01x01 - "The Stolen Eagle"

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Four hundred years after...

the last king was driven
from the city

the republic of Rome
rules many nations

but cannot rule itself.

The city is constantly roiled
by conflict...

between the common people
and the nobility.

Power is shared and order maintained

by two soldiers, old friends

Gnaeus Pompey Magnus
and Gaius Julius Caesar.

Once, Pompey was acknowledged
by all to be the greater man

but for the last eight years

while Pompey has
kept the peace in Rome

Caesar has waged a w*r of conquest
in Gaul...

that has made him ever more
rich and popular.

The balance of power is shifting,
and the nobility have grown fearful.

Though of noble blood himself,
Caesar stands with the common people.

A man like that

an aristocrat with soldiers,
money and the love of the people

might make himself king.

Pullo, formation!

Pullo!

Single formation!

Shields on me!

Get back in formation,
you drunken fool.

Reform!

{\an5}Legionary Titus Pullo

{\an5}is a hero of the thirteenth legion

but look at him now.

Justice knows every man's number.

He has committed
a terrible sacrilege

and he will pay for it with his life!

As will any man here
who breaks the law.

Brawlers and drunkards
will be flogged.

Thieves will be strangled.

Deserters will be crucified.

Is that it?

I was just beginning to enjoy myself.

Before you

Vercingetorix, son of Celtil

chieftain of the tribe
of the Arverni

commander of the rebel stronghold
of Alesia

king of all the Gauls.

What would you have of him?

- Caesar!
- Caesar!

Caesar!

Caesar!

Caesar!

Caesar!

Hey!

Hey, what's going on?

Hey! Here!

You piss-drinking sons
of circus wh*res!

The chief of the Gauls has
surrendered to Caesar.

The w*r is over.

Don't say that.

The boys have been given
two days liberty...

to sack the town
and take personal spoils.

They'll all be rich.

And me in here!

Come on, get in there!

Four hundred denarii?
Are you insane?

That's a floor price.

We'll pay the usual premium...

for tradesmen and fertile women,
et cetera.

From Pompey Magnus, sir.

Set the floor closer to eight.

"My dear friend and partner, Gaius,
I have terrible news."

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

I forgive you.

I forgive you.

- Be good to my sl*ves.
- I will.

- And to my father.
- I will.

Kiss me.

Your hair.

Funny.

This isn't miserable
Eastern peasantry.

This is the creme of
the Gallic nations.

A glut on the market.

- You won't be able to give them away
- Seven

- and be done with it.
- On delivery to Massilia?

- Please!
- Agreed.

See to the details.

I hope you got a decent price
off those parasites.

Good enough.

News from Rome?

Pompey writes.

My daughter Julia
has died in childbirth.

I grieve with you.

The child?

A girl. Stillborn.

Pompey will be needing a new wife.

Caesar!

Caesar!

Caesar!

More of Caesar's spoils from Gaul.

Caesar!

Caesar!

Caesar!

What a dreadful noise plebs make
when they're happy.

This is music.

Wait until Caesar starts them
howling for our blood.

Then you'll hear something dreadful.

A fine reward is offered
for the return of a sl*ve woman

stolen or absconded,
from the house of Marius Dolabella.

Under the protection of Pompey Magnus
and Julius Caesar

Senate sits tomorrow.

Be aware!

No disorder will be tolerated.

That was lovely, Timon.

Two stallions have
come to Rome today.

Of course.

How childish of me.

You want the horse.

I do.

But don't be sullen now.

This was not a hardship for me.

I've always found something
perversely erotic...

about goaty little men.

Do, please, don't lurk, Octavian.
Come in.

Don't be a goose.

Come in.

I've bought a horse.

Have you?

The best horse in Rome
by all accounts.

I'm very happy for you.

It's a gift for your great-uncle.

I want you to take the animal to Gaul
and give it to him in person.

- Why?
- When he's back in Rome...

everyone will be giving him gifts.

We must be first.

I doubt he will return to Rome
anytime soon.

The Senate's hostility
will prevent him.

- Legally speaking, it is not...
- Please don't start...

speaking legally.
You know how it bores me.

- It's a long way to Gaul.
- Exactly.

While yet a mere boy

you would risk your life
to honor your beloved great-uncle.

You ride into Caesar's camp alone,
on a noble white stallion.

- That's a gift he won't soon forget.
- Alone?

You'll have plenty of sl*ves.
You'll be perfectly safe.

And you'll make your mamma
very proud and happy.

Cato, the Senate hears you.

Pompey Magnus.

I have a question concerning
your friend and co-consul

the darling of Venus,
Gaius Julius Caesar.

Why does his chair remain empty?

Why does he not come home?

His ill*gal w*r is over.

Gaul is long since on its knees.

Why does Caesar keep
his brave soldiers...

from their families and friends?

For eight long years

he has gorged himself like a wolf
on the blood of Gaul

and thereby made himself
monstrously rich.

- Why?
- Sit down!

Why does he ply the mob with races
and fights and gaudy feasts?

Why has he paid the debts...

of every reprobate fool
in this Senate house?

Why?

I'll tell you why
he does these things.

He wants to buy himself a crown.

He wants to destroy the republic
and rule Rome as a bloody tyrant!

That's why!

Therefore, I move...

that Caesar's governorship in Gaul
be terminated immediately

that his armies be disbanded...

and that he be recalled to Rome
to answer charges of ill*gal warfare

theft...

bribery and treason!

Very good, Cato.

Full of vim and verve, as usual.

Caesar...

has been generous to the people...

because he loves the people as I do.

It is the people that rule,
not you, fine nobleman.

It is Pompey's soldiers that rule,
not we, fine nobleman.

I'm going to save us all
hours of useless clamor...

and use my consular veto
on your motion.

- Yes!
- I do not...

- I do not...
- Silence!

Are we children?
Let the consul speak.

Thank you, Cicero.

- I do not...
- However...

If I might say a few words
before you continue.

When confronted by a hungry wolf,
it is unwise to goad the beast...

as Cato would have us do.

But...

it is equally unwise...

to imagine the snarling animal
a friend and offer your hand

as Pompey does.

Perhaps you would have us
climb a tree.

Caesar is my brother by sacred oath.

I know his heart.

He is my friend
and a faithful son of the republic.

And until anyone proves that
he is not

I will never betray him.

Pompey Magnus, my dear fellow,
you're well met.

Scipio, Cato.

I would not take you for lovers
of the mime.

You know my daughter

Cornelia.

Widow of noble Publius
who died at Carrhae.

Cornelia...

your husband was a fine Roman.

I thank you.

Father, my presence is
not appropriate.

There's a lewd woman on the stage.

I had no notion.

We will not linger then.

Pompey, a pleasant good night.

If it please you,
might we speak alone?

Neither we aristocrats alone

nor you and your soldiers alone
can crush Caesar.

Stop there.

I do not say that you wish to
crush Caesar.

I only say that if you did wish it,
you could not do it alone.

I have no need of you
noble gentleman.

I have only to stamp my feet...

and legions will spring up
all over Italy!

I can squash Caesar like an insect
if I wished it so.

I do not wish it.

Renounce him, Pompey!

Renounce Caesar!

Ally yourself with us and
his strength will wither away.

It is you who has the real power.

It is you the people truly love.

Think you they will still shout
Caesar's name...

when he runs out of Gallic trinkets
to throw to them?

Think you I care what names
are shouted in the streets?

Nothing is more important.

You ask me to openly betray a friend.

I cannot do it.

Good night.

Silly baby brother.

Everything will be all right.

Is he not perfect?

Proper little soldier.

- He's scared.
- Nonsense.

Roman men are never scared.

He's just sad
to be leaving his mamma.

You're not scared,
are you, Octavian?

Of course you're not.

Time flies.
Give me a kiss, my love.

Andros.

Bring him back safe or I'll use the
eyes of your children for beads.

Lyco

the horse.

Not too expensive, I hope.

I'm sorry, sir, the horse
was sold already.

- To Atia of the Julii.
- Atia?

She's sending it to Gaul.

A gift for Caesar.

Damn him!

Must he have everything?

As you were going to be in Gaul
anyway

I might k*ll two birds
with one stone.

- Let me look at you.
- As ugly as ever, I'm afraid.

Not at all.
Age suits you, Brutus.

How long has it been?

- Five years?
- No, six.

How clever.

It's almost like a proper house.

I deeply regret your loss.

Julia and so forth.
Horrible business.

Condolences, really.

Now tell me, how's your mother?

The same as ever.

She sends her love
demands to know...

why you haven't written to her
in months.

I can remedy that
if you'll be my courier.

I have several letters to send.

If I can ever bring myself to
get on another horse.

I had no conception
that Gaul was so far away.

Brutus, me old c*ck.

What on earth are you doing here?

Mark Antony, how nice.

I've been visiting my cousin
in Narbo.

How is that idiot cousin of yours?

- He was...
- Actually, I'm sorry

I'm in a bit of a rush.

I need, say, a half talent of gold.

Do you?

See how he trusts me.

- For the eagle.
- Of course.

Strabo!

Give his honor Mark Antony
a half talent of gold.

- A half talent of gold.
- And not a penny more.

Dominus.

I don't know how
you tolerate that man.

He likes to fight.

The way he carries on one might think
he came from no family at all.

He does have a vulgarian streak.
I don't mind it.

What is this about, the eagle?

My personal standard
was stolen by brigands.

A bad business.

The legions were already homesick
and surly when the eagle was taken.

Now they're positively mutinous.

The men think it's a sure sign
of my doom...

and they're clamoring like geese
for disbandment.

They did not seem so unhappy.

They never flaunt their discontent.
Gets them whipped.

I tell you, Brutus

I'm at my wits end.

Master Octavian.

Vasio is only a few more miles.

Do not touch me without permission.

Water.

Lucius Vorenus.

You have a brain.

So the tribunes say.

So tell me, if it were you
who had to retrieve Caesar's eagle

how would you go about it?

I'd...

take captives
from every tribe in Gaul...

and crucify them one by one...

until someone tells me where
the eagle is.

Then, I would go in quick and quiet
with one or two men and...

- steal it back.
- Good.

We are of one mind.

Do it.

- Do it, sir?
- I believe...

there's a t*rture detachment
with the third

but you may choose your own men
if you wish.

There's a quarter talent there,
for bribes and such.

- Spend it wisely.
- Sir.

No! Please let me down!

Let me down!

Let me down!

- I know where the eagle is.
- Speak.

The blue Spaniards,
they came to stay for one night...

and then rode to the Cadurci lands.

Please! Please, please.
Let me down.

Cadurci.

Fortune pisses on me.

- Please let me down!
- Take them down.

Forculus

if you be the right god for
the business here

I call on you to help me.

If you will open this door, then...

I will k*ll for you
a fine white lamb

or, failing that, if I couldn't
get a good one at a decent price

then six pigeons.

This, Forculus, I vow to you.

Legionary Titus Pullo, stand up.

- What's he doing here?
- You are to be released...

to the command of second spear
centurion Lucius Vorenus.

Do your duty to his satisfaction...

and you'll be spared damnation
in the arena.

I won't even stand next to
this short-assed sh*t

leave alone serve under him.

I'll stay here, thanks very much.

These orders come direct from
his excellency Mark Antony himself.

You are to retrieve Caesar's eagle.

Me? Retrieve Caesar's eagle?

- Brutus?
- Mamma!

You can't imagine how good it is
to be home.

You're as brown as a bean.

It makes me look quite...
soldierly though.

It does, it does.

- How is cousin Marcellus?
- Tedious but healthy.

- And Caesar?
- Who?

Don't be cruel.

Is he well? Did he ask of me?

Did he? I can't recall.

I think not.

He did write you a letter though.

You beast.

"Dearest Servilia,
forgive my long silence.

These last long months
were all blood and iron and mud...

and no time for letters to friends.

Be sure that I have been
thinking of you...

with great affection.

I long to be together
and alone with you."

"Great affection."

"Longs to be alone with you".

You think he says such things
to his wife?

"Affection"? What's that?

He could not say "love".

Would you have him pluck a harp?

He's a soldier, not a poet.

The day dwindles.
Our guests will be arriving.

You ride well.

Almost as well as me.

Pullo, you will address me correctly.

Almost as well as me, sir.

Me, I'm a natural.
My father was a Ubian, probably.

Where did you learn to ride so nice?

Please yourself.

Only trying to be pleasant.

My mother's people raised horses
in Mutina.

Mutina, near Regium?
Up round there?

- Up there.
- Good country.

Listen, sir, thank you,
for taking me on this job.

- A noble way to make amends.
- Amends?

For getting me into this cack
by calling me names.

- Think nothing of it.
- Never. I won't forget.

Titus Pullo never forgets a favor.

What you mean, "hah"?

What do you think our chances are
of finding the eagle?

Thirteenth never fails.

Little or no chance.
The eagle might be anywhere.

Buried, melted down,
sunk to bottom of the sea.

We are hunting a black dog
in the night.

And not finding the eagle
is much the same as losing it.

We will be disgraced.
Now, I chose you...

because you are disgraced already
and condemned to die.

So you weren't making amends
at all, then?

Pullo

in effect, you're dead already.

The loss of one drunken fool
does little damage to the legion.

If I'm dead already then, sir

you should take care
how you speak to me.

If I've got nothing to lose

what's to stop me cutting you
into little gobs and riding off?

What's to stop me, sir?

If your honor as a soldier
of the thirteenth isn't enough

then I'll have to rely on
my superior fighting skills.

Superior fighting skills?

Very good.

And of course, you have to imagine
long hair down to here

huge moustaches,
the most horrific stench.

They eat only raw meat
and never wash.

They do have one admirable custom.

They settle their political disputes
by single combat to the death.

- Excellent idea.
- Isn't it?

Mother is always nagging me
to attend politics.

It's been our family's tradition
and duty for...

five hundred years.

It is such dreadfully dull stuff.

Now you see, if our Senate...

conducted business
in the German style

I should certainly go and watch.

Yeah, no tedious lawsuits
and endless debates.

Just swords, daggers...

- Much more entertaining.
- Brutus, a word.

Tell me.

You are a good judge.

How is my dear friend Caesar?

He is...

He's been better, I think.

Very...

very weary.

To be honest, a little demoralized

Caesar demoralized?

- Never.
- His standard was stolen.

How did he let a foolish thing
like that happen?

I don't know, but his manner
and uproar about it...

You know how plebians can be
about such things...

Desperate to come home, mutinous.

I have heard
there was some discontent

but mutinous?

Hard to believe.

Can you imagine?

After all he has done for them,
he is not sure whether they will...

will fight for him anymore.

And the lower classes have
a very very crude sense of loyalty.

No offense.

I don't mean you.

You are lower class

but that is to say,
the lower class in general, however.

A very crude sense...

of loyalty.

Excuse me.

"My dear niece, I hope
you and the children are well.

I have a task for you.

Policy dictates
I give a new wife to Pompey

but I have been gone
too long to know...

who among the females of our family
would be suitable.

I would ask Calpurnia,
but though an excellent wife

she has no eye for
this kind of business.

Do me the favor
of selecting whichever girl...

you think most likely to please
and offer her to him in my name."

Excuse me, I was far away.

Caesar has no bad news for you,
I hope.

No, not at all. Not at all.

- What a lovely party.
- Thank you.

Not as lovely as you look
in that dress.

And Octavia...

Beautiful.

I try.

She will insist on slouching.

Where's Octavian?

He's in Gaul.

Great mother says no harm
shall come to your boy.

Good.

Tell me now, how goes your marriage?

- Glabius is a good man.
- You surprise me.

I always thought there were
difficulties between you.

Must you always have
a needle in hand?

I was only asking.
Excuse my curiosity.

There was some difficulties
in the past

but we overcame them.

We love each other very much.

That's a shame. Now I feel bad.

I thought you'd be...

overjoyed.

What do you mean?

Uncle Julius intends to marry you
to Pompey Magnus.

- Uncle Julius intends...
- I know Pompey...

is a touch low in manner

but I'm told he's
a perfectly adequate lover.

And you shall be
the first woman in Rome.

We shall have to get you
divorced from Glabius, obviously

quick as poss.

I will not do it.

I love my husband.

If you do not
divorce Glabius willingly

then Caesar will ask Glabius
to divorce you.

And Glabius will refuse.

Doubtless, and then he'll be k*lled.
And does anybody want that to happen?

Caesar would not do that.

The man's been in Gaul
for eight years.

He's practically a wild beast.

The man has tears in his eyes.

Tears!

He loves me.

A womanish husband
is no use to anyone.

And your servants!
What a fuss!

I think you feed them too much.

A little more arsenic,
I think, Gaia.

Try to look a little more cheerful,
Octavia.

It's for the good of the family.

I don't care.

You and I and your brother
are alone in the world.

- We have to be strong.
- We are not alone.

- Caesar is...
- Caesar is in Gaul.

Pompey is here.

Courage, my love.

The Parthian were threatening
my left flank.

And so, rather than shorten the line
as would be conventional

I sent in my cavalry reserve
and outflanked the flankers.

Bravo, Magnus. Masterly.

Is he not, Octavia, masterly?

Masterly.

Magnus, tell me something,
and be honest.

Does my daughter please you?

Very pleasing, no doubt.

Then I can tell you that Caesar,
as a token of his abiding friendship

would like to offer her to you
in marriage.

She is not married to young Glabius?

Divorced.

Perhaps you need time to think.

Excuse me. I was taken unawares.

How could I refuse such a worthy
and dignified bride?

- Caesar is far too generous.
- Excellent.

We would have to wait
until next month...

for an actual ceremony, of course,
when Julia's mourning days are over.

Of course, of course.

But you may take
your betrothal privileges...

any time you wish.

Now, if you like.

- Really, that's not necessary.
- Don't be silly.

Octavia would love to.

There's no need for shyness.

We're all family now, after all.

British women. Now,
that's savage cunny.

You have to hunt them down like deer.

Mind, once you get them under you,
slack as your best Narbo scortum.

Do you care for nothing but women?

What else is there?

Food, I suppose.

You don't like women?

Of course I do.

I'm married to one.

- I have a wife, Niobe.
- I see.

Centurions can marry then?

I received a special dispensation.

A special dispensation?

She must be some good...

woman.

She is.

Been a while since
you've seen her then.

Seven years, one hundred
and forty days.

That's hard.

May Fortune smile on you.

Me, I have simpler tastes.

I like to k*ll my enemy

take their gold
and enjoy their women.

That's it.

Why tie yourself to one?

Where's the flavor?
Where's the joy?

Pullo, when was the last time
you had a woman...

who wasn't crying or wanting payment?

You're on first watch.

Wake me when the moon's
at the zenith.

Right you are, sir.

Halt!

Halt!

Sons of Dis!

They weren't such good horses anyway.

My people fought at Zama
and Magnesia.

My father rode with Sulla,
and I'm reduced to this

unhorsed and robbed by children.

Nice horse.

Look here, Mars.

Look here, Mars.

I am Titus Pullo.

These bloody men
are my gift to you.

Thank the gods you came.
I am extremely grateful to you.

Listen to me.

I order you to release me
this instant.

Fine way for a sl*ve to talk.

You won't get far
with a mouth like that on you.

I'm no sl*ve.

I'm Gaius Octavian of the Julii.

- Great-nephew of Julius Caesar.
- Gaius who?

I am a Roman citizen of noble birth,
and I order you to cut these ropes.

Say please.

Please.

Be assured you will be amply rewarded
for your services to me.

See how good he talks?

He's convincing, I'll give him that.

Caesar will prove who I am.
Take me to him.

We cannot do that as yet.

- We have orders.
- What orders?

We are to retrieve
Caesar's stolen eagle.

Caesar wouldn't pull a hair
for his eagle.

You're on a fool's errand.

If Caesar doesn't care about
the eagle

why did he send us to find it?

It would look strange
if he made no efforts.

Actually, losing the eagle
is useful to Caesar.

Why would that be useful to Caesar?

Because Pompey is
no deep philosopher.

He will take a symbolic loss
for a real weakness.

Explain.

Caesar doesn't want to strike
the first blow against an old friend

so he wishes to lure Pompey
into attacking him first.

Pompey will only do this
if he believes Caesar is weak.

No.

They're as good as brothers,
those two.

When Julia died

the last true bond between them
was cut.

Caesar has taken the love of
the common people from Pompey

and that was his
most prized possession.

A battle is inevitable.

Pullo.

Blue Spaniards!

Good morning, uncle!

Octavian?

One of Pompey's men.

I misjudged him.

I thought it would take strategy
to turn him against me

but he must have turned
the moment Julia died.

And all the while
he was defending you in the Senate.

He has the cunning of a sardine,
poor fool.

The battle begins.

About time.

Porca Juno.

"Dearest Pompey

I believe the enclosed man
belongs to you.

A quick note to tell you...

I have decided to winter
the thirteenth legion closer to home

at Ravenna.

So I shall soon have the pleasure
of paying you homage in person."

Pompey!

Pompey!

Pompey!

All of you, this is my new wife,
Cornelia.

Maybe if you'd summoned
a little charm...

instead of moping about
like some torpid old she-cow

- this would never have happened.
- My dear!

Please, I was only
speaking in anger.

Everyone knows it's
a political repudiation on account.

Pompey and Caesar are enemies now.

One only has to look at Cornelia.

Poor sad chicken, plucked and boiled.

Maybe Glabius will take me back.

We're well rid of him.

We're going to find you somebody
much more worthwhile than Glabius.

I've been dishonored and shamed
before the whole city!

Nonsense!

A girl from a good family...

can never be dishonored by
a villainous little pleb like Pompey!

No.

It is I who has been
made to look foolish.

It is I who have lost face!

I want him dead.

I want him dead.

And that you shall have.

Pompey will eat sand for this.