"Look!" "THE SIEGE OF SYRACUSE" "Hieron, we've seen what seemed impossible." "The mighty Carthaginian fleet is destroyed." "All that's left is wreckage among corpses." "Our own eyes saw the sea dyed red with blood." "And Carthage's insignia buried in tbe sand." "Rome's victorious ships are sailing towards us... towards Syracuse." "Only we from Syracuse have remained free on Sicilian soil." "Free, but alone, between two peoples determined to destroy each other." "Yes, either Carthage will destroy Rome or vice versa." "And Sicily is to them the vital bridge that will allow them to reach the enemy's shores." "We're in the middle of a vice that keeps getting tighter." "So what will our fate be now that the Romans occupy the rest of Sicily?" "Rome has always respected Syracuse's independence." "Because our land defences are unassailable" "But for the first time Rome has won on the seas." "Its ships have defeated Carthage's invincible fleet." "What if the Roman fleet comes to Syracuse for supplies?" "How are we to behave?" "I think we should welcome it." "We can only give it a friendly welcome according to the laws of hospitality" "The Romans haven't done anything against us yet." " Let's call Archimedes." " If we wait for him... we're entrusting our hopes to the wind." "Can't anything at all drag this genius away from his pastimes?" "It would be a mistake to do so." "Those pastimes lead to Archimedes' inventions." "Clio, you're defending the man you love." "Whereas we're discussing the patriot." "And don't his inventions benefit our city?" "They benefit his name, not our security." "That's not true." "His time spent alone has led to new weapons." "Leave him in his hermitage, Father." "He's more useful there." "But I need him now, my child." "Right now a word of wise advice migth be worth more than a new weapon." "Very well." "Father, I'll talk to him." "I'll succeed in bringing him to you." " Where rare we?" " Near Syracuse." "At last!" "I was tired of going around Sicily with you and the dancers, like a beggar" "The show's over my dear." "The theatre's closing down." "With everything I know about the Roman arsenals." "and with the help of a beautiful girl like you." "Syracuse is within my grasp." "I won't aid your shady projects, Gorgia." "I know you've never made the best of opportunities." "Listen, Diana." "we'll send the girls to Rome since they're so eager but you and I can stay in Syracuse and get rich, little sister." "Don't call me little sister!" "So what shall I call you?" "Empress of Arabia?" "I can't help it if my married your widowed mother." "No, it's my own fault for following you." "Listen here, remember I'm the one who fed you." "And if it weren't for me..." "If it weren't for me." "instead of dancing for armies fighting over Sicily." "you might be a slave in Selinute now." "That would be preferable." "Where are you going?" "It's hot." "I'll fetch some water." "What now Gorgia?" "We're loading water." "Look how generous the gods are in Sicily." "Get your baskets, girls." "We can't refuse such an offer." "Look!" "Pears, apples, limes, prickly pears..." " Any preferences?" " None." "If the fruit is ripe." " Like girls." " And if it's unripe?" " All the tastier." " But harder to digest." " Only if you're greedy." " For fruits?" "Or girls?" "For beauty!" "What if I were an apple?" "Well..." "I'd bite into you." "What if I were a lime?" "I'd peel you and cut you into slices." "Run along." "What if I were a plant with spiny fruit?" "I'd try not to get pricked." "That's enough!" "Start picking." "I thought that nymphs existed only in mithology." "You burnt my clothes!" "Burnt?" " Where were they?" " There on that rock." "Eureka!" "That's the mistake." "The focus of this parabola isn't where I thought." "It's much further away." "I've always told you you're no good with figures." "What's this?" "This changes everything because the focus of this parabola is projected..." "You see what that means?" "It's moved into infinity." "You understand?" "I'd got all my distances wrong." " But I've succeeded." "Look." " You're a crazy wizard." "Why did you burn my dress?" "It's wonderful." "It's beautiful." "You're my successful experiment." "Enough talk." "You must replace my burnt dress." "Your dress has entered world history." "Who'll give it back to me?" "History?" "You burn it!" "It was the sun." "No, the sun warms." "It doesn't burn." "Yes..." "But if it goes through these mirrors..." "Look." "I can see for myself." "You're right." "It's yours." "In exchange for your dress." "All right?" "It's beautiful." "What precious embroidery." "What a silly face." "You can't be ugly even if you try." "Stranger, you know what words please a woman." "What do you do besides burning clothes?" "I think." "You seem to have lots of spare time." " Are you from Syracuse?" " Yes." " And what's your name?" " Archimedes." "What's yours?" "Diana." "That's the Roman name for goddess Artemis." " Are you Roman?" " No." "I'm from Selinunte." "My real name is Artemis." "but my step-brother prefers Diana." "Why?" "Because we perform for the Romans." "I'm a dancer." "And where is your step-brother from?" "Gorgia left Phoenicia with his father." "He wanted to go to Rome." "He had very ambitious ideas." "But he returned... without having achieved anything." "Then his father died." "My mother was killed by the Carthaginians." "so all I could do was follow Gorgia." "It's strange." "I've never told anyone these things before." "You must have suffered a lot." "How old are you?" "Twenty." "Try to forget what life has done to you." "Artemis is the goddess of the moonlighy..." "Of soothing dew." "Diana!" " I must go." " No, wait." "No, or he'll get angry." "When will I see you?" "The day we meet again." "She's very beautiful." "She burns more than the sun in my mirrors." "Already in love?" "I see." "It will last a week." "I'm afraid not, Tiresias." "What a day of wonders." " I'm happy you've come." " You've become a caveman." "One must leave Syracuse to see you." "I'm close to great discovery, Clio" "One of man's ancient dreams is about to become reality." "At times yours genius frightens me, Archimedes." "Why?" "I'm not a god from the Underworld." "But your obsession with inventing is keeping away from me." "You're right." "Those in love see danger in everything." "Why?" "Is there a danger already present?" "No, there isn't." "And you'd be wrong to suspect anything." "I'm as afraid of changing moods as of clouds in front of the sun." "They always bring storm." "My father's expecting you." "He wants to talk to you." "He's changed a lot too." "It's life that changes our way of thinking and of feeling." "Ours too?" "Do you feel any different?" "No, not towards you." "We'll feel more secure in Syracuse than in this solitude." "Wait." "On behalf of Rome" "I thank you for our welcome to Syracuse." "Rome, too, is becoming a great power at sea." "as it is on land" "Marcellus, this is Archimedes." "Your repution has reached us." "Even in Rome we try to know how you apply your geometric diagrams to whatever defies reason." "You go from mathematics to astronomy." "Your knowledge is boundless." "Your Consul Duilio had a gooa idea." "To hook onto Carthage's ships and turn them into a battlefield." "So spoilt are they by their riches that the porwerful become as insipid as molluscs." "A beautiful woman can fry them with a single glance." "just like prawns are fried on the fire." "What does it cost you little sister?" "I understand your anxiety, Hieron." "But I'm in no position to answer your question." "However, I can tell you one thing for certain." "Rome isn't looking for enemies." "Carthage is enough." "So peace for Syracuse is neutrality." "Although Syracuse is friendly with two enemies." "Naturally I'll share the pickings with you." "if that's what you want." "Heiron doesn't imagine that he'll know from me what Marcellus will never tell him." "You'll take everyone on board?" "Better than than letting the soldiers land." " You won't disembark anyone?" " Yes, before we leave." "But in small groups so as to avoid disorder." "All Syracuse's foreigners have congregated here." "Phoenicians, Chaldeans, Assyrians." "I've a already spotted a few convicted thieves among them and about 20 ot the loosest women." "I'm sure to find a few of them in my hold." "Didn't you caution your men?" "Yes, but you can't expect discipline after a battle." "They'll squander their reward in a few hours." "Get ready my divine ones." "It's your turn soon." "Now is the time." "Come." "My noble and powerful King." "accept a poor merchant's offer on this feast day." "Unusual and rare gems from Asia and Rome." "If I may bring my gems to your palace." "I'll also be able to offer you my services." "Very well, you may come." " Thank you." " Where's Archimedes?" "He went back on board." "He knows neither rules nor boundaries." "Let's go." "Are you sad, sir?" "I can dispel your sadness." "This necklace is just right for your woman." "An offering, sir?" "An offering for the dancers of Selinunte?" "It's almost compulsory." "Why?" "Because the're the daughters of Terpsichore." "Thank you." "Artemis!" " Diana!" "You must dance." " More!" "Let me go." " Come away." " Go back and dance." "Come with me." "I have some good wine." " Why won't you see me?" " Now I know who you are." "Does it make a difference?" "A great difference." "I've learnt to know about men like you." "They promise jewels, immense riches." "and eternal love, of course." "But I don't want to hear that from you because I don't want to believe you." "Not even if I were sincere?" "Can you imagine the world's greatest genius loving a dancer from Selinunte?" "How long would it last?" "A day?" "One night?" "What counts isn't what we do, but what we feel." "No, I won't laugh." "Life unites a man and a woman forever." "Even though one spends his time on numbers and the other dances." "That's what counts..." "Love." "At the third hour tomorrow I'll be in Zeus' temple." "Where did you steal that insignia?" "I did't steal it." "It's mine." "I know where it's from." "So I do, Sire." "It belongs to the carpenters of Rome's dockyards." "I wore it for two years." "I'm a Phoenician." "The Romans learnt how to build theirs ships from us." "I met one of your informants in Rome." "His name was Menandro Tiburtino and his left index finger was missing." "I saw him just now at the palace entrance." "but now he's wearing a gold and purple robe." " You came to tell me that?" " No, of course not." "Speak." "What advantage may I have from your benevolence?" "How much do you want?" "Just the title and the annuity that you give advisors." "You can refuse, if you like." "Very well, speak." "Did you consider an attack from the sea?" "That's what they're thinking in Rome." "And that's what they're preparing in their dockyards." "For Carthage." "Marcellus says..." "Marcellus says what he doesn't know... or maybe he doesn't say what he knows." "Marcellus serves Rome." "My master will be whoever pays the most." "Rome is weary." "Use this moment to build up defences in the port, along your coasts..." "Rome won't be satisfied untill all this armour is of the same colour." "Rome's colour." "I've so longed for love." "But I never thought it would bring such joy." "And so much fear." "What are you afraid of?" "I don't know." "Maybe the sight of that blood on the altar." "or the storm that rages above us like an ill omen." "Artemis, I love you." "And I'll always love you." "The gods are against us." "Perhaps they envy us." "Look, Archimedes, isn't it sweet?" "How can sacrificing this innocent creature be necessary to appease the gods?" "Wine in abundance for all!" "I'll pay." "The wine from Mount Etna that's strong and bitter." " They're Roman landlubbers." " That's what you say!" "Drink, my friends." "Come down, girls." "You'll see, my friends." "they're like corollas about to blossom." "Or coral, or mother-of-pearl." "Their perfume ... is a intoxicating as this Sicilian wine." "What do you say, helmsman?" "Would you like to rest on a bed of these candit petals?" "You wanted a Cretan?" "Here she is." "Look." "The shore of Crete sank into the sea when this new Aphrodite emerged." "Here, she's yours." "Beware that's not skin." "It's scales." "Can't you smell the seaweed?" "Then I'll have to plunge into a goblet of wine." "And there these two." "Be careful of these two." "They're dangerous." "Look, they have long claws like cats, and they scratch!" "No wonder they come from Persia!" "So?" "Haven't you people in Rome heard of Persian cats?" "Negress ..." "Egyptian." "There is one black Egyptian divinity... the Goddess of Night." "Soldier who's to say that she's not the daughter of Night in person?" "You like her?" "Take her." "Here we are." "And to end, the Three Graces in person." " What?" " Jealous, are you?" "Come on!" "Who'll choose the middle one?" "No one?" "Enjoy yourselves, Romans!" "No!" "Gorgia won't accept any money" "He has a Carthaginian slave specifically for that." "Come here you dog of a slave." "Do you rounds." "I've often laughed at women in love ..." "At their misterious whispered words .... and their dreamy gazes." "Now I know how a glance ... even just a smile, can tie a woman to a man forever." "The first thing I think about each morning and the last at night ... is that I love you." "More and more each day." "It's proof that our love ... is blossoming like a young plant in the sun." "It's an unreleting love." "In all my thoughts." "in all my hopes ... there is only you." " Who are they?" " The dancers." "You saw them with me." " Will they go to Rome?" " Of course." "They asked me if I wanted to go too." "And what did you reply?" "Can't you imagine?" "Rome is a beautiful city it's rich and full of refined people." "Then why don't you go?" "Who's to say I won't?" " Have you thought it over?" " That's all I ever do!" "But this time it's different." "May the gods assist you." "I'd hate to be you when you tell your father." " You're ready." " Let's go, Tiresias." "You see, Clio, an old man msut rise at daw." "It's the only way to prolong life or to think that you are." "To do everything we did when we were young." "I won't die before I see your and Archimedes' children." "I've been thinking about your wedding ever since your father Hieron asked me to choose your name." "You were still a child when you'd leave the palace to visit me." "I'd play with Archimedes over there in that clearing." "Wed'd chase each other among the trees." "We'd often fight." "but in the evening sitting on the stone steps, we'd make up again." "We swore we wouldn't leave each other." "not even for an instant." "Father." "We've conjured him up." "That's a good sign, Clio." "Your eyes are shining." "Do you bring me good news?" "Yes, Father, that's so." "Wait before you tell me." "Look who's here." "Leave me alone with him." "I see him so rarely now." "He'll be yours for the rest of your life." "Tiresias, what's wrong?" "I'm tired." "Archimedes felt like running and he's forgotten I'm no longer twenty" "No that's not it." "You're worried." "I've never seen you like this." "I know you're suffering for Archimedes, aren't you?" " But I love her." " I believe you." "Otherwise you wouldn't tell me you wany to marry her knowing you've given your word to king's daughter." "Your word!" "I know" "It's my fault." "I thought that the childhood days could last." "Father ..." " I'll talk to Clio." " No." "I must do so." "Tomorrow with the new day, when the truth will be clear to everyone." " It's already clear." " I was telling Archimedes ..." "No, you can't force his will." "and I can't force him to do what he refuses." " Clio, listen to me." " What else is there to hear?" "Your words of pity for me and your father?" "I have but one desire left." "To know that you're hapy." "No..." "Go to her." "Don't her waiting." "I told Tiresias to get the horses ready." "Farewell." " The Romans are here." " So?" "We're not enemies." "Yes, but I'd rather not have encountered them." "Hail." "We're from Syracuse." "That's where we're going." "My name is Archimedes and he's my assistant." " Show me your passes." " Here." " Where's yours?" " He can vouch for me." "I doubt our commander will object." "but it's not my decision, it's his." " Come with us." " I must go to Syracuse." "Roman Law applies in this territory" " For how much longer?" " Let's go." "There's no point." "Isn't he back yet?" " No." " When do you think ..." " Who knows?" "Sometimes they're away for a month." "I must be here when they return." "A month!" "Do you want it?" "Take it." "Stay here, gorgeus." "A cup of Cyprus wine?" "I'll give you a bareful for a kiss." "Where are you going, beauty?" "In the heart of the gods is written my destiny." "And my heart floats in a chalice of wine." "Archimedes salutes his loved one." "Did you miss me very much?" "I didn't." "One ... two ... three.." "Haven't you got fingers to count with?" "Four ..." "How many weeks is it since you've seen him?" "And you dream." "You fill your pockets with stars ..." "Sell them at the markets." "I'd like to know how much you'll get for them." "Shut up!" "I can't do two things at once." "Right now I'm talking... so I'll talk." "I'll talk because... it hurts me to see you in this state." "The victim of an illusion." "The illusion that you could be a woman for a man like him." " Forget him." " I can't." "And even if I wanted to..." "I'm expecting his child." "You, you're a reckless fool." "Don't you know Archimedes is promised to Clio?" "King Hieron's daughter." "This child could mean ruin!" "And I don' mean yours ... but my ruin." "because I'd be involved in this too." "But I have the honour of informing you that I haven't the slightest intention of seeing my plans go up in smoke." "Not even for the joy of becoming an uncle." "Call it Gorgia ... in memory of your beloved little brother." "Also because I get the feeling we won't be seeing each other very much." "The centurion says no one can go without a pass." "but just this once you're free." " The 3 Phoenicias Tavern." " Over there, sir." "Thank you." "Control your passion, sir." "It's wasted." " Where's Diana?" " You're just in time." "She isn't here." "The gods are assisting you, sir." " Where is she?" " Don't snub help from the gods." "The save you from danger yet seek it!" "What danger?" "What do you mean, wretch?" "Your violent passion should get you to Rome quickly." "where Diana will placate it, on the condition, sir." "that you visit her in the pleasure quarter." "That's not true." "You're lying." "Why should I, sir?" "To deprive my sister of her earnings?" "Think of your rank at court, sir, and tell me if I'm wrong when I talk of danger." "I too ..." "I've been hurt twice over." "As a brother and as an actor." "so much so that I've decided to abandon the theatre." "So I'll be at court." "I'll be useful to you, Archimedes." "If you need me, don't forget." "We must take what the goods give us." "Can't you image?" "Rome is a beautiful city." "It's rich and full of refined people." "Then why don't you go?" "Who's to say I won't?" " Where are we?" " One a Roman ship." "Why?" " Who brought me here?" " Be sure i didn't carry you!" "It was your brother." "You were asleep. he said you were drunk." "Celebrating the departure, probably." "That's not true." "They must have drugged me." "Guards!" "Le me out." "You'll ruin your hands like that." "If we're still near the coast give me a boat." " I must go to Syracuse." " Shut up." " What happened?" " He kicked her." " She wanted to leave." " She looks dead." "Take him away" "What's her name?" "Do none you know her?" "Well?" "Keep rowing." "What a pity." "Such a beautiful girl." " Is it serious?" " It's too early to tell." "What are you doing?" "Months of work lost through your stupidity." "Get out!" "Like us, he hasn't slept for three nights." "And not because of his own problems." "He's entitled to sleep." "What's happened?" "He's decided to build a device with mirrors to focus the sun's rays." "Even from afar it can burn men, houses, everything." "The boy knocked it over." "But that's not the reason." "Here." "You take it to him." "Go." "You know ... today, not far from here." "I saw a lizard dart among the rocks." "Remember?" "I could never catch one." "But you could." "You were quick." "Sometimes I think things are as they were then." "I talk too much, don't I?" "But it's this ... sweet warmth." "and the springs, and you ... and even your rages." "The think that you seen creat for me." "You deserve everything but I can give you nothing." "That's not true." "Your words are enough." "Clio..." "I need you." "Only you can save me." "She's completely lost her memory." "It's incredible." "It's because of the blow to her head." "But everything she's thought seen." "suffered and rejoiced about ..." "How can all that have vanished?" "It's like a gust of wind on a hot day." "It remove the memory of the heat." "but when the wind dies down the heat returns." "She's wonderful." "And all this makes her more wonderful." "Beware, Marcellus." "That woman's past might conceal some terrible mystery." "It doesn't matter." "To me ... it's as if she were born today." "When will get there?" "We'll sight the coast tonight." "And to think that this will be first city" "I've seen in my life." "In your new life!" " That's right." " I'll call you Lucretia." "It's the name of Rome's greatest woman." "I don't think that name is appropriate for slave." "No." "You sweetness and kindness deserve a far better fate." "Your mind is altered." "Not your heart." "How can you say that?" "I only need to lok at your eyes." "if the eyes are truly the mirror of the soul." "The upward push of the water can't exceed the weight of the stone." "so the stone sinks." "But this weighs less than water it displaces." " So it floats." " They're two opposing forces." "One always exceeds the other." "Not always." "Not always does light win over darkness." "There's also semidarkness." "A grey area." "Just as among men many aren't all evil but aren't all good either." "so there are some objects that half-float." "They don't completely sink but they're unable to resurface." "Theocritus is always last!" "I have to cross the river." "Today the current was stronger than usual and the water offered resistance." "That's why you're late." "You don't know how to row." "The boat creates resistance not the water." "Look." "The fulcrum's in the water, the resistance is here, and this is the power." " Which kind of lever is this?" " Second." " Like this nutcracker." " An example of the third kind?" "These." " Good." "First kind." " Scissors and pliers." " Lift it up." " Is that possible?" " Go on, try." " No we'll have a laugh." "If you say so." "This the lever you said would lift anything." "With a resting point we could lift the world." "Archimedes!" "Excuse me." "I'll see you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow, master." "Hieron has agreed to an almost secret ceremony." "He won't even be there." "I've so longed for love." "But I never thought it would bring such joy." "And so much fear." "What's wrong?" "Hold me tight, Clio." "Help me to love you as I want to love you." "Zeus and the great mother Hera look favourably upon your union." "You embody the genius and the tradions of the Syracusan race." "Inestimable treasures which your love will transmit to future generations." "Rome and the Senate have made a free choice." "As of today, the new Consul of the Republic is Claudius Marcellus." " He's been elected." " Marcellus is on this way." " Consul Marcellus is here." " Carried in triumph." " Mistress, Marcellus is here." " Thank you." "You may go now." "Marcellus will be happy, and I'm happy for him." "He's been very lucky to find a woman like you." "No." "I'm the lucky one." "Who did I belong before?" "Who's the father of my first child?" "We do our best to forget the past ..." "But there's a shadow in his eyes and mine." "These words of sorrow won't solve anything." "Live peacefully the life that fate given you." "You're right." "All this ... and Marcellus' love should make me happy." "Today I've received everything I aspired to." "But for a moment I saw myself without you and all became nothing, mere dust." "If only I could talk like you." "But you can enfold my waist with your arms." "you calm me if I' angry." "you comfort me if sadness overcomes me." "You've given the most beautiful thing in life ..." "Love." "Where's Marcus?" "Come." "He always wants to be with him." "Yes, he's just like you." "He's very affectionate." "Look, he's awake." "Look, Marcus." "Maximus has your mother's large and dreamy eyes." "But also your strong-willed expression." "Yes, he look far more like you than I do." "I love them both, with the same love." "Marcus, too, is a son to me." "Clio, listen to me." "No, please." "I already know what you want to say to me." "I imagined it immediately, as soon as I found out ..." "It was our only hope." "A child of our own." "But the gods didn't want it to be." "It's all over." "It's over." "You mustn't say that." "I'm by your side." "I'm here with you." "And I won't leave you." "Out of pity, Archimedes." "As always." "The pity you're always had for me." "There are many things that help us to live." "Even sorrow." "Clio won't have any children." "but despair will help her to pass her days." "And you'll always find comfort in your work." "What use are my numbers?" "What use are my inventions if I'll never have a living being I can identify with?" "I desperately need someone who'll continue my existence." "and renew and multiply it in many other lives." " Through generations!" " You must take it." " Leave me alone with him." " Listen to your doctor." "Get out all of you!" "It's made from the grapes that ripen on the slpoes of Mount Etna." "and it has all the fire of Avernus." "You shoudn't, Hieron." "I've never know as I know now what to do and what to say, especially to you." "These are the last days I have left." "Archimedes ..." "Our lives aren't full fulfilled by having descendants." "We all have the same blood because ... one mother and one father alone began the lives of us all." "It's what I feel looking at my people." "listening to the warm breath of my land ..." "All these people are myself." "They talk to me like a father, a brother, a son." "Today these people are in danger and I must remove the threat." "Which threat?" "Gorgia's information is increasingly worrying." "Gorgia!" "How can you trust someone so despicable?" "Thanks to you he's becoming more powerful daily." "To rule, one also needs men like Gorgia." "Remember that when you're sitting in my place." "Neither I with my wisdow nor you with your inventions were right." "But he was." "Only he foresaw what is about to happen." "He alone said that one day this armour would have another colour that of Rome." "But both Rome and Carthage need our neutrality." "They need it when their forces were equal." "But the scales are tipped in Rome's favour now and Syracuse is small obstacle in their path." "You think there's no way out?" "I think Syracuse will survive only if Rome transforms this neutrality into an alliance." "Yes, Archimedes." "go to Rome and try to obtain it." "bring me back this news before my death." "Hail, Archimedes." "I greet you on behalf of Rome." "I'sure that you trip will dispel the bitter disfrut that divides our people." "I thank you on behalf of Syracuse." "Even though the greedy pride of some men threatens peace." "the people deserve neither contempt nor hate." "The're coming." "Leaves." "Quickly." "Why is this foreigner so famous?" "You heard the Senate's views." "Hieron's proposal will be accepted." "Now you heve proof of our desire for peace." "I've reserved the best wing in the palace for you." "My you benefit from your rest." "Thank you, Marcellus." "Artemis." "Who are you, stranger?" "I don't understand what you're saying." "You've lost your memory." "Rome has enflamed your head." "Syracuse is far away." "Forgotten." "How dare you speak to me like that?" " What do you want?" " What were you paid ... by the owner of the house to be here?" "That's enough." "Not one more word." "I'm Consul Marcellus' wife." "His wife?" "And you'll regret this." "Go away." "Go." "What's your name?" " Archimedes." " What's your?" " Artemis." "Artemis?" "She's the godness of the moonlight ... and soothing dew." "Archimedes." "But how can all this have happened?" "What cruel twist of fate took you from me?" "Ever since I hit my head aboard ship, until today." "all my previous life had just vanished." "Gorgia!" "I'm sure." "Now I understand his words." "He made you leave." "How could he force you onto that ship?" "I think he drugged me ... and took me on board while I was asleep." " And I lost you." " But now I'm here." "You mustn't be afraid." "I'll take you away." "I'll speak to Marcellus." "He'll understand you can't love two men." "But I owe everything to Marcellus." "He loves your son Marcus as if he were his own." "I've been his wife for years and I've loved him." " It's not possible." " We were happy, Artemis." "And we will be." "No man can hinder our happiness." "It's not possible." " Marcellus!" " I heard everything." "You needn't say anything." "I don't want to discuss this with you because I realise that everything you said may be right." "But something more important forces me to speak." "Whatever you sai won't change my decision." "No reason is more important than reality." "Duty no longer exists." "Maybe not for you." "But I don't aspire to being a genius." " She is Artemis." " But now she's Lucretia." "Listen, Roman." "Artemis and my son leaving." "Your son has grown up among another race." "Marcus!" "We could't tell him the truth." "He's learnt to consider another man as his father." "He'll learn I'm his father." "I want both my children." "I can't lose them." "Mother!" "I beg you, Lucretia, for their sake." "you must stay here." "Marcus ..." "I took him in as if he were my own son." "I've loved him as much as my other son, perhaps more." "You're right." "It isn't possible." "We must live apart without any peace." "That's our destiny." "Now you, too, know yours." "And I don't envy you, Marcellus." " Clio ..." " Later, Tiresias." "Archimedes isn't here." "He's gone back up to his grotto." "Why?" "What happened in Rome?" "Has he found her?" "Has he brought her back?" "No, but he would have if it had been possible." "You see, Tiresias?" "The gods don't forgive." "There's no pint deluding oneself or hoping." "There's always an end ... a limit." " No one would have guessed it." " Of course." "Only fate knew." "And it wove its web with patient hatred ... to make us suffer ... him and me." "Why didn't he bring her back?" "At least it would all be over." " I must see him." " No ..." "Don't go now." "Let some time pass." "I'm not worried for myself, but for him." "A long time passed ... over ten years." "and on the surface, nothing changed." "But feelings don't give way to habit." "You must realise we can't live with this shadow between us." "if you knew how much I wish didn't exist." "It's hell for you too, having to go on like this." "I'm doing it for our children." "No you're not doing it only for them, Marcellus." "I should have killed him." "Pity is useless." "The dead are soon forgotten." "But the living encourage hope." "And you live tied absurdly to that hope." "I'm the one who should have died." "You wouldn't be suffering any more and I wouldn't be so unhappy." "The destruction of Syracuse is the first step towards destroying Carthage." "Now that our friend Hieron has died the city is the hands of an adventurer ..." "Gorgia." "and of a lunatic ..." "Archimedes." "We cannot allow the security of our peace today." "and our war tomorrow." "to be threatened by the scheming of these two men." "the enemies of Rome." "Therefore I ask you." "as a matter of urgency." "to declare war on these last parts of Sicily that are yet to know the authority." "and the laws of Rome." "It's very strange, Marcellus." "You've always advocated the need for a neutral State between us and Carthage." "And for many years you yourself have defended Syracuse's independence." "even when she seemed im more critical times." "a strategic absurdity." " Why do you now want war?" " Nothing is eternal." "What is right today may not be tomorrow." "Until recently Syracuse wasn't plotting against Rome or seeking Carthage's friendship." "How can you say that's all changed now?" "I have my informants." "And before I attack." "I'll send more to Syracuse to confirm my statement." " Yes, who will we send?" " We'll decide together." "Let's send your son Marcus." "He's Rome bravest and most able young man." " Yes, let's send him." " Let's test his courage." "And his merits." "If that is the Senate's wish." "I certainly won't oppose it." "It's an important mission." "And I'm proud of it." "Don't look at me like that." "Smile, Father." "You're a great soldier." "Who knows, maybe I can become one too." "I'll bring your a souvenir of my feats from Syracuse." "Besides, it won't be very dangerous." "I'm told the sea in Syracuse is beautiful blue." "I'll have a happy voyage, like a Greek merchant looking for easy pickings." "Marcus ..." "Mother... don't cry." "Don't you know, that women's tears bring bad luck?" "It's terrible." "He's going to Syracuse as his father's enemy." "The gods are punishing us, Marcellus." " Cast off at the bow." " Cast off at the stern." "By converging the sun's rays reflected by the mirros in to single point, we'll have brought light and heat together, projected by each mirror." "Look." "It's burning!" "It's incredible!" "It's magic." "Tiresias!" "Many years ago, the gods, in my great sorrow." "revealed to me this power unknown to man." "Look." "Look, I can direct it whever I like." "Wherever I want to destroy." "We've been spotted, inform the Consul." "Thieves!" "Catch them." "The rashness of youth!" "You deluded yourself, my boy." "How could you think you'd come to Syracuse and stroll around just like a guest?" "We too, have our informants and they told us of your arrival even before you left Rome." "So why are you here?" "What specifically do you want to know?" "Specifically first of all ... your name." "You informants can't be worth much." "Sarcasm id out place here, my boy." "This is a jail, and you're a prisoner, so talk!" "If I were to hell you the fate that awaits your comrades, would that loosen you tongue?" "I already knew what could happen to me." "I won't risk sullying my hands with the likes of you." "The Court of Syracuse will judge you." "That's an infallible system." "The other will soon talk, you'll see." "Call me." "A boy, Archimedes." "Not even a man." "He's managed to conceal his identify and has come to our land to spy on our defences with the stated aim of them informing Rome." "That's why I haven't considered him on the same level as a common spy" "And that's why aware of my limitations." "I've asked that he be judge by you, because you alone cand dispense enlightened and infallible justice." "What's your name?" "Won't you defend yourself?" "I used to hate the Romans for their arrogance." "Now I'll also despise their stupidity." "I propose that this man be condemned to death and that he be executed with the next new moon ... according to the law." "A good judgement, Archimedes." "The prisoners have talked." "In this man you punish the head of Rome's fleet." "This is Marcus Consul Marcellus's first son." " Archimedes, my lord ..." " Go!" "The new moon will rise in two days." "You can suspend the sentence." "You know that isn't possible." "but I must save him at all coasts." "He's my son." "There's a Roman mission, Archimedes." "They ask to occupy our city and harbour." "The say Syracuse is a vital base for their legions." " Show them in." " Yes, my lord." "What are you offering in exchange?" "What are your conditions?" "No conditions apply to those who won't accpet." " That's our reply!" " Syracuse's freedom ..." "You ignore that, beyond the existing conditions ... there's another one ... the release of the prisoners." "You refusal would mean the destruction of Syracuse by the Roman fleet." "No, I simply ignored the value that Consul Marcellus places on an alliance treaty." "You arrogance stops you even contemplating that your fleet might be one destroyed." "As for the prisoners, given that they're spies, their execution has been set according to our laws." "Consul Marcellus' son will be executed when the new moon rises." "Until then, no harm will befall him." "You'll find him in prison, but alive ... if victory brings you here before then." "That's all." "They're sure attack tomorrow." "We must instruct the army and population." " Are you crazy?" " No, my son will live!" "If I can destroy the Roman ships by then ..." "I'll be able to keep him with me forever." "When Rome is vanquished," "I can start to tell him who I am." "Only Rome is the danger." "Only Rome can take him from me, but I wil destroy it!" "I'll destroy its fleet, its, its leaders!" "To save all the sons of our land ... including mime." "For you, Consul Marcellus." "Lucretia wanted to join me." "She mustn't know about Marcus, is the gods assistis us, she may be able to embrace him tomorrow." "If we can can't take Syracuse by land, we will by sea." "The ships must be ready for battle before sunset." "Go." "To the mirror." "Archimedes, dawn will soon break." "We'll be ready in time but without sun it's pointless." "Leave us alone." "What else do you want?" "You've found out who I am." "I see." "You're offering me a sweeter death, aren't you?" "This is the formation we'll take after passing the rock that hides the city." "It assumes the first attack will be in the centre with the aim of weakening the Syracusan defence or making its shots converge the power." "So when the enemy's attention is on the tower, the light vessels carrying the catapults and archers will place themselves within striking distance." "By constant fire they must weaken the walls on which the men on the tower ship will initially land." "After that the rest of the fleet will move together." "That's all." "May the gods assist us." "The signal." "Soon they'll be within range." "Be ready." "To the catapults!" "hurry to the mirrors." "Turn!" "The mirrors destroyed the Romans ships." "The sea is ablaze" "What's wrong?" "Why the sad face?" " Marcus escaped." " Escaped?" " Last night." " Impossible!" "Some must have helped him." "He must have gone to his people." "So he was on the ships and I've killed him." "It wasn't poison." "Gorgia saved me." "What did you promise him in exchange?" "Let's thank the gods for your safe return." "Our legions will enter Syracuse tonight." "Like sewer rats." "With neither pride nor glory." "But with far fewer dead to mourn!" "You think of glory, not of mothers and sons." "They've burnt our ships and our flesh with mirrors." "They didn't fight with the sword and I'll fight like them." "I just ask you one thing." "There's a man in Syracuse who judged me ..." "Archimedes." "He sentenced me to death." "I should hate him, but I can't." "There's something strange and mysterious about him." "A deep and secret wisdom and an indescribable goodness." "Although his words were cruel, their meaning wasn't." "And then, as soon as he heard my name ..." "What did he do?" "He stared at me ... in his eyes there was such bitterness and sorrow which ... it's hard to say ... but it was like joy." "I can't expain it, Father." "I'd like to see him again talk to him." "Do you know him, Father?" "Yes, I know him." "Archimedes is Rome's most implacable enemy." "but I'll save him." "I'll see he's respected and projected." "Who'll be his guarantee?" "Gorgia." "Archimedes ..." "Listen ..." "I did it in our collective interest, you see." "Don't be unreasonable." "You must see it was the only thing to do." "Syracuse would have been accupied anyway." "But you musn't worry about yourself." "I .." "I've already agreed that ..." "What are you waiting for?" "You must help me." "I'm your ally." "Get up." "Marcus!" "It's nothing." "Take him away." "Save him." "He died a brave man." "We msut be worthy of him." "His example is the symbol of Rome's destiny and its immortal glory, which we'll take from Carthage to Alexandria, from Gaul to the Pillars of Hercules." "It will continue to shine our insignia fro centuries to come because no one can stop it." "Not even death." "Not even doubt or error." "Today I receive your spiritual inheritance and I promise you all I'll be worthy of it." "Why won't you talk to him?" "You can't not tell him." "It's too late." "marcellus's death has transformed him." "I've lost him forever." "What am I to do?" "Spend my life torn between you and him?" "Marcus doesn't need me any more." "A child always needs its mother." "Him ... and the other son in Rome." "Maximus is here, with me, in this land ... our land." "I want to go back where I was." "Dreams don't repeat themselves." "Goodbye, Artemis." "But life exists."