All language subtitles for Roman Empire Reign of Blood - 1x03 - Enemy of the Senate.WebRip.en

After the death of his father,

Marcus Aurelius...

Commodus has ended the war in Germania

and has returned home to
take his father's place

as Emperor of the Roman Empire.

People of Rome...

all hail your Emperor!

Marcus Aurelius Commodus
Antonius Augustus!

But while the people
celebrate the new ruler,

not all are content to
see Commodus rise to power.

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White? Or red?

You decide.

As the daughter of Marcus Aurelius,

Lucilla has been prepared
for a life of influence.

But as her brother takes the throne,

she begins to manipulate
members of the senate...

looking for ways to regain her power.

Such a strong man....

I wonder if you will show the
same strength in the Senate...

with my brother.

The Senate isn't worried about
Commodus and neither should you be.

That doesn't sound like much of a plan.

The Emperor's inexperience
is the only plan we need.

He's a boy out of his depth. A boy...

who will do anything we wish.

Such confidence.

But I wonder...

who will do as I wish?

It's hard to figure out what's going on

in the head of Lucilla.

Oddly enough,

she seems to have thought...

that, as Commodus's elder sister,

that she had a better claim
on the throne than Commodus.

And so Lucilla put together

a very high-level
conspiracy against him.

As Lucilla begins to
plot against her brother,

the responsibility of the throne
starts to weigh on the new Emperor.

Do not be so hard on yourself.

No man can please all men.

My father could.

You are not your father.

You're Commodus.

And we have to imagine

the pressures that that would
have placed upon a young Commodus.

That he would have to
have earned this position.

He had to become the best Roman.

He had to prove himself to
be the best man for the job.

He had to fulfill

this immense ideological burden

that the emperor had to bear

in order to operate, in order to make
sure everything functioned correctly.

The crowning of an emperor
marks a new era for Rome,

and Commodus believes that to
carry on his father's legacy

and make a mark of his own...

he'll need to gain the
support of the Empire...

starting with the military.

When an emperor arrived on the throne,

he gave the entire army a gift.

Sometimes very small,

sometimes equal to a
significant percentage

of an entire year's pay.

It was announced that what he was doing
was thanking them for their loyalty.

And, of course, at some level

what he was doing was actually
purchasing that loyalty going forward.

For centuries,

emperors have given gifts to their
soldiers returning from war...

in the form of money, slaves...

and land from conquered regions
in an effort to keep their support.

For Commodus,

winning the favor of the military

is the first step in securing
the support of the Empire.

But before he can give
the military its payment,

he knows he'll have to convince
the Senate to back his plan.

For the first time in generations,

we are at peace.

So I think those who lay their
lives on the line for Rome

deserve far more than
simply our gratitude.

Thank you.

Emperor...

- I could not agree more.
- An excellent idea.

It's the right thing to do, and
precisely the right time to do it.

Your support means a lot to me.

Emperor, please.

The legions have spent eight
years of their lives in Germania.

We, Rome,

owe them an enormous debt.

A gift of rich, fertile
lands upon which to settle

seems like the least the Empire can do.

Exactly. Which is why I proposed...

May I ask which areas
you are considering?

Etruria? Campania? Sardinia?

Perhaps Macedonia?

An excellent question, Senator.

And to be honest, I haven't had
the time to get into specifics.

And why would you?

You have far more pressing
concerns to attend to.

If I may, Emperor,

offer the Senate's
assistance in this matter?

You have just made your
triumphant return home.

The process of assessing and allocating

the most desirable plots of land

in our vast empire...

this takes time.

Time better spent reacquainting
yourself with Rome and...

introducing yourself to your subjects.

That's a very generous offer, Senator.

Please. Your father was a
great friend to the Senate.

If it is within our power to make
your transition to the throne smoother,

it would be an honor.

I gratefully accept your offer, Senator.

This seems like something
that can only benefit

from the Senate's expertise.

Exactly. We deal with this
sort of thing every day.

Why...

bother yourself with
mundane administrative tasks?

There will be much more of that
in the months and years to come.

Fine then.

Keep me informed of any developments.

Absolutely. You'll be the first to know.

Your doubts were unfounded, Senator Dio.

- The Emperor is a boy.
- But he is still the Emperor.

Against the advice of the Senate,

Commodus ended the war
against the Germanic tribes,

losing favor among some of Rome's
most influential citizens...

including a senator named Quintianus.

With Lucilla's backing,

the senator begins to lay the
groundwork for his first play...

believing he can
undermine the Emperor...

if the Senate takes
credit for the gifts.

Senators,

part of that aristocratic
elite, could actually be a threat

in certain circumstances to the Emperor.

They had a bit more
autonomy, a bit more wealth,

and the familial background
that some of them could compete

in certain contexts with imperial
power if the situation was just right.

So they were not always
trustworthy in that sense.

Emperor...

Saoterus and Cleander
are here to see you.

- Emperor...
- What is it?

This.

"The Senate hereby announces
a gift to the brave legions..."

The Senate?

Where did this come from?

It was posted in the forum.

This was my gift.

My name is nowhere on here.

They offer their assistance,

and then they do this?

Now my soldiers think their Emperor
places no value on their service.

That only the Senate honors them.

I have to do something.

I'll tell you what you do.

Let the streets run
red with their blood.

Just tell me which ones,
and I will see to it myself.

If we kill them...

Emperor.

Punishing the Senate
by spilling their blood

would send a strong message,

but the streets would be in turmoil.

So soon after you have
brought peace to the Empire.

- It's the last thing the people want.
- Who cares what the people want?

I do.

- Emperor, I did not mean to say...
- You're angry.

We all are.

Saoterus is right.

We must settle this another way.

- We must...
- We must stab them back,

but not to draw blood.

For what do Senators love
more than life itself?

Money.

Then that's where you stick the knife.

Good.

Good. Come back in the morning.

For Commodus,

the Senate's betrayal is a
decisive move against his reign.

And he knows to maintain his authority,

he'll need to devise a counterattack.

Essential for understanding
Roman social relations

is the whole idea of patron and client.

So it was very, very
important, in the case

of these donatives to Roman soldiers,

where was the source
they were coming from?

Was it coming from the Emperor or
was it coming from the Senate itself?

Finally, Gentlemen...

I would just like to thank
you for the assistance you gave

in arranging my gift to the soldiers.

Should you need anything else?

I've been told that the lands you chose
are some of the finest in the Empire.

My soldiers are extremely grateful.

That means everything to us.

I've been thinking...

they're not the only
ones who sacrificed.

Emperor.

Compared to the brave legions,
our sacrifices have been minimal.

I was actually speaking
about the people.

Well, what I meant was...

Is that this goes without saying.

The people made great sacrifices

and offered steadfast
support throughout the war.

Exactly.

So I was thinking one
way I could thank them...

is to stage a day of games.

Games.

Yes.

On the first Saturday of next month.

A massive day of gladiator games...

ushering in a new era
of peace in the Empire.

Emperor...

please do not mistake our
reticence to imply disagreement.

The people deserve a day of games

and much more, without question.

But if I may speak freely...

Of course.

Imperial games at the Coliseum,

even for a single day,
are a costly undertaking.

And after eight years of war,

the treasury has been
stretched to the limit.

I understand.

Money would surely have to
be raised through taxation.

And, well...

to tax the people for the very
games you are staging for them?

- Well, it would be...
- Unacceptable.

If I may speak freely.

You're right, Dio.

The people shouldn't be taxed.

And they won't be.

I will see to it that
these games are paid for.

Now, if you will excuse me.

Commodus has launched a
strike against the Senate,

demanding an even larger
gift for his people...

a day of games.

First staged as part of funeral
rites for the elite class,

gladiator games have become a popular
spectator sport of the Roman people.

Featuring violent fights...

and public executions...

used by emperors to gain support.

People would be put to death.

Then you had wild beast shows.

You had exotic animals
released into the arena,

maybe set against one another.

And then as the climax, you
had a gladiatorial combat,

and there was the feeling that
gladiators were the headline act.

By staging an elaborate
day of gladiator games,

Commodus believes he has a way
to win over the Roman people...

while undercutting the Senate.

Well, that sounds fine.

- If you need to discuss it further...
- Dio. Did you hear?

No...

Judging from your state of agitation...

He deceived us.

- He?
- The Emperor.

What exactly did the Emperor do?

He is taxing us, Senator.

For the full cost of the games.

I see.

What is so amusing about that?

"I will see to it that
these games are paid for!"

And it would seem he is doing just that.

Paid for, by us.

And you are just going to stand there?

If his father were alive
to see this disrespect...

I will give the Emperor his due.

Going forward, I think it
would be wise that we all did.

By forcing the Senate
to pay for his games,

Commodus has secured his revenge.

But Quintianus refuses to admit defeat.

To the Senate.

I'll drink to that.

Well, this is just the first step.

We need to show the Senate that
if they cross Commodus again...

We already showed them that.

And you think that's enough?

I do.

And you think they won't respond?

Who cares if they respond?

They're not who you
should be focusing on.

Emperor, with all due respect, I...

Let him finish.

You came back to Rome for a reason,

not to play games with the Senate.

They'll never give you your due.

But the people.

What did they do when
you announced your games?

They were chanting my
name in the streets.

Giving their thanks to their Emperor.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

And doesn't that show you exactly

where your attention should be?

Drink.

Tonight we celebrate.

Commodus has outwitted the Senate...

and guaranteed the funding of his games.

But to win over the people,

he's convinced he has to do
more than stage a spectacle.

Soon after taking the throne,

Commodus launches a
massive P.R. campaign

commissioning dozens
of statues in his image,

and minting thousands of
coins with his profile.

Commodus made sure that
he maintained the support

of the Roman people.

Coins are a great way for
Emperors to advertise their reign.

It's a way that they can show
themselves as they want to be seen.

People of Rome, thank you!

And may the Gods be with you!

Commodus was very
interested in popular appeal,

and so many of his programs,

such as the donation
of monies to the people

were aimed around
garnering popular support.

These were moves that
Roman Emperors made

to really bask in the
glow of popular acclaim.

As the Emperor's popularity
continues to grow,

Lucilla realizes the time has
come to put her plan in motion.

And with her connections
in the Senate in place,

she makes her next move
to dethrone her brother.

Lucilla resented

what is essentially a
form of honorific demotion.

And this resentment
seemed to have worked with

the other resentments among the
leading senators and aristocrats,

who also felt that Commodus

had started to infringe
upon their dignity and honor.

So what Lucilla may actually represent

is the sentiments of the
traditional aristocracy.

And their willingness to move
against a sitting emperor.

Lucilla, this is your brother.

Yes, I'm well aware of
his relationship to me.

He's the Emperor of Rome.

Only for as long as he lives.

It sounds as though
something happened tonight.

Nothing happened tonight. This
is about a lifetime of disrespect.

You're upset. Sit down.

I do not need to sit down.

- Have a drink of wine.
- I do not need wine.

I need him dead.

And I need a drink.

You need a backbone.

You know, if the Emperor
were to die tonight,

I would not shed a tear.

But to murder...

- There are other ways...
- It is the only way.

You have underestimated him
already, and he only grows stronger.

Are you so blind you cannot see that?

You are letting your hatred blind you.

Senator, my hatred gives me clarity.

But tell me,

what does your cowardice do for you?

While the Senator is reluctant to act,

Lucilla's anger continues to grow...

knowing she'll have to follow
through with her plan...

with or without Quintianus.

After announcing his day of games,

Commodus takes his
campaign for the people...

a step further.

Saoterus, my brother.

You called for me?

What is this?

Open it.

Commodus has given Saoterus one
of the highest honors in Rome...

known as the signet ring.

Commodus...

You deserve this and more.

The signet ring was used to seal...

letters, orders, et cetera in wax.

It was about as close a
guarantee as you could get,

given the technology at the time,

that an item in question was
emanating from the Emperor.

Thank you, brother.

In giving the ring to
his most trusted friend,

Commodus has named Saoterus
his closest advisor.

And as one of the few men he can trust,

Commodus believes Saoterus will
appeal to the common people.

Commodus, once he takes power,
is keen to become his own man,

is keen to break away from
this group that he sees as being

loyal to his father,

always comparing him
negatively with his father.

And instead, he looks
to appoint his own men.

People who are freed men, former slaves,

who are from the lower ranks of society.

Gentlemen...

my apologies for keeping you waiting.

The Emperor had some business

he wished to discuss
with me before I departed.

The Emperor is not joining us?

He has sent me in his stead.

In his stead?

He has named me Chief Aide.

I am to act as his proxy in all
matters pertaining to this body.

It's all here in writing.
With the Emperor's,

and my, official seal.

Well, this is... this is...

This is a momentous occasion, Saoterus.

Give the Emperor our warmest regards

and let him know that we look
forward to meeting with him,

- should the need arise.
- Of course.

And now with that bit of
business out of the way,

let me share this
document with your scribe.

This is a disgrace to Rome,

yet you stand and smile at the
freedman who now rules over you.

I merely welcomed the man who
is here at the Emperor's request.

The whim of the Emperor.

- A man not fit to rule.
- But, in fact, he does rule.

For now.

Until something is done.

What, may I ask you, could be done?

Gentlemen...

- shall we begin?
- Absolutely.

Gentlemen, the Senate is in session.

Commodus had difficulty

in his relationships
with the Roman Senate,

partially because he
chose as his advisors

people who had originally
been slaves in his court.

The Senate was not included

in his inner circle.

And this was perhaps
the most dangerous choice

that Commodus made during his reign.

For Quintianus,

Commodus has dealt the
ultimate insult to the Senate.

And he realizes the only
way to settle the conflict...

is to put an end to the Emperor's reign.

Oh by the Gods, I wish
you'd been there...

just to see the look
on Quintianus's face.

The son of a freedman
walking into the Senate,

commanding their attention.

Oh, brother.

Senator Quintianus, this
is an unexpected visit.

- I had to see you.
- And uninvited.

It couldn't wait.

Apparently not.

But I happen to have been asleep,
and having a very pleasant dream.

Commodus must die.

My goodness.

What on Earth did my
little brother do to you?

He has no honor.

Only contempt for everything the
Rome you and I know stands for.

To name a freedman to
rule over the Senate!

As resentment against her brother

grows in the Senate,

Lucilla sees an opportunity
to further her plan.

But she's not the only one
in the palace with an agenda.

Slaves were instruments.

They were extensions
of whoever owned them.

They were nonexistent individuals.

So you would have Romans
with their elite slaves

that knew all of their secrets,

knew everything that was
going on on a day-to-day basis.

And the clueless master that
believes he has everything tucked away

and nobody knows what's going on,

when, of course, the
slaves know everything.

After watching Saoterus rise to power

and win the trust of the Emperor,

Cleander is determined
to take his place...

and will do anything...

to seize the position for himself.

What did you hear?

I overheard Senator
Quintianus and Lucilla talking.

They plan to murder the Emperor.

When was this?

Nearly two hours ago.

- Who else was there?
- I'm not sure. Just me, I think.

Go back to Lucilla's quarters.

- Yes.
- Go...

Madame?

Yes, what is it?

Sorry to disturb you, but we have a...

Cleander.

... here to see you.

Thank you, Tatiana.

Sorry to intrude.

But I was just passing
by and realized...

I've never been in here before.

Prepare my bath...

If I'd have known you were coming,

I would have had the cook prepare
something more substantial...

- No need. I won't be long.
- Is that a promise?

Just long enough to tell you...

I know everything...

about your plans for the Emperor.

Clearly, I have no idea
what you're talking about.

Clearly...

which is a shame,

given that anyone plotting
to kill the Emperor...

could certainly use someone
close to him on their side.

Tatiana.

Yes, Madame?

Never mind my bath.

Our guest is very hungry.

Prepare him a nice meal.

We have much to discuss.

There are several moments in the Empire,

Commodus is one example,

in which there's a nexus of
lower-status people around the Emperor

who are perceived as his friends

and are thought of as
dangerous for this reason.

And because power emanates
from a single point,

anyone else who wants access
to that power has to be close.

I know that each of you have
taken great risks to be here.

This is your one chance.

The future of Rome is at stake.

Commodus is destroying
everything that we hold dear.

Our tradition,

our culture.

He must be stopped.

Good.

It is all going to happen at the Games.

Cleander?

The most important person to remove...

is Saoterus.

And I will take care of that.

Roman Emperors were the most
powerful people on the planet.

It perhaps is not
surprising that many men

wanted to have a part of that power

and looked to take control themselves.

And so throughout the Empire,

we find that assassination
attempts are quite common.

As Lucilla and members of the Senate

plot their overthrow...

Cleander knows this is his
opportunity to eliminate Saoterus.

And with all eyes on
the Emperor's games,

he's determined to take advantage.

After months of planning,

the eve of the Emperor's
games has arrived.

But while Commodus prepares for one
of his most important days as Emperor,

Lucilla has recruited
influential senators...

and members of
Commodus's inner circle...

with a plan to dethrone the Emperor.

Lucilla plots to have
Commodus assassinated.

It may have been that she
was simply after power.

Perhaps she wanted to be Empress.

Or perhaps it was already clear to her

that her younger brother was just
not up to the job of being Emperor,

and so needed to be got rid of

before he threatened the
safety of the Empire as a whole.

On the day of the games,

50,000 people crowd into the arena....

to see battles and performances
by more than 100 gladiators...

and thousands of wild animals.

These were celebrations that
involved the entire city of Rome.

They would be shown throughout the day

the glory of the Empire,

the glory of the Emperor who
was paying for all of this.

They would be, of course,
encouraged to be loyal

and see how great their Emperor was,

that he provided all of these things.

But not everyone in Rome...

is in the Coliseum.

Look at this, Saoterus.

Empty streets means a full Coliseum.

Perhaps, some preliminary games?

The Emperor is expecting us.

If anyone will
understand, it's Commodus.

Cleander.

The games won't start
for another half hour.

And I know for a fact,
you won't need that long.

Emperor Commodus!

Let the games begin!

I'm sure they're on their way.

- What other business could there be?
- They'll be here.

Come here, you.

♪ I love my friends... ♪

Ahh, a lady.

How are you? Oh, look.

This is for the Senate!

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