"Ave Caesar!" "A FILM BY JERZY KAWALEROWICZ" "COPRODUCERS" "SPONSORS" "SCREENPLAY BY JERZY KAWALEROWICZ" "BASED ON THE NOVEL BY HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ" "Marcus Vinicius" "Lygia" "Petronius" "Nero" "Chilo the Greek" "WITH" "MAKE UP" "COSTUMES" "SOUND" "EDITED BY" "INTERIOR DESIGN" "ASSISTANT DIRECTOR" "PRODUCTION MANAGER" "EXECUTIVE PRODUCER" "MUSIC" "PRODUCTION DESIGNER" "DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY" "PRODUCER" "DIRECTED BY" "Marcus Vinicius, your sister's son" " arriving from Asia Minor." " Let him in." "Greetings, Petronius." "May gods send you blessings, especially Asklepios and Kypris." "Welcome in Rome." "Kypris has already blessed me with a twitching in the leg." "What is new in Armenia?" "The war could bring us defeat, if it weren't for Corbulo." "Corbulo, a true god of war." "A righteous fool." "I like him." "He makes Nero tremble." "He is not a fool." "Perhaps." "Wisdom is no better or different from foolishness." "This is what is best in life." "But you also love war which I despise." "Bronzebeard loves his own singing and his own verses." "You don't write poetry?" " I don't." " Strum the lute?" "Sing?" " I don't." " I'm at ease, then." "It is commendable to write verses, but it's much better not to write, play or sing, one should just admire Bronzebeard at doing it." "Welcome." "Greetings." "You risk one thing, though:" "Poppaea might fall for you." " I come to seek advice." " Hit by Cupid's arrow?" "I twisted my ankle on my way to Rome, and spent several days at Aulus Plautius' house." " If you fell for his wife..." " No, not Pomponia." "They call her Lygia or Callina, which is her barbarian name." "Once, at daybreak, she was bathing naked in the fountain, and I saw the rays of dawn passing through her body." "So she is as transparent as a baby sardine?" "Don'tjoke." "I'm madly in love." "My peace is gone, I crave no women, gold or feasts..." "I want Lygia." "Buy her, if she is a slave." "She is a hostage." "Daughter of a Lygian king." "I want to thank you for sheltering my nephew." "Gratitude has lead me here, as well as the fact that you never visit the Circus" " or the Amphitheatre." " Old people grow fond of home." "Let us listen to that laughter." " Aulus and Lygia are playing ball." " Laughter, Petronius, seems to be your life's goal." "Life is ajoke, therefore I laugh." ""Art thou mortal or divine?"" ""Were thou born in earthly nest, be thy parents doubly blest"" " "blest thy brethren"..." " "A man of value,"" ""and a man of wit."" "To hear Homer's verse from a young maid's lips..." "Our boy has a Greek tutor." "She listens to their lessons." "They say, the key to happiness is sharing the gods' desires." "But I suspect the existence of a different and greaterjoy, that only love may bring." "Gods seek thatjoy, so..." "I follow them, but having not known love," "I also seek the one who would make me happy." "Can't you guess why I'm telling this to you?" "I cannot." "How different is your world from the one ruled by our Nero." "The world is ruled by God, not Nero." "You believe in the gods, Pomponia?" "I believe in one God, who is just and almighty." "She believes in one almighty God." "I do not." "I agree that each woman has three or four souls." "None of them reasonable." "But I praise your choice." "She reminds me of Spring." "I desire her more than ever." "If I could kill Aulus and Pomponia and abduct her." "Another sleepless night..." "I'll have one of my slaves flogged and listen to his moans." "A simpleton's desires." "I must have her." "If you don't find a way," "I'll find it myself." "I shall think about it." "Wait in the litter." "I see in your eyes a flame consuming your soul, my lord." " Can you read fortunes?" " A coin, and you'll learn more." "Love... and death..." "are walking by your side." "You will offend gods." "Fire will consume more than your soul." "Go away." " This is for you." " Thank you." " "Satyricon"... whose is it?" " Mine." "But that's a secret." "You said you didn't write verse, but I see not only prose here." "Nero is the reason poetry makes me nauseous." "Some tickle their throat with a flamingo's feather," "I read Nero's verses." "Instant relief." "Though heart remains heavy, the stomach is light." "Greetings and orders from Caesar." "I am grateful for the greetings and shall obey the orders." "Aulus Plaucius, you shelter Lygian king's daughter, who was offered as a pledge for the safety of our boundaries." "I am to take her by orders of the divine Nero." "Wait here, Hasta." "Lygia?" "We love you, as you were our own." "But guardianship over hostages is the Caesar's privilege." "I would rather see her die." "I shall implore Caesar to change his orders." "He can't have remembered her." "Petronius..." "Cursed be the day when they entered our house." "Farewell, ourjoy." "I'll see Seneca." "Maybe he will plead for you." "Domina, let me go with her and guard her at the court." "You serve her, not us." "But how...?" "I have hands that crush iron." "Where is Lygia?" "Speak!" "What have you done?" "!" "I'm a cripple at dawn only, dusk restores my flexibility." "You seem to have been trained by a weaver and taught etiquette by a blacksmith." "You have a iron grip, but if you've betrayed me, you'll taste the steel of my knife." "Where is she?" "!" "I asked the Caesar two favours:" "to take her from Aulus' house and to give her to you." "Where's your knife?" "You'll end in prison and Lygia will pine away at your house." "So you didn't want her for yourself or Caesar?" "Tigellinus is Caesar's panderer, and if I wanted her, I wouldn't hide it." "Why hasn't she been sent to my house?" "For the sake of appearances." "Oficially, we took her as a hostage." "When comments at the court stop, she will be sent secretly to your house." "Pomponia asks me to watch over you. I shall, but don't make the Caesar angry." "He wants me to prepare you for the feast now." "You're so good, Acte." "I am not evil, though my happiness and joy have faded away." "The Caesar used to be good, but people made him evil." "Poppaea." "You still love him, Akte?" "Nobody else does." "You'll meet him at the feast." "Ask Petronius and Vinicius to persuade him you should be sent back home." "You are a hundred times prettier than Poppaea." "What a divine country is home of such beauties?" "I don't remember it... but Ursus tells me there are forests everywhere." "We are to sit here." "Greetings, the most beautiful one." "Greetings, divine one." "Greetings, Marcus." "My eyes are truly blessed." "Ave Caesar!" "I love you." " Let me go." " Love me too, my divinity." "Caesar is watching." "You're no longer at his side, and you are getting blind, so how can you see him?" "He's looking through his emerald." "Petronius?" "is that the hostage Vinicius has fallen for?" "That's the one." "He considers her beautiful?" "I read the verdict in your face." "Too thin." "And you have noticed her flaw:" "too narrow in the hips." "Too narrow... in the hips." " l keep Caesar's side." " Good!" "I say you're not utterly dull, while Caesar considers you a pure-bred ass." "I dreamt I was a Vestal virgin." "After four divorces?" "In a dream." "And if Caesar commanded?" "Habet." "Poppaea!" " Hail, divine Augusta!" " Welcome, divinity!" "Hail, divine Poppaea!" "Croton!" "Before the guests get drunk, dignify the feast with a song." "The gods know what those performances cost me..." "But since Apollo blessed me with a gift, I shouldn't waste it." "Though my sore throat..." " Don't be cruel, sing!" " Do sing, oh Caesar!" "Please!" "For you... I sing, oh my only one." "In pain... I offer you my song..." "You are away, oh woe me!" "The lilies don mourning," "Water grows bitter with poison," "Wine turns into vinegar." "Come, make lilies white again, Give water back its taste," "And let wine regain its nectaric sweetness." "As to the music, envy should make Orpheus as green as Lucan is now." "As to the verses..." "Pity they are not worse, because then I could find fitting words of praise." "I saw you naked, at the fountain." "You thought nobody was watching, but I saw you and I still see you like that," "though now you are dressed." "Cast the robe away." "Take it off, like Crispinilla did." "Beautiful hands..." "Oh, what beautiful hands!" "I've seen hands like those." "But whose?" "My mother's!" "My mother's..." "Agrippina's..." "They say she walks in the moonlight..." "at the sea, off Baiale and Bauli..." "as if in search for something... and whoever looks upon her, dies." "Quite a theme." "I had to..." "I had to kill her... because she hired a murderer to slaughter me." "If I hadn't acted faster, you wouldn't have heard me singing." "Lygia." " Give me your lips." " Leave me alone!" "Caesar" " took you away for me!" " Acte!" "Acte!" "I shall send for you tomorrow." "I can't wait any longer." "You have to be mine." "Here, now, immediately!" "Give me your lips!" "Let her go, Marcus!" "Lygia..." "Lygia!" "If he loves you, he should ask Aulus for your hand." "I'd rather go back to the Lygians." " Who is that slave?" " She's not a slave, divine Augusta." "She is a hostage raised by Pomponia Graecina." " And she has come to visit you?" " She's been moved to the palace." "By whose order?" "Caesar's." "You prefer to live here?" "That is not my choice." "I am to be offered to Vinicius." " Like a slave." " So Caesar" " promised you to Vinicius?" " Yes, my lady." "Plead for me, send me back." "You have my word... that you shall become Vinicius' slave tonight." " And if the plan fails?" " Pray to your God for help." "Greetings from Marcus Vinicius." "He is waiting at his house decorated in green." "I am going." "Yesterday you were drunk and acted like a mason." "Promise her, be it even in Hades' name, that she'll go back to Pomponia, but persuade her to stay." "It's been five years I've been treating Chrysothemis like this, and can't say she's cruel." "It's time they were here!" "He's ready to run out and miss them halfway." "They should be here!" " Oh, my lord!" " Have mercy!" " Where's Lygia?" " We fought..." " Where is she?" " See the blood..." " Where?" "!" " We defended her..." " Have mercy!" " Everyone is to be flogged!" "A hundred lashes!" "If you want to see raw flesh, I'll buy a butcher's shop for you." "Acte, avoid misfortune by telling the truth." " Caesar has her?" " l swear, she is not in the Palace." "Nero is at his sick child's crib." " So the Auluses took her back?" " Lygia's will has been done." " You knew she planned to escape?" " She didn't want to be your concubine." " As if you hadn't been one." " But I was a slave before." "Lygia is a gift from Ceasar, I don't care about her past!" "She will be my concubine." "I'll have her flogged." "And when she bores me, I'll give her to a slave." "We met Poppaea with little Augusta carried by a Negress." "Soon the child fell ill and the nanny accused Lygia of having cast a spell." "If the child gets well, they'll forget." "Otherwise..." "Poppaea will accuse Lygia and no one will save her." "Perhaps she has bewitched me, too?" "Marcus, don't speak of her to Caesar, until his child gets well, or you'll bring Poppaea's vengeance upon her." "And she has shed enough tears because of you." "You love her, Acte." "I do." "Because she hasn't paid you back with hatred." "You blind fool, she loves you!" "No, she doesn't." "She hates me." "She hates me." "May God forgive you all the wrong you've done to us." "How is the child?" " How is the little divinity?" " To hell with her!" "Silence!" "Come with me, if you want to find Lygia." "I've had my slaves guard all the city gates." "You're feverish." "I'm ill." "I don't know what a doctor would prescribe, but I know the power of love." "No woman could replace her." "Nevertheless..." "a lovely little slave..." "No, thank you." "Your own have lost the charm of novelty." "Take a look at this one." "Let her be my gift for you." "I don't need any of them." "I am grateful... but I don't accept." "Eunice, bathe, anoint yourself and go to Vinicius' house." "No, master!" "I can't." "Take pity, my dearest lord!" "I'd rather be flogged than driven away." " Who is Eunice's lover?" " Nobody, my lord." "What do you know about her?" "She spends all nights in her cubiculum." "She never stays in the baths with other slaves." "I offered her to Vinicius, but he rejected her." "Stand up." "She will stay here." "Take her and give her twenty five lashes." " Take care not to damage the skin." " Come." "Eunice knows someone who could locate Lygia." "Has that man arrived yet?" "He is waiting for you." "His name is Chilo Chilonides." " Who is he?" " A wise man, an astrologer, a reader of people's fates, a teller of fortunes." " Has he told yours?" " Yes, master." " What is in store for you?" " Suffering... and greatjoy." "You suffered yesterday, so joy might be near." "It's already mine, master." " What do you mean?" " l am staying here." "Hail, divine Theristes." "How are the lumps Ulysses gave you at Troy?" "Oh noble lord, the wisest of the dead, Ulysses, asks me to greet the wisest of the living, who will cover the lumps with a new cloak." "An answer worthy of a cloak." "Do you know what we want?" "Of course." "Two great households and half of Rome talk of nothing else." "A maiden called Lygia, or Callina, disappeared." " l shall find her." " By what means?" "You possess the means, I, the brains." "You'll die, if you're deceiving me for gain." "I am a philosopher, my lord, and as such cannot crave profits," " especially such generous ones." " Which school do you represent?" "I am a Cynic, for my cloak is full of holes, a Stoic, for l accept my poverty, and a Peripatetic, for, not having a litter, I walk from inn to inn and teach for a full jar." "Thus becoming a Rhetor." "Heraclitus said, "Everything flows"." "And is wine isn't a solid, is it?" "When will you start?" "I already have. I am searching by answering your kind questions." " Have you any experience?" " Virtue and wisdom sell cheaply, so philosophers seek other ways of earning a living." "Good." "What do you need?" " Weapons." " Of what sort?" "Times are hard..." "You have asked questions, now it's my turn." "Noble tribune, have you seen any signs or charms on Lygia?" "Has she drawn any secret symbols?" "Once... a fish in the sand." "A fish!" "A fish!" " Once or several times?" " Just once." " A fish, you say?" " Yes." "What does it mean?" "May the goddess Fortune bless you both" " in equal measure, kind sirs!" " The cloak is yours." "Ulysses thanks you for Theristes!" "Salve, Sporus." "Ajar of the dark one." "Sporus, I have been working with Seneca today, and he gave me this token for good-bye." "What is it?" "That's... a fish." "Which could easily survive in your watery wine. lt's a symbol, or, in philosophy, "a twist of fate"." "Respect philosophy or I'll drink elsewhere." "My friend Petronius says I should." " Whatever has happened?" " The divine Augusta is dead!" "Children of the Emperors are also mortal." "It's your doing!" "Witchcraft killed little Augusta!" "You brought here the evil spirit that cast a spell on my child." "Woe to me!" "Woe!" "Woe to me!" "Set Rome and the world on fire, but spare your voice." "Our loss is irreparable, but pray, let this treasure not perish." "You are the only one to have thought of that..." "the only one, Petronius!" "The only one!" "Go to Antium, the place of her birth." "There you will find joy and comfort." "I shall go." "I shall write an hymn in her honour." "And I shall compose music." "Say the following words in Greek:" ""Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour"." "And?" "Now let the first letters of each word form a new word." ""A fish"." "A fish." " You are sure she drew a fish?" " lf it were a bird, I'd have said so." "She is a Christian!" "Lygia poisons wells, kills children, and indulges in lust?" "Oh, no, no..." "No." "Unless we are wrong about the Christians." "You speak like Socrates himself." "Three years ago, I met a certain doctor named Glaucus, a Christian, and a good and virtuous man." "Did that virtuous man teach you the meaning of the fish emblem?" "Alas, no." "Someone stabbed him and his family fell victim to slave merchants. I lost two fingers trying to defend them." "But Christians perform miracles, so I hope they will grow back." " You've become a Christian?" " Yesterday." "I also made a vow to Mercury, that if he leads me to the maiden, he shall get two two cows" " with gilded horns." " So, being a Christian and a philosopher you still believe in Mercury?" "I believe in what convenes me." "And heifers are expensive." " lf noble Vinicius..." " Not an obolus, Chilo." "His generosity will surprise you, but not before you find Lygia." "Yes, my lord." "Yes." "She's not among Christians?" "She is." "And so is Glaucus, the doctor." "Who?" "The old man whose defence cost me two fingers." "I left him dying at the inn and mourned him ever since." "Unfortunately, he is still alive." "What do you want?" "I'd like Glaucus to vanish." "Hire people to kill him, I'll pay." "They'll overcharge you and they will blackmail you." " How much do you need?" " A thousand sestertia." "I must find honest ones, who won't flee with the earnest." "The man is a Christian." "Old age has clouded my memory." "One of the disciples betrayed Our Lord," " but I forgot his name." " Judas, he hanged himself." "That's it!" "Judas!" "Thank you so much." "Here is the brother you wished to see." "May Christ's peace be with you." " What do they call you, my son?" " Ursus." " Do you love Christ?" " With heart and soul." "And you are familiar with the name "Judas"?" "Yes." "He hanged himself." "Peace be with you, oh faithful follower of the Lamb." "Judas has a worthy heir who dwells among us." " Father, who is he?" " Judas' son, posing for a Christian." "He accuses us of poisoning waters, killing babies, not recognising the deity of Caesar." "But no one defended Christ, and no one will punish the traitor." "I could do it, father." "Go among Christians, find Glaucus, the doctor, and kill him." "Glaucus?" " You know him?" " No." "But tomorrow an Apostle will preach in Ostrianum, I could find Glaucus there." " ln Ostrianum?" " Yes, father." "Killing a traitor is like killing a wolf or a bear." "But if Glaucus is slain innocently?" "I instruct a certain maid in Christ's teachings..." "Eunice serves in the house of Petronius." "I overheard Glaucus vowing to betray all the Christians" " and promising to Vinicius..." " Vinicius?" "... to find a maiden..." "What is it?" "Nothing, father." "I shall kill Glaucus." "Eureka!" " Have you seen her?" " l've talked with Ursus." " And you know where they are!" " No." "But if he is in Rome, then so is your divine Lygia." "And there's a chance she'll be in Ostrianum today." " Where is that?" " Between Via Salaria and Nomentana." "And here is the sign they wouldn't let us in without." "And here are some scrupula." "When Lygia is here, you'll receive a sackful." " Thou art Jove!" " Stay here." "You'll accompany me to Ostrianum." "We'll take Croton, the gladiator." "A good thing you've found me today, tomorrow I leave for Beneventum to wrestle the strongest of African Negroes." "The girl's guardian is a Hercules." "I can grab her with one hand fight off seven such Lygians with the other," " and bring her to your house." " Do not let him!" "They'll start throwing stones at us." "Take her directly from the house, avoiding the risk." " And that is how we shall do it." " You pay, I obey." "Christ's first disciple, the fisherman." "And as they were lamenting," "Mary of Magdala appeared, crying she had seen the Lord." "There was such brightness around Him, she mistook Him for a gardener, but then he said, "Mary!"." "And she exclaimed, "Rabboni!"" "and dropped at His feet." "He asked her to tell the disciples, but the disciples refused to believe her." "And when she wept forjoy, some of them scorned her, and others thought grief had made her insane for she claimed to have seen angels in the tomb." "And the disciples went there, and saw the tomb was empty." "When the sun had set," "Cleopas, who went with the others to Emmaus, came and they hurried back, saying," ""The Lord has truly resurrected!"" "And they discussed having shut, shut the doors out of fear of Jews, and then He stood amongst them." "As fear filled them, He said, "Peace be with you"." "And I saw Him..." "like all the others, and He..." "He was like shining light, like the joy of our hearts, for we finally believed in His Resurrection, and we knew the seas should dry out, the mountains should crumble, but His glory would never pass." "My lord..." "there... next to Ursus." "Let us leave..." "we've kept our hoods on." "No." " They see us." " Wait." "Let us follow them, and see which house they go to." "Tomorrow you'll bring your slaves and take her away." " No." " What do you intend to do?" "We'll follow and capture her now." " That Lygian seems very strong." " My lord, silence this old goat." "If we capture her now, we're sure to be stoned." "By Jove, Apollo, Vesta, Cybele, Isis and Chyrys, by all the gods of the East and West, don't do it!" " Listen to me!" " l'll go first." "Follow me." "That is Ursus." "What do you want?" "You." "Kill!" "Marcus!" " Let me go!" " Ursus!" ""Thou shalt not kill"!" "Kill me..." "And the wound in his head?" "It's nothing, Miriam." "He covered his head with his arm which broke, saving both his head and his life." "I know your skill, so Ursus fetched you." "And to think he wanted to kill me yesterday... I know, he told me." "But I made it clear to him who the real traitor was." "You didn't let him kill me." "May God bring you back to health." "More." "Our Lord taught us to love our enemies." "We have dressed your wounds." "Leave Lygia in peace." "You're throwing me out?" "We're leaving this house for fear of persecution." "You needn't worry, I shall protect you." "Send for your litter." "Your home will suit you better than our poverty." "Christians, your deeds prove you are righteous." "Let your doctor say if it is safe to move me now, for l won't budge, unless you carry me out... forcedly." "We never use force." "Let me... catch my breath..." "Croton was due in Beneventum today." "There were no witnesses, just a certain Greek." "Find him, and I shall silence him." "I'll write home, saying I have gone to Beneventum." "If the Greek has notified the prefect, I'll say I killed Croton myself." "Stay here at no risk." "In that case Glaucus and the widow will care for you." "Old man... do you fear I could send for my slaves and carry Lygia off?" "I do." "I shall talk to Chilo and write home in your presence." "I cannot find other messengers." "Consider that." "And if Lygia leaves, I'll pull off the dressings and shan't eat or drink... and you'll be blamed for my death... you and your brethren." "Crispus... let him stay with us, until Christ restores his health." "Let it be so." "Wake up!" "Someone to see you, says it's urgent!" "I am not at home..." "I don't know this good fellow." "I've told him you were sleeping, but he ordered me to wake you." "Dumb creature!" "I'll have you whipped!" " Chilo Chilonides!" " Pax tecum!" "Pax!" "Pax!" "Oh, the best of Christians!" "Yes!" "I'm Chilonides, I'm Chilo." " But this is a misunderstanding." " Your master, Vinicius," " summons you to go with me." " My dear fellow, and has my noble friend sent me a litter?" " We shall walk." " And if I refuse?" " l wouldn't do it." " l shall come, because I want to, for l am a free man and a wise one, an I can turn offenders into trees and animals. I'm coming!" "Why were you deaf to my advice?" "Hush and listen." "Croton wanted to kill and rob me." "I slew him, and they dressed my wounds." "He was a villain!" "Fortunately, I had my ica." "I'd advised you to go armed." " What did you do?" " Prayed for your health." " Nothing else?" " Planned to visit... but you sent him." "Deliver this slate to my house." "I wrote I'd left for Beneventum." "is that clear?" "I have left for Beneventum." "You have... of course you have, I bade you farewell in Porta Cavena, and I've been pining for you ever since and risk wailing myself to death." "I'll ask my servants to dry your tears." "Bring me the lamp." "Don't you recognise me, Cephas?" "But I'm not..." "it's not me..." "Glaucus?" "Here is the man who betrayed and sentenced to death my wife and my children." " He wanted me to kill Glaucus!" " My lord!" "Help me!" "Plead for me!" "The letter!" "I shall deliver it, my lord!" "Bury him in the garden..." "and find another messenger." "In the name of your God!" "I'm a Christian!" "You can baptise me once again." "Glaucus, make me a slave, bur spare my life!" "I beg you, do not kill me!" "And the Saviour said to us," ""lf thy brother has sinned against thee, chastise him,"" ""and if he is repentant, forgive him."" "Chilo, may God forgive you your offences," "as I am forgiving you." "May the Saviour be as merciful, as I am to you." "Go in peace." "The letter, my lord, the letter!" "I shall deliver it." "This is the day of your greatest victory." "Peace be with you." "You... have also forgiven me?" "We mustn't harbour anger in our hearts." "I have seen your soul in a dream." "Come here, slave." "Good day and good health to you, but I am a free man." " l serve Callina." " Where is she?" "She has just left, my lord." "She watched over you all night." " Why didn't you relieve her?" " She didn't wish me to." "And it was her wish that saved you." "Do you regret not having killed me?" "No, Christ forbade us to kill." " And what about Croton?" " That was your fault." "You made him raise his hand against royalty." "Wait, I'll help you." "Drink." "My divine creature." "I wanted to reach you by a false way." "Go back to Pomponia Graecina." "Do not fear any more assaults." "I wish I could see her..." "even from afar, but I cannot go back." " Caesar hates her family." " Yes, I know." "But if he gave you to me first..." "You want to see me on the Palatine again?" "No. I speak like a fool." "Never." "You are far happier than I am." "With your religion, with your Christ." "And I have only you." "Without you..." "I'd be like a beggar." "Now, you're talking to me..." "but you think of Him, don't you?" "Think about me too, or else..." "I shall hate Him." "Because you are my deity." "I want to pray to you..." "worship you." "Because you don't know..." "how could you know... that I..." "that I love you." "Because... you are my source of life." "My only one..." "Lygia..." "Lygia..." "Flee, before the evil spirit makes you fall!" "The Lord died on the cross for you, but you choose the man who wants you as a concubine." "Who is that man?" "Antichrist's serf and ally!" "His accessory in lust and crime." "Help me, father, I beg of you!" "I cannot trust myself and I cannot fight love!" "Crispus, do you think Christ who let Mary of Magdala lie at His feet and who forgave the harlot, would turn away from this girl?" "I have sinned against God's Mercy... but I do believe that by accepting worldly love she denies Christ." "I denied Him thrice," " but still He forgave me." " l am Paul of Tarsus." "I persecuted and arrested our Lord's followers." "When Stephen was killed, I kept the garments of those who stoned him." "I wanted to root out the truth from all earth, but by God's will I spread this truth on all earth." "Until the eyes of your beloved open to the light, try to avoid him, so he doesn't lead you to sin." "But be assured it is not wrong to love him." "I don't even know where she she is now." "She left during your absence." "Crispus..." "He hid her away, he mistrusts me." "No, my lord." "It was Lygia's own decision." "And as to Crispus, Peter scolded him for condemning her love for you." "She told the Apostle she loved me?" "Your arm has healed." "Try not to strain it." "Hail, oh divine one!" "Greetings, Chrysothemis!" "You stroll alone..." "A sure sign of boredom." "Come, I'll take to a feast." "You've seduced my Chrysothemis." "I am doubly grateful." "You refused to take Eunice and you freed me of Chrysothemis." "I searched far away for something that was so near." "What is the morose Christian crowd compared to this?" "Once, I was fond of verbena, now I prefer violets, as she does." "My divine creature, ask them to prepare garlands and wine." "No, my friend, Lygia is not Eunice." "Love has changed your nostrils..." "and it has changed my soul." "To Hades with your Christians!" "They killed your sense of life!" "To Hades with them!" "There's nothing beneficial in their teaching!" "Love, beauty and power, those are beneficial, and they call them "vanity"." "They are notjust!" "If we reward the bad with good, how shall we reward the good?" "They shall be rewarded in afterlife." "We shall see." "If a cadaver can see anything." "Are you planning to abduct Lygia?" "I cannot pay her with evil." "Will you accept Christ's teachings?" "I want to, but my nature revolts against it." "And will you be able to forget Lygia?" "No." "Come to drink some wine, then." "Eunice is getting impatient." "We'll postpone the journey to Egypt." "According to the prophecy I am to rule it anyway." "In time, we shall erect monuments that will make pyramids look tiny." "My sphinx will be seven times as gigantic as the one at Memphis." "And it will have my face." "You have reared a monument to yourself with your poems." "It saddens me to hear you postponed your departure." "The gods wanted me to do it." "Vesta herself whispered in my ear, "Do not go now"." "Why do we fear Vesta more than other gods?" "I would have collapsed with fear, if someone hadn't supported me." "It was I." "You?" "Thank you." "How is that girl..." "with narrow hips?" "I wager he's forgotten her." "I am tormented with boredom." "I stayed in Rome but I despise it!" "I shall go to Antium. I stifle in those filthy streets and alleys." "If a furious god levelled Rome to the ground, I'd re-create a far more magnificent city!" ""lf a furious god levelled it to the ground"?" " Yes!" "Why?" " Aren't you a god?" "I am leaving for Antium." "You, little people, can't understand my needs!" "And you shall all accompany me there." "Tigellinus, Vatinius, Sextus, Aquillinus..." "What scum." "And they aim to rule the world?" "No, I won't go." "I'm not responsible for the world's ways." "But I advise you to go, and not to jeopardise yourself and Lygia." " l have to see her!" " Where is she?" " l don't know." " Would she be wiser than you?" "She wants to spare you." "May the gods share their power and immortality with you." " What do you want?" " l know Lygia's whereabouts." "Speak." "She's at Linus'... he's a priest." "Ursus works at night, the two women stay alone." " How do you know that?" " The Christians spared my life, so my heart overflows with gratitude." "I'm worried about their fate." "Though you are my main concern." "The magnanimous princess can be here tonight." "And I hope to be rewarded, my lord." "I shan't follow your advice, though you won't leave unrewarded." " Three hundred lashes!" " Why?" "Oh, Persian king!" "Whaever for, colossus of mercy?" "You are so unjust to me!" "Like you to the Christians." " Three hundred lashes!" " Fifty!" "Not three hundred!" "Fifty, a hundred, perhaps!" "One, not three hundred!" "Take pity!" "In the name of Christ!" "He has fainted." "Bring him back." "My lord... you are magnanimous and powerful." "I forgive you in the name of Christ, to whom I owe my life." "I shall serve..." "both Him and you, my lord." "That is the house." "Behind that wall." "Very well." "Now forget you have ever served me." "Forget Miriam, Peter, and Glaucus." "Forget that Christians ever existed." "Once a month, my freedman will pay you two pieces of gold." "If you dare spy again, you'll be flogged to death." "I shall forget!" "By Ate and the Furies, I shan't!" "I shall not forget!" "I greet you in the name of Christ." "Praised be His name..." "for ever and ever." "Hear me out, Peter and Paul." "I know Lygia is here." "I could easily surround the house and capture her, but I shan't." "Our Lord will bless you for that." "I've come to you, as to Lygia's foster parents." "Give her to me... as a wife." "She'll be free to worship Christ." "She's as dear to me as my own eyes." "I am not your or Christ's enemy." "And when I remember that she is as pure as snow... I love her even more." "Your faith has made her so, therefore I love your faith... although I do not understand it." "You can see my sincerity." "Greece gave birth to wisdom and beauty." "Rome created power." "What do you bring?" "We bring love." ""Whoso knocketh, to him it will be opened"." "I bless you, your soul and your love." "Lygia, do you love him?" "I do." "Love each other, for there is no sin in your love." " l didn't flee from you." " Why then?" "You know well." "Send Ursus to Aulus' house." "Let him bring your belongings to my place." "It's not customary in my land." "Neither it is in Rome." "But do this for me." "I'll take them to my house." "They will remind me of you, until you become my bride." "And I shall say," ""Where you are, Caius, there am I, Caia"." "Peas with olive and compresses didn't help:" "Bronzebeard lost his voice." "He curses Rome and its air," "And how did the ape grow hoarse?" "He acted out Leda's adventure, sweated and caught a cold." "No one will cry, "Oh, people, fire!"" "Though houses smoulder with crack and roar, and sparks adorn the blackened walls." "Who's there to shout?" "The bloody corpses of those who lived here?" "The town's destroyed, though greedy flames still lick its walls." "Thy charm, oh Troy, is lost in woe, thy end is close!" "Footsteps, moans... and silence!" "Troy is now a colossal torch, a sacrificial fire, a burnt-out desert." "Verses worthy of burning." "What flaws do you find in them?" "I shall be frank: they'd be worthy of a Virgil, an Ovid, even a Homer, but not of you!" "Your fire doesn't blaze enough, your flames are not hot enough." "Reject their flattery." "You are capable of creating the masterpiece of all masterpieces." "So I shall repeat:" "write better verse." "The gods have given me a spark of a talent and blessed me with an expert friend who dares tell me the truth." " Away with those!" " No, no." "Don't deprive mankind." "Then you will receive them in a cylinder of my own design." "My burning Troy is not blazing enough." "You have opened my eyes." "I know the reason." "When a sculptor creates a god's likeness, he hires a model, and I've never seen a burning town, I lack authenticity." "I'll set Antium on fire." "Or, if you want to spare it, I'll build a town out of wood and let you ignite it." "Wooden barracks?" "Your mind has dried out." "You underestimate my talent and my "Troyad"." "Imagine the stench in Rome today." "Won't they punish you for leaving Antium without Caesar's consent?" "He will be composing poetry for two days." "And I couldn't live without you." "I knew you'd come." "I turn my eyes, gazing at your shadow, which borrows charm from your body, it is as weightless as if born of foam." "Where'er you walk, butterflies and flowers... I can't sit still." "Petronius, Vinicius..." "Though my soul is saddened, I feel I can present this song in public." "You can perform it here, in Rome, in Achaea." "When I play and sing, I discover delights I cannot name or understand." "I can only feel them." "And though powerful and divine, I feel as insignificant as dust." "Only the greatest artists are capable of such humbleness." "I know what they write on the walls of Rome." ""Matricide, uxoricide"..." "I am a monster to them." "Am I really such a tyrant?" "Cruel deeds not always denote cruelty!" " They should know you like I do." " There are rumours that Diodorus and Terpnos play the cithara better than me." "Tell me the truth, do they really?" "You have the sweet touch of an artist, they are merely skilled." "Let them live, then!" "You've granted them a big favour." "I am an artist in everything I touch." "I know, they call me insane." "My vain search maddens me." "I'm searching, searching!" "This is why I had my mother and wife killed." "I hoped such sacrifice would open a gate to something unimaginably great and fearsome." "But it was too small a sacrifice to open empyrean gates." " What will you do?" " There are two Neros." "The public figure and the artist, known to no one but you." "Oh, how heavy is the burden of ultimate power and talent!" "I pity you and so does Vinicius, your ardent admirer." "I was fond of him, but he serves Mars, and not the Muses." "He's in love." "Let him leave, or he'll whither." "The Lygian hostage has been found." "He fell in love with her virtue." "He wants to marry, sighs, pines away..." "She is a pretty girl..." "though too narrow in the hips." "Do you love her, like he says?" "I do." "Then go to Rome, marry, and come back with a ring." " Thank you." " lt's nice to make people happy." "I would like to do nothing else till the day I die." "Forgive me, divinity!" "Rome is on fire!" "Gods be praised!" "I shall finish my "Troyad"." " Will I still manage to see it?" " The city is an orgy of flames," " death and madness!" " Rome is perishing!" "Vae misere mihi..." "Woe to you, sacred city of Priam." "Give ma a new horse!" " Where is the fire?" " lt began near the great circus," " now it reached the centre!" " And Trans-Tiber?" "Not yet, but soon it will." "People are dying!" "Lygia!" " Where is Lygia?" " ln Ostrianum with Ursus." "Greetings, oh king of Persia!" "Your house must have perished, but you will always be as rich as king Midas himself." "And now, put this on." "What a tragedy." "Christians predicted a fiery end of Rome." " Have you seen Lygia?" " l have, my lord!" "Thank Christ and other gods, for letting me bring good news to my benefactor." "But I shall pay you back..." "I swear!" "Burning Rome is my witness." "A homeless ruler of the homeless... where shall I rest my poor head tonight?" "No one will cry," ""Oh, people, fire!"" "Though houses smolder with crack and roar, and sparks adorn the blackened walls." "Who's there to shout?" "The blood-covered corpses of those who lived here?" "Troy has become a colossal torch," "a sacrificial fire, a burnt-out desert." "Down with the tyrant!" "This is how the rabble appreciates me and my poetry." "Let Praetorians crush them!" "Will the troops be loyal?" " Yes, divinity." " But not numerous." "Stay here, where it is safe." "And this rabble must be tempered." "What a day!" "Fire and a raging sea of people!" "Speak to them, my lord." "Make promises." "Caesar addressing scum?" "Who will act in my stead?" "I shall." "My ever-loyal friend!" "Go, spare no promises!" "Petronius!" "Arbiter of elegance!" "Citizens... citizens..." "Whoever hears my words, pass them on to those in the back." "I remind you that you are humans, not animals." "The city shall be rebuilt." "The gardens of Lucullus, Maecenas, Caesar and Agrippina will be opened." "Tomorrow, we shall start distributing wheat, wine and olive, so that each one of you fills his belly." "Later, Caesar will organise the greatest of all games." "Feasts and gifts will follow!" "The fire will make you wealthier!" " Peace be with you." " And you." "What ajoy for Callina." "Go first." "Marcus!" "I'm so happy you've come!" "I shall never leave you again." "I am going to save you all." "We will go to Antium, and sail off to Sicily." "All my properties are yours." "Trust me." "Your household will be mine." "Slaves and gladiators attacked the citizens near the circus." "The measure is full... and the calamities will come like boundless seas." "Take your betrothed and save her." "And Ursus..." "Take Ursus with you." "We shan't leave without you." "I can't leave you here to perish." "The Lord will bless you for your intentions." "But if you, who are not my guardian, refuse to leave me, how can I abandon my flock on the day of doom?" "Those were words of common sense." "But I know you fear no danger." "I didn't understand this and I walked in darkness." "But now I love Christ." "I want to serve Him." "And I vow not to leave you on the day of doom." "I shall never leave you." "You have seen light and shells fell from your eyes." "I baptise thee, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." "You are our brother now." "Ungrateful, greedy rabble... they have enough wheat and coal, what more do they want?" "Revenge." "Hearts cry for vengeance, vengeance wants a victim!" "A slate, I'll write this down." "Yes... vengeance demands a victim." "And if we accused Afer of having burned the city" " and gave him to the raging mob?" " Divinity, who am I?" "True, we need someone more significant." "Vitelius." "The fat I carry around might restart the fire." "You burned Rome." "I did... on your command." "Tigellinus, do you love me?" "Need you ask?" "Sacrifice yourself for me." "Divinity, Roman people are revolting, do you want the praetorians to raise against you as well?" "The divine Poppaea summons Tigellinus to question a witness." "I have reared a viper in my bosom." "Tell me, advise..." "I trust no one but you," " you're the wisest." " Go to Achaea." "I expected something more on your part." "Petronius, and if sang at Campus Martius, for the people of Rome" " would I move them?" " Undoubtedly." "If they'd let you start." "Let's go to Achaea." "Hear what Tigellinus has to say." "You haven't ordered me to burn Rome, nor have I burned it." "The people demand a victim." "Satisfy their anger." "But not with one, but hundreds, thousands of victims." "You know about Christians." "I've told you of their crimes." "They prophecy the world will end in fire." "The people suspect you..." "let them blame someone else." "Zeus!" "Apollo!" "Athene!" "Persephone!" "What has the poor city done to them?" "Why did they destroy it?" " They hate you and all mankind." " Letjustice be done." " Punish the arsonists." " Yes!" "Do justice." "What pain, what torture befit such a crime?" "You have found the victims, that is good." "You have the power, the praetorians, the strength." "Let the Christians be tortured, but have the courage to admit that they did not burn Rome." "By the divine Clio... no one has dared to carry out such a deed since the beginning of time." "Have the courage or the future will say," ""Nero burnt Rome"," ""but being a pusillanimous ruler and poet,"" ""he cowardly denied his magnificent deed"" " "and blamed the innocent."" " Let me leave." "I cannot stand you being called a pusillanimous arsonist" " and a comedian." " Tigellinus," " you are acting like a comedian now." " Because I refuse to listen?" "Because you pretend to love Caesar whom you threatened a while ago." "How can you permit anyone to think such a thing, lest utter it aloud in your presence?" "Punish him." "This is how you pay me for my friendship?" " l say what my love dictates." " Punish him." "You want me to punish him?" "But he is my friend, and though he's breaking my heart, let him know this heart can only... forgive." " Vinicius?" " Yes, my lord." " And maybe Petronius, too?" " l admire your insight." "That is very probable." "Now I understand why he defended Christians." "Petronius, a Christian!" "An enemy of life and pleasures?" "Don't be fools!" "Don't expect me to believe that, or I'll stop believing anything." "But the noble Vinicius became a Christian, my lord." "Pomponia is a convert..." "and her little Aulus... and Lygia, and Vinicius." "My lord, avenge my sufferings, and I shall denounce Peter the Apostle, and Linus, and Glaucus, and Crispus." "I'll show you hundreds, thousands... their houses of prayer, cemeteries, everything!" " My lord, avenge our child." " Hurry." "Don't give Vinicius time to hide Lygia away." "I'll give you ten men, go." "I've seen Croton in Ursus' hands." "Give me fifty men, and I'll show you the house from afar!" "And if we dealt with Petronius as well?" "No, not now." "The people won't believe it." "Today we need other victims, we will deal with the rest later." "Go." "I'll give them all away!" "All of them!" " Have you seen Lygia today?" " Yes." "The Christians will be blamed for the fire of Rome." "Take Lygia, and flee, beyond the Alps or to Africa!" "Take a sack of gold, weapons and people, you might have to fight." "Christians to the lions!" "To the lions!" "Christians to the lions!" "Welcome, arbiter of elegance." "You still say the Christians are innocent?" "We both know what to think I wouldn't dare compare my wisdom with yours." "Petronius, my lord." "And where is Vinicius?" "He was not at home, divinity." "Tell him, I want to see him." "And advise him not to miss the games in which Christians will appear." "Has the noble Vinicius returned?" "Yes, my lord, he has just arrived." "Where is she?" "In the Mamertine prison." "No, not in the dungeons." "I paid the guard to give her his room." "Ursus is with her." " Why didn't he defend her?" " They sent fifty praetorians." " What do you intend to do?" " Either save her, or die with her." "How are you planning to save her?" "I bribed the guard, and you are Caesar's friend." "Bring two dark cloaks and two swords." "We will go there." "Give the guards a hundred thousand sestertia, or a hundred times as much..." "they must release Lygia immediately!" "Otherwise it will be too late." "I risk my life. I'm in disfavour." "Caesar will do anything to spite me." "Poppaea hates Lygia." "The girl has been followed." "Free her, or you'll both perish." "Christians to the lions!" "Christians to the lions!" "Mirmillon, take my good advice and go your way." "Shout, or I'll break your neck!" "Christians to the lions!" "You reek of wine and block my way." "Caesar said, "Tell Vinicius to attend the games in which Christians will appear." He'll delight in your pain." "That's why we're still free." "You have orders to guard the prison?" "Yes, noble Petronius." "The prefect fears an attempt to free the arsonists." "You mustn't admit anyone?" " We mustn't." " Thank you, Nigar." "A Christian!" "Oh Christ!" "Christians to the lions!" "To the lions!" "I've spoken with Seneca." "Full of fear for his future, he argued that Christians, even if they hadn't burned the city, should be exterminated." "Terpnos and Diodor took the money and have done nothing." "Vatinius told Caesar that I'd tried to bribe him." " l'll go and and fall at Caesar's feet." " And if he refuses?" "If he answers with ajest or a threat?" "You shouldn't do that." "That will deprive us of any chances." "At Golgotha I saw God being nailed to the cross." "I saw them raise the cross for the crowds to witness the death of the Son of Man." "I saw them open His side... and I saw Him die." "And now... I bless you, my children, before suffering, before death... for eternity." "I know." "They have captured your loved one." "My lord, you knew Christ." "Plead for her." "Have you heard what I told them?" "God himself suffered torture." "I know." "But if blood must be spilled, let Him double or triple the torture meant for her and give it to me." "But he must save her." "He will listen to you!" "I couldn't speak earlier, she is guarded by Ursus." " And you are a praetorian?" " As long as I am not there." "I cannot let you in, Vinicius, but I can give a letter to the guards." "Thank you." "Make way for the litter!" "Make way!" "Stop!" "Greetings, Chilo." "Do not stop me, young man, for my friend Tigellinus is waiting." " You betrayed Lygia." " And you had me flogged." "I wronged you." "My friend, if you have a request, do come to my villa, where l receive guests and clients." " Am I late?" " Not at all!" "We inquired about Lygia, but in vain." "They don't trust us." "Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant!" " Lygia." " My lord, I've seen her in prison." "She is ill." "Ursus is with her." "Who are you?" "You were baptised in my house, remember?" " Yes." " Peter said he'd be in the audience." "I want to see him before I die." "He will be among Petronius' servants." " l shall show him to you." " Thank you." "And peace be with you." " They left her in prison." " Smile, we are being observed." "Lygia will pretend she is dead." "Will the Christians be armed?" " We do not know." " lt might become a slaughterhouse." "Can't stand the sight, Greek?" "I wasn't meant for a butcher." "You're a bit wrong." "Gods meant you to be a robber, you've turned into a demon." "You won't endure." "I shall endure... I shall." "Ursus says Lygia is feverish and keeps repeating your name." "You can enter the prison?" "I carry out corpses." " How many cadavers today?" " A dozen, but there will be more." "Lord be praised!" "Have you come to rescue her?" "Tell me how." "I thought you'd know." "How did you enter?" "I bribed the warden." "And I have a tessera." "In the name of the Saviour..." "Lygia will take it, she'll wrap her head in a rug, and leave." "She'll look like a young slave." "Praetorians won't recognise her." "She'll find refuge at Petronius' house." "She'll refuse." "She loves you, and she is too weak to walk." "I knew you would come." "Lygia... I am ill, Marcus." "Death is coming for me... be it here, or be it in the arena." "No, no." "You cannot die." "The apostle tells us to believe." "Christ..." "Christ will save you." "I lived but a short while..." "but God has given me your soul." "Remember, you will also go there." "Promise me..." "Marcus..." "Lygia... I promise." "I promise." "I am your wife." "Matricide!" "Woe to you!" "Woe to you!" "Assassin of your wife and brother!" "Woe to you, satan!" "Woe!" "You will die in terror, murderer!" "Woe to you!" "Your measure is exceeded!" "Woe to you, living cadaver!" "Your time is near!" "And you will be condemned for... ever..." "Peace with the martyrs!" "My lord, let us go do Achaea, to the glory of Apollo, garlands, triumphs, admirers!" " Here there is nothing but fear!" " What do you fear, old weasel?" "Christians or their gods?" "Those Christians are an odd lot." "Their deity might be vengeful." "The games are Tigellinus' responsibility." "Yes!" "Mine!" "And I mock all the Christian gods!" "Start pulling out the Christians' tongues or gag them." "Fire... fire will gag them!" "Woe to me..." "Look at Achilles' son." "Do what you want with me, but I'm through with the games." "Like I've said: you won't endure." "I want to drink... I want to get drunk..." "Drink... drink... I want him near me in the gardens." "My lord, go away, I cannot let you in." " May the gods comfort you." " Let me stay." " l want to see who'll be burned." " This is not against my orders." "Glaucus!" "Glaucus... ln the name of Christ..." "Forgive me!" "I forgive you!" "Glaucus..." "People!" "People of Rome!" "I swear upon my own grave, the innocent are dying!" "And here is the one who set Rome on fire!" "Nero the arsonist!" "Down with the tyrant!" "Who is it?" "Paul of Tarsus." " l am damned!" "What do you want?" " To save you." "There's no salvation for me!" "Christ forgave the thief." "There's no forgiveness for me!" "Oh Lord, look upon this miserable man, see his pain, tears and suffering." "In the name of your martyrdom, death and resurrection, forgive him." "Chilo... I baptise thee," "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." "Christ..." "Christ..." "You have offended Caesar." "You will be punished by death." "But if you declare tomorrow, in the Amphitheatre, that wine made you insane, and that the Christians set Rome on fire, perhaps you will get away with flagellation and exile." " l cannot do this." " What do you mean?" "You were drunk." "I cannot, my lord." "You've seen Christians die." "Do you want such an end?" "I believe... in Christ." "Indeed you are a madman." "And now deny all." "I cannot." "You can!" "Will you take all back, Greek mongrel?" "I cannot." "Pull his tongue out." "I feel I haven't lived yet, and shall be reborn in Greece." "You shall be reborn for new fame and immortality." " The ships are waiting in Neapolis." " l'd love to leave tomorrow." "Divinity, let me first invite you to a wedding feast." "A wedding feast?" "Whose?" "Vinicius' and Lygia's." "You ordered him to marry, and your divine commands are irreversible." "Release her from prison." "Yes, I know... I've been thinking of her and of her giant." " They are both saved, then." " However she was arrested on Caesar's orders." "And his orders are, as you've put it, irreversible." "She was arrested because of your ignorance." "Against Caesar's will." "You are naive, Tigellinus, but you won't accuse her of the fire." "Even if you claimed so," "Caesar wouldn't believe you." "Petronius is right." "Petronius is right." "The prison gates will open tomorrow." "And we shall discuss the feast in the Amphitheatre." "You're not well." "Go back home." "Lygia..." "Christ!" "Sit." "Watch!" "Do not give in." "We have praetorians." "You have to take her to Sicily." "Tigellinus might try" " to poison her, just to spite me." " Christ has saved her once." "Offer Him a hundred oxen." "Gods hate repeating themselves." "When she gets well, I'll take her to Pomponia's house." "Take her and leave Rome!" "Where am I?" "In Petronius' house." "Christ has given you back to me." "Nero is furious." "He ordered Peter and Paul to be killed, praetorians are on their way." "Warn the apostles." "Stay with her." "You are doomed." "Caesar listened to Tigellinus." "A messenger will bring you the death sentence." "Thank your master for this message." "Eunice..." "Eunice," "Do you know" " that you are no longer a slave?" " But I am, and always will be." "But you don't know this villa, all its furnishings and slaves and fields and herds are from now on your property." "Why are you telling me this?" "Eunice, I want to die peacefully." " l am listening to you, master." " Vinicius and Lygia are on Sicily now." "I've written back saying I won't be able to join them," "but that I wish Sicily becomes their Hesperian Garden... and the columns of their house give shelter to white doves." "My friends, forgive me, I've shaken some wine out in honour of the goddess." "Let no other lips touch the bowl." "Senility and helplessness are sad companions of old age." "Why wait?" " We can leave before they come." " Master!" " What do you want to do?" " l want to be merry, to enjoy music and wine, and sleep." "My lord, did you think I'd abandon you?" "I have bid Nero adieu." "Listen to what I wrote to him." ""Caesar, I know your heart misses me"" ""day in and day out."" ""But there are things I can't bear any longer."" ""l wasn't shocked by the fact that you'd killed your relatives,"" ""that you'd burned Rome,"" ""and sent the worthiest citizens to Erebus."" ""Here is my last piece of advice:"" ""Kill, but do not sing." "Poison, but do not dance."" ""Ignite,"" ""but put away the cithara."" ""Those are the wishes of your arbiter of elegance."" "You needn't boast about having listened to this letter." "Rejoice." "Friends... you'll agree that our deaths... mark the end of..." "He also conspired against me!" "He should be crucified!" "Kill half of the revolting legions!" "Have Galba dragged here!" "Have all the Galls executed!" "Burn this cursed city once again!" "This will not change anything." "The legions have alread, declared Galba as their caesar." "That's a lie!" "You are all against me!" "It is for the Senate to decide." "They must hear me out." "And if I spoke to them in mourning?" "Would they resist my tears?" "The Senate has sentenced." "You are to be executed" " in the ancient fashion." " What fashion is that?" "They'll pierce you with a fork flog to death, and cast into the Tiber." "You must flee, my lord." "Time is running short." "Hide in my villa at the outskirts, between Via Solaria and Nometana." "Flee, my lord." "Galba!" "Galba!" "Follow me, my lord." "They've seen us." "They know where we are." " You're doomed." " Sooner or later they'll find us." " Don't die like a villain, divinity." " Dig my grave here." "My mother, my wife and my father are summoning me to die." "Dig!" "What an artist perishes..." "The time hasn't come yet." "No, no, no." " Don't let them humiliate you." " The time hasn't come yet!" "Spare yourself the humiliation!" "They are coming for you." "Hasten!" "I have never been so happy in my life." "I used to think love is only lust, now I see one can love and be so peaceful." "No, Lygia." "I am the one who worships you." "I love you, Marcus." "Rabbi, flee from Rome." "Do not let the living truth perish with you." "Nazarius will lead you out of Rome." "Flee, in the name of Christ." "Do not let the beast triumph." "Hallowed be the Lord's name and let His will be done." "Do you see that light coming towards us?" "I cannot see anything." "Rabbi?" "What is it?" "Oh Christ!" "Christ!" "Quo vadis, Domine?" "You're abandoning my people, so I am going to Rome, to be crucified once again." "Quo vadis, domine?" "We are going back to Rome." "Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant!" " Lygia." " My lord, I've seen her in prison." "She is ill." "Ursus is with her." "Who are you?" "You were baptised in my house, remember?" " Yes." " Peter said he'd be in the audience." "I want to see him before I die." "He will be among Petronius' servants." " l shall show him to you." " Thank you." "And peace be with you." " They left her in prison." " Smile, we are being observed." "Lygia will pretend she is dead." "Will the Christians be armed?" " We do not know." " lt might become a slaughterhouse." "Can't stand the sight, Greek?" "I wasn't meant for a butcher." "You're a bit wrong." "Gods meant you to be a robber, you've turned into a demon." "You won't endure." "I shall endure... I shall." "Ursus says Lygia is feverish and keeps repeating your name." "You can enter the prison?" "I carry out corpses." " How many cadavers today?" " A dozen, but there will be more." "Lord be praised!" "Have you come to rescue her?" "Tell me how." "I thought you'd know." "How did you enter?" "I bribed the warden." "And I have a tessera." "In the name of the Saviour..." "Lygia will take it, she'll wrap her head in a rug, and leave." "She'll look like a young slave." "Praetorians won't recognise her." "She'll find refuge at Petronius' house." "She'll refuse." "She loves you, and she is too weak to walk." "I knew you would come." "Lygia... I am ill, Marcus." "Death is coming for me... be it here, or be it in the arena." "No, no." "You cannot die." "The apostle tells us to believe." "Christ..." "Christ will save you." "I lived but a short while..." "but God has given me your soul." "Remember, you will also go there." "Promise me..." "Marcus..." "Lygia... I promise." "I promise." "I am your wife." "Matricide!" "Woe to you!" "Woe to you!" "Assassin of your wife and brother!" "Woe to you, satan!" "Woe!" "You will die in terror, murderer!" "Woe to you!" "Your measure is exceeded!" "Woe to you, living cadaver!" "Your time is near!" "And you will be condemned for... ever..." "Peace with the martyrs!" "My lord, let us go do Achaea, to the glory of Apollo, garlands, triumphs, admirers!" " Here there is nothing but fear!" " What do you fear, old weasel?" "Christians or their gods?" "Those Christians are an odd lot." "Their deity might be vengeful." "The games are Tigellinus' responsibility." "Yes!" "Mine!" "And I mock all the Christian gods!" "Start pulling out the Christians' tongues or gag them." "Fire... fire will gag them!" "Woe to me..." "Look at Achilles' son." "Do what you want with me, but I'm through with the games." "Like I've said: you won't endure." "I want to drink... I want to get drunk..." "Drink... drink... I want him near me in the gardens." "My lord, go away, I cannot let you in." " May the gods comfort you." " Let me stay." " l want to see who'll be burned." " This is not against my orders." "Glaucus!" "Glaucus... ln the name of Christ..." "Forgive me!" "I forgive you!" "Glaucus..." "People!" "People of Rome!" "I swear upon my own grave, the innocent are dying!" "And here is the one who set Rome on fire!" "Nero the arsonist!" "Down with the tyrant!" "Who is it?" "Paul of Tarsus." " l am damned!" "What do you want?" " To save you." "There's no salvation for me!" "Christ forgave the thief." "There's no forgiveness for me!" "Oh Lord, look upon this miserable man, see his pain, tears and suffering." "In the name of your martyrdom, death and resurrection, forgive him." "Chilo... I baptise thee," "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." "Christ..." "Christ..." "You have offended Caesar." "You will be punished by death." "But if you declare tomorrow, in the Amphitheatre, that wine made you insane, and that the Christians set Rome on fire, perhaps you will get away with flagellation and exile." " l cannot do this." " What do you mean?" "You were drunk." "I cannot, my lord." "You've seen Christians die." "Do you want such an end?" "I believe... in Christ." "Indeed you are a madman." "And now deny all." "I cannot." "You can!" "Will you take all back, Greek mongrel?" "I cannot." "Pull his tongue out." "I feel I haven't lived yet, and shall be reborn in Greece." "You shall be reborn for new fame and immortality." " The ships are waiting in Neapolis." " l'd love to leave tomorrow." "Divinity, let me first invite you to a wedding feast." "A wedding feast?" "Whose?" "Vinicius' and Lygia's." "You ordered him to marry, and your divine commands are irreversible." "Release her from prison." "Yes, I know... I've been thinking of her and of her giant." " They are both saved, then." " However she was arrested on Caesar's orders." "And his orders are, as you've put it, irreversible." "She was arrested because of your ignorance." "Against Caesar's will." "You are naive, Tigellinus, but you won't accuse her of the fire." "Even if you claimed so," "Caesar wouldn't believe you." "Petronius is right." "Petronius is right." "The prison gates will open tomorrow." "And we shall discuss the feast in the Amphitheatre." "You're not well." "Go back home." "Lygia..." "Christ!" "Sit." "Watch!" "Do not give in." "We have praetorians." "You have to take her to Sicily." "Tigellinus might try" " to poison her, just to spite me." " Christ has saved her once." "Offer Him a hundred oxen." "Gods hate repeating themselves." "When she gets well, I'll take her to Pomponia's house." "Take her and leave Rome!" "Where am I?" "In Petronius' house." "Christ has given you back to me." "Nero is furious." "He ordered Peter and Paul to be killed, praetorians are on their way." "Warn the apostles." "Stay with her." "You are doomed." "Caesar listened to Tigellinus." "A messenger will bring you the death sentence." "Thank your master for this message." "Eunice..." "Eunice," "Do you know" " that you are no longer a slave?" " But I am, and always will be." "But you don't know this villa, all its furnishings and slaves and fields and herds are from now on your property." "Why are you telling me this?" "Eunice, I want to die peacefully." " l am listening to you, master." " Vinicius and Lygia are on Sicily now." "I've written back saying I won't be able to join them," "but that I wish Sicily becomes their Hesperian Garden... and the columns of their house give shelter to white doves." "My friends, forgive me, I've shaken some wine out in honour of the goddess." "Let no other lips touch the bowl." "Senility and helplessness are sad companions of old age." "Why wait?" " We can leave before they come." " Master!" " What do you want to do?" " l want to be merry, to enjoy music and wine, and sleep." "My lord, did you think I'd abandon you?" "I have bid Nero adieu." "Listen to what I wrote to him." ""Caesar, I know your heart misses me"" ""day in and day out."" ""But there are things I can't bear any longer."" ""l wasn't shocked by the fact that you'd killed your relatives,"" ""that you'd burned Rome,"" ""and sent the worthiest citizens to Erebus."" ""Here is my last piece of advice:"" ""Kill, but do not sing." "Poison, but do not dance."" ""Ignite,"" ""but put away the cithara."" ""Those are the wishes of your arbiter of elegance."" "You needn't boast about having listened to this letter." "Rejoice." "Friends... you'll agree that our deaths... mark the end of..." "He also conspired against me!" "He should be crucified!" "Kill half of the revolting legions!" "Have Galba dragged here!" "Have all the Galls executed!" "Burn this cursed city once again!" "This will not change anything." "The legions have alread, declared Galba as their caesar." "That's a lie!" "You are all against me!" "It is for the Senate to decide." "They must hear me out." "And if I spoke to them in mourning?" "Would they resist my tears?" "The Senate has sentenced." "You are to be executed" " in the ancient fashion." " What fashion is that?" "They'll pierce you with a fork flog to death, and cast into the Tiber." "You must flee, my lord." "Time is running short." "Hide in my villa at the outskirts, between Via Solaria and Nometana." "Flee, my lord." "Galba!" "Galba!" "Follow me, my lord." "They've seen us." "They know where we are." " You're doomed." " Sooner or later they'll find us." " Don't die like a villain, divinity." " Dig my grave here." "My mother, my wife and my father are summoning me to die." "Dig!" "What an artist perishes..." "The time hasn't come yet." "No, no, no." " Don't let them humiliate you." " The time hasn't come yet!" "Spare yourself the humiliation!" "They are coming for you." "Hasten!" "I have never been so happy in my life." "I used to think love is only lust, now I see one can love and be so peaceful." "No, Lygia." "I am the one who worships you." "I love you, Marcus." "Rabbi, flee from Rome." "Do not let the living truth perish with you." "Nazarius will lead you out of Rome." "Flee, in the name of Christ." "Do not let the beast triumph." "Hallowed be the Lord's name and let His will be done." "Do you see that light coming towards us?" "I cannot see anything." "Rabbi?" "What is it?" "Oh Christ!" "Christ!" "Quo vadis, Domine?" "You're abandoning my people, so I am going to Rome, to be crucified once again." "Quo vadis, domine?" "We are going back to Rome."