you Christian dogs!" "If you can't then ask your god!" "Be brave." "Just let me push." "No talking!" "Work!" "Hey, you!" "Remove them from the mill." "I have orders to take them to jail." "Right away, Marcus Valerius." "Stop!" "Stop!" "You look as if you accused me." "You preach love among men, but you're no more than common murderers." "Our hands are clean." "And you, deep in your soul.." "cannot believe these slanders." "Come here, quick!" "Get these Christians!" "Move it!" "You too, come on!" "Come on, lovely!" "Don't touch me!" "Don't be sad, because tonight in jail, I'll be your guard!" "Get off her!" " Christian dog!" " Hey, you!" "Concern yourself with the others!" "You didn't act so because it was right." "Perhaps you think you bought my gratitude?" "It's not always like that." "Sometimes you do something like this, just for pleasure of doing it." "I know you do not love me." "I cannot count on your heart." "I prefer to count on your pure reason." "On your ambition." "I am now the proconsul." "The authority, all, even this palace belongs to me." "If I wanted to, I could throw you out." "Right now." "And then what would you do?" "You're not rich." "At least not to be able to live in the luxury you're used to." "You'd have to learn to live like any other woman: without prestige or honors." "If instead, you accept being my wife," "I offer you the future of a queen." "I'm young and ambitious like you." "The two of us together, would rise only higher." "It's your choice, Julia Marcia." "Take your time before you answer." "Remember your father wanted us to marry." "Since you give me only the option of saying yes, I'll answer now." "I'll obey the will of my father." "When the mourning is over, I'll be your wife." "Children.." "in our misfortune, let us find comfort in the words of our divine master." "Blessed are they who suffer, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." "Our religion teaches us:" "Every resentment must be banished from our hearts." "Whatever calamity may befall us..." "Pray also for our persecutors." "For those who persecute the weak and innocent." "Stop that preaching, crazy fanatic!" "Even crazier those that listen to it!" " May God forgive your words, son, and replace violence with the light of his grace." "I said shut up!" "Is this the courage of a soldier?" "Hitting a defenseless old man?" "Watch it or I'll forget you're a woman!" "You keep preaching love, goodness, charity, but you lie with your hypocrisy!" "May God open your eyes!" "Yours could be closed forever!" "If you want a victim, kill me!" "A new tax?" " A small decree on the harvesting of grain." "The peasants are reduced to misery." "It is not wise to insist." "Their tempers are too exasperated." " As treasurer of the province, I decide." "Your insatiable thirst for money blinds you." "If a revolt breaks out?" "An intervention from the Emperor would be no good to us." "Don't worry, Rome will have what is due, as always." "The Emperor will have no reason to intervene." "No, Publius Cornelius!" "You push me on a dangerous road." "I'll not sign your decree." "You forget that your life is in my hands." "With one word, I could ruin you." "I alone know who killed Julius Severus!" " Shut up!" "Don't speak to me of Julius Severus!" " Don't yell like a fool." "The walls have ears." "You don't know my torment." "You don't know my sleepless nights." "I can't forget his eyes.." "fixed on me, as I sunk my dagger in his throat." "You fear shadows?" "Yes, I'm afraid." "I'm afraid of everything." "I didn't know you were such a coward." "Well, I know the medicine that can cure remorse." "Gold." "And more gold." "I can give you as much gold as you want, as long as you don't hinder me." "I don't care about your wealth." " Don't you want to marry Julia Marcia?" "There's no other way to keep her." "Money!" "You know she's not a woman to be content with too little." "She's greedy, as she's beautiful." "So." "Sign my decree." "Sign it!" "Here's Julia Marcia!" "Ave Julia." "The cares of the province make the proconsul gloomy as night." "Yours is the task to make him smile again." "Good night, Flavius Metellus." "My father distrusted Publius Cornelius." "He considered him devious and selfish." "You shouldn't trust him.." " Let me do the governing." "Politics is not for women." "Forgive me." "I didn't want to offend you." "You know, the only thing I hold dear.." "is my love for you." "You speak of love, Flavius, but do nothing to show it." "I asked for justice for the murder of my father." "Many days have passed, and you've not yet acted." "I think the death of so many for the fault of only one, can only draw the wrath of Rome." "Even Marcus Valerius.." " Ah!" "It was he who counseled prudence!" "He tells me to proceed with caution." " Marcus Valerius is not loyal." "He only says that because he wants to save the Carthaginian slave he loves." "But you are the proconsul." "Only you have the right to judge." "The people's urge for justice has to be satisfied!" "Yes, Julia." "Order then.." "so that it's Marcus Valerius who brings the Christians to their deserved end." "May the night bring peace, Marcus Valerius." "What is this song?" " A prayer to God." "Seems a happy song." " It is." "For us, life is a dream, that we awake from with death." "The purer the dream, the sweeter the awakening." "Among us, only the heroes aren't used to being afraid of death." "Among us no." "Everyone, even the weak and defenseless have this privilege." "Your face is sad." "Yet you're free." "You're strong, and the law is on your side." "Freedom doesn't always give peace." "Strength and law aren't enough to know the truth." "God knows." "It doesn't matter if men are wrong." "There will be pardon for them too." " Then.." "you have pity on those who persecute you." "Who persecutes us are the true slaves." "Slaves to an unjust law they are forced to obey." "Your thoughts confuse me." "If you are innocent, how can pity those who persecute you?" "Our religion is love." "Not hate." "Of forgiveness." "Not revenge." "If only you could read our hearts." "We didn't murder Julius Severus." "I'm deeply saddened you would think so." "Who killed him couldn't be so pure." "I know nothing of your God." "But.." "this serenity, this refusal to defend, this pity for your persecutors.." "it's a force I've never known." "A force that's stronger than the sword that'll strike you down." "But.. you speak like one of us." "Glory to God for have given me this joy." "Why do you care about me?" "Leah." "Goodbye, Marcus." "Leah!" "I can help you get out of here." "I have men whom I can trust." "You want it?" " No, Marcus, thank you." "I'll never abandon my sister and my friends." "We're united by a common destiny." "It'd be a betrayal to abandon them." "The people demand justice." "And justice will be done." "The Christians, guilty of such brutal murder, will be sacrificed publicly, during the upcoming holiday in honor of the gods." "Crucify those murderers!" " The murderers!" "The people will witness the death of the enemies of Rome." "The anger of the gods will be appeased." "Finally, the beneficial rains will irrigate our lands again!" "And the fields will give again abundant harvests!" "Death to the Christians!" "I decided to entrust the execution of the judgment against the Christians.." "to the most valuable and faithful of Roman soldiers:" "Marcus Valerius." "I wish to speak, Flavius Metellus." " You have the floor, Marcus." "The people know.." "my whole life has been dedicated to the greatness of the empire." "When Rome called me to fight, my arm was ready." "But besides being a soldier, I am a Roman citizen." "Rome is the master of laws." "And the law means justice." "Now I ask you, how can you order me to slay those whose guilt has not been proven?" "There is a sentence." "The guilt was proven." "By what, Flavius Metellus?" "A cross found on the body of the victim is not enough." "How dare you refute a judgment?" "What proof have you of the Christians' innocence?" "I have spoken to them!" "It's people who for their religion cannot kill!" "Instead, look for him.." "who assassinated Julius Severus and punish him alone." "That's justice!" "I order you to obey!" "I won't play the butcher!" "Marcus Valerius talks because he's no longer a Roman soldier!" "He dares rise up against the will of the council!" "In defense of the assassins of Julius Severus!" "Your words condemn you." "The people accuse you." "You are a rebel and a traitor!" "Guards!" "Follow me!" "If you had not forbidden us to go into the council room, we would've given you a hand and perhaps you wouldn't have this wound." "And perhaps you would've lost your life." "Certainly, we're not your equals in combat." "Six against one." "What cowards!" "But we are with you, noble Marcus Valerius." "We wait your orders." " Thanks guys." "You, do you have the courage to go to Tarsus alone?" "I want to send a message to a friend." " I'll go." "Do you where the house of.." "the Praetorian Livius Catullus is?" "Yes, I do." "He's a noble man." "And generous." "A very noble man and trustworthy." "Marcus Valerius was right when he pointed out the greed of Publius Cornelius." "And the proconsul's rule has now become an open tyranny." "Why did you summon us?" "Because I hope the proud action of Marcus Valerius may arouse in all of you a sense of dignity." "I say that I prefer to die fighting than to keep living like a slave." "I as well, Livius Catullus." "What do we have to do?" "Help the noble Marcus Valerius in his attempt to save the dignity of Rome against all of those who have dared to trample on the law." "I'm with you, Livius Catullus." " And you?" "Licinius?" " Me too." "From this moment on, my arm and heart are at the service of justice." "It won't be easy finding men willing to risk it all." "We'll need much money." "I'll offer my goods, to the last sesterce." "Who can guarantee the success of the venture?" "Marcus Valerius.." "is far from us." " No." "Not as far as you think." "Where is he then?" " He's hiding in the cave of Agis." "It's prudent that he stay there." "Tarsus is completely filled with the guards of Flavius Metellus." "The sesterces offered for his head will draw out many spies." "Tullius!" "Come!" "You can return now to Marcus Valerius." "The road to Carinca is long and tiring." "My horse is tired." "Livius Catullus." "Then at dawn, you'll leave with my message." "Wake up, come with me!" "Where are you taking me?" " Don't ask questions, come!" "Leah!" "Leah!" "Go in." "Come on." "I want you to tell me where Marcus Valerius is hidden." "I'm sure you know." "He's come to see you every night." "He's spoken with you through these bars." "Spoken to you words of love." "I can't believe you don't know where he's hiding." "Answer me!" "Where is he?" "I don't know, Julia Marcia!" "Don't delude yourself that silence will be of any use." "I don't know, I swear it!" "I don't know." "Beware!" "I am powerful!" "I can make you talk." "I spoke the truth!" "It's useless to deny it." "He loves you, and you love him too." "You certainly know where he is!" "I haven't heard anything." " Liar!" " I swear!" "I don't believe a Christian's word!" " I don't know." "It's true." "We did see each other." "But I don't know where he is now." "We'll see if you don't know anything!" "No!" "No!" "Mercy!" "No!" "Mercy!" "This is your last chance to save yourself." "Where is Marcus Valerius?" "Mercy!" "I don't know!" "No, mercy!" "Mercy!" "Murderers!" "They're killing her!" "Enough!" "Let her go!" "Leah!" "Leah!" "What did you do to my sister?" "Talk!" "Talk!" "You can't leave her like that!" " Get off of me!" "Come, Esther, come." "Where are you going?" " Tell me, oh heroic warrior," "Is this home of the most powerful proconsul of Cilicia?" "Yes, what do you want?" " I want to speak to him." "You think Flavius Metellus will talk with a poor shepherd?" "Poor in bread, but not in brains!" "Ah, you're crazy!" " He'll receive me, if you tell him that I know where Marcus Valerius is hidden." " Where?" "I would be crazy indeed, if I told you!" "What is it?" " This one pretends.." "I don't pretend." "I know!" "Be precise!" "He say he knows.." " I don't say, I know!" "Then, what do you know?" "Where Marcus Valerius is hidden, and I want the 3,000 sesterces." "Or 30 lashes, if your information is false." " That's my business." "Come." "Are you sure you really saw him?" "Very sure, my powerful lord!" "Very sure!" "Marcus Valerius is hiding in the cave of Agis." "It's where I take my flock to graze." "My poor flock, my lord!" "Fallen under the Christians' evil spell!" "Seven males died in the turn of one moon!" "But now, thanks to you, my powerful proconsul, sun of civilization.." " You talk too much!" "Cut off my tongue if I say another word." "Take this gold and leave." "You'll get more if your information is correct." "And remain in my palace until I say otherwise." "Listen carefully." "We'll enter Tarsus through the north gate." "We'll cut off the proconsul's way of access." "The others will attack, from the south gate, the prison area." "That would be great!" "Yes." "It would be great." "You think that Livius will manage to have the necessary soldiers to undertake this plan?" "We'll know when Tullius returns." "Tullius is coming!" " Let's hope he has good news." "For you, Marcus Valerius." "Good news, friends!" "Livius Catullus is with us." "And not just him." "Others also." "The old Faustus Domitian." "Licinius, Horatius Tiberius." "The war hero?" " Yes, the same." "How many men are with us?" " I don't know." "Livius is taking care of that." "Surely, not a few.." "You can count on a centuria, Livius Catullus." "You think that's enough?" "Flavius Metellus's legions are spread at the border to combat the marauders." "At this time, Tarsus is poorly protected." "100 men!" "In fighting, courage counts more than numbers." "Commanded by Marcus Valerius, they can do wonders." "When did you find out?" "This morning, a shepherd informed me." "Have you given your orders?" " Yes, to the decurion Antonius." "He'll hunt him out of his lair with his most trusted men." "Marcus Valerius won't surrender." "He'd rather kill himself." " So let him!" "You're wrong again, Flavius." "Marcus Valerius enjoys a great popularity." "If he were to die in combat, the people would remember his name like a god." "Your prestige would be compromised." "If instead, he's alive in your hands, you can bring him to trial." "The law punishes traitors with an infamous death." "It's true, Julia." "You are right." "At your orders, noble proconsul." "Are you ready to leave, Antonius?" " Ready." "I thought it over." "You'll bring him back in chains." "You'll answer for his life." "I'll follow your orders." " Go!" "May the gods protect you." "What do you think?" " So-so." "When I was an archer, I had a better one." "But this too can be your friend in an emergency." "Watch." "What did I tell you?" " Bravo." "You seem to be healing and your arm is good again." "Then.." "you don't think it was the Christians who killed Julius Severus?" " No." "Yet there's the cross found on the corpse." " I don't believe it." "Those people are incapable of hate." "Perhaps your love for that girl is clouding your judgment?" "No, it's not that, Tullius." "It's not." "People who suffer martyrdom for a kingdom not of this world.." "cannot kill." "Help!" "We're attacked!" "We're attacked!" "Help!" "Marcus Valerius!" "Tullius!" "We're attacked!" "Save yourself, Marcus Valerius!" "Your life is precious!" "Yes, Tullius!" "Yes!" "You have a mission to do!" "I loved you as soon as I saw you." "Me too, Stephen." "It seems strange that it happened this way." "You live far apart for many years, as in two different worlds, but at a certain moment, just a meeting makes you feel a deep joy." "A great peace!" " Yes, Esther." "And you don't believe it until it happens to you." "It's a sweet experience." "Even if you suffer and despair much." "And you should know this." "Perhaps, I was aggressive and unfriendly, because I was afraid of everything." "You chased away my fears." "I feel protected by your side." "Even in these painful days." "Yes, dear." "You'll see." "We'll be free again." "We haven't done anything wrong." "The truth will come out." "Get out of the way." "Let me pass." "Marcus Valerius!" "You're a prisoner here!" "Why?" "It's too long to explain." "And Leah, where is she?" "Don't you know?" "Julia Marcia had her tortured." "With a burning sword." "She's blind." "What?" "Blind?" "Leah!" "Leah!" "Leah!" "Marcus!" "Marcus!" "It's Marcus!" "Marcus!" "Where is he?" "Where?" "Come Leah!" " Esther!" "Where is he?" " Come!" "Leah." "Darling." "How horrible what they done to you!" "Why?" "Why?" "Julia Marcia wanted to know where you were hiding." "But I knew nothing." "Not where or why you were hiding." "She didn't believe me." "I was accused of treason." "Of connivance with you Christians." "But you?" "You?" "Don't suffer on my behalf, Marcus." "My fate is sealed now." "Rather, what fate awaits you?" "I don't know and I don't care." "I only care about you, Leah." "Marcus!" "Among the crosses that rise on the hill of Keriath, there is also mine." " No, quiet!" "That cannot be." "I love you." "Why haven't you told me this when I could still see you!" "I love you too, Marcus." "It will be a wonderful show." "It'll last until dawn." "Hey!" " Huh?" " Look!" "Does it look like the right size for that old preacher?" "I want to hear his last sermon." "I wonder what he'll say!" "Believe me, Marcus, my eyes are closed to light, but not the divine light." "If you could see how many things are beautiful and good in this world." "You'd understand that mine is not madness." "We need to love, not to hate." "Our faith is love and compassion." "You may be right." "But I can't control my hate." "Fate was too hostile to me." "Without me, no one will dare fight for justice." "Why do you doubt your friends?" "Maybe, as we speak, they're risking their lives.." "to save you." "Marcus is a traitor like the others, and like the others he'll die." "Traitor?" "I'll believe it when I see it." "They will judge him.." " And condemn him as he deserves!" "This is no time for regrets, events are coming to a head!" "We must act by any means!" "In two days, they'll put to torture the Christian prisoners." "Even Marcus Valerius will be tried." "Unfortunately, the arrest of Marcus not only deprived us of a valiant leader, but scattered our ranks into disoriented confusion." "It's time to stop delaying and act!" "Act now!" "The fact that your love.." "is born in these days of sad uncertainty, proves how deep and sincere it is." "Asking me to unite you in matrimony, your souls have already surpassed the limits of the earthly." "Our and your future are in the hands of God." "May he be bless your union!" "Glory to the Lord!" "Old billygoat!" "I grant you the privilege to lead your flock on the hill of Keriath." "Leah!" "Farewell,.." "Marcus!" " Come on!" "If the people were closer and could see your face, they would realize the proconsul doesn't participate with much zeal here." "Don't forget that this is about the murderers of Julius Severus." "Six men with me!" "The others to the south gate of Tarsus!" "These grapes from Cyprus are a delight!" "Not even your god can set you free!" "Don't touch me!" "Come, move!" "Open the cells immediately, if you want to live!" "Go on!" "Open it!" "Open it!" "Open it or I'll kill you!" "To the flames!" "To the flames!" "Burn them!" "Burn them!" "What is it Flavius?" "This spectacle is starting to bore me." "Maybe, my instincts are less bloodthirsty than yours." "To the hill of Keriath!" "Oh, God!" "No!" "Here innocent blood is spilled!" "Proconsul!" "You break the laws of Rome!" "You won't escape the punishment that Rome reserves for traitors!" "Forward!" "Come, Flavius!" " Julia!" "Oh God!" "The proconsul fled!" "Let's pursue the proconsul!" "I would have never believed.." "that I should envy.." "the fate.." "of a slave." "May tomorrow.." "be fortunate for you.." "You know it wasn't the Christians who killed Julius Severus!" "Julius Severus?" "I killed him!" "Flavius!" "It's just that it ends like this." "Marcus, forgive me!" "Our fallen brothers are today present among us." "I know their sacrifices will feed a marvelous growth of souls." "You, Marcus Valerius, defend always the people of your land, and may you and your wife be guided by the faith in the Lord!" "Because I say to you, blind is only he who does not see the light of truth." "Subtitles by sineintegral@KG"