"This is the Appian way, the most famous road that leads to Rome as all roads lead to Rome." "Here march her conquering legions." "Imperial Rome is the centre of the empire, an undisputed master of the world." "but with this power inevitably comes corruption." "No man is sure of his life." "The individual is at the mercy of the state." "Murder replaces justice." "Rulers of conquered nations surrender their helpless subjects to bondage." "High and low a like become Roman slaves, Roman hostages." "There's no escape from the whip and the sword." "That any force on earth can shake the foundations of this pyramid of power and corruption, of human misery and slavery, seems inconceivable." "But 3 years before this day, a miracle occurred, on a Roman cross in Judea." "A man died to make men free, to spread the gospel of love and redemption." "Soon that humble cross is destined to replace the proud eagles that top the victorious Roman standards." "This is the story of that immortal conflict." "In this, the early summer in 64 A. D." "in the reign of the anti-Christ, known to history as the emperor Nero." "The victorious 14th legion returns to Rome, under the command of one Marcus Vinicius." "We can see Rome from the top of the hill." "Well, there it stands," "Rome." "Three years is a long time." "Yes, Marcus." "Drusilla and the children" "Tonight I sleep at home." "Man of the family to the end." "It's not sleep I'll look for." "We're being given an escort." "The least they could do." "Hail Marcus Vinicius, in the name of the divine Nero." "The news of your brilliant victories has preceded you to Rome." "We're anxious to be there." "Lead us in." "I'm sorry, commander." "I have imperial orders." "A fine welcome after a three-year campaign!" "We're ordered to camp here." "How many days' wait?" "I only know the orders." "Rome loves her brave warriors!" "Give that man 10 lashes!" "And double it for any more complaints." "Make camp here." "out of the way!" "Where to, Marcus?" "To the palace!" "Where else?" "Commander Marcus Vinicius." "I request audience with the emperor." "I will report immediately." "Commander, sir, if I might presume, did you fight the Britons" "With a mass movement, or..." "We fought with our bowels!" "Yes, commander." "Well, now you have it as I composed it." "Now, from the beginning." "ohooohhh o lambent flames o force divine o omnivorous powers hail omnivorous." "omni potent. omni potent, yes." "omni potent power hail" "Seneca, isn't omnipotent better?" "Far better, divinity." "There's no conviction in your voice." "You disturb me." "Petronius, you're my arbiter of elegance." "Which is it?" "I find omnipotent most feeble." "In fact, puerile." "Puerile?" "Feeble?" "Omnivorous has your pure inspired imagery." "It is vivid, comprehensive." "A genius, divinity, should hold to his first thoughts, on any subject." "Dear Petronius, what would I do without your clear insight into..." "Aah!" "clumsy toad!" "Isn't the agony of my creating enough Without you carving me?" "Take her away." "Where was I?" "What now?" "Commander Marcus Vinicius wishes an audience." "Marcus?" "Here?" "Who is Marcus Vinicius?" "My nephew, divinity," "Just returned with his legions." "Bid him enter." "You sent word to Vinicius to remain outside the city." "That's true, Tigellinus." "Does your nephew consider that his conquests give him a right?" "I cannot believe that he entered with his army." "Doubt less he has come to pay homage to his emperor and his god." "Yes." "Yes, of course." "I fear that a natural humility often blinds me." "Yes." "Hail Nero, emperor." "Commander, hail." "Come forward." "Your uncle was explaining your impetuous devotion to me." "It's a joy to be such an inspiration." "My loyalty and my life always." "My men have fought for their emperor." "They've accepted weeks of forced marches." "They're anxious to see their families, their women." "Just as you said, Petronius, such loyalty." "The delay in reaching home it's a question of morale." "Didn't you explain?" "Maybe good Tigellinus left the reason out of his orders." "Reasons are not given in imperial orders." "Tigellinus, how boorish!" "We desire that you wait to join legions, coming from Africa and Asia, which should be soon." "Tomorrow you'll enter in triumph." "The people need diversion or shall we say that this, too," "Is a question of morale?" "They demand a spectacle." "Bear with me in this, dear commander." "I understand now." "Divinity, may I retire with my nephew?" "We have much to discuss." "Naturally." "I shall expect you at the feast, after the triumph, Vinicius." "An added honour." "Now, again." "No arms missing?" "No legs?" "I picked up a healthy slash." "You seem to be faring well." "Oh, indestructible!" "." "You'll spend time with me?" "I intend a full month's relaxation in Rome." "I purchased several delectable slaves." "There's one from Spain skin like cream, hair that shines like a young raven's." "She's yours." "I might stay two months." "Tonight you'll stay at Plautius' country place." "Aulus Plautius, the retired general?" "That's a gloomy out look." "And his wife's not young." "Still, it's better than a tent." "o lambent flames..." "I've been listening to that since noon!" "He seems in rare voice." "Is it true that he murdered his wife and mother?" "You must learn the language of privileged government." "They were removed for the good of the empire." "The new wife, Poppaea, sounds interesting." "A harlot for an empress." "What an observation!" "A woman has no past, when she mates with a god." "Well, he's our emperor." "Want to replace Nero with general Galba." "I know nothing of politics." "While there's money to pay the army," "Rome will stand forever." "I bid you welcome, Marcus Vinicius." "I salute the general." "We travelled the splendid roads you built." "My wife, the Lady Pomponia." "We're honoured to have you." "My tribune, Fabius Nerva." "These men must wish to wash." "The baths are ready." "This way, commander." "Dinner is at the ninth hour." "You're expecting other guests?" "We're not intruding on any festivities, I hope." "No." "We live a quiet life." ""No." "We live a quiet life. "" "We're making ourselves sweet-smelling flowers, only to bloom in a hayfield." "The oldest boy is almost as tall as Drusilla." "When I left, I carried him on my shoulder." "That little slave from Spain, she can sit on mine." "Speaking of things that grow, Look at this one!" "For your bath." "Stand up, fellow." "What a prospect!" "What's going on in the arena?" "Is Croton still champion?" "I don't know." "You mean general Platius never thought of training you as a gladiator?" "I do not fight." "With one arm strapped, you could kill 50 Nubians an hour." "I could make you champion." "It is a sin to kill." "Half witted." "He grew so fast, his brain hit the top of the stable." ""Behold, she stands with her gown hung loose." ""framed is her face in golden tresses" ""reflecting her milk-white shoulders." ""thus Venus stood before Mars, welcoming her lover. "" "Nothing do I see that is not perfection." "You're in service to this household?" "Very much so." "Your name?" "Lygia." "Lygia, you're a windfall." "I shall sacrifice white doves to Venus, to commemorate our meeting." "Your sacrifice will be in vain, commander." "The old general must know a good slave market." "Not only beauty, but spirit as well." "There are no slaves in this household." ""Te old general..."" "I have the honour and the joy to be his daughter." "I crave your pardon." "Three years in the field have dulled my perceptions." "Forgive me." "You've done nothing to ask forgiveness for." "For a long time, the only women I've known have been poor barbarians." "I've heard the women of Britain and Gallia are most beautiful." "Women of Britain cover themselves with deer fat." "They desire to be warm." "The warmth is not transferable, only in its aroma." "As for the women of Gallia, their hair is like rope, not a soft red-gold crown with stars in it." "Their palm was a wild boar's hide." "that proves they are diligent at building huts, but not in bringing a man's thoughts to life." "I'm not sorry at all." "Sorry?" "That Petronius arranged my stay here." "If things go as fate surely meant, the man should be decorated." "If you will excuse me, I must decorate the table." "You can understand my problem." "We were outnumbered three to one." "Easily." "I put the spearmen in a formation like the Macedonian phalanx." "Barbarous Britons are worthy opponents." "They impaled themselves on the spearheads." "We were ankle-deep in their blood." "Can you understand the strategy?" "Can you see it?" "I only see the necessity of defending one's home." "Defending?" "They were in revolt against Rome, but I credit courage." "A general's daughter can understand it gives no pleasure to overcome weaklings." "The battle loses its zest." "Right, general?" "I find I've outgrown that zest." "You're being modest, general." "You're not excited by your legions' exploits." "That's an odd attitude for a woman of Rome." "I am a lygian." "Lygian?" "I thought..." "She's our adopted daughter." "Oh, I see." "Lygia, Lygia." "She was named Cellina, but she prefers Lygia." "She was taken prisoner during my campaign in Lygia." "A slave, then?" "No." "She was assigned to me as a hostage." "We've tried to erase the wrong done her with our love." "You should envy such love." "Lygia, I envy the roof that covers you" "This one or any future." "May a traveller interrupt with his greetings?" "Paul!" "You're here!" "We've been counting the days." "Pomponia." "Lygia, dear." "Peace is with this house." "It's written in your faces." "Our guests, tribune Fabius Nerva and commander Marcus Vinicius." "You must have seen their army." "Ah, yes." "Our friend Paul of Tarsus." "Our very dear friend." "Don't let me interrupt your meal." "We're done." "Let's sit in here." "Commander." "You must be tired, Paul." "Will you have food?" "I supped a long the way." "The rigors of travel fall away rapidly here." "You're returning from a journey?" "Oh, yes." "Antioch, Corinth..." "Oh." "You're Greek." "No, I'm a Jew." "A citizen of Rome, though I was born in Tarsus." "Yes, Tarsus, north of Palestine." "You come from a troublesome part of the world." "You're a merchant of some sort?" "No, I'm a rabbi." "What in the name of Jupiter is a rabbi?" "Paul is a teacher." "What do you teach?" "He teaches..." "He teaches philosophy." "Yes, I suppose you call it that." "Did you know that all this time" "I've been teaching you philosophy?" "I don't know a great deal about philosophy." "Lovely women shouldn't have the time to think that deeply." "Lygia, would you ever think I'm fond of flowers?" "I should like to see the garden." "You must see to the disposition of the men." "Will you excuse me?" "I shall be back early," "In time for the flowers, I hope." "Tell us the things we've been waiting to hear." "Did you see Peter?" "How is fishermen?" "I missed him all along the way wherever I went," "Peter had been there before me." "At Antioch, they said he'd gone to Jerusalem." "Others said he'd set out for Persia." "Finally, in Corinth," "I learned he was coming here." "Peter in Rome?" "Magnificent!" "To speak with a man who talked with Christ, our Lord." "I saw results of seeds Peter has planted." "Green shoots sprouting, there will be good harvest." "Everywhere strangers approached and drew the sign of the fish before me." "We spoke of the great work ahead." "The work is dangerous now." "Since you were tried, even though you were acquitted," "Christians are under constant suspicion." "I notice you seem worried in the presence of your guests." "I would have exercised caution" "There are times I bid the desire to cry the message a loud." "But tactics must be applied, even in the spreading of love and faith." "Your time will come." "Those two vital young men, they are Rome." "If we could teach them, we could teach the world." "Marcus Vinicius?" "You're asking for miracles." "I am." "I am, indeed." "There is still nothing I see that is not perfection." "However, if you were thinking of me," "As you undoubtedly were, do I look that much like a fish?" "oh..." "It wasn't anything to do with you." "You're too lovely to be a lonely artist." "But I did ask you to wait up for me." "I couldn't sleep." "Nor can I." "The night's still young." "This place is unworthy of our first meeting." "Let's go to Petronius' house." "There will be gaiety there." "My uncle's house was built by the goddess of love herself." "No, it's too late." "I mean, it's impossible." "We could plan it more discreetly." "You'll come see my triumph tomorrow, won't you?" "There'll be a feast at the palace." "No, I don't wish to watch your triumph." "Good night, commander." "Tell me what is it?" "What?" "What is it you see that you don't like?" "I'd be lying if I said" "I wasn't attracted by what I see." "It's what I hear I don't like." "A man's fame brings him fresh enemies." "Who's been telling you stories about me?" "You have, from your own lips ugly stories of conquest." "Conquest is the only method of uniting and civilizing the world." "Have to spill blood to do it." "There's a gentler way of doing that, without bloodshed and war, without slaves and captives bound to your triumphal chariots." "There'll always have to be slaves." "Paul speaks of a world without slaves." "That beggar-faced philosopher shouldn't stuff your luscious head with such nonsense." "You can't understand." "I wish you were a slave." "I'd have offered a price for you." "And taken me to Sicily?" "On a special ship." "What a way to win a woman?" "To buy her like an unresisting beast." "What false security you must have in your manhood." "What hidden scorn you must have for yourself!" "You're forgetting you're hostage of Rome." "Here, you hostage!" "Come back here!" "No, commander." "Move!" "I guard her, commander." "Who are you?" "I am Ursus." "I guarded the king, her father." "I guard her now." "Guard her well, my gray-haired colossus." "Guard her well." "Romance was short-lived." "There's always a weapon to bring down a flighty dove, my friend." "And please, dear lord," "Forgive me my anger and my spite." "I do not know what came over me." "It was temptation, perhaps," "A selfish desire that this man might see your light, for my sake rather than his." "Yet I pray that one day, he shall feel the joy of your love." "I pray with all my heart." "O guardian nymph, thou keeper of tree and soil, the voice of love now clear in the garden calls." "He comes to thee who brings the harvest." "Open thy arms to embrace vertumnus." "O guardian nymph, vertumnus is calling thee!" "Captain!" "What's the delay?" "The emperor hasn't appeared on the balcony." "You'll hear the trumpets." "Open thy arms to his love, Pomona" "Pomona, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah" "O goddess of earth" "Mighty!" "Eternal!" "Beneath whose auspices Rome rules the world!" "Hear us." "We worship you!" "We worship you!" "Venus, goddess of love." "We worship her!" "Mars, god of war." "We worship him!" "Juno, goddess of heaven." "We worship her!" "Jupiter, father of the gods." "We worship him!" "And Nero, his divine son!" "Yay!" "Yay!" "They are impatient, divinity." "They're impatient?" "What about my patience?" "A triumph to divert them." "Who diverts me?" "I agonize for them!" "I have no privacy." "You are their sun." "Does the sun have privacy?" "The sun has the night." "They expect me to shine daily, hourly," "For that foul-smelling rubble!" "It's so hot today." "This heat of Rome oppresses me." "They demand too much!" "This mob tortures me!" "I hate it second only to Rome!" "The foul breath of that mob floats in my house, in my garden!" "I wish..." "Oh, I wish..." "Your wish, Caesar?" "I wish that mob had a single throat, that I might cut it." "It could be done." "A typical butcher's solution." "Tigellinus would deprive you of your audience." "They irk me!" "Do I live for them or they for me?" "As a ruler, you must have subjects to rule." "Population is a necessary evil, but the burden is on you, on the only shoulders strong enough to bear it." "That's true, isn't it, Petronius?" "It's lonely to be an emperor." "It is lonelier to be a genius." "You're the only one who understands my tortured nature." "Is that not a theme for a poem?" "It is a theme for an epic, divinity," "But to write it, you must suffer it." "Yes." "Where is Poppaea?" "Where is my empress?" "Here, lord." "Come." "Petronius, you were right." "I must feel it, know it, live it." "Come, Petronius, attend me closely." "Attend me closely my ordeal." "Hail Nero, son of Jupiter!" "Look at him, my darling!" "Wife killer!" "Mother killer!" "Quiet, woman!" "He's a beast!" "Quiet!" "No man is a beast." "Look at him and know that he is but sick, sick in heart, spirit, and soul." "You are right, Petronius." "How they love me!" "How, indeed!" "Remember, thou art only a man!" "Remember, thou art only a man!" "Marcus Vinicius." "Isn't he the one who came to see Nero yesterday?" "An arrogant man." "He bears watching." "He might bear watching at much closer range." "Poppaea, what are you muttering about?" "Come closer." "Look." "They march as they fight..." "Strong, brave, relentless, our unconquerable children." "We must take them to our breast." "Yes, my lord well," "the hero at last." "Usually one's embarrassed by relatives," "But today I was proud of you." "Hot work in that sun." "The emperor adores you." "He called you his brave relentless child." "If you play your hand well, you can have a military governorship." "Egypt, perhaps." "Sit down." "Relax before you take your bath." "Very well, then taste this." "Straight from the vines of Olympus." "Your Sicilian vintages will pale to nothing." "Well?" "What's the law regarding hostages?" "Hostages?" "Can they be bought?" "Well..." "I take it this hostage is female." "Head to toe." "What's the law?" "Wait until you see what I have for you." "Ah." "Here she is." "Bring her here." "Your exquisite wildflower, from the hill s of Spain, Marcus." "What's her name?" "I've forgotten." "You called me Eunice." "Silence!" "Ah, yes." "Eunice." "Lift your chin, Eunice." "Look at that skin." "Turn around." "Slowly." "Flawless proportions." "Hold your arms behind your head." "Makes one wish one were a sculptor." "Lovely." "Enough of my collector's enthusiasm." "She is the commander's now." "Take her to his apartment." "I won't go." "What did you say?" "Don't give me away, my lord." "Don't send me from here." "Stay here, girl." "I don't want you." "You don't want her?" "And I refused an offer of six Arabian stallions." "Keep her, Petronius." "She's yours." "Give her five lashes." "You won't give me away, then?" "That depends on your conduct." "Yes, my lord." "Ply the lash carefully, now." "Don't damage her skin." "No, master." "Tell me now, can one purchase a hostage?" "Where is this precious gem?" "At Plautius ' place." "She is a fiery young lygian." "A lygian?" "I do recall a child assigned to him." "It was some years ago." "How can I get her?" "She belongs to Nero." "Perfect." "He can keep Egypt and give me Lygia." "Plautius may not be in accord with this." "Well, she will be." "They've sentimentalized her into an adopted daughter." "Philosophy teachers." "This one wasn't born to think." "She was born to feel." "Plautius regards her as his daughter." "Is this ethical?" "He was a general of the empire." "I'll have her if I have to abduct her." "Is you little barbarian, entirely in sympathy with your plan?" "She'll be cooing like a pigeon." "I wish I had your confidence." "I've never discovered an honest warmth in any woman." "Oh, my dear, beautiful lord," "I love you so." "Please, how can I let you know?" "Open!" "Open in the name of the emperor!" "I have an order from the emperor." "Yes?" "My orders are to take Lygia to the imperial palace." "She's not a slave." "She's our daughter!" "My orders are to take her at once." "Wait here." "You are the hostage Lygia?" "Yes." "Welcome to Nero's house of women." "My name is Acte." "I'm in charge." "Why am I here?" "You have attracted the attention of the emperor" "And have been commanded to the feast." "But the emperor has never seen me." "Nero ordered you brought here, Just as I was seven years ago." "He loved me more than he knew." "Prepare the bath, oil of lilies." "Bring me the beaded cloth and the strand of fine gold at the waist." "I am not honoured by this." "Weren't you brought up in the home of Plautius?" "Yes." "Do you know them?" "I know of them." "Chatter, chatter." "You'd think each one had hair of a queen." "This one has possibilities." "What were you going to tell me?" "Simply that you are the chosen guest of Nero." "You are in the hands of the master of the world." "Consider that your good fortune and fate." "The hostage, Lygia." "Aren't you coming?" "The emperor did not ask me." "She needed a poet to describe her." "Everything's there but the smile." "I leave that to you." "Petronius is right." "I wish I were a poet." "I had you escorted here in great honour." "Don't I deserve a smile?" "It was gracious of you." "10 big guards to support my eagerness to come." "Guards to support..." "My eagerness to come..." "And you belong here, Lygia, a king's daughter in a palace." "You should have a natural appetite for that." "I can tell you." "You have other natural applets, too." "Hasn't your friend Paul told you about those?" "Or has he been living in a cave?" "You should have seen my triumph today." "I imagine they had you chained to a peach tree." "Here." "The panacea for all reticence." "You' re right." "Your mouth has its own sweetness." "I know I'll find it so." "Don't look so frightened, Lygia." "I'm no heartless machine of war." "I won't rush upon you." "You've only to smile at me a little." "I can think of nothing but that this is over" "So you can send me home." "Home?" "Yes." "Hail Nero!" "Hail Nero!" "Hail Nero!" "Hail Nero!" "Hail Nero!" "Hail Nero!" "Have you ever seen your emperor and your god this close before?" "No." "I have never seen Nero this close before." "Same faces, same noses," "All green." "Just for variety, divine lord," "Try a ruby." "Is that the hostage I brought for Vinicius?" "Yes, divinity." "Vinicius has an eye." "She's exquisite." "You are generous." "You've over looked something for yourself." "Yes." "What do you think, Petronius?" "Put a dress on an olive stump," "And my untutored nephew would call it beautiful." "I know in your incomparable judgment," "You've decided that she is too narrow in the hips." "That's exactly what I think." "One woman should never judge another." "She hasn't the glands for it." "Isn't that witty, Petronius?" "Your humour is unique." "Dear Petronius." "Oh, yes," "Too narrow in the hips." "Sing for us, divinity." "Sing for us!" "Sing for us!" "I had almost come to a tragic decision." "I had decided not to sing tonight." "My throat hurts." "And when one has a divine gift, one should not jeopardize it." "I'm not the only one afflicted, my empress has a headache." "The only thing which will bring her relief is the sound of my voice." "You promised to sing." "I'm totally unprepared." "So I must compose as I sing." "o lambent flame o force divine o omnivorous power hail" "None is the swifter to bring destruction yet, carefree as a child." "Thou with wild breezes playing the old Troy shall be no more because of thee." "Thou harvester that strips the soil for men, to sow new crops." "O lambent flame, o force divine, o omnivorous power hail." "Bravo!" "Bravo!" "You must be content with that." "My throat." "Watch croton!" "He's killed over 300 opponents." "He could destroy your nurses." "Orpheus must be as yellow with envy as Lucan." "I am as a candle next to the sun." "And you, Petronius, what do you say?" "Your verses are common and fit for the fire they celebrate." "Farewell, Petronius." "What defect do you find?" "Your verses are worthy of Homer, but not worthy of you." "The conflagration you describe does not blaze enough." "Had Lucan written these verses," "I should acknowledge him a genius?" "But you can create the world's greatest work." "I say this to your eyes, take greater pains." "The gods gave me something greater than talent..." "A true judge and friend." "You have opened my eyes." "All men, born and unborn, are my debtors." "You' re right." "My conflagration does not burn enough." "And do you know why?" "I've never seen a burning city." "You said one must suffer an experience to recreate it." "A sculptor has his model." "I have no model." "Burn a city to create an epic?" "That's carrying the principle of art for art's sake too far." "Soon spring will be over." "The summer heat will begin." "What stenches will arise from Rome?" "I shall move the court to Antium." "You did not observe Croton's masterful stroke." "I was not the only one." "Vinicius has hardly taken his eyes from her." "I must see this for myself." "It was a fair match." "Either could have won." "You seem pleased with my gift, commander." "Is it enough in the light of your service?" "Do you know, lovely one?" "No." "I thought you should tell her." "I have given you to Marcus Vinicius, as a reward for his devotion to me." "Your guardian is no longer general Plautius." "You belong to the household of Vinicius." "On closer inspection," "I find it a fair reward, perhaps excessive." "Except, of course, as you so wisely observed, divinity." "Oh, yes." "Too narrow in the hips." "Let us go and greet my guests." "Now you know, Lygia." "And I thought I could love you." "Love as you were made to love." "What difference does it make, now that you own me?" "You have but to give the command." "I own you." "You realize that, don't you?" "I can have you flogged until you plead to love me." "Take me then." "Take me to your house." "Anything." "You will hear nothing from me, but a prayer." "Lygia" "Commander Vinicius," "The empress requests your presence at once." "Very well." "Here." "Take her to the house of Petronius." "Put her in charge of Anaxander, master of s laves." "Tears are but a prelude to joy." "Remember that while you wait for me." "You seem to be having difficulty in proving your ownership." "Mares often enjoy fighting the it." "I've always found conflict between man and woman, a waste of time." "It consumes so much... vitality." "Well said, empress." "I am a priestess of Amino." "You are a serpent, poison is in your mouth," "And I have a taste for poison, Marcus." "To change to a serpent, that might take time." "I can bring that about." "Those are commander Vinicius ' orders." "Here." "Oh, how clumsy of me!" "I know your symbol" "Even though I'm not yet one of you." "Have courage, child." "Come along." "Your fate is determined by the greatest power in this world." "His will be done." "You must get sleep." "I'll call you." "We should be hearing from Ursus soon." "Good morning." "You' re right." "We'd better ignore the formalities." "Tell Lygia I've come for her." "We've not seen Lygia." "Bring Lygia here at once." "We haven't seen her." "You're lying, general." "I don't lie." "On my oar as an officer," "I do not lie." "You may search the house." "You refuse to say anything more?" "You've violated our hospitality, in the cruellest way a man could." "You' re over looking our law of outages, aren't you?" "The emperor assigned Lygia to my care." "You' re overlooking what's happening to Rome." "It's such laws that will tumble its foundation." "Your emperor, your god, Nero, bathed in his own infamy." "Plautius, my dear, please," "I understand your concern." "I hope I continue to forget what I just heard." "Marcus." "My dear young Marcus." "I want to call you that, because for all your rank, woman of my age isn't unaware of things." "You could be my son." "Lygia's eyes were drawn to you." "If deep inside of you, you were this cold." "Look into your heart and recognize the truth of you that should be." "Since you returned empty-handed, sit down and fill your empty stomach." "They claim to know nothing." "Forget the whole whim and come to Antium." "There's something strange about Plautius" "And that household." "They don't talk like Romans." "Their friend Paul of Tarsus..." "Paul of Tarsus?" "Yes." "He's some fool philosopher I met there." "Paul of Tarsus." "My poor Marcus." "This is drama to the ages." "You picked the cherished egg, in a nest of Christians." "Christians have spirited her away." "Christians?" "Are they the ones Who worship some dead carpenter?" "Yes." "A rebel against the state, a Jew called Christ, crucified in Palestine." "The sect is a secret one." "It consists of Jews, Greeks, and others who meet in secret and spread their superstition." "They're a constant worry to Nero and the senate." "This calls for a detachment of praetorians." "I'll tell Taglines to sear well, Now wait." "These Christians are resourceful." "A display of force will bury your hostage deeper in the nest." "Do you suggest I join the group?" "I know of a Greek, a man called Chilo." "He's a soothsayer, astrologer, and diviner of mysteries." "He'd show the way to your escaped Lygia before nightfall." "Anaxander?" "Yes, master?" "You know the house of Chilo?" "Yes, master." "My nephew has urgent business." "Escort him." "Your advice has certain merit." "I'll give your Greek a chance." "If you find her, bring her to Antium." "I'll send you word." "You have heard, Eunice?" "Is not love a madness?" "Do not ask me, lord." "I'm among the mad." "Do you love someone?" "It was once prophesied by an old woman, that both pain and happiness would visit me." "That prophecy applies to everyone." "She said my true fate was hidden in a rhyme." "Well?" ""Anon shall Venus rise" ""from out the violet roman sea" ""and bear two lovers" "In her arms towards eternity. "" "Whom do you love?" "Anaxander?" "Mirmillon?" "Well, your beloved is not of this house." "He is, my lord." "What if I said that today you should go with me to the violet Roman sea?" "I'm swoon with happiness." "Only you haven't said it, my lord." "Then go ready yourself for Antium." "You haven't swooned." "I have no time, my lord." "I have no time!" "I have no time!" "I vow you've come to the right man, Marcus Vinicius." "Speak up!" "Can you find this girl?" "I must first verify she is a Christian." "My lord, do you read Greek?" "Passably." "Look here." "What does that say?" ""Jesus Christ, son of god, saviour. "" "Exactly." "So it's their dead god's name." "I've seen no such symbols." "Observe the first letters of each word." "What do they spell?" "I-c-t-h-u-s." "Icthus." "The Greek word for fish." "Have you seen the symbol of a fish in all this?" "Fish." "Why should I have seen a..." "Wait." "She once drew one." "Aha!" "Their sign of recognition!" "Fish are caught with a bait," "Christians with a fish." "Where are their gatherings?" "They practice foul rites at night in caves." "Will they gather tonight?" "Possibly, but it is dangerous." "There are hundreds of them." "Croton the gladiator will protect you." "Does that suit?" "Croton?" "Yes, lord." "We'll meet you here at sundown." "But, my lord, I shall need, other arms." "A small weapon in advance, perhaps?" "Jesus lord, sweet Jesus" "Kyrie Eleison." "On us thy children" "Christe Eleison." "Have mercy, lord" "Holy saviour..." "You see how they gather, lord?" "In stealth, like thieves and murderers." "Holy saviour" "Shed thy light on our darkness" "Shed thy light..." "He was at her house." "Yes." "She's here." "I baptize thee in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy ghost." "What's he doing?" "They call it baptism, an evil bath of blood water." "I know there are some here who still doubt, a few who have not accepted baptism." "Our lord Jesus understood that." "He welcomed questions as the right of free men." "But there is one among us tonight who was there when the people gathered about Christ." "And questioned him, who heard the answers from his own lips," "A man who saw Jesus' face and touched his hand," "The fisherman Simon, called Peter, our Lord's first apostle." "Unworthy though I am," "Jesus said to me, "thou art Peter," "And upon this rock I will build my church."" "He has guided me to Rome, so that together we can build his church here." "I give thanks for your faith in him," "Whose voice you have heard in your hearts." "By the sea of Galilee, my brothers and I had fished all night and had caught nothing." "We were cold and tired." "Coming into the shore, I heard someone call my name." "A man stood there." "At the sight of him, the cold and weariness left me." "I answered "Yes, friend?" He asked to come into our boat, so that he could speak better to the people on shore." "We made him enter." "He spoke to the people, about the Kingdom of Heaven." "Suddenly, my heart leapt in my breast, and I knew that he was the Christ." "He said to me," ""Go out into deep waters and let down your nets. "" "In a moment, the nets were full." "He looked at my wonderment and said," ""From henceforth, you shall be a fisher of men. "" "He told me to follow him, and I did," "I and my brothers James and John." "Throughout the land, we followed him." "Others joined us until we were 12." "To the hungry and thirsty, he gave food and drink." "To those, who were sick and worn and weary, he gave hope and peace." "Who but the Son of God, could have brought such gifts to man or have commanded the storm to be calm." "Who or he could have raised Lazarus of Bethany from the dead and given peace to Mary Magdalene?" "And yet I... denied this man." "He himself foretold that I would on the night of our last supper." ""Lord, " I had said," ""I will follow you to prison and to death. "" "But he answered, "Peter, before the cock crows, thou Shalt deny me thrice. "" "And I did, three times outside the house of his judges, when they accused me of being with him," "I said, "I know not the man", cursing my weakness in the face of death." "Then they weighed him down, with a cross and scourged him, and at Calvary, they crucified him with a crown of thorns upon his head." "But even then Jesus said," ""Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." "Only the son of God could have forgiven them, as he forgave me." "But he who raised the dead could not be conquered by death." "The room in which we later sat was filled suddenly with light and the risen lord stood before us." "We saw his pierced hands and wounded side and we knew that he was the Lord." "He said, "Peace be unto you. "" "He commanded us to preach his holy word." ""Blessed are the poor in spirit," ""for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." ""Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." ""Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." ""Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteous" ""for they shall be filled." ""Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." ""Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." ""Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called "the children of God. "" "Jesus also asks us to obey the commandments which god gave to Moses." "Obey those who govern you and the laws by which they govern." "Even though under them you suffer cruelties," "Witness maliciousness." "Make no threat of violence great in returns." "In the words of Jesus," ""whosoever shall smite thee upon thy right cheek," ""turn to him the other, also." ""Love thy neighbour as thyself." ""Whatsoever you would that men should do to you," ""do you so to them." ""Love your enemies." ""Bless them that curse you." ""Do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despiteful use you and persecute you. "" "Oh, believe in him!" "Endure all things in his name, so that you may dwell in blessedness from ever lasting to ever lasting." "Amen." "Amen." "By the light of the dawn on a glorious, endure all things in his name," "That you may dwell in blessedness." "In his triumph, the son of god arose..." "If I smite him on one cheek, he will have no chance to turn the other." "I don't know." "He has courage." "Come to our house to see Peter and Paul." "No." "We may be watched." "Good night, father." "Good night, mother." "Christ is king" "Christ is king" "Alleluia" "There." "There she is." "Lift your eyes and your hearts, to the glory on high, of the lord who arose on..." "Well, commander?" "Come along." "He shall reign, he shall reign eternal." "That giant looks like he has the strength of a certain bull." "Can you down him?" "I'll squeeze the seeds out of him." "Wait." "We' re being followed." "I don't hear anyone." "They stop when we do." "Go on to the house." "But father." "Go on to the house." "Go no further, commander." "Step aside." "My lord, you haven't paid me!" "It's only a small cut in the scalp, but they always bleed the most." "Hot water." "I'll get some ointment." "Look!" "Did you do that, too, Ursus?" "No, dear, that's an old scar." "What from?" "Probably some battle wound." "Right." "He's one of Nero's best generals." "It's time you were asleep." "Mother, did you see..." "Yes, dear." "Wash the wound thoroughly first, Lygia." "Yes." "Come, Ursus." "Ursus wishes to speak to you." "Yes?" "I want to ask the commander's forgiveness." "I killed his friend." "You killed Croton?" "I told you you'd be a champion." "And the Greek?" "He disappeared." "I'll wager he did." "Please forgive him." "For what?" "Croton faced his chances, killing was his profession." "But why didn't you kill me?" "In our faith, killing is a sin." "I seem to remember." "You should have had him kill me," "But instead, you bring me in and patch me up," "You who hate me." "You've defeated me, Lygia." "Go on home." "Stop hiding." "I won't pursue you about the countryside any longer." "You' re free and rid of me, Lygia." "You could look happier about it." "Well, so be it." "Marcus!" "Oh, Marcus, you know I don't hate you." "Lygia!" "Oh, Marcus, Marcus!" "The sweetness of you." "This is the beauty." "I knew it." "I should have known it had to happen, when I watched you leave the gathering." "You were there?" "Yes." "I should have known what I really wished." "Will you give me the greatest triumph a man ever had?" "Be my wife?" "Oh, yes, Marcus!" "Gather up what you need and let's be gone." "Hurry!" "Yes, Marcus, I'll hurry." "Petronius will out do himself." "A wedding such as never has been seen and even that will be lost moments." "Marcus, I would like to ask Paul's blessing and let him say the words over us." "Enough of his words!" "They've deafened your ears, to everything life has to tell you." "Did you hear Peter and Paul say anything wrong?" "I heard a childish old man speak in riddles." "Believe as they do and you'll think an ox is a goat." "Marcus, dear, I thought having heard," "You might begin to understand why." "Is this the symbol of your god?" "The cross on which he was crucified." "I'll accept your god, if it makes you happier." "I don't demand it." "In our gardens in Sicily, we'll put up a cross higher than the roof." "I'll have a figure of your Christ, carved from the finest marble." "Marcus, listen." "It's no trouble." "There's such an army of gods nowadays, we can find room for another." "It's not a condition of our having one another." "I just pray that one day," "Christ will appear in your heart." "My heart is only for you." "There won't be room for him." "There will be." "I always carry him in mine with you." "Well, take him out, if he means that much!" "Well." "I'm glad to see you on your feet again." "We were quite concerned." "Paul, Marcus just asked me to be his wife." "Oh?" "I'm sure that this has brought her great joy, Marcus." "You could see, Paul, that I loved him." "I was trying to explain that there are other things..." "I understand." "I don't!" "I offered to accept the symbols of her god." "I don't ask her to accept mine." "What more can I do or say to prove I'm not an enemy of her god." "Marcus, for some of us, it takes years of thought, of contemplation, of looking back on our lives." "Tell me what more I should do." "You own slaves, don't you?" "Hundreds." "Why?" "Jesus wishes no man to be in bondage." "Set them free." "Set them free?" "But they're mine." "You can't buy human beings." "Faith in Christ is based on love." "He asks everyone to love one another." "You want me to love the whole human race?" "Love Parthian, Egyptians, Persians, and others who want to kill me?" "Has it occurred to you to put down your sword and conquer these people with love?" "Yes, you'd tame wolves with a feather." "You've a whining beggar for god, a cringing god for slaves and outcasts like yourself." "But that's not Lygia." "Let's leave this idiocy of words, Lygia." "Marcus, a moment more." "We've waited long enough." "You're going to be commander Marcus Vinicius' wife, not some crucified carpenter's slave." "Marcus, try to understand" "My faith, my beliefs." "Don't force me to choose." "You mean between me and your Christ?" "Yes, choose" "Because I'd no more share you with your Christ, than I would with any other man!" "But, Marcus, unless you try to understand," "What we feel for each other will destroy itself." "Destroy us!" "Your love for Lygia, though great," "Is small compared with your love for mankind." "What sort of love acknowledges a force greater than itself?" "What runs in your veins, blood or water?" "What sort of poison are you spreading?" "You coming with me, Lygia?" "Lygia?" "No, my dear." "Twice today but I'll keep my word." "I'll not disclose what I've seen or heard." "Something is hidden behind your meek words, philosopher." "They strike at Rome and roman law." "I warn you." "If ever Roman rule is threatened, you'll feel my sword." "I almost..." "I wanted to go with him, Paul!" "Lygia." "Even our lord knew temptation." "Your strength, too, will prevail and be rewarded in this." "I know that." "Fearful is my soul, here as I lie, in the arms of my love" "Heart beating on heart through the night" "Why is it that we knowing infinite love must die?" "This will be the imperial garden" "Where the cattle market now stands?" "Yes, divinity." "Each palace rising out of its own lake, surfaced with rare waterfowl." "No longer will the stench of cattle rise up the palatines lopes, landscaped with roses." "Phaon, you could have laid the plans of Olympus." "My lord, I have brought food." "Take it away." "Since morning." "Be gone with it, all of you!" "You irritate me!" "Why do you stare at me, Acte?" "My lord..." "I" " I-I can only say, when all this sets with the final sun," "Remember the look of Acte." "Why should I?" "No one loves you as I do." "I command you to stop loving me!" "I cannot, lord." "Forgive me." "For years, she has been a thorn in my flesh." "Now that thorn will be removed." "You are banished from Rome and from my sight." "One day, Nero, you will need me..." "Is it not disgusting, when common bovine solicitude replaces the fire in a woman's body?" "But what pulsating pull there is in fire!" "My new Rome shall spring from the loins of fire," "A twisting, writhing, breathing flame." "What do you think Petronius will say?" "You doubt his approval?" "I, too, remember his strange look, when the thought first came to you." "No." "No." "Petronius appreciates my genius." "He may not understand the means" "I must use to bring this greatest of my a accomplishments into being." "He seems to be well-occupied at the moment." "When I have news of Tigellinus' coming," "I shall summon him with the others." "This must be disclosed to him, with intelligence, with, uh, with sincerity." "Yes." "There you are." "Marcus?" "Well, it's your game." "Only two games you've won in three weeks, Marcus." "I've met my superior." "You might have met something else." "I've been given no details, concerning Christian hostage" "Your curiosity breaks it bounds." "It shatters me." "Your valiant Greek led me to Lygia" "And a swag hive of idiots." "Their black honey choked my mouth and I said strange words." "But for their stupidity, strange words." "I should have been broken in half." " Fascinated?" " In a way." "Yes?" "The empress requests your presence in her pavilion." "At once." "I leave you to your fascination." "I have been summoned to mine." "None of this bodes well." "Wouldn't the emperor be angry, if Poppaea's indulgences merely stimulate him to his own." "I sense a fresh preoccupation in Nero." "He has avoided me." "My lord is troubled." "A double guard, and yesterday Tigellinus and a squadron of his butchers left for Rome." "I feel a strange and heavy breeze." "My dear lord." "Even your song is sad with its note of death." "It is just words." "And I sing it joyfully" "Because love such as I fee I cannot ever die." "As always, your entrance is proud." "I come as fast as my hands and knees will carry me." "As always, sardonic and unassailable." "Unassailable?" "I've never been so readily, so happily," "So expertly vanquished in my life." "I believe everything except the word "vanquished"." "I should like to vanquish you, Marcus, like the spider who eats her mate." "When he's no longer necessary?" "Something like that." "I heard you' re planning to leave for Sicily." "I must." "Three years away, there is too much to look after." "Will you go via Rome?" "Rome?" "That's rather an indirect route." "I know about your little Christian hostage vanishing." "I have eyes and ears in the praetorian guard." "And an arm or two to fit your waist?" "Possibly." "Did you find her, Marcus?" "Naturally. only to find myself a fool" "And sever her chains." "You severed them thoroughly?" "Thoroughly." "Marcus." "You know how I consoled myself" "When you vanished from the feast?" "I consoled myself, with the thought of your death." "I fondled your bodiless head, making you smile and frown." "What stopped you?" "It's foolish to kill those you hate." "Once dead, they' re beyond pain." "I hated you." "I welcome your change of heart." "If ever she bewitches you again," "I shall know." "Since I have no hatred for her," "I do not care whether she feels pain." "You'd never turn the other cheek to me, would you?" "I don't know what you mean." "But my mouth is here." "Have you called Petronius?" " Yes, Caesar." " Summon him again." "Tell him..." "As ever, I'm impatient for you." "I have missed you, divinity." "Forgive me if I've slighted you." "I've been steeped in my genius." "I sense a fresh inspiration." "Your senses shall leap to it." "Attend me." "Attend me, all." "My lack of consideration for you" "During the past few days in keeping you from my presence" "Forces me to impress upon you" "The tribulations of the true artist." "When I play and sing," "I have visions of things I never dreamed existed." "The world is mine and mine to end." "Music opens up new worlds for me." "I can see Olympus, and a breeze blows on me from beyond the earth." "And in those moments," "I, a god, feel as diminutive as dust." "This is a day for sincerity." "Let me open my soul to you." "Do you think I do not know That there are people in Rome" "Who call me a matricide, a wife killer?" "Call me a monster, a tyrant." "There is something they do not realize." "A man's acts may be cruel, while he himself is not cruel." "And there are moments, my dear Petronius, when... when music caresses my soul," "I feel as gentle as a child in a cradle." "Believe me?" "All men should know you as we do, divinity." "Only then would they appreciate you." "Some say I am mad." "I'm only seeking." "The flatness and misery of common life depress me." "I must exceed the stature of man in both good and evil." "Greater than man." "Only then will I be the supreme artist." "Do you know why I condemned both my wife and my mother to death?" "I did it in order to lay at the gates of an unknown world" "The greatest sacrifice a man can put there." ""Now, "I thought, doors will open, beyond which I shall catch a glimpse of the unknown"." "Let it be wonderful!" "Or let it be awful, so long as it is uncommon!" "So now..." "Behold, dear Petronius!" "My new Rome." "It shall rise in gleaming white beauty," "Master gem of the world's crown." "It shall have a new name," "Neropolis, city of Nero." "Hail divinity!" "Something the world has never seen, but what of the Rome" "That has stood for 1,000 years?" "The old Rome, our Rome," "Dirty and magnificent," "But still our be loved Rome" "It still stands." "Does it?" "It still stands?" "We never thought of that, did we?" "Or does it, Tigellinus?" "Rome is a sea of flames!" "You hear that?" "That is my epic!" "To demolish and create anew!" "Now, to your chariots!" "You shall come with me to the funeral pyre." "You shall hear my dirge over burning Rome!" "Its flames shall carry me higher than the gods!" "All of Rome is burning?" "All but the palatine area, naturally." " What of the section across the river?" " A creeping inferno." "Marcus!" "Stop Vinicius!" "You!" "You halt!" "Now, indeed," "Nero has his place in history." "There's one of Nero's soldiers" "He burned Rome!" "The people in this house here, have you seen them?" "They left." "Don't kill me!" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Here!" "Go on!" "Take care of her!" "The sewers lead to the river!" "Into the sewers!" " Lygia!" " Marcus!" "Lygia!" "Oh, Marcus!" "I prayed to see you!" "Marcus, Miriam is dead, in the fire." "She..." "A wall fell on my mother." "We'll get you out of this." "The praetorians are holding the bridge!" "Open up!" " Who is in command here?" " I am." " Open this barricade!" " Imperial orders." "We' re to keep them from entering the palatine area." "Break ranks!" "Let them through!" "Hold your line there!" "I'm in charge, commander!" "Break ranks, I say!" "Petronius!" "Look what I've created!" "Tigellinus, my robe of grief." "Terpnos!" "Lyre." "History will judge my song." "I'm seized with the fear it won't be great enough." "You will be worthy of the spectacle," "As it is worthy of you." "You encourage me, but I must compete." "With those who sang at the burning of Troy." "My song must be greater, as Rome is greater than Troy!" "Silence, ye spheres, be still, ye hurt ling stars, open wide vaulted skies above me." "Now at last, I, I see Olympus and a light from its summit dote illumine me" "I am one with the gods immortal" "I am Nero, the artist who creates with fire." "That the dreams of my life may come true." "To the flames now, I give the past, to the flames and soil" "take thou this Rome." "Oh, receive her now, you flames, consume her as would a furnace." "Burn on, o ancient Rome!" "Burn on!" "Burn on!" "The mob from burned areas." "They want to survive." "Who asked them to survive?" "Tigellinus!" "The palace is fully guarded." "They will never pass my praetorian" "The night is chilly." "Let us withdraw." "Is it possible that human beings can produce such a sound?" "Yes, when they've been driven too far." "Death to the incendiary!" "They'll break through!" "Summon all the detachments." "Death to the incendiary!" "What are they shouting?" "They have given you a new title, divinity." "Incendiary." "I've sent for reinforcements." "Speak to the mob." "Make them some promises." "I don't ask." "I confirm." "Speak to them." "Speak to them in my name." "Not until other detachments arrive." "They had stone me to death now." "In what better cause could you die?" "This was your architect's dream." "Go tell them, Phaon." "This is all for them." "How can we admit that?" "How could I expect that mob" "To share my vision?" "The mob is a wild animal." "With an animal you cannot reason." "I'm surrounded by eunuchs!" "Why do you stand aloof?" "Counsel me!" "Let them enter." "We shall all die, all except you." "You, being a god, are immortal." "They'll destroy you, also." "I do not share your passion" "For self-preservation." "I love Rome." "I am not eager to survive it." "Petronius, they think you're their friend." "Speak to them!" "Make promises!" "Grain!" "oil!" "Wine!" "They will take them, Nero," "Without your permission." "Insatiable and thank less mob!" "What do they want?" "Justice." "No mob ever wants justice." "They want vengeance," "A victim." "Tigellinus, it was you who burnt Rome." "At your command, Nero." "Tigellinus, do you love me?" "You know it, lord." "Then prove it." "Go to the mob." "Bare your guilt." "I would do so gladly," "But I am head of the praetorian guard." "If I die, they may turn against you." "I cannot subject you to that danger." "Are you threatening me?" "Do you hear him threaten me with the praetorian guard?" "You're all willing to desert me!" "I know it!" "I feel it!" "Nero, my be loved, you were right." "Give the people what they want." "Give them blood and vengeance," "Not one victim, but a thousand." "What victims?" "They worship one they say is higher than you." "They're the enemies of the human race and of you." "Who are they?" "They despise our temples" "And prophesy that the end of the world shall be caused by fire." "Well, let it end for them." "Who are they?" "They call themselves Christians." "Christians." "Yes, I've heard of them." "The empress speaks rightly." "Christians are the enemies of Rome and of the state." "Let the people have vengeance." "The people suspect you." "Let their suspicion turn in this more beneficial direction." "They must pay." "Do you hear?" "The Christians are plotting to destroy me." "You often remind us of the judgment of history." "What will its verdict be, if you punish the innocent and betray your greatness?" ""Nero, a god, burned Rome," ""because he was as powerful as patter." ""He loved poetry so much," "He sacrificed Rome for a song. "" "History need not say the burning of Rome was good, but it must say that it was colossal, uncommon." "I cannot listen to any suggestion that my emperor is a coward." "You were too cowardly to risk your life for him." "Petronius is right." "He wants to preserve your enemies." "Why do you defend them?" "Because his nephew Vinicius loves a Christian girl." "Maybe Petronius is a Christian." "Petronius, are you a Christian?" "I am not." "The Christians teach you to love your neighbour, and as I see what men are," "I cannot love my fellow man." "He does not love you, gentlemen." "A tablet, Phaon." "The people shall have their vengeance." "I hereby proclaim that the guilt of the burning of our be loved city." "Rests with the foul sect, which calls itself Christian." "They have spread the lie, that it was Nero who burnt Rome." "I will exterminate these criminals in a manner matching the enormity of their crime. *," "Their punishment will be a warning... a spectacle of terror" "To all evil men... everywhere and forever." "Who would harm you... or harm Rome... or harm your emperor." "Who loves you." "Pause before you sign this." "Rome has given the world justice and order." "Sign that, and roman justice" "Will receive a blow from which it may never recover." "Condemn these Christians, and you'll make martyrs of them and insure their immortality." "Condemn them, and in the eyes of history, you'll condemn yourself." "When I have finished with these Christians, Petronius, history will not be sure that they ever existed." "When I grow up, I'm going to be a sailor." "Nothing burns at sea." "Nero can burn the whole ocean." "Marcus!" "Did you rest well?" "I was impatient to see the sun rise," "And here you are." "You should have slept longer." "Your journey from Antium and last night must have..." "I've been asleep too long in many ways, Lygia." "I must return to the city and meet with Nerva and the others." "Something must be done about this maniac." "There must be an answer, quickly, decisive." "You do know the answer." "You do understand." "There can be no turning the other cheek." "If I've not returned by nightfall, I'll send word." "Marcus Vinicius?" "I've heard of you." "You must realize how grateful we are, for what you have done, for your concern for Lygia." "My only concern is for Lygia." "Hold yourself straight, youngster." "A man must be a soldier." "I don't want to be a soldier." "Let's talk about our journey." "We'll be meeting Paul in Greece." "That's good." "You'll like Greece, Lazarus." "You'll help me fish for men." "We'll fish for fish, too." " Are we leaving soon?" " As soon as we eat." "We shall be starting within the hour." "I'm glad..." "Because I don't like it here anymore." "Yes, indeed." "We shall be fishermen together." "Please, my lord." "Do not trouble yourself so." "It's a moment for thoughts." "Yesterday I could have gone to the mob" "Aad told them that Nero burned Rome." "I could have offered them a new emperor in general Galba." "and so set my seal upon the times." "Do you know why I did not?" "I know nothing of these things." "Because I love Nero, perhaps?" "He fills me with loathing." "No." "Because out of force of long habit," "I've become content to be an amused cynic, a selfish on lookers, lLeaving others to shape the world." "Marcus!" "I was worried about you." "You know Nerva here." "My third in command, Justin Scipio." "We meet in a ghastly hour." "The time has come for Galba to replace Nero." "Justin is taking this message to him, asking him to come with his legions." "Your signature added to these will make Galba confident of his reception." "I sign it with humility," "on your way." "You're a marked man." "You scorned Poppaea." "She has death in her eye for you and your Lygia." "I'll chance that." "Take Lygia and leave Rome quickly." "Nero is about to extinguish his conflagration, in a sea of blood." "Whose blood?" "Didn't you hear his orators?" "The people are being given the story, along with grain and win that the Christians set fire to Rome." " They won't believe that." " People will believe any lie" "If it's fantastic enough." "We'll meet at your house by midday." "We'll keep you informed." "Farewell, Marcus." "Farewell." "Farewell?" "What do you mean, my lord?" "Nero sent to inquire after my health." "A praetorian officer brought his solicitude." "He means to amuse himself," "By making a sport of my extermination." "But then you must..." "No, no." "I have the means to disappoint him." "Send Anaxander to me." "I'll give him the names of those few I love." "He'll ask them to dine with us tonight." "Where is general Plautius' family?" "They're all ready in prison." "The praetorians collected the whole scurvy lot!" "Me, raising my children by the house of dirty Christians!" "Burn the city, will they?" "Put them in number four." "Is the family of general Plautius here?" "See if we have them." "I have an order for their release." "A signed order?" "By whom?" "I do not accept questions, praetorian." "A seasoned campaigner, trapped by love." "We've been expecting you." "Soldiers hope to die" "A quick and noble death, but Nero plans for you something more leisurely and certainly ignoble." "Put him with his Christian friends." "Marcus!" "Why did they take you?" "This is none of your doing." "I carry my share of the blame." "We knew they were after you, but we had no way to send warning" "I once accused you." "I'm proved wrong." "It's no triumph for me to find you here." "The lions!" "It is the lions!" "No!" "No!" "Please, god, no!" "No, dear, no." "We must be strong in him," "In each other." "If he is all-powerful," "Why do we find ourselves here?" "Stand firm." "Our children to be sold into slavery, is that what the redeemer promised us?" "Only by faith, will we endure the ordeal." "I thank god Peter and Paul were spared, but I miss their spirit and their courage." "I think it's going to rain." "We'd better look for shelter." "Peter, don't you think so?" "What troubles you?" "You've hardly spoken all morning." "Oh, I'm sorry, Nazarius." "Are you very tired?" "My mind is as heavy as my body." "There is something wrong..." "with our people, perhaps." "I need our lord's counsel." "If only he would speak to me..." "Look!" "Those treetops there." "They do not bend with the wind." "Yes, that is so." "That sudden brightness coming..." "Do you see it, Nazarius?" "It is the light of the lord." "I have seen it." "Christ Jesus, you are here." "What is wrong, o Lord?" "What should I do?" "I am weary." "How should I follow thee now?" "Quo Vadis, Domine?" "Whither Goest Though, lord?" "My people in Rome... have need of thee." "What did you say, Nazarius?" "My people in Rome have need of thee." "If thou desert my people," "I shall go to Rome, to be crucified a second time." "Nazarius, blessed child, speak on!" "Speak!" "oh Peter, you've stumbled." "Say the words again." "I didn't say anything." "You said, "if thou desert my people," ""I shall go to Rome to be crucified a second time."" "But I said nothing." "Yes." "He has again spoken to me." "Come, Nazarius." " Where are you going?" " To Rome." "I have invited you tonight, my friends," "You who have been steadfast, through the years." "That you have come proves not only your recklessness, but your devotion." "You have the wit to bring yourself into his favour again." "No." "Tigellinus has won." "Nero, our master, is at the moment anticipating how he will make me suffer." "I shall deprive him of that pleasure." "This is an evening of farewell." "Where will you go, my lord?" "You've called me your lord long enough." "My name is Gaius." "And you've worn this emblem of slavery for far too long." "Henceforth, you are free." "This villa, its treasures, its gardens will be yours." "Why do you say this?" "Because this evening, with its warmth and feeling..." "This evening is my signature, the last flourish." "Tell the physician to come in." "It is not enough to live well, one must die well." "No, my lord!" "No!" "Please don't let him!" "I understand the Christians say death is but a transition to a better life." "It will be interesting to discover." " Oh, my lord!" " My dear, no tears before our guests." "Petronius." "If the Christians are right," "Ttis will be but a brief parting." "We can't." "We can't part." "Eunice!" "Did you think I could live without you?" "No!" "Bind her wrist!" "For the first time, Gaius, I disobey you." "What have I done that forever I should hear the sweet thunder of your heart?" "You have given me your love." "And now, my friends," "I wish to write a letter to our emperor." "Scribe." "Will you permit me?" "Let us hear it, Petronius." "To Nero, emperor of Rome, master of the world, divine pontiff." "I know that my death will be a disappointment to you, since you wished to render me this service yourself." "To be born in your reign is a miscalculation, but to die in it is a joy." "I can forgive you for murdering your wife and your mother, for burning our beloved Rome, for befouling our fair country, with the stench of your crimes." "But one thing I cannot forgive, the boredom of having to listen to your verses, your second-rate songs, your mediocre performances." "Adhere to your special gifts, Nero, murder and arson, betrayal and terror." "Mutilate your subjects if you must, but with my last breath, I beg you, do not mutilate the arts." "Farewell, but compose no more music." "Brutalize the people, but do not bore them, as you have bored to death your friend, the late Gaius Petronius." "Seneca, I entrust to you the delivery of this letter." "I'll deliver it." "Farewell, Petronius." "With you perishes the best of our roman world." "Petronius?" "Dead?" "By his own hand?" " I don't believe it." " I witnessed it, divinity." "I shall never forgive him for this!" "Never!" "Without my permission?" "It's rebellion." "It's blasphemy!" "He left you a message of farewell." "Then he did think of me." "His last thoughts were of me." "How I loved you, Petronius!" "You were my one friend." "You alone understood my soul." "Tigellinus, the weeping vase." "Who will listen to my songs now?" "Who will appreciate the true value of my verses?" "I weep for you, Petronius." "One tear for you." "One for me." "Seal up these fruits of my sorrow, so that posterity may know how Nero grieved for his dearest friend and truest critic." "And now for his tender words." "Destroy!" "Destroy his house!" "Every stone to dust!" "Burn his books, slaughter his animals!" "Kill his servants, male, female..." "Every one!" "Beat his memory into the ground!" "Where is the emperor?" "Let Nero start the games!" "The lions are hungry!" "Bring on those house burners!" "I doubt if we can chance anything today." "Have you heard news of the commander?" "Only that he's been taken." "O holy gods of Rome, in the name of Nero, emperor and supreme pontiff, we beseech you to receive in sacrifice the lives of those who sought to destroy this sacred and eternal city." "Have strength as he did." "It will not be long." "Oh, dear lord Jesus, help them!" "Help them." "Don't." "Don't torture yourself." "I'll be as close to her as I can." "You may give the signal, divinity." "Peace to the martyrs!" " Peter!" " Peace!" "Peace to them!" "Take thy children, lord." "Numb their wounds." "Soften their pain." "Give them strength, o saviour!" " Seize that man!" " Blessed are you, my children," "Who die in the name of Jesus, this day you shall be with him in paradise." "Here where Nero rules today," "Christ shall rule forever!" " Who is that man?" " I think he is their leader, a man called Peter." "But he said Christ would replace me," "What sort of..." "By the light of the dawn of a glorious..." "They' re singing." "In his triumph, the son of god arose and the trumpets of angels made greeting," "Christ is King," "Christ is King." "Alleluia!" "Lift your eyes and your hearts" "To the glory on high..." "These dogs have effrontery." "The lions will sing louder." "Who arose on that paschal day" "He shall reign" "He shall reign eternal..." "Peter!" "Peter!" "Could our lord at least not have saved you?" "Oh, peter, why did you come back?" "It was the lord's will." "Nazarius is safe." "Some good people sheltered him outside the city." "By the light of the dawn, in his triumph, the son of God arose." "Sing to him as he now opens his arms to you." "Sing to the welcome of Christ, our Lord." "Christ is King." "Christ is King." "Alleluia!" "More singing!" "Why aren't they afraid?" "They should have been tortured first, their insolence destroyed." "What of Vinicius and Lygia?" "Shall we bring them after these?" "Yes." "Alone, with the hungriest lion." "Not yet." "I want Vinicius and his flower held in reserve." "I am planning something..." " A surprise for you." " What is it, Poppaea?" "It will not be a surprise, then." "Please." "Have I ever disappointed you in conceiving new delights?" "New thrills?" "True." "You haven't." "Singing." "How can they?" "Beyond understanding." "Don't clear the arena at the end of the day." "I'm most curious." "No face on this one at all." "Oh, look!" "There's another one smiling." "It's monstrous of them to die smiling." "It's inhuman." "Yet they look like ordinary people." "Peter put an evil spell on them." "Yes, Peter." "Something singular must be done with him." "Marcus?" "Yes?" ""Nothing do I see that is not perfection"." "That night you said it," "Even though you were most predatory about it, even then my heart must have told me, that is the man you will love." "Only then you wouldn't let me." "Hear my heart talking, Marcus." "I said a great deal, I remember," "All of it loud and empty." "I would so loved to have given you a son." "Lygia!" "Oh, Marcus, no matter what," "I want to be your wife." "Now." "Peter will say the words over us." "I want it to be that way before they take us, so it will be that way, when we are together again." "You would never wish me to pretend, would you?" "Pretend?" "That I feel myself Christian." "It's still strange, new." "There's something I can't quite..." "I mean..." "Yes," "It's proven good, full of courage, right here." "But there are many things I cannot believe, understand." "Christ is within you, Marcus." "You feel him more strongly than you know." "Come." "Peter." "Before I die," "I want to marry Marcus." "This is a holy thing, my son." "It concerns Lygia." "I look upon it as holy." "Marcus," "Lygia, may he who blessed the marriage at Cana, bless you also." "Love one another from this moment forward, as man and wife in his holy name." "In the name of the Father." "And of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in this life and the next, now and forevermore." "Marcus..." "My husband." "Here he is, your majesty." "Do you approve?" "Very much so." "It will be like a fresco from Crete..." "The maiden sacrificed to the Minotaur." "It will be a spectacle worthy of the emperor." "Superb conception." "You seem sad, my black friend." "Do not grieve." "I promise you a playmate." "For your lonely horns to fondle and caress." "You are the man Peter?" "I am Simon, called Peter." ""Peter has been heard to preach rebellion, against the rule of the emperor." "It is decreed that he be taken to Vatican hill, where he made his first preachment, to be crucified and left there as a warning, to all who wish to call themselves Christians"." "To die as our lord died, is more than I deserve." "We can change that." "You'll notice, divinity," "They've stopped singing." "They have, haven't they?" " Do I know that man?" " General Plautius." "He conquered Parthia when you were a boy." "Rome made him famous." "He repaid her with treason." "What a dramatic reversal!" "I shall write a poem." "People of Rome!" "I am Aulus Plautius, once general of your armies." "Rome is ruled by a monster, who tells you the Christians burned Rome, but he lies!" "You lie, Nero!" "You are the incendiary!" "Nero kill s Christians to deceive you." "He alone is guilty!" "I swear it by my death and by my..." "I begin to envy Petronius." "I have envied him long since." "This is a blot on Roman justice." "The mob isn't as happy as it was." "Heaven's son, eternal Lord, who reigns above," "we pray to thee," "As night goes on." "O shield us!" "They are singing!" "With thy fatherly love, securely sheltered," "From all fear," "Thy grace abounding, let us rest." "He said something to Nero." "I could not hear the words." "Nero's looking at a man That knows how to die." "Take him!" "Commander?" "They're not parting us." "Prepare her." "Here is our honoured guest." " Why is he not in the arena?" " He will be... in spirit." "It's a giant!" "It's Hercules himself." "Let us see him guard the girl from death." "But what is the contest?" "Look!" "They brought Marcus here to face this!" "Do not fret, Vinicius." "Remember I said I did not hate her." "I wish her no pain..." "Lasting pain, that is." "I am devastated, dear Petronius is not here to witness our pleasure, Vinicius." ""Sing no more", he said." "Upon these lilies I heap now, red roses upon red, a blood-red tide shall surge, upon her milk-white flesh." "You do have some taste, but she's too narrow in the hips." "They know how to die." "In death you will squeal." " Give him the sword!" " No!" "Stay!" "My lord, would you deprive him of his final pleasure?" "Superb, Poppaea!" "Magnificent!" "A fair contest." "Nero's justice is proverbial." "If the bull wins, the girl dies." "If our Hercules destroys the poor animal," "I shall spare her life, for Vinicius to breed more Christians." "Christ!" "Christ, give him strength!" "Seize him!" "Burner of Rome!" "Thumbs up!" "Burner of Rome!" "Ready up there?" "First line, follow me." "Citizens of Rome!" "I am Marcus Vinicius," "Commander of your 14th legion." "This man burned Rome, killed innocents for his crime." "The rule of this madman has ended." "Rome is yours again!" "Tonight general Galba marches from the north, your army has risen." "Hail Galba!" "Galba, new emperor of Rome!" "A sword from Plautius!" "Where are the praetorian guard?" "Dead or in revolt." "Dead!" "All dead!" "My dear mama, Octavia, the wife I loved," "My friend, Petronius..." "All dead." "Dead." "You alone are left." ""Kill the Christians", you said." "It was you." "It was you who turned my people, my faithful subjects" "Against me." "You are my evil genius!" "What are you doing here?" "I banished you!" "I told you that when you needed me," "I would come." "You defied me!" "Be gone!" "Acte, what will they do to me?" "They will kill you." "They won't get in!" "You've lived like a monster, now die like an emperor, by your own hand." "I didn't wish to be a monster." "The gods willed it!" "Now, or they will find you here." "Is this, then, the end of Nero?" "Yes, my lord." "To be lord of the earth and my own executioner." "Quickly!" "How taste less life will be without..." "How can they face such a world?" "How can they endure it?" "Now, my lord." "Help me, Acte." "Hail Galba!" "Hail Galba!" "Hail!" "Hail Galba!" "Hail!" "Hail Galba!" "Galba has a task ahead of him, rebuild Rome and bring back justice." "The glory that was Rome will never be reached again." "Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome..." "What follows?" "A more permanent world, I hope, or a more permanent faith." "One is not possible without the other." "What is it, commander?" "In this very spot, Peter and I turned back to Rome." "It was here the lord spoke to him." "It's a blessed spot."