Original subtitles

I don't want to be a dictator. I want to be a god.

To restore the Republic, we first have to destroy it.

If this goes wrong tomorrow, I'd never forgive her.

You're no better than an actress,

for all your airs and graces!

You have a brilliant future, Marcella.

Don't mess it all up.

It wasn't Iullus. It was me.

And I'm not sorry at all.

Nobody can hold on to power legitimately

unless the Senate of Rome chooses to grant it.

Stay, stay, stay!

Gaius has to become a god.

But the god will have a son.

Let the baby of Gaius Julius in the womb of Livia Drusilla

die in writhing agony.

Livia, don't go down there.

Push! Come on. Breathe.

Your mother's all right.

Mummy.

Livia.

Mummy, what's wrong?

Domina!

Mummy!

Livia. Darling.

- Mother. - Come on, Little Bear.

Push! Push!

Well done. Come on.

Come on, push.

Come on.

- It's gonna be all right. - Come on.

- No! - I'm sorry!

- She can do this. - We'll lose them both.

You did it.

You did it.

A boy.

There we go.

Well, that was shit.

Better luck next time.

What?

It wasn't like the others. Another birth will kill you.

No, that can't... I have to have a son.

With Gaius, I... I have to.

I'm sorry, darling.

If this gets out, I'm finished.

You must tell Gaius as soon as he's back from Spain.

No... no.

Your husband has to be told sooner or later.

If he finds out I can't give him children,

he'll divorce me and marry someone who can.

That's just the way it is.

You can't risk another pregnancy.

- It's a death sentence. - So is divorce.

- He won't divorce you. - Uh?

He won't want to.

But in the end, eventually he'll have to.

They'll make sure of that.

Gaius will be so disappointed.

At her age, that might have been the last chance.

That would certainly... create a dilemma.

Still, Julia must be married.

Are you sure it's best to move ahead with this

under the circumstances?

We said we'd wait until Gaius and Marcellus got back.

Why wait any longer?

Because it might upset Livia.

Tiberius will never get to marry Julia.

Gaius can't stand him.

Even Livia couldn't swing that one.

If she marries in the family, it'll be to Marcellus.

We can't wait, and we can't take any chances.

Well, it might be best to get it settled

- while Livia is still... - Quite.

We'll move the minute Gaius gets back.

Livia.

Gaius.

I'm so sorry.

I tried so hard. I'm sorry.

It's all right.

We'll have others.

Plenty of others.

Is she going to be all right?

She's lost a lot of blood.

Just give it a while before you try again.

Father.

- You're home. - Julia.

I've missed you.

How've you been? Get your marks up in Greek?

I have to go.

I've been just fine, thank you.

How is she?

We're so sorry.

Well, to cheer you up,

we brought you the latest treasury statements.

We tried our best to cock it up,

but everything just seemed to go right.

The next time you can send me to war while you stay here.

I've had it up to here with fucking politics

and bureaucracy.

What about the lost Legion Standards?

Uh, the Parthians just keep putting up the price.

Diplomacy's overrated.

Give me my Legions, and I'll get our fucking Standards back,

and plenty else as well.

You did promise me.

Two years in Rome while you were in Spain,

then I could go back on campaign.

That was the deal.

It wasn't a deal exactly. More an aspiration.

We need you here.

I need you here.

Gaius!

We're all so disappointed.

I'm so sorry.

Can we see you in private before you get busy?

Of course. Come.

It was a fucking deal.

I was hoping that Marcellus would be with you.

I left him at Ostia with Tiberius.

They'll be here any time. What's up?

Well...

while you were away, our daughter became a woman.

And so, of course, it's time

to start thinking about her marriage.

We always secretly hoped

that when the time came...

you would unite our families

by giving Julia in...

in marriage to my son, Marcellus.

Obviously, there are many factors to consider

and many suitable candidates,

but nobody could object to his father's family -

even if it's not quite as grand as Livia's.

Agrippa's married to my Marcella,

and Tiberius is betrothed to Vipsania,

so Marcellus would be the obvious choice,

if... you were to marry within the family.

Crassus has already suggested an alliance through Julia.

And he's not the only one.

But, in the end,

there's nothing more important than family.

I always wanted Marcellus to have her, too.

Oh, so we can consider them betrothed?

But this is very sensitive politically.

It'll need handling before it goes public, and I'll need time.

So, for now this stays between us.

Can't I tell Julia? She'll be thrilled.

- Or Marcellus? - No one at all. Until I say so.

- Right. - Hmm.

Iullus?

Thank you, Primas.

My father's back.

I just overheard them talking.

I'm to marry Marcellus.

Well, we always knew it would be someone.

And never me.

Your father killed mine.

And my brother.

I won't tell.

Tiberius!

Don't worry, darling. She'll be all right.

He's just upset.

Octavia and Scribonia called first thing.

Something important.

They're coming for me.

And the German just left the signal.

I told you.

I'll deal with it. Stop worrying.

- Then why are you still here? - Go back to sleep.

She'll be fine.

Yes.

Mother is always fine, Drusus.

You want to get a whore?

- Oh, Marcellus. - Mother, so good to see you.

I missed you so much!

Look at the little fuck.

- Tell us everything. - Spanish tribes are crazy.

Apparently, the Belgians are way worse.

Anyone would think he was a soldier.

Maybe he's a bit more mature now.

Less of a cunt?

Let's make an effort, dear.

Welcome back, Marcellus!

How was Spain?

Harder than we thought, I heard.

You learned to fight at least.

Marcellus was the best swordsman in the Fifth.

Everyone said so.

Is that right?

Well, you'll have to give me a lesson or two sometime.

You're out of practice, Agrippa. It wouldn't be fair.

Hey!

I can just about still swing a sword.

Yeah. Just about.

Don't turn your back on me, boy.

Don't call me "boy."

Agrippa.

Lessons.

- But Marcellus is here! - Now, girls, lessons!

Marcellus, take them to their lessons.

Come along.

Marcellus?

Come on, Iullus.

Welcome back, Tiberius.

Hilarica, tell me, how is poor Livia?

We've all been so worried.

Agrippa just started a fight with Marcellus in the atrium.

I've told you before,

Agrippa's jealousy of the boy needs careful managing.

He's not a boy anymore.

Mm.

Did you see Octavia yet?

She sends her love.

That's nice.

Get some rest.

You won't forget me.

Never.

My dear, how handsome you are.

I'm serious.

I didn't think you could get any more handsome.

I got lots of sun, and I did...

You don't look like you got sun.

I have terrible news.

I got it out of the midwife.

Antigone thinks that if Livia gets pregnant again,

it shall kill her.

And the midwife says the same.

I'm sorry, but...

Does Gaius know?

This changes everything.

It's only right that he should know, don't you think?

Of course it is.

It's up to you.

Are we going to wake her up for this?

No, we let her sleep.

He wants to see you.

It's something bad.

Is it true she can't have children now?

I asked you a question.

Get out.

I'm so sorry, Gaius.

It was wrong of Antigone to keep if from you.

It was.

Poor Livia.

So, Crassus,

I hear you were thinking of marrying my daughter.

If it weren't for me, he'd have lost the whole fucking Danube.

He owes me.

What the fuck am I supposed to do now?

Nothing.

Your wife is the cleverest man in Rome.

And the prettiest.

What is it?

Nothing.

You're lying.

I can tell by your voice,

which means it's bad news you think I'm too frail to hear.

He knows.

Scribonia got it out of the midwife.

And Julia is marrying Marcellus.

They got him to agree.

While you were out of it.

Well, Scribonia must be thrilled.

Grandchildren with Gaius.

She's waited a long time for that.

The marriage is very undesirable.

As is my new situation.

Where have you been?

Who's that?

My new slave, Aprio. I brought him back from Spain.

What's up with you?

I know you're marrying Julia.

Julia?

- Did you know? - No.

Don't you know how lucky you are to be marrying Julia?

Everyone in Rome wanted to marry Julia.

Except Tiberius.

He tried to have me killed, you know? Tiberius, in Spain.

You're not serious.

My cohort was holding a river ford.

His was just above, guarding a pass.

The tribes started attacking at dawn and we were outnumbered.

And he didn't bring his men in support?

Mm.

His orders were to hold the pass, and he did.

A Decurion hid me in a swamp.

Everyone else was killed.

I just saw him on his horse, just watching.

You know, he's not like we thought.

He's evil.

Gaius?

You should be resting.

I'm so sorry I can't give you an heir.

I know how much you always wanted one.

I just couldn't face telling you until I felt a bit stronger.

However...

it's now clear our situation has changed.

The purpose of marriage is the production of children,

and I'm no longer fit for that purpose.

You have to divorce me.

It will be expected.

And we both know it will come to that in the end.

I never cared what is expected.

No. But you care about having a son.

I'm sorry, Gaius. I love you.

But I can't be selfish.

- Can we not just wait? - For what?

My mind is made up.

I'm going to look for a house a little out of Rome.

My marriage to you has been the happiest time of my life.

I thank you with all my heart.

My clerk will handle the settlement.

You shouldn't be going anywhere.

Follow me tonight, with the boys.

She's divorcing him?

Walked out this morning!

Off house-hunting at the lake.

Of course, these days, she's legally within her rights,

but in my mother's time, this would never have done.

Still, I mean...

there's no denying that it does simplify everything for Gaius.

How very selfless.

I said I'd make a list of potential wives.

Ones from suitable families.

Was hoping you'd help.

Of course.

But don't forget, there's a wedding to plan.

I can't believe it.

What do you care?

- I like Livia. - It's so unfair.

Well, the main thing is...

Tiberius and Drusus are finished.

Yeah. Obviously, that's the main thing.

Yeah.

Domina.

You know, I take it, who I am.

Yeah, not much light on the ground floor.

But at least you don't get burned up when it catches fire.

Your wife said you hadn't been home.

- She's a dancer. - Actress!

How did you know about this place?

So...

After this last time, I can't give Gaius children,

so we're divorcing.

What?

If you'd like to end the engagement

between your daughter Vipsania and my Tiberius,

of course I would understand.

Not for a minute.

I'm so sorry.

Is it true he's not giving you the Parthian campaign?

Well, you should know.

You always know everything.

I wasn't told about Julia's marriage to Marcellus either.

He's giving her to Marcellus?

When was this decided?

I don't know.

I wasn't consulted.

I think it's unwise, politically,

and, of course, it should've been you.

At least the offer.

Or Crassus after his victories in the Balkans.

But obviously, he feels the future is Marcellus.

He's not giving him the Parthian campaign, is he?

I haven't heard.

I'm leaving Rome, Agrippa.

For a while.

- May I ask a favor? - The boys.

You want me to adopt them?

Just look out for them.

You know what I mean.

Always.

Always.

Julia!

I knew you'd be out giving thanks.

Now the gods have given you everything you ever wanted.

I can't believe she's gone. Livia.

She didn't even say goodbye.

You know how I found out I was being divorced?

Your father sent Maecenas with the paperwork

the day after I gave birth to you.

You want me to feel sorry for Livia?

Don't hold your breath.

When were you going to tell me, by the way?

About what?

My own marriage.

You could at least have sent Maecenas.

Father...

I can never give him a son,

which changes everything.

Whatever I did to deserve it, I've been punished enough.

So I asked the gods.

Now I ask you.

Let me fuck my enemies.

There's a small chance if...

if things go like I hope.

If I can just survive next to Gaius.

It can still be done.

It can.

I'll just take one of these.

I think it's really mean.

But she can't give him children.

She almost died trying.

Well, men ought to have a son.

Maybe they should give birth themselves.

Now you sound like Livia.

I like sounding like Livia.

Agrippa, where have you been?

Livia came looking for you. Have you heard the news?

My uncle is divorcing her,

and Julia is to marry my brother Marcellus!

Oh, it's the mark of the greatest favor.

Marcellus must've distinguished himself in the Spanish campaign.

Did he fuck?

She's bluffing.

She won't last a week out of Rome.

- Livia's very proud. - I want a son.

I always have.

Is that too much to ask? Is that my fault?

What else is it for?

All of it. It's a legacy.

A legacy doesn't have to be flesh and blood.

You're right.

It's that stupid pride.

Livia Drusilla of the fucking Claudii!

I want Julia.

You shouldn't have promised her to Marcellus.

It should've been me.

Who told you that?

My stupid wife and all her sisters knew before I did.

I've done everything.

Everything you've ever asked.

You show me no respect.

You don't keep your promises. You don't give me your daughter.

Agrippa.

I put you where you are,

and Livia kept you there!

Shame on you to get rid of her the minute she's no use!

You stayed in your tent at Philippi.

You were too sick to fight at Actium.

- You coward! - Agrippa!

Marcellus hasn't earned it.

It's not right.

What about Verina, daughter of Marcus Verinus Paullus?

Now, she's stunning.

But provincial.

- New money. - Plenty of it!

Cornelia.

Cornelia, daughter of Gaius Cornelius Scipio.

I mean, face like a bench, but...

- Gaius! - Did I not make it quite clear

you were to tell no one about Julia and Marcellus?

- Brother, I don't... - Your daughter told Agrippa,

and she didn't hear it from me.

You betrayed my trust.

The situation has changed. The betrothal has ended.

Feeling better?

Gaius. Gaius, be kind to yourself.

In the space of a day,

you've lost a child, a friend and a wife.

- I've got work to do. - Let me speak to them.

He's dead to me.

So is she.

Can I stay here for a bit?

Let's say goodbye.

Just us now, Little Bear.

You passed out.

At Piso's on the lake. The boys are here.

Meanwhile, back in Rome,

Octavia was drawing up a list of your replacements.

And Agrippa and your husband had a massive fight over Julia.

The betrothal got cancelled,

and your husband is no longer speaking

to Octavia, Agrippa or you.

Huh.

You don't seem very surprised.

Did you just block the toilets before we left,

or does this all have a purpose?

He's isolated.

He'll send for her.

And what if he doesn't? Then he doesn't.

Don't worry, Drusus.

- Agrippa will take care of you. - How?

He's fallen. Weren't you listening?

What can he do for us now?

I need to speak to Piso.

Alone.

My life is just over.

I tried to kill Marcellus in Spain.

Did I tell you?

So, now there's something I have to tell you.

When I brought my father's body back to Rome,

I made a sacred oath to his spirit

that I'd do everything I could to restore the Republic.

Nobody living knows this.

Not even Antigone and certainly not Gaius.

That would, of course, be fatal.

Of course, by then I was married to Gaius,

and I could see how it might be done.

So I helped destroy Lepidus and Marcus Antonius,

and everyone else who got in our way.

But, in the end, I realized

Gaius would never give his power away.

So now it's all about what happens when he dies.

After Gaius,

power must go to someone who would give it back to the Senate

and make sure they take it.

You're not talking about me, are you?

I'm talking about Drusus.

- Drusus. - But he'll need help.

When the time comes. In the right place.

Gaius once asked you to be consul.

He'll ask you again.

Next time, take it.

Livia Drusilla.

You are your father's daughter.

Always.

Always.

Agrippa.

Agrippa wants to marry Julia.

She's my fiancée.

Who does he think he is?

He's my husband. That's who he is.

His family is nothing.

Oh, well, it was good enough for me, apparently.

He's so old.

You've only got yourself to blame.

She didn't know it was a secret.

Well, if you're going to spy on people's private conversations,

then you learn to do it properly.

It was Marcella that blabbed to Agrippa.

It's not fair.

I'm the... the victim here.

What about me?

Or me?

I knew Livia wouldn't take this lying down.

Ugh.

Don't be ridiculous, Scribonia!

You'd blame her for the rain if you could.

You have lost everything!

You created this mess,

you're going to fix it.

You will go to your father

and admit that you betrayed our private conversation.

- I won't. - You will!

That will restore his trust in your mother and me,

and then we can start to repair the damage.

It's all right for her.

Nobody cares about me.

You're a Roman!

Show some fucking fortitude!

Gaius and Agrippa have fallen out.

You may still end up with my daughter.

He sent for you.

I... brought you a letter.

Gaius asks for your help

to solve a crisis in his affairs.

I would never suggest

that you might have provoked a calamity

that only you could resolve

in order to remind Gaius what a divorce would really cost him.

No, but, even I underestimated

the resentments buried deep in Agrippa

and his tortured jealousy towards Marcellus.

Things were said between Gaius and Agrippa

that should never have been said.

It's possible their schism is terminal.

You know better than anyone,

the power of Gaius rests partly in fear of Agrippa.

When this gets out, their enemies will gather.

I expect so, yes.

You're wrong, Livia.

He will never back down.

You will rot out here for the rest of your life,

sharing a bed with your fucking pride.

Listen to me, Maecenas.

"I will never, ever, grow old and forgotten in Rome

"while someone else fucks my husband.

I can stand anything but that."

That's what she said?

You're going to have to go yourself.

Never.

She's safe across the river, Little Bear.

She won't feel a thing.

Were you scared of death?

No one's allowed to be scared of that.

Not in the army anyway.

It's un-Roman.

Gaius said you did well in his letters.

He doesn't like me.

I remind him of Father.

Did he tell you that?

No, Marcellus did.

Can we stay here?

I want to stay here.

And do what?

Why do I have to do anything?

Why does anyone?

Oh, I know.

After my service in the army,

I'll stand for office after office

till I end up in the fucking Senate like Grandfather.

He never complained.

And what if I don't want any of that?

Then, Little Bear,

you shouldn't have been born.

Brilliant.

Idiot.

News from Rome!

Everything's been leaked.

Gaius and Agrippa are at each other's throats.

It's a tit's-out political crisis.

I don't care what it takes. I just want it done.

Buy him off with anything else!

We need the fucking Praetorians on board

before Agrippa's people start reminding them who he is.

Don't be sad, darling.

Whatever happens, it'll be all right.

Why? Because Livia's divorced and barren?

Some people think there's more to life than that.

What do they know?

As we become women, we develop feelings for men.

Sometimes strong feelings. It's natural.

But those feelings have nothing to do with marriage.

Every girl must marry as her father wishes

according to the needs of the family.

And as things stand, it can never be Iullus.

You've been given everything except freedom.

But...

as long as you play the game and give your husband children,

you can do whatever you want.

Just be...

discreet.

My dearest love.

My father's furious with me

for blabbing about the engagement,

and I'm confined to my room.

Who knows which fat old goat I'll be marrying now.

Could be anyone in the Forum.

My heart is breaking.

We've often spoken of a life together.

Can we not just do it?

We can be free and live in Egypt or the East.

Somewhere my father will never find us.

I await your reply with impatience... and love.

You ready?

Well, this is a mistake.

Where's your sword?

I didn't bring it.

That's not how things are decided.

If you want Julia, you can fight for her.

Or are you afraid?

'Cause I'm not afraid.

Look, nobody said you were afraid.

- Yah! - Ow!

Argh!

Stop, Agrippa!

I can't see.

Your father was a great man.

Get the fuck off me!

"Marcellus doesn't deserve you.

"My father was twice the man his father was,

"and Agrippa's family are nothing.

"You should be mine,

"but my birthright is denied me.

"Your father has ordered an expedition to explore Arabia,

"under Marcus Aelius Gallus.

"I asked your father.

"I am to go with Gallus.

"I may find honor or death or both.

But my last thought will always be of you."

Julia?

Livia.

- You look well. - I am, thank you.

How are you?

Fine.

Thank you.

All good.

Found anywhere yet?

No, nothing suitable.

The prices out at the lake are silly.

I ran into Agrippa.

- Agrippa? - I blame myself.

You know, when you needed me, I was in a mess.

When I needed you, you divorced me and went off to the lake.

I wasn't making lists of men to replace you.

You're bluffing, and you know it.

I am the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus,

and I never bluff.

You put family above everything else.

It's your only weakness.

And if you really want to be a god...

...you'd better get over it.

Agrippa was wrong, and he knows it.

I told him you wanted to reward him for his loyalty.

- What? - By giving him the honor

of recovering the army's lost Standards in Parthia.

You promised him that campaign!

Generals get above themselves. Look at fucking Crassus!

Agrippa doesn't want your power. He wants your love!

And that campaign is the one thing

he desires more than your daughter.

But I made it clear...

you'd given your word to Marcellus,

and now it was a question of honor.

He now sees you meant no disrespect

and accepts Julia must marry Marcellus.

He asks for your forgiveness.

He's here... now.

Will you see him?

Because if you can't, you'll have to kill him.

Can you do that, Gaius?

Shh, shh.

- What's the matter with you? - Everything's all right.

Everything's all right!

- Everything's all right! - What?

- Marcellus will marry Julia. - Oh, yes!

My brother has invited us all to dinner to celebrate.

We will meet in the atrium at dusk.

Oh, and don't forget the list of girls for Gaius.

So, that's that then, Iullus.

I am stuck with Julia.

My uncle said I'm to sit in the Senate soon

to get some experience.

Of sitting in Senate.

I wish I was going to Arabia with you, though.

Other people wait years for that.

To sit in Senate.

Conquering Arabia.

That's...

a real adventure.

Come on.

We're going to be late for dinner.

What are you doing up here?

Hey.

Our family has a lot to be grateful for tonight.

We ask the gods to protect

my daughter's marriage to Marcellus.

And my brother Agrippa and his campaign

to recover the lost Eagle Standards from the East.

And my nephew Iullus...

and his great odyssey to bring Arabia under the rule of Rome.

I hope you didn't wait for me.

No, no.

We only just lay down.

Welcome home.

The traffic was a nightmare on the Appia.

Always is at dusk.

He's right. You should've left earlier.

That's good advice. Thank you, Agrippa.

So, after what happened,

Livia and I spoke about a divorce.

Obviously.

But I don't want her to marry anyone else.

And neither does she.

And I still have my beautiful daughter...

and with Marcellus, she'll give me my sons.

Yes, she will.

To the happy couple.

To the happy couple.

I told you he wouldn't divorce you.

The one thing he wants more than a son is power.

Maybe I can give him that.