Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:06,759
Rome,
2
00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:10,155
in the age of the emperors.
3
00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:16,034
# My lady lies in bed
4
00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:22,196
For a 100 years, the same family dynasty
has ruled the empire.
5
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,552
Now it's the turn of the famously eccentric Nero.
6
00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,998
# I rose up...
7
00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:35,552
An emperor who spent more time
among his people than they realised.
8
00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:38,839
You know who I am?
9
00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:42,839
You're a plagiarist, and an insult to music.
10
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,394
You're a pathetic little...
11
00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:47,476
Oh, no.
12
00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,750
I had no idea. I'm sorry.
13
00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:53,959
Tigellinus.
14
00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:56,992
He says he's sorry.
15
00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,992
I don't think that's enough. What do you think?
16
00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,031
I think it's not enough.
17
00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:09,828
Ofonius Tigellinus. Head of Rome's security force.
18
00:01:11,960 --> 00:01:13,313
How wonderful!
19
00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:17,919
Poppaea Sabina, Nero's second wife.
20
00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:20,917
He killed his first.
21
00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,191
Don't hit him! He's the emperor!
22
00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:27,398
And the man himself.
23
00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,160
Nero had never been a normal emperor,
24
00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:35,394
but this was nothing to what lay ahead.
25
00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,875
This is the story of what happened
26
00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,356
when the most powerful man on earth
lost his mind,
27
00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,516
and brought the empire
to the brink of destruction.
28
00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,314
The event
that would define Nero's life
29
00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:39,194
began while he was staying at his country estate
outside Rome.
30
00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:51,558
How far is it?
31
00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:53,830
- Thirty miles.
- Thirty?
32
00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:56,752
It must be the whole of Rome.
33
00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:00,350
It's been burning all day. You're safe here.
34
00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,190
We're going back to Rome. Now.
35
00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:12,033
Rufus.
36
00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:16,358
Sir, we've lost control of it.
The streets are too narrow to get to the fire.
37
00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,040
- Which way is it moving?
- Mainly west.
38
00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,630
It's the wooden buildings.
It's moving too quick for us.
39
00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,309
We've lost a lot of people, sir.
You shouldn't stay here.
40
00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,991
- What can I do?
Sir?
41
00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:43,114
Rufus, I don't know about any of this,
but say what you need and I'll make it happen.
42
00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,071
Wherever we move people,
the fire moves too.
43
00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,313
We need open space, sir. The people need...
44
00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:55,275
Open ground. My gardens. My private gardens.
Open them. Let anyone in.
45
00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,072
- Sir, are you sure...
- Tigellinus!
46
00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:58,599
Go. Get the gates open.
47
00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,792
This can't happen. This isn't how Rome ends.
48
00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:18,072
The great fire of Rome in 64 AD
burned for six days.
49
00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:23,319
The wooden buildings and narrow streets
went up like matchwood.
50
00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:28,033
But far from Just fiddling while Rome burned,
there is evidence
51
00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:32,358
that Nero did all he could to help control the fire
and save lives.
52
00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:35,919
Help me!
53
00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:46,316
Yet, it was his actions after the flames had died
that would prove decisive,
54
00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:51,637
both to his reign and to the future of the empire.
55
00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,719
Only four of the 14 districts survived.
56
00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:15,632
We believe perhaps half a million people
are without homes,
57
00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:17,796
thousands dead.
58
00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:21,588
Have we ever had a fire like this?
59
00:05:21,840 --> 00:05:24,115
Six days? So much damage?
60
00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:39,519
I just can't believe it. I just can't take it in.
61
00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,310
It's not so much the damage,
62
00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:55,515
it's what we do next.
63
00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:57,791
Rome is finished.
64
00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,075
I can't see we have a choice.
65
00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:06,035
We must move the capital to Neapolis or Capua.
66
00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,437
There's nothing left.
67
00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,872
Don't turn around. Hold it together.
68
00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,599
What do I do?
69
00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:34,710
Seneca, what do I do?
70
00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,076
I can't answer that, sir.
71
00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:43,230
In a crisis, great emperors rule as gods rule.
72
00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,031
You must decide
what you believe is best for Rome.
73
00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:52,432
This is your moment.
74
00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,316
Rule as the gods rule,
75
00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,554
and you could become one yourself.
76
00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,030
What's the matter?
77
00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:28,077
I want to change Rome.
78
00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,151
Power. Warfare.
79
00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,395
What about what really matters?
80
00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,073
Beauty. Art.
81
00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:43,152
That's what's divine.
82
00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:48,355
If we just move the capital, nothing will change.
83
00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:52,234
But if we start again,
we can become truly civilised.
84
00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,353
People could...
85
00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:00,234
In their daily lives, people could aspire to beauty,
86
00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:03,117
the arts.
87
00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,274
That's what Rome can stand for.
88
00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:14,950
Every morning, I pray that I'll die
89
00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:19,198
before my beauty fades.
90
00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:20,435
No, I do.
91
00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:25,111
It's the curse of mortality,
knowing that you'll become less than you were.
92
00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:30,636
But you, what you're talking about,
transforming Rome,
93
00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,232
if you could do that, you would become immortal.
94
00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:38,753
A god of Rome.
95
00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:52,878
I am Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus,
96
00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,992
and we are not some shanty town
97
00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,910
that's going to apologetically
shuffle off downstream.
98
00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:05,873
We are Rome.
99
00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:13,908
We will build it, and build it fast.
100
00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:17,637
A new city.
101
00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:23,071
A Rome worthy of Rome.
102
00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:26,836
And this will not burn down.
103
00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:29,872
It'll be made of marble and stone, all of it.
104
00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:36,039
By building to one plan,
the city will have cohesion and purpose.
105
00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:39,075
Public spaces for all Romans.
106
00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:41,909
Wide roads, forums,
107
00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,314
gardens, theatres, temples.
108
00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,354
And wherever anyone goes in this city,
109
00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,557
they will be surrounded by art,
110
00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:57,277
the beauty of art.
111
00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,360
We are going nowhere.
112
00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,150
It's a wonderful vision.
113
00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,316
- Astonishing.
Your ancestors would be proud.
114
00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:11,149
I think in this room, a few moments ago,
Rome was saved.
115
00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:25,878
Nero began
the largest single building programme in history.
116
00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:34,352
Precious metals and millions of tonnes of marble
117
00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,040
would be transported across the empire
118
00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,754
from Egypt, Greece, Spain,
119
00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,628
to adorn the imperial capital.
120
00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:49,870
The Roman invention of concrete
made building easier.
121
00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:53,830
But more than ten square miles
would have to be paved,
122
00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:57,596
and hundreds of vast,
elaborate buildings completed.
123
00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:05,229
Nero became the greatest patron of art
in Roman history,
124
00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:13,155
personally commissioning countless sculptures,
paintings and vast mosaics.
125
00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:18,516
The scale and likely cost of his dream
was unprecedented.
126
00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,356
Oh, Seneca, please help me.
127
00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:37,153
Someone's kidnapped me
and stuck this horrible thing to my chest.
128
00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,511
- Please help!
- Then he has my full support.
129
00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,314
Traitor. I knew it.
130
00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,796
- I was hoping to discuss...
- It's for the breathing.
131
00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,469
Means that when you finally allow me
132
00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,398
to perform in front of my own people,
133
00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:58,149
- I'll sing like a bird.
- Sir, an emperor may do many things.
134
00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:02,193
He may lie, cheat and even, when justified, kill.
135
00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,988
What he may not do,
under any circumstances, is sing.
136
00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:14,352
Why are you here?
137
00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:21,156
To talk to you, sir.
Sir, I applaud what you're doing,
138
00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:24,590
but the buildings will take years,
and the art you're commissioning...
139
00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,917
We need it.
- Sir, you don't have the money.
140
00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:31,316
A statue of yourself 120 feet high?
141
00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:35,638
Have you any idea
what that much bronze will cost?
142
00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,589
The art for your public rooms alone
will cost 50 million.
143
00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,235
One million for a single bowl.
144
00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:47,230
- It's made of methryl.
- You can't possibly pay for this.
145
00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:48,588
We must pay for it!
146
00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:01,598
History is beginning again.
147
00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:05,396
This'll be the age of Nero.
148
00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,076
You told me to rule like a god.
That's what I'm doing.
149
00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:13,718
Sir,
150
00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:16,991
gods don't have to consider the costs of anything.
151
00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:19,119
Emperors do.
152
00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:31,392
He's right.
153
00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:33,189
Seneca.
154
00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:35,628
The cost.
155
00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,037
I know he's like a father to you, but...
156
00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:46,154
Tigellinus, this is my empire and I know it's rich.
I know there's money out there.
157
00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,390
And I want you to find it.
158
00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,799
My father, well, he was just a merchant,
159
00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:59,595
but he knew about money.
He said getting it is like pearl fishing.
160
00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:03,793
- Your father couldn't string two words together.
- You need to know where to look.
161
00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,799
But you also need to be ready
to break open a few oysters.
162
00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,078
Which kind of oysters did you have in mind?
163
00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:17,629
For 500 years, Rome's been accumulating wealth
from conquered territories,
164
00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:21,355
their gold, treasure, so forth,
and after each victory,
165
00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,153
a portion of that wealth is donated,
166
00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,795
as thanks, to the gods.
167
00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:34,798
Rob the temples?
168
00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:57,829
Nero's assault on the temples
of Rome was an act that would live in infamy.
169
00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:02,351
The treasure didn't Just belong to the gods,
it was Rome's crown Jewels,
170
00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,711
embodying all its years of glory and greatness.
171
00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:09,073
And Nero was simply stealing it.
172
00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:12,512
No, no. No.
173
00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:16,679
This is...
174
00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:21,192
Who has ordered this?
175
00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:22,839
Your emperor.
176
00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:27,354
This is outrageous. Rufus, stop.
You must stop this.
177
00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:29,516
I can't stop it!
178
00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:34,398
- I've told you, we're starting again.
- You foolish boy, you're losing your mind.
179
00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:38,559
You're not starting again,
you're ripping the heart out of Rome.
180
00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,752
Further raids took place right across the empire,
181
00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:45,555
a direct assault on the establishment
of Rome itself.
182
00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:53,076
Nero was now on a collision course
with the Senate,
183
00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:56,033
the closest thing Rome had to a parliament.
184
00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,153
Ancient loyalties were being tested
185
00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,874
and factions were beginning to form.
186
00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,754
You know, years ago,
187
00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,991
your father falsely accused me of adultery,
188
00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,714
exiled me, ruined my name.
189
00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:33,995
But he was emperor.
190
00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:36,759
Denying it would have cost me my life.
191
00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:43,071
I know what it is
to be the enemy of an emperor, Nero.
192
00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:47,311
I'm too old to be one again.
193
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,431
You'll never be my enemy.
194
00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:55,108
I respectfully ask to be permitted
to retire from your service.
195
00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:57,750
My counsel is clearly...
196
00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,952
No. I won't allow it.
197
00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:14,676
Very well.
198
00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,314
Then I must regretfully inform you
199
00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:22,511
that, due to illness,
I must spend more time in the country
200
00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:28,074
and will be unable to attend to you as in the past.
201
00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:34,478
The temples were sacrilege.
202
00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:36,757
You moaning old man.
203
00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:39,394
We all of us need the protection of the gods, Nero.
204
00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:41,238
Get out of my sight!
205
00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:43,559
I am emperor!
206
00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,634
I don't need protection from the gods.
207
00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:51,718
The gods need protection from me. Hear me?
208
00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:54,799
The gods need protection from me!
209
00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,870
We've been tutting behind our hands
about him for years.
210
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,993
Bitching, complaining, but not changing a thing.
211
00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:13,998
- And now the temples.
- It's an atrocity.
212
00:18:14,120 --> 00:18:19,956
We think that this deserves more than
just a few snide puns among ourselves.
213
00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:21,555
"We"?
214
00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:30,149
I think you'd better say clearly
what you mean, gentlemen.
215
00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:33,556
I mean, Nero must somehow be removed.
216
00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:40,598
You look lovely.
217
00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:42,392
Feeling any better?
218
00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:46,513
It's what I feel like.
Two hours of rancid sweat and bloodshed.
219
00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,672
Look at that.
220
00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,155
Rule like gods rule, eh?
221
00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:06,433
Like a god.
222
00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:11,075
The happier this lot,
the more irritated the Senate become.
223
00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:13,751
There must be some way.
224
00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:19,116
There is a way you might wish to consider.
225
00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,912
If there were enough men in the Senate
who felt as you do,
226
00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:27,191
what's to stop them voting to declare the emperor
227
00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:29,757
an enemy of the state?
228
00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:33,631
We'd need huge support.
229
00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:37,435
How can we know
if enough of the senators would back us?
230
00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:41,394
Cluvius.
231
00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:50,191
He is bankrupting Rome and destroying
everything it stands for in the process.
232
00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,312
Who would you put in his place? There's no one.
233
00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,552
He's a direct descendant from Augustus.
234
00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:58,910
Rome is his.
235
00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,076
It belonged to his ancestors
236
00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:04,351
and it'll belong to whatever
that woman's carrying in her womb.
237
00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,119
What you're proposing
is not just changing emperor,
238
00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,196
it's changing everything.
239
00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,833
Cluvius says the moderate Senate
would never support it,
240
00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:24,475
and even if they did,
there's no legitimate successor.
241
00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:27,239
Of course that's not absolutely true.
242
00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:32,592
Someone of noble birth,
from an old and respected family,
243
00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:36,508
- they could win the support of the Senate.
- An emperor outside the bloodline?
244
00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:38,312
"Respected family".
245
00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:44,874
Of course I would have to be convinced
it was right for Rome, before suggesting myself.
246
00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:49,238
- You'd be prepared to do that?
- Lf the situation is sufficiently bad.
247
00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:56,000
And providing, of course, you can find
a more direct method of removing Nero.
248
00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,432
- You mean to kill him?
- I mean no such thing.
249
00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:06,158
But if you feel there's no other option...
250
00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,073
It would require rather fewer supporters.
251
00:21:17,360 --> 00:21:21,638
Seneca, I believe Nero will not live much longer.
252
00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:23,709
Ah.
253
00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,715
In that event, it is felt that Piso
would be the best man to replace him
254
00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:31,070
and I have been sent to assess your support.
255
00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:34,556
- For Piso? Or for Nero's misfortune?
- Both.
256
00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,636
Our numbers are growing.
257
00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:41,594
So why do you need an old man like me?
258
00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:47,438
To give your plans
a spurious air of respectability? Hmm?
259
00:21:49,360 --> 00:21:52,477
I was expecting you, or someone like you.
260
00:21:53,360 --> 00:21:55,112
Will you support us?
261
00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:02,635
Nero has no right to ride roughshod
over everything Rome stands for.
262
00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:07,471
That's why I'm out here.
263
00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:11,956
And it's why I'll not tell him
about this conversation.
264
00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:16,476
But I'm not about to murder the man I love.
265
00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:20,275
Not for you, not for anyone.
266
00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,350
Nine months after the fire,
267
00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:34,712
the scale and true cost of the building programme
was becoming clear.
268
00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:38,868
Sooner or later, even the temple money
would run out.
269
00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:43,479
Then raise taxes.
270
00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:47,036
They have been raised.
- Well, double them!
271
00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:49,109
Spain,
272
00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,278
Gaul, Africa, Asia. We're not stopping now!
273
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,470
I am not going... What's that?
274
00:22:57,760 --> 00:23:01,150
It's nothing. It can be changed, Nero. It's nothing.
275
00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:04,879
- Nero, it's...
- It's not right, is it?
276
00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,036
- Calm down.
- It's not right. It's not...
277
00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:08,115
Stop it.
278
00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,357
- Listen to me.
- It's not enough. It's not enough!
279
00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:13,789
Stop it now! Stop it.
280
00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,239
- How about poison?
- We can't poison him.
281
00:23:38,360 --> 00:23:41,989
We can't poison him.
He has tasters to check his food.
282
00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:46,555
You need to find some way
to get close to him with a knife.
283
00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:49,877
- When he's without his guard.
- And without Tigellinus.
284
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,197
Come on, Piso. He trusts you.
If you were to invite him to dinner...
285
00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:58,110
I don't want "dinner at Piso's" to become
a euphemism for being stabbed to death.
286
00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:01,789
If I am to be emperor,
my household cannot be dishonoured.
287
00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,275
You can't make a man
kill someone in his own home.
288
00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:08,188
It should be on the public stage
for all to see, or what's the point?
289
00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:12,518
Tomorrow, at the chariot races, that's your chance.
290
00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:16,552
Who's going to do it?
291
00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:22,913
Let's say you're Nero. Sit there, Flavus.
292
00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:27,956
Natalis, grab his legs. So he can't move. That's it.
293
00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,150
And I'll stab him. Let me stab him.
294
00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,795
- Are you sure? It's not easy to kill a man.
- I'll just stab him. I can do it.
295
00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:38,072
You will not just stab him!
You must not take this lightly.
296
00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:39,792
If you don't kill him,
297
00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,150
you can be certain that Nero will not think twice
298
00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:43,793
about killing you, all of us.
299
00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,309
- Yeah, I know. I can do it. I'll be fine.
- He knows that.
300
00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:48,829
- I know what I'll use. Milichus!
- I'm not going to be there.
301
00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:50,552
I'm going to be with Piso at the barracks.
302
00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:53,399
Milichus!
- As soon as Nero is dead,
303
00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:56,671
we proclaim you emperor and invite their support.
304
00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,633
So what are you...
Milichus. I want you to go at once
305
00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:01,398
and get my Temple of Safety dagger.
306
00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,990
Clean it, sharpen it, really sharp,
and I want it with us at the races tomorrow.
307
00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:06,997
You hear me? Now go.
308
00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:09,830
I can do this. I can do it.
309
00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:40,628
Open up.
310
00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,918
Who is it? What do you want?
311
00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,508
My name is Milichus and I'm a slave.
312
00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:51,396
And if this door doesn't open,
the emperor will die!
313
00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:01,072
Sorry it's so late.
314
00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:05,435
I thought we should clear this up
while we have the chance.
315
00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:10,277
Well, if I can be of any help to either of you.
316
00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:14,590
You asked for a dagger to be sharpened
317
00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:19,840
in preparation for your visit
to tomorrow's games, so you could... do it.
318
00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:28,355
I'm sorry if Milichus has troubled you
with any of this.
319
00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:31,199
Are you planning to kill me?
320
00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:35,757
Wha... Kill you? I can't, um...
321
00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:39,597
The emperor
simply wanted to put his mind at rest.
322
00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:46,197
You give them a home...
323
00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:52,238
All I talked to Milichus about
was that I wanted the dagger polished.
324
00:26:52,360 --> 00:26:55,477
Well, it's a family heirloom and tonight at dinner,
325
00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:59,752
Natalis, who's always admired it,
said I'd been neglecting it.
326
00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:02,713
Well, it was his idea to have it polished.
327
00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:06,879
But taking it to the games is utterly ridiculous.
328
00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:10,593
What? Was I going to throw it at you?
329
00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:14,549
- Exactly.
I mean to say...
330
00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:16,272
I trust we can hold on to Milichus?
331
00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,153
Of course. Do what you like with him.
I'm just sorry he's caused so much...
332
00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,077
- No, don't apologise.
My men'll take you home.
333
00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:26,399
He says it was Natalis' idea to polish the dagger.
Ask him, ask Natalis.
334
00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:31,673
If his story matches that,
I'll save you the trouble of killing me.
335
00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:34,878
But it won't. Will it, master?
336
00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:45,391
Rufus, what's going on?
337
00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,114
I don't know. They said it was urgent.
338
00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:50,397
Keep close. Stay sharp.
339
00:27:57,120 --> 00:27:59,714
Thank you for joining us.
340
00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:07,111
Little problem you might be able to help with.
Flavus, you can wait outside.
341
00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:15,188
What problem? What's he been saying?
342
00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:23,109
Natalis was about to tell us
about Scaevinus' dagger.
343
00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:25,955
What?
344
00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:29,471
I don't know what you...
345
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:31,272
I don't know anything
about a dagger.
346
00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:32,555
Oh, no.
347
00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:07,311
It's nicely salted. Now you have my word
that you will eat your own eyeball
348
00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:09,908
if you do not
tell me who's trying to kill the emperor.
349
00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:13,430
Please, please. It was Gallus.
350
00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,992
- And Pollio was with us.
Keep going.
351
00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:18,951
Who else?
Acilia.
352
00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:21,958
Please, please. That's it, I swear. That's everyone.
353
00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:23,195
Rufus?
354
00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:26,389
Rufus, your turn. Get him to talk.
355
00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:35,511
You traitor! You traitor, Rufus. He's with us.
356
00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,355
- Rufus is one of us!
- Flavus!
357
00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:47,869
It was an honour working with you.
358
00:29:50,320 --> 00:29:52,390
Who else? Who led the plot?
359
00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:56,229
Please, please. Please. All right.
It was... It was Piso.
360
00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:01,309
Piso?
361
00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:03,237
He was to be emperor.
362
00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:08,072
Why would they want to kill me?
363
00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:11,317
Because you're mad! Don't you see that?
364
00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:16,230
What you're doing to Rome?
You're killing Rome! You're killing it!
365
00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:21,388
- Who else?
- Everybody! There were dozens of us.
366
00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:23,553
Dozens!
367
00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:26,877
Names.
- Piso, Scaevinus, Rufus...
368
00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:28,228
- I want them all to die.
- Flavus...
369
00:30:28,360 --> 00:30:31,989
I want them all to die. I want them all to die!
370
00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:39,474
Senecio,
371
00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:43,635
Quintus Silvanus, Statius Proximus,
372
00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,989
Cornelius Martialis, Pompeius, Flavius Nepos,
373
00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:51,639
Statius Domitius...
374
00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:59,115
The wave of assassination
that Nero unleashed
375
00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:01,913
was unlike anything Rome had ever seen.
376
00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:07,956
In one move,
all political opposition was wiped out.
377
00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:12,196
There were no trials and no excuses.
378
00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:16,877
There's just one more.
379
00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:19,594
One more.
380
00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:23,389
Seneca.
381
00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:28,956
Your trusted Seneca.
382
00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:38,879
So here it is.
383
00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:40,834
My end.
384
00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:07,754
He's dead.
385
00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:13,519
They're all dead. What now?
386
00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:16,713
Now I perform.
387
00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:21,314
In public.
388
00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:25,514
In Rome.
389
00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:38,277
Now, without anyone to restrain him,
390
00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:42,871
Nero set about presenting to the people
his vision of an artistic empire.
391
00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:48,835
He announced the biggest arts festival
in Roman history.
392
00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:52,748
And he, the emperor, would top the bill.
393
00:32:55,880 --> 00:32:57,757
You'll be sensational.
394
00:32:57,880 --> 00:33:01,316
The senators must vote fairly.
People need to know that this isn't fixed.
395
00:33:01,560 --> 00:33:03,755
I'm an artist. A true artist.
396
00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:07,514
Remember, no coughing, no stopping.
397
00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,840
Don't touch your mask, hold your sceptre firmly.
398
00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:15,918
- That's better.
- Are you listening to me?
399
00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:18,031
Yes. Don't interrupt the performance.
400
00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:22,073
Fine slender branch that mustn't break.
401
00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:24,438
Fine slender branch.
402
00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:33,117
This is it.
This is it, this is it, this is it, this is it.
403
00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:37,756
Art is divine. I am divine.
Art is divine. It must be perfect.
404
00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:40,155
- I must be perfect.
- You will be.
405
00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:43,313
Tonight the world will gain a great artist.
406
00:33:57,880 --> 00:34:00,155
It's hard to imagine
a modern equivalent,
407
00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:04,478
but the outrage felt by aristocratic Romans
to an emperor performing
408
00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:07,108
is similar to what would be felt today
409
00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:10,630
if Queen Elizabeth II became a pole dancer.
410
00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:13,315
Lo,
411
00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:18,637
does my heart not beat your blood, father?
412
00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:28,552
Am I not you, my father?
413
00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:30,194
And yet,
414
00:34:31,560 --> 00:34:36,350
as your blood dried on my hands,
415
00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:40,876
did I not grow stronger?
416
00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:46,079
Why did I smile and murder you?
417
00:34:47,320 --> 00:34:51,552
Oh, I felled my family tree that day,
418
00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:55,635
leaking my own sap into the earth.
419
00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:57,433
I did not...
420
00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,318
Leaking my own sap into the earth.
421
00:35:04,840 --> 00:35:07,479
I did not know.
422
00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:10,512
Oh, cruel ignorance. I did not know...
423
00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:12,676
What do you think?
424
00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:15,868
What does it matter what I think?
425
00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:21,156
He is the emperor and this is his life in a nutshell.
426
00:35:21,560 --> 00:35:23,551
He can do what he wants,
427
00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:27,593
and we must simply applaud.
428
00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:29,629
Father!
429
00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:32,068
Mother!
430
00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:33,909
Wife!
431
00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:38,999
Goad me to my death.
432
00:35:55,360 --> 00:35:57,351
Come here.
433
00:35:57,480 --> 00:35:58,833
Look at you.
434
00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:00,674
Ooh.
435
00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:04,270
Oh, this is the start. Our new start, Nero.
436
00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:08,757
- I won fairly. They voted fairly, didn't they?
- Of course they did. You deserved to win.
437
00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:13,715
- It had to be perfect. Was I perfect, Poppaea?
- Oh, I'm so proud. Rome is proud.
438
00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,438
This is how I can lead them all, Poppaea.
439
00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:23,836
Transform Rome by example.
440
00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:28,073
Art is divine. I am divine.
441
00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:31,556
- Was I perfect, Poppaea?
- Oh, you were perfect. They saw that.
442
00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:34,956
Even when you dropped the sceptre
and paused, it was so quick.
443
00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:38,994
- I saw people moved to tears.
- What did you say?
444
00:36:39,120 --> 00:36:40,758
About the sceptre?
445
00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:42,029
What?
446
00:36:43,240 --> 00:36:45,356
What did you just say to me?
447
00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:50,349
Nero,
448
00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:53,790
you were everything you wanted to be.
449
00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:55,478
It was perfect.
450
00:36:56,600 --> 00:36:57,999
Come and lie down.
451
00:36:58,120 --> 00:37:01,078
- You can all leave now, thank you.
- No, they're staying.
452
00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:02,553
You said...
453
00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:06,636
I made a fool of myself.
454
00:37:08,960 --> 00:37:10,552
No, I...
455
00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:13,790
I said you were perfect.
456
00:37:25,160 --> 00:37:27,276
- Nobody noticed.
- Shut up.
457
00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:30,756
Nero, you won. You... You did enough.
You did enough.
458
00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:32,108
Shut up!
459
00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:34,077
Don't you ever hit me!
460
00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:52,909
Was perfect? It's not enough!
461
00:37:53,920 --> 00:37:55,717
Not enough!
462
00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:09,429
She...
463
00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:13,796
She said I dropped my...
464
00:39:12,720 --> 00:39:14,358
What have I done?
465
00:39:18,560 --> 00:39:19,879
Nothing.
466
00:39:35,720 --> 00:39:40,236
Poppaea's death coincided
with a worsening of the financial crisis.
467
00:39:44,840 --> 00:39:47,877
The building programme was bankrupting Rome.
468
00:39:49,080 --> 00:39:52,117
Nero's dream was floundering.
469
00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:10,912
Nothing is finished!
470
00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:13,954
Nothing!
471
00:40:19,880 --> 00:40:21,836
Whole districts...
472
00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:25,913
still in ruins.
473
00:40:37,800 --> 00:40:39,677
Take your eyes off her.
474
00:40:42,720 --> 00:40:45,154
I've given everything I have.
475
00:40:47,720 --> 00:40:50,837
Take your eyes off her if you can't say the same.
476
00:40:51,720 --> 00:40:53,278
Do it!
477
00:40:56,680 --> 00:41:00,116
And don't any of you dare say there's no money.
478
00:41:01,160 --> 00:41:04,277
Don't you dare!
479
00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:18,550
You, pearl fisher,
480
00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,716
I need money.
481
00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:22,034
Find it.
482
00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:27,271
Building does not stop.
483
00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:36,671
With the empire
sliding towards financial ruin,
484
00:41:36,800 --> 00:41:40,475
Nero and a massive entourage left Rome,
485
00:41:40,600 --> 00:41:45,435
for an extended tour
of public performance and private debauchery.
486
00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:17,757
That slave, Sporus.
487
00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:20,792
Remind you of anyone?
488
00:42:21,600 --> 00:42:22,635
Sir?
489
00:42:23,720 --> 00:42:27,713
I first saw him the day Poppaea... left me.
490
00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:35,274
She always said her beauty would outlive her.
491
00:42:37,720 --> 00:42:40,837
Sir, you want to complete the building programme.
492
00:42:40,960 --> 00:42:44,839
Money is desperate,
but I think I've found a source of more.
493
00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:50,716
You create a law which makes everyone
leave a portion of their wealth to you in their wills.
494
00:42:50,840 --> 00:42:52,751
Even the very rich.
495
00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:57,112
If they want their families
to enjoy your protection after they die,
496
00:42:57,240 --> 00:43:00,277
they must leave a tenth of their estate to you.
497
00:43:01,360 --> 00:43:03,316
And if they don't die?
498
00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:07,797
I'm talking about everyone in the empire.
In time, you'll make a fortune.
499
00:43:08,480 --> 00:43:11,153
I can't wait that long. Why should I?
500
00:43:11,280 --> 00:43:15,671
- I don't think you'll have to wait...
- No more waiting. Rome needs this.
501
00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:19,273
Prepare a...
502
00:43:21,240 --> 00:43:26,075
A list of the richest men. Landowners, noblemen...
503
00:43:26,200 --> 00:43:29,078
Make them leave everything they have to me.
504
00:43:29,760 --> 00:43:33,639
Sir, you're talking about
the most powerful men in the world.
505
00:43:33,760 --> 00:43:35,671
- It's not enough.
- These people...
506
00:43:35,800 --> 00:43:37,916
It's not enough!
507
00:43:38,040 --> 00:43:41,191
Find them, change their wills.
508
00:43:42,880 --> 00:43:45,189
And make them die, Tigellinus.
509
00:43:46,320 --> 00:43:49,278
Make them die... now.
510
00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:59,952
Nero now had power
that few men in history have ever equalled.
511
00:44:05,080 --> 00:44:07,435
There was no one to control him.
512
00:44:07,680 --> 00:44:12,435
He had no enemies, no friends, no wise advisers.
513
00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:16,477
Nero had become capable of anything.
514
00:44:19,280 --> 00:44:23,432
Across the empire, wealthy aristocrats
were offered a simple choice.
515
00:44:26,840 --> 00:44:30,276
Give their lives
and leave their money to the emperor,
516
00:44:30,400 --> 00:44:33,198
or else see their families wiped out.
517
00:44:34,520 --> 00:44:38,638
Everything in the known world
was Nero's for the taking.
518
00:44:40,080 --> 00:44:42,150
Make him...
519
00:44:43,720 --> 00:44:45,073
a woman.
520
00:44:45,200 --> 00:44:47,236
No, please. No, please!
521
00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:51,549
No!
522
00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:54,119
No, please!
523
00:45:09,840 --> 00:45:11,239
No!
524
00:46:10,560 --> 00:46:11,879
My Poppaea.
525
00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:21,279
The suicide campaign was unprecedented.
526
00:46:21,880 --> 00:46:23,950
But so was the response.
527
00:46:24,080 --> 00:46:27,993
In 67 AD, a letter was delivered to every senator,
528
00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:31,510
that called for something
nobody had ever done before.
529
00:46:32,920 --> 00:46:34,194
Rebellion.
530
00:46:41,840 --> 00:46:45,719
And the sun stopped his mouth.
531
00:46:50,000 --> 00:46:51,035
Sir.
532
00:46:53,760 --> 00:46:57,230
- Four more suicides in Germania.
- Sir, we need to talk.
533
00:46:57,360 --> 00:46:59,271
Six in Africa.
534
00:46:59,400 --> 00:47:02,153
And between them,
they owned half our territory there.
535
00:47:02,280 --> 00:47:05,192
- Sir.
- You're a genius.
536
00:47:06,040 --> 00:47:10,033
Sir, the governors of Gaul and Spain
are rebelling against you.
537
00:47:10,160 --> 00:47:14,790
They've written to all the senators,
claiming to have 100,000 men behind them.
538
00:47:16,920 --> 00:47:20,196
I'd rather have them in front of me.
539
00:47:20,640 --> 00:47:21,959
Poppaea.
Sir?
540
00:47:22,080 --> 00:47:23,672
Isn't she wonderful?
541
00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:32,316
Sir. This is a genuine threat.
542
00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:35,432
- You must see that.
- We've had rebellions before.
543
00:47:35,560 --> 00:47:38,791
Not like this.
These aren't barbarians wanting their freedom.
544
00:47:38,920 --> 00:47:42,071
These are Romans, aristocrats.
545
00:47:42,200 --> 00:47:46,557
They don't want to get rid of the empire...
They want to get rid of you.
546
00:47:47,760 --> 00:47:51,196
You must tell the Senate
what you plan to do about it.
547
00:47:51,520 --> 00:47:53,431
You need to be in Rome.
548
00:47:58,560 --> 00:48:01,074
Nero returned to address the Senate,
549
00:48:01,200 --> 00:48:04,795
through territories slipping into poverty
and starvation.
550
00:48:04,920 --> 00:48:06,273
More and more provinces,
551
00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:11,520
Gaul, Spain, Africa, Germania,
were Joining the rebellion.
552
00:48:12,680 --> 00:48:17,470
Rome was now the greatest city
the world had ever seen.
553
00:48:20,760 --> 00:48:24,799
But Nero's dream
had sucked the wealth out of the empire.
554
00:48:27,680 --> 00:48:31,036
Behind the facade, it was collapsing.
555
00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:33,672
This is magnificent!
556
00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:36,953
And it's yours!
557
00:48:38,240 --> 00:48:39,593
It's yours!
558
00:48:40,400 --> 00:48:42,595
All this is yours.
559
00:48:46,560 --> 00:48:48,437
Rome is beauty.
560
00:48:50,600 --> 00:48:52,272
In all your lives.
561
00:48:55,360 --> 00:48:57,112
In all your lives...
562
00:49:05,880 --> 00:49:11,910
It's all your God-given gift from a god.
563
00:49:14,040 --> 00:49:15,712
Rome is beauty.
564
00:49:33,200 --> 00:49:34,519
Boo!
565
00:49:38,760 --> 00:49:40,113
Look at you.
566
00:49:41,960 --> 00:49:43,439
It's pathetic.
567
00:49:46,360 --> 00:49:49,989
You will be aware of the considerable unrest in...
568
00:49:50,840 --> 00:49:54,310
Well, in a great many parts of your empire.
569
00:49:54,880 --> 00:49:57,474
Perhaps you can share your intentions?
570
00:49:59,360 --> 00:50:02,432
Intentions, intentions, intentions.
571
00:50:03,880 --> 00:50:06,519
Intentions, he mentions intentions.
572
00:50:10,400 --> 00:50:12,675
My beloved Seneca once told me
573
00:50:14,040 --> 00:50:16,600
that an emperor must rule his empire
574
00:50:18,120 --> 00:50:20,270
as the gods rule the world.
575
00:50:22,560 --> 00:50:25,313
That is my intention.
576
00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:29,152
In three days,
577
00:50:29,280 --> 00:50:33,353
I will set out for Gaul myself
and confront our enemies.
578
00:50:33,480 --> 00:50:36,199
They will learn the error of their ways.
579
00:50:39,640 --> 00:50:44,191
This will be a defining moment
in Rome's new history.
580
00:50:44,640 --> 00:50:48,269
A revolution in the way
Rome conducts its campaigns.
581
00:50:48,760 --> 00:50:52,275
I will quash my deluded enemy,
not with the sword,
582
00:50:53,520 --> 00:50:54,919
but with art.
583
00:50:55,960 --> 00:50:57,188
My art.
584
00:50:58,280 --> 00:51:00,840
I intend to sing to them.
585
00:51:03,320 --> 00:51:04,435
First,
586
00:51:05,840 --> 00:51:08,035
I'll stand on the battlefield
587
00:51:08,960 --> 00:51:11,235
and let their gaze fall upon me.
588
00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:12,874
And then,
589
00:51:13,920 --> 00:51:18,675
I will simply... weep.
590
00:51:21,440 --> 00:51:24,512
And on seeing how deeply they hurt me,
591
00:51:25,400 --> 00:51:26,879
they will weep.
592
00:51:27,880 --> 00:51:31,759
And in the morning, I will stand before them again
593
00:51:33,520 --> 00:51:35,351
and I will sing.
594
00:51:38,520 --> 00:51:39,953
And my voice
595
00:51:41,480 --> 00:51:43,550
will reach inside them,
596
00:51:46,040 --> 00:51:48,554
take hold of their hearts
597
00:51:51,160 --> 00:51:54,630
and... Actually I should get home
and work on the song.
598
00:51:56,040 --> 00:51:57,234
At once.
599
00:51:58,040 --> 00:51:59,268
At once.
600
00:52:13,880 --> 00:52:17,998
Nero now assembled
the most bizarre army in history.
601
00:52:19,040 --> 00:52:23,989
Hundreds of prostitutes would travel
to perform to the enemy, alongside the emperor.
602
00:52:24,760 --> 00:52:27,149
Their hair cut short like Amazons.
603
00:52:40,920 --> 00:52:44,230
You're taking a big risk
asking me here.
604
00:52:44,360 --> 00:52:46,669
Don't threaten me, boy.
605
00:52:47,760 --> 00:52:51,116
There are bigger things at stake than my life.
606
00:52:53,720 --> 00:52:55,597
Nero has lost his mind.
607
00:52:57,440 --> 00:53:00,352
There's no successor. He has no heir.
608
00:53:00,480 --> 00:53:02,038
Anything is better than this.
609
00:53:04,200 --> 00:53:09,354
I have served the divine bloodline all my life,
and I'm not alone.
610
00:53:10,240 --> 00:53:13,118
But if I remain loyal and do nothing,
611
00:53:13,240 --> 00:53:16,152
this rebellion will tear the empire apart.
612
00:53:18,320 --> 00:53:20,117
So we have no choice.
613
00:53:22,120 --> 00:53:25,999
We must sever the bloodline
that has ruled us for generations,
614
00:53:26,120 --> 00:53:28,873
and rebuild the way we govern
615
00:53:29,000 --> 00:53:33,278
what is supposed to be the civilised world.
616
00:53:35,040 --> 00:53:39,079
Our Senate wishes to vote to declare Nero
617
00:53:39,200 --> 00:53:41,839
an official enemy of the state.
618
00:53:43,000 --> 00:53:44,991
But they're frightened...
619
00:53:47,080 --> 00:53:48,229
Of you.
620
00:53:50,240 --> 00:53:54,392
So tell me, does the son
of a bankrupt Sicilian merchant
621
00:53:54,520 --> 00:53:57,239
wish to be an enemy of the next emperor,
622
00:53:58,280 --> 00:53:59,679
or a friend?
623
00:54:00,520 --> 00:54:03,990
There was a time when nobody would have dared
ask me a question like that.
624
00:54:04,120 --> 00:54:07,237
There was a time when it wasn't worth the risk.
625
00:54:13,120 --> 00:54:14,678
Times change.
626
00:54:24,560 --> 00:54:29,714
Free from the threat to their own lives,
the Senate used the only weapon it had left.
627
00:54:30,400 --> 00:54:32,914
The man who'd dreamed of being a god
628
00:54:33,040 --> 00:54:35,474
was now an enemy of the state,
629
00:54:35,960 --> 00:54:37,757
condemned to death.
630
00:54:45,080 --> 00:54:48,914
My lord, you need to come.
Your guards are leaving the palace.
631
00:54:49,040 --> 00:54:50,712
Poppaea. Poppaea.
632
00:54:54,720 --> 00:54:56,438
Tigellinus.
633
00:54:58,800 --> 00:55:00,119
Tigellinus?
634
00:55:04,600 --> 00:55:06,033
We're friends.
635
00:55:10,240 --> 00:55:11,832
I'm the emperor.
636
00:55:13,920 --> 00:55:15,876
I'm the rightful emperor.
637
00:55:19,600 --> 00:55:23,593
It's not... enough.
638
00:55:27,720 --> 00:55:29,119
Come on!
639
00:55:31,960 --> 00:55:35,509
It was now the duty
of all citizens across the empire
640
00:55:35,640 --> 00:55:39,030
to kill their emperor, or assist others to do so.
641
00:55:40,040 --> 00:55:42,679
Nero had nowhere to hide.
642
00:55:56,520 --> 00:55:58,556
I'll need you to help me.
643
00:55:58,680 --> 00:56:01,148
Don't, Poppaea. Nothing will happen.
644
00:56:06,600 --> 00:56:08,591
They didn't make me a god.
645
00:56:08,960 --> 00:56:11,394
But I am one, you know. I am a god.
646
00:56:12,360 --> 00:56:13,679
I must be.
647
00:56:14,640 --> 00:56:15,914
I must be.
648
00:56:17,160 --> 00:56:21,312
I steal and destroy
649
00:56:21,440 --> 00:56:23,192
and nothing happens.
650
00:56:25,640 --> 00:56:27,312
I kill people.
651
00:56:30,560 --> 00:56:32,596
I killed people.
652
00:56:37,800 --> 00:56:39,233
I killed her.
653
00:56:41,720 --> 00:56:43,551
Oh, please.
654
00:56:48,680 --> 00:56:50,079
I killed her.
655
00:56:56,600 --> 00:56:59,353
And nothing happened. How can that be?
656
00:57:00,640 --> 00:57:03,950
If I'm not a god, how can that be?
657
00:57:11,440 --> 00:57:13,112
This can't be real.
658
00:57:16,840 --> 00:57:18,876
Whatever they think of me,
659
00:57:20,760 --> 00:57:23,194
the world is losing a great artist.
660
00:57:28,360 --> 00:57:32,876
Poppaea, you can cry now.
661
00:57:47,720 --> 00:57:50,188
Nero's death brought to an end
662
00:57:50,320 --> 00:57:54,438
the dynasty that had ruled
since the age of the emperors had begun.
663
00:57:55,920 --> 00:57:58,480
What followed was a bloody civil war,
664
00:57:58,600 --> 00:58:01,319
a war that Tigellinus would not survive.
665
00:58:01,440 --> 00:58:04,750
Rome had finally come to realise
that choosing its rulers
666
00:58:04,880 --> 00:58:09,635
solely from a narrow group of aristocrats
was no way to run an empire.
667
00:58:10,520 --> 00:58:12,715
The man who eventually won the throne
668
00:58:12,840 --> 00:58:16,355
owed his position to merit, rather than birth.
669
00:58:21,280 --> 00:58:23,669
Next on Ancient Rome...
670
00:58:24,120 --> 00:58:27,954
Freedom fighters, battles and betrayal.
671
00:58:30,400 --> 00:58:34,313
As Nero fell,
Rome faced the biggest rebellion in its history.
672
00:58:36,560 --> 00:58:40,553
This is the story of how a father-and-son team
rose from disgrace
673
00:58:41,400 --> 00:58:42,913
to put it down.
52112
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.