Original subtitles

Did I play my part well in this comedy called life?

Was I just...

or cruel?

Did I play my part well

in this comedy called life?

Applause, please.

Augustus!

My grandson!

Gaius! Lucius!

Devils, demons, the pair of them! They take after their mother.

They do not. They take after their grandfather.

Come, boys.

Your grandfather is too busy being king to play with his grandsons.

Julia, I am not a king. Rome has no king.

Off you go with your mother, boys and boys.

Agrippa will be home tomorrow,

and then your father, you and I will make war on your mother's camp.

I will defeat you all. I'm a better swordfighter than any of you.

This is true.

One should never let a woman learn to use a sword.

People of Rome,

we have prospered in peace across the Empire for 30 years.

I demand your vigilance to preserve peace and order,

to preserve the Republic we have restored,

the Republic to which I have devoted my entire life.

Augustus!

A petition!

My land was seized unlawfully.

Take your case to a magistrate.

I am a magistrate, Julius.

Bring me your petition.

Father!

Father!

A miracle of the gods! Jupiter has saved Augustus!

Yes, thank Jupiter he taught me to be cautious.

A leather breastplate.

My secret is revealed. I'm all right, Julia.

What's the news?

Agrippa is dead!

Agrippa is dead!

Oh, later, later, later,

please, please, please.

Augustus, I'm sorry to interrupt your bath.

Lucius Tutilius, why are you wearing your uniform?

Are we old men going into battle again?

A war to win back our teeth?

I have...

bad news.

So bad you had to put on your uniform.

So bad they sent my most trusted soldier.

Bad news is best told in a sudden, painful announcement, Lucius.

Markus Agrippa is dead.

Shh! You have to look presentable when your father comes home.

Coming home! Coming home!

Yes. Agrippa will be home tomorrow.

And then your grandfather will be safe.

- Julia. - Father.

I didn't know you were there. Are you all right?

Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!

Boys, you're getting your grandfather all wet.

Dry them off and put them in their bed clothes.

Father!

I was so afraid. Who sent the assassin?

I love you.

And I love you.

I have terrible news. You must be strong.

Your husband is dead.

What? How?

Fever. Suddenly.

On his way home to us.

Agrippa is dead.

The gods have taken him from us.

Father, I'm calling a physician.

No. I have too many wretched physicians.

Have you always hated me for forcing you to marry Agrippa?

At first.

He was twice my age.

But, as I got to know him, I grew fond of him.

He gave you two fine boys,

and the marriage guaranteed a peaceful transition if I died.

But now he has died.

Julia, I don't know what I will do without him.

He has been at my side from the beginning.

I was so ill that day,

but nothing would prevent me from serving Caesar.

Octavius, how can you travel?

You can barely stand.

Mother, I told you.

Your father would forbid it.

My father's been dead so long I barely remember his face.

Only your uncle treats me like a son.

Yes, and if Julius Caesar knew you were sick...

He doesn't and he won't.

I'm going.

It's important for us that you come back.

You still have a fever.

When Caesar brought me to Rome, he introduced me as his nephew.

Now he calls me to the battlefield in Spain. I must go.

I can't disappoint him now.

Mother, try to understand.

If Caesar wins this battle, the civil war will end.

I can't stay here hiding.

I was raised without a father.

I don't want to lose my only brother.

The legionaries have sisters and wives and daughters,

but they follow Caesar into war

because he promised them Rome without a war.

Of course!

Now I see why the great Caesar calls you to battle.

You are obviously a fierce warrior.

A master swordsman.

A master spear thrower!

The great soldier of the future, Markus Agrippa, has arrived.

And who's already slain the heart of my sister.

Thanks for asking me to come with you, Octavius.

- I would never go without you, Agrippa. - Greetings, Atia.

Markus Agrippa.

Caesar's called me. I must go.

I'll come back.

I promise.

Forty years ago, we rode off from our homes.

Just country boys.

We had no idea.

Do you think Caesar will let us fight?

I don't know. First we get to Rome where we meet our escort,

Centurion Tutilius.

In Rome, the ladies will find us, eh?

Exactly.

Race you to the end?

Tomorrow we go to Munda,

but tonight I'm going to show you the greatest city in the world.

I am Lucius Tutilius.

Gaius Octavius.

I served Caesar in Gaul.

Caesar still pursues Sextus in Spain.

Through hostile territory, it will be a dangerous journey.

I will escort you.

Caesar's luck will protect us.

Well, we leave at dawn.

Sleep in my tent tonight. Let me show you the way.

Thank you, but I would like to show my friend the city.

Perhaps in the morning light. At night it's not safe.

Doesn't Mark Anthony guard the city? He's Consul of Rome.

Haven't all of Caesar's enemies in Rome been defeated?

Caesar defeated them,

and then he spared them because they're Romans.

Now they repay him with plots.

Caesar's a great general, and I'm his nephew.

Really?

Well, nephew, the civil war is not yet over.

It won't be until Caesar's enemies are dead.

You should tell Uncle Julius

to kill a few enemies before they kill him.

Who was that?

That was Mark Anthony.

Mark Anthony?

You're lucky you still have your head.

We leave at dawn. I just want to show my friend the city.

We'll stay on the main streets, I promise.

Well, I can't command Caesar's nephew.

Thank you.

Did I promise too much? Isn't Rome beautiful?

And here come the famous ladies of Rome.

- Here, fine sir. - Hello?

My friend would love to meet you, later.

Help us, please. Help us to eat.

Here. This is for you.

Thank you. I am sorry to beg you for money.

I had a farm and I worked hard,

but the noblemen, the pimps of Rome, took my land.

I have to feed my family, so I beg.

Here, take this. Take good care of your family.

Thank you. You are a kind man.

Thank you! Thank you.

Come.

The city stinks.

It's so poor now.

The greed of the nobles and civil war has done this.

They made this war between Romans.

We'd better get back.

Yes.

It's this way.

I'm sorry.

- Did you see her? - Pretty.

Pretty? She's...

What's she doing out at night alone?

Help! Help!

Let her go! Let her go!

Run!

Get back! Get back!

Stop in the name of the Consul of Rome!

Thank you.

You saved me.

You shouldn't walk alone on the streets at night.

I stayed too late at my friend's house.

Who are you?

Who are you?

You're not from the city.

No.

I'm on my way to fight beside my uncle.

We leave in the morning.

Your uncle should be honored to have such a brave soldier.

My name is Livia.

- Who will you battle? - Sextus in Spain.

Sextus? Who is your uncle?

Caesar.

Caesar? Then I am sorry for you.

He's a warmonger.

He leaves Rome to rot while he kills fellow Romans.

My father is a noble, and Caesar wishes to destroy nobles.

Good night, nephew.

Put him up on the cart.

Yes. Come on.

Proceed.

Let's go.

Come on.

Octavius, we're here.

Munda, Caesar's camp.

Lie down.

Get me on my horse.

You're mad. I'll not deliver you to Caesar dead.

Bad for your career?

I am not going to greet Caesar from behind a donkey's ass.

You are a donkey's ass.

Octavius!

Caesar digs?

He digs and fights beside us.

Octavius!

You're burning up with fever.

Don't let anybody see it.

Never show weakness.

Let me help you.

Let me help you dig, legionaries.

How do you feel?

- I'm fine. - Come.

I've been chasing Sextus all over Spain.

Will you attack tomorrow?

Sextus' men fight for nothing but their pay.

I thought when two more legions joined us from Gaul,

he would have to surrender.

I received this message.

There's been an uprising in Gaul.

The legions will never get here.

- What will you do? - I don't know.

I'm not a god, nephew,

just a general trying to save the lives of his men.

The camp of Sextus.

He has constructed a perfect Roman defense,

manned by the best-trained soldiers in the world: Romans.

I am tired of spilling Roman blood, Octavius.

The civil war has been a useless waste.

But you had to fight.

For Rome.

I fought for my life.

Your enemies say you want to be king.

Rome will not survive unless we change.

The entire world we rule waits.

For what?

Peace.

Safety.

Honest courts.

Government for all.

This is the new Rome I'm fighting for.

Only Caesar can create such a world.

Tomorrow we attack, Roman against Roman.

Roman soldiers,

today we will fight Romans.

If they win, you will be slaves!

Slaves of nobles

who don't care about your families and your homes.

This small group of nobles has destroyed the greatness of Rome!

Are you willing to die for freedom?

Yes!

For justice?

Are you willing to die for Rome?

Blood!

Honor!

- Victory! - Victory!

- For Rome! - For Rome!

Blood! Honor! Victory!

Blood! Honor! Victory!

You boys wait with the rear guard.

Are you not ashamed to deliver your general to these traitors?

Attack!

For Rome.

- But Caesar's orders. - For Rome!

For Rome.

The victory is yours, Caesar.

Victory.

Bury our men with theirs, Romans with Romans.

This blood will be the last we draw.

Octavius!

Wounded. Wounded.

You were not to fight. I ordered you to stay in the rear.

Victory for Rome?

For Rome, my son.

My son.

On that day, my destiny called me.

I stayed by Caesar's side for as long as he lived,

and Agrippa was always by my side.

I will be by your side always, Father.

Agrippa is dead.

Death is no longer an idea to me, Julia.

It is a man...

standing in the hall...

outside in the streets,

in the fields,

waiting.

He has a face.

I recognize him now,

and he is asking me questions.

Gaius, Lucius, I have something to tell you.

- Your father... - He's coming home tomorrow!

No.

- Enemy! - Attack!

- Boys. - Get your sword.

Enemy!

- Attack! - We've got you now!

Would it be too much trouble to ask you to put your sons to bed?

Stop it! Go to your room!

Livia, don't speak to my children like that.

Boys, it's time for bed.

Why haven't you told them?

You know?

Why does that surprise you?

Go tell your sons before they embarrass us in public.

How do I tell them their father is dead, Livia?

They barely knew him.

He was a good father and a good man.

Please, Julia. Don't play the young widowed woman to me.

You are a merciless woman.

Yes, probably.

It is necessary.

Where is Augustus?

I am here.

I came as soon as I heard.

There is no report yet.

The assassin was not from Rome. His employer remains unknown.

You will not be safe until it is known.

Markus Agrippa is dead.

Yes.

There is a dangerous undercurrent among the young nobility.

Did you hear what I said, Livia?

He was my dear friend and he is dead.

Yes.

Your enemies are waiting for the right moment to kill you,

and this is the moment.

Agrippa is your heir apparent. You, too, nearly died today.

Where do you think that will leave your empire tomorrow?

On the stumbling feet of your son, I suppose,

exactly where you want it.

Yes, if you acknowledge him as your successor.

Tiberius is not my son, Livia. He is yours.

My blood flows through Julia and her boys.

He is the perfect successor.

Tiberius is loved by the army.

There are those who would say that you paid this assassin.

You would profit most from my death,

they say...

to guarantee that your blood would flow

in the heart of the new leader,

your son.

It is a worthwhile prize.

Enough to start rumors, at least.

I lost the man I loved the most today.

Not just the man, Augustus.

You loved him more than any woman too.

I love you, Livia. I always have and always will.

We both fell in love with your destiny.

No.

First, I loved you.

Yes.

And then?

And then...

life became so much more difficult.

Leave me now.

I want to be alone.

You are alone.

Father, you've been in this room for more than a month now.

My children have lost their father.

Are they to lose their grandfather too?

Too much time has passed while you mourned Agrippa.

You must name Tiberius your heir.

- Your son is a good soldier, nothing more. - Of noble blood.

I spent my life guarding the Empire from the greed of nobles.

He is your only choice.

You know it.

He's worthy. Admit it.

You made him a general, as you did his father.

And how is your old first husband, the dullard?

Pity your son takes after his father.

Pity your daughter lacks the respectability of your first wife.

What does that mean?

Julia is going out again tonight

with her noble friends who are not your admirers.

One of them probably paid to have you killed a month ago.

I publicly nominated my two grandchildren as my heirs,

as Caesar did with me.

They are children.

The Senate will not accept them. They will accept my son.

What if her children were to die?

What are you saying?

What if they were to die before you?

Why are you saying such a horrible thing?

It's a possibility you must consider.

No!

I do not have to consider the death of my grandchildren,

and neither do you.

- Where are the children? - They're sleeping.

- Who is watching them? - Alessia, of course, as always.

Can you trust her?

Father, she's been their nurse since they were born.

What's wrong?

You haven't finished dressing.

Actually, I have. It's the current style.

Would you like me to spin the wool of my dresses

the way I did when I was a little girl?

Perhaps with a little more wool.

Now that the mourning period is over.

I have always done everything you've asked of me.

- That's why these parties... - You already have what you want, Father.

My sons.

Now let me live.

Attention!

Hail to our queen!

No names. We're in disguise.

We don't want your father to arrest us for scandalizing Rome.

- You do scandalize Rome. - Which is why you love us.

He calls us naughty children.

He's absolutely right.

Indeed.

Augustus is always right.

Who is this mysterious stranger?

I'm no stranger to you.

How do I know unless I see his face?

You'll know by a kiss.

Come! Amusement awaits us!

I love you.

I love you, Iullus, but my father...

Oh, your father, your father. Your father wouldn't approve.

What else does he demand of you?

Hasn't it satisfied him

to have forced you to marry old Agrippa

in order to obtain an heir?

I was faithful to Agrippa until he died.

But now I've found you,

and you taught me what true love is,

Iullus.

Then come to my bed.

I can't.

But you've mourned your so-called husband for months.

You have already done enough for Rome.

Kiss me.

We should abandon Rome for the island beyond Gaul

where the priests paint their bodies blue.

We'll dance with them under the moon

and be forgotten by Rome.

I have no desire to be forgotten by Rome,

or abandon it.

Your father did.

Yes, Mark Anthony abandoned Rome,

and died for it.

Augustus killed him.

Iullus, I told you, I won't listen to this again.

Come on, Julia. We'll miss the party.

Let's go.

You have her.

She will do anything you wish.

I must go slow. I can't push her too fast.

This time we cannot fail, Iullus.

I will have revenge for the murder of my father,

and Julia will be my sword.

Sit down, Tiberius.

Thank you, Mother. I will stand.

Augustus' health is weak. I don't know how long he's going to live.

It must be a very difficult time for you.

- Difficulties lie ahead. - Difficulties?

Who will succeed Augustus, of course.

Agrippa was his choice.

But now that he is dead, factions will arise.

Men who would gladly undo our entire life's work.

Mother.

Augustus managed to keep the balance

between the two souls of Rome, the Senate and the people.

But if that balance is upset, there will be another civil war.

Mother, he doesn't want me.

We must act quickly,

and show everyone that you will be ruler after Augustus.

I am your son, not his.

As Julia is his daughter, not yours.

Exactly.

You are the man of my family, of noble lineage.

That is why Julia must marry you now.

Mother, no! I don't love her.

- Love has nothing to do with this. - I love my wife.

I always have.

Yes, Tiberius.

You told me that when you married the stupid little thing.

I indulged your foolishness then. Now I cannot.

You will divorce her and marry Julia.

I'm a soldier, not a politician.

- You will be emperor. - I don't want to become...

These events are not determined by what you want,

or what I want.

They are necessary to preserve the Empire.

Which always seems to revolve around what you want, doesn't it?

Augustus has already nominated his two grandsons as his heirs.

They are weak children. They may die.

Mother, you wouldn't.

Wouldn't what?

I was just saying they always had colds and fevers.

They are weak.

Yes,

and so is your son.

The temple is beautiful in the moonlight, Father.

When I dedicated it, I hoped to remind Rome of Caesar's dream,

but I think it has already forgotten.

This city can be monstrous

if you're not stronger than it is.

Father, don't.

Julia, I love you with all my heart.

Don't ask this of me, Father.

Livia is right.

For your own good, for the good of your children

and for the good of Rome, you must marry Tiberius.

Father, no!

If my successor is not beyond question when I die,

your sons will be murdered, there is no doubt in my mind.

You cannot ask this.

There is no other way.

Marriage between the son of Livia and the daughter of Augustus

would guarantee an immediate successor.

You will be safe, your sons will be safe

and Rome will be safe.

Safe?

My life will be lost.

The marriage will be for show.

I'll keep Tiberius far from you.

He'll be in the furthest corner of the Empire, defending Rome's borders.

I love Iullus.

I choose Iullus!

No. He is the son of my enemy.

Mark Anthony is dead.

His ideas are not.

Civil war would break out immediately.

Iullus believes I destroyed the Republic.

He thinks I am a tyrant.

You are a tyrant!

Come to me.

Sit. Sit with me.

Rome will be assured of stability while your sons grow up.

In ten years, Lucius...

Ten years? What if you die?

I will not die.

I will live to see your sons rule in Rome.

And watch me grow old in misery.

This destiny was laid upon me by my divine father,

Julius Caesar.

Have I ever been anything but an instrument

to fulfill your destiny?

I have never loved anyone as I love you.

Then why are you taking my life from me?

If your life is taken,

it is not by my hand but by the same hand

that took my life from me.

Rome is not just a state, Julia.

It is the hope of the civilized world.

If Rome falls, civilization will fall.

Caesar knew it.

When we rode into Rome after the victory at Munda,

it was as though we had saved the world.

Mark Anthony met us at the gates. He looked like Mars himself.

Hail to Mark Anthony!

Have you left me a cup of wine to celebrate my return?

We needed every drop of it.

We've been stuck here in this wretched city.

You took off and had all the fun.

Mark Anthony, I want you to meet my nephew Octavius

and his friend Markus Agrippa.

- They fought bravely at Munda. - Yes.

We have met.

The fame of your courage has preceded you both.

Don't be charmed by Mark Anthony's flattery, boys.

She's watching me.

Who?

The girl I will marry.

Where?

Somewhere.

Quick, open your wounds so that your hero's blood is easier to see.

Caesar, I told your nephew,

the time has come for you to cleanse the city.

These are the names of your enemies.

What would you solve by killing them?

What purpose does it serve for them to strut around the city,

plotting and scheming against you?

Clemency. Clemency will be our weapon.

You will put down your arms.

Your enemies will not.

Sextus, I don't claim your life.

I grant you the same clemency as your men.

None of those who fought against me will be subject to revenge!

I proclaim an amnesty!

The civil war is over!

This is your decision. I'm a simple military man.

Tell me what victory we seek next.

This is the end of all wars.

Peace and justice for everyone.

My son speaks the truth.

"My son."

Caesar! Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!

Honored guests,

the Queen of Egypt

and Rome's great ally, Cleopatra!

Hail, Queen of Egypt.

Caesar, I see some of your enemies here.

You should have invited them all

and sent them home as corpses.

Listen to those who love you.

Your name is Octavius. I am Livia Drusilla.

I didn't rise for Caesar because my parents did not.

One cannot shame one's parents in public.

Doesn't your presence beside me shame them?

They think I'm spying.

Your humble birth is as known as my ancient nobility,

so I could only be trying to pry secrets from you.

Don't certain noble ladies find amusement

in lowborn paupers?

Actors, freedmen, even house servants.

Exotically low.

You, however, are simply modestly low.

Obviously, modesty isn't one of the famous noble virtues.

But I am modest.

An actual virgin.

Oh, that wasn't modest, was it?

Caesar will crown himself king

and she will be his queen.

Never.

Will you stop it?

We will have a queen for an enemy.

And you are just a boy.

A queen?

But she's just a girl...

like you.

Yes.

Just a girl.

And a boy.

Thank you, nephew, for bringing the case of this farmer

to my attention.

- Who is that? - That is the great Cicero.

Your farmer doesn't have a chance.

It is easy to comprehend

that this farmer wishes to retain his ancestral lands.

A contract was signed

by one of the most honorable noblemen,

Gaius Cassius Longinus.

A loan was made.

Sadly, the loan was defaulted.

Therefore, the property in question

is now the legal property of Cassius.

But the property was burned.

Which can certainly not be blamed on my client.

- There is a witness who claims the contrary. - A witness?

Yes, he set fire to our house,

and then ran away before I could catch him!

Is it true? Why did you do this?

- Were you paid? - Yes.

By whom? By whom?

Liar!

My client, Cassius, rebuts this slander.

He's not a Roman. He can't give evidence against me.

Cicero, kindly inform your client, Cassius,

that anyone who lives under Roman law has rights.

We live in a new Rome now, my friends.

A Rome where every citizen and subject

will be treated fairly under the law, not just the nobles.

Cassius is to indemnify the damages

in the amount of 10,000 sesterces.

I also declare null and void his claims on the land

and on the farm.

You have your land back.

Wait here.

Thank you!

Thank you for giving me back my life.

Please stand up. I just asked for justice.

My life was ended and my family was starving.

Get up. Get up.

He didn't do it. Caesar did.

But Caesar would have never known of me

if it wasn't for you.

You cared. You cared from your privileged place.

You cared about me, my family.

Yes, I will pray to the gods for you.

But they know you. They know you already.

They have touched you.

Octavius, you are a great man,

and soon the world will know what I know.

- You let him kiss your feet. - What?

- You liked it. - I did not!

You called for me, Uncle?

Yes, Octavius. Come outside.

It's a beautiful morning.

- A beautiful city. - The most beautiful in the world.

But you've not seen the world yet, nephew, and you must.

You are to leave for Greece tomorrow.

- Agrippa will go with you. - What?

There you will study oratory

and train with the legions of Macedonia.

Why do you send me away?

At Munda, I told you of a world that doesn't exist.

That world must be created, or Rome is lost.

You can do it, Uncle.

I have chosen to do it, Octavius.

The gods called me and I followed their voice.

Now it's up to you to choose.

The gods don't dictate our lives.

If you want this dream, it can be yours now, my son.

But you must be prepared.

Study, learn,

win the legions

and trust them.

Listen to their voice.

Love them. Live for them.

They'll die for you.

Because, one day,

some of them will have to do exactly that.

I am asking for your life, Octavius.

Nothing less.

Are you prepared to give your life, son?

Eager.

I tried not to show him, but I was in utter confusion.

Octavius.

I turned to one in whom I hoped I could trust.

Thank you for meeting me.

She was beautiful.

You look frightened.

Tell me what you know. Caesar hides the truth from me.

I only hear rumors.

He's ordered me to leave Rome.

- Obey his command. - Why?

There are plots.

- There are always plots. - You can do nothing to help him here.

What can I do to help him there?

Learn to be a soldier,

an orator, a politician.

I don't want to be a politician.

Then you don't love Caesar.

Even he knows he can't rule with force alone.

But you hate him, fear him.

Yes.

Then why do you help me?

Our insignia bears the inscription S.P.Q.R.,

Senate and People of Rome.

This unity made us great...

but we allowed the factions to tear us apart.

Now the civil war is over,

but the factions continue to devour us from within,

spreading corruption!

To reestablish unity between the Senate and the people,

I have no choice but to accept the office and powers

that no man has held before.

As the Dictator Perpetuo,

I will devote the remaining years of my life

to the concord and the welfare of Rome!

Caesar! Caesar!

Cleopatra's made him crazy.

Rome has never tolerated power in the hands of only one man.

He claims to act in the name of freedom,

but he crowns himself king.

It is our duty to act now.

Brutus, are you suggesting violence against your friend, Caesar?

Save your sarcasm for others, Cicero.

Your words are harsh,

but you speak the truth, occasionally.

It's not against the law to kill a tyrant.

It is our noble duty.

Caesar steals our privileges for his own throne.

Rome will not crown a king.

Dictator for life?

I don't think it will be a long one.

To train with the Macedonian legions. I'll never be able to repay you.

Who's our traveling companion?

The son of a friend of Caesar's. Caesar ordered it.

- Must be a military man. - I think so.

Don't you dare drop that trunk!

Octavius!

Gaius Maecenas, reporting for the lovely expedition.

Welcome, weary warriors.

I have prepared lovely food and wine for your bodies.

What did you do all day? Sleep?

I am recuperating from the grievous wound

I suffered in combat yesterday.

Cutting yourself throwing your own sword is not combat.

Such mockery from a great soldier cuts deeper than his sword.

- Careful with your mockery. - It's not mockery.

Anyone can see how the commanders of the legion

recognize your talent.

You are effortlessly brilliant as a soldier.

Get used to praise.

More will come.

I have discovered a surprise.

Agrippa, the great soldier,

is really an architect.

Give me those!

He doesn't only want to fight and kill, he wants to build.

And they are very good.

Have you seen these drawings?

Canals, bridges, aqueducts, grand buildings.

He will someday build them all.

Stay out of my things!

We are three kings:

Octavius, the leader,

Agrippa, the soldier,

and Maecenas, the...

Mouth.

Maecenas, the politician.

Arise.

A toast to us,

for we shall rule the world.

- To the world! - The world.

Swear that we never let anything destroy this friendship.

Never!

- What happened? - I think his ribs are broken.

Take his armor off. Lift his arms.

- I can't stay in this tent. - If it's a direct hit, you're dead.

He's right. He can't stay in here.

What would you know? You never leave this tent.

I am not Caesar's nephew.

Don't let anyone touch him.

He just has to make an appearance.

Appearance is everything.

You're right.

Am I really? Ooh.

High praise from the general.

Hurry up. Looking at you naked is beyond the call of duty.

Octavius.

This just arrived from Rome.

Caesar has been murdered.

Your life is in danger.

Caesar's will and testament declares you his only heir.

They will kill you.

Octavius.

Something happened to me.

It was not a thought I had, nor a feeling.

I passed beyond the world of thought and feeling.

Even in the company of my two sworn friends,

I knew I was now utterly alone.

I'm going to Rome.

When I became the son of my divine father,

it separated me from my friends and from all men forever.

Caesar's dream had become mine.

Was it Caesar's dream or your pride?

The gods chose me.

It's convenient, isn't it,

to be chosen by the gods?

You can move lives around without thought

because you are chosen.

And the mission comes first, no matter who you have to destroy.

Many had to be destroyed. It was necessary.

If the gods chose you,

then it was you they chose, not me.

They gave me you.

My only child carries the same burden.

I love Iullus.

Son of Mark Anthony.

When I came back to Rome,

it was not the murderers of Caesar I feared,

it was Mark Anthony.

Killing served him. He embraced it.

Exactly the kind of man that was needed, but dangerous.

Quickly. If we're seen...

Dressed like this? I'll never live it down.

I had a plan, a wild plan.

I didn't know if it would work, but the first step

was to get Mark Anthony out of Rome.

Lepidus, Mark Anthony.

Why didn't you inform me of your return to Rome?

I believed it was too dangerous.

That's true.

You've taken Caesar's house?

He would have wanted me to.

You saw him die.

Twenty men with daggers.

- I don't know why I'm alive. - They must have not wished you dead.

Cassius, Decimus and Brutus have fled.

When will you pursue them?

The Senate is still full of their friends.

They won't give me the charge of chasing them.

It is the people who demand vengeance.

Decimus has six legions in Gaul.

I didn't know you were afraid to go to battle.

Another civil war? Is that what you want, boy?

My name is Gaius Caesar.

I would advise you to be careful the way you use his name.

He bequeathed me his name.

And now my inheritance.

It will take time for the Senate to ratify his will,

if it does ratify it.

In the meanwhile, I suggest you return home.

I am home.

The second step of the plan

was to get the support of the people.

People of Rome.

People of Rome!

The son of Julius Caesar speaks to you!

I speak in honor of Julius Caesar.

He served the Senate and people of Rome as Consul and Proconsul.

He conquered all of Gaul.

On his own initiative,

he built a house for the Senate of Rome.

But he dreamt of more for Rome.

He sought justice and prosperity for all men...

but his life was cut short.

Thus, as his legal heir, I, Caesar,

shall disperse half of my inheritance

to the people of Rome.

Now that's good writing.

- You wrote it. - Of course.

Your words moved me deeply, Octavius Caesar.

My grief was wicked.

Caesar and I had our differences, it's true,

but surely you know I did not murder him.

How could I think such a thing?

Now Rome is threatened

by one who will not even honor

Caesar's last wishes.

Mark Anthony says it's only a matter of time

until he asks the Senate to execute my father's will.

It's you he will execute.

- Then you must leave Rome. - No.

Mark Anthony's away chasing Decimus in Gaul,

and the Republic needs you.

That's why I will aid your cause.

So, what do you want? What you do need?

We have no place to live.

Now you do. I'll give you a house.

You and I can do a great deal for each other, Caesar.

- Gaius Caesar. - Livia!

No.

It's too late.

Too late? Too late for what?

I'm to be married

to Claudius.

What? Why?

My father demands.

The marriage is an important alliance.

Alliance?

He protects his family.

The death of Caesar, Mark Anthony's power...

it's all very dangerous for my family.

What about me?

Octavius, you were courageous to come back.

But to attain your goals,

you must use every weapon at hand.

What are you talking about?

If you are to succeed, you need money.

Marry it.

Thank you for your advice.

It's all I can give you.

Yes! Forgive a stupid country boy for thinking you might care for him!

Why did Cicero give us this house?

He thinks he can use Octavius in his legions

against Mark Anthony.

Why? Do you have the loyalty of the Macedonian legions to give him?

I don't know.

So, not a single sword behind us!

We need money more than swords.

You can't be in politics without it.

Politicians are ruled by swords, legions.

That is the only language Rome understands.

You know nothing of Rome, country boy.

And you know nothing of life outside your pillows and wine!

Stop it! We need money to pay for the Macedonian legions.

So there's only one thing to do.

- Marry Scribonia Flavia's money. - Who's Scribonia Flavia?

A lovely girl who's enchanted with a brokenhearted hero.

Kill me if you wish! Take Agrippa's sword.

Are you a leader?

This is not a time to stop halfway.

Our lives are at stake in this game.

Yours is, right now.

Destiny.

You speak endlessly of your destiny.

If you want it, you have to take it.

It won't be delivered on Livia's gold plate.

We need Caesar.

Caesar is dead.

Long live Caesar.

Make up your mind, Agrippa.

Are you ready for a new Caesar, or not?

Are you ready to take back Rome from the greedy nobles, or not?

Do you stand for the people,

or not?

Long live Gaius Caesar.

It is time.

I stayed in Rome and married Scribonia Flavia.

Maecenas wooed the nobles.

And Agrippa returned to the legions.

If they were to fight for me, they had to come now,

and when all was ready, we struck.

Today we ratify the final will

of Julius Caesar

and grant his last wish,

the posthumous adoption of his son,

Octavius Caesar.

Thank you for granting the wish of my father...

against the wishes of the Consul Mark Anthony...

who has brought shame on us all by leaving Rome,

neglecting his seat in the Senate

and waging unlawful war against Decimus, the governor of Gaul.

But Decimus was one of Caesar's murderers.

No one wishes him brought to justice more than I do.

But did the Senate charge Decimus with the crime,

or Cassius or Brutus?

No.

Anthony acts on his own initiative.

He marched out without consulting even one of you!

This is a grave matter.

No man stands above the law of the Republic,

whatever the cause.

Caesar courageously exposes a dangerous tyrant.

I charge Mark Anthony

as enemy of the Republic.

I declare Consul's chair empty.

And in this time of peril,

I'm willing to make a...

personal sacrifice.

- And... - Cicero, may I?

Thank you.

Allow me to place before the Senate

the name of the next Consul of Rome.

I declare the Consul of Rome to be...

Gaius Caesar.

Son of Julius Caesar!

On what authority do you dare...

By the authority of the Macedonian legions

under the command of Markus Agrippa,

loyal to Caesar and now loyal to his son.

The plan had worked,

but now we needed an alliance with the real power.

Mark Anthony.

The head of the table is yours, son of Caesar.

So, boy, you asked for this counsel.

Now tell Lepidus and me why we shouldn't kill you.

Anthony,

Lepidus...

I come to seek your aid to avenge my father.

Now you're Consul of Rome

and you command the legions of Macedonia.

Why do you need us?

You know I cannot do it on my own.

While you were stealing my seat in the Senate,

Decimus escaped with his legions to Macedonia.

Brutus and Cassius joined him.

But you beg for my help.

They control the grain supplies.

They can starve Rome anytime they want.

We must destroy them.

You cannot do it without me.

The Senate was eager to declare you enemy of the state.

You have few friends left, Anthony, and you know it.

But if I, your accuser, stand up in the Curia

and declare you a hero,

they have no choice but to reinstate you.

Attack Decimus? Yes.

But first we must control Rome.

We can take the city, but we can't hold the city.

Without leaving half of our troops there.

Unless...

we do what your father refused to do.

Proscription.

Every man who is our enemy would be marked for death

at the hands of any citizen of Rome.

Legal murder? Julius Caesar refused.

That is why we sit here today!

- Write the names of your enemies on this list. - I have no names.

You have no balls!

Men die for many causes,

but lack of courage is always fatal.

Kill or be killed, Caesar.

It's very simple.

It was the most tragic moment of my life.

In order to fulfill my father's dream,

I had to betray him.

The men Anthony wished to kill

had not raised a hand against me.

But you didn't write any names. Everyone knows that.

Yes, I did.

I removed Livia and her family from the list,

but I left her husband's name on it.

Remove his name.

You want his wife.

Here's your chance.

Men awoke to find their death sentences

posted in the Forum.

And the killings began.

Anthony's killings were brutal,

to announce his fury to all Rome.

Cicero, come out!

Here's my neck, Mark Anthony!

Use your sword!

It worked.

Terror quenched every hint of opposition in the city.

May the gods forgive us.

Agrippa, poor Agrippa,

wiped out the names on my list one by one.

It was the price I had to pay for Rome,

and I paid it.

I still carry the burden.

All this will happen again if Rome is left without an emperor

worthy of the name Caesar.

But this will not happen.

You and I will give birth to history tonight.

We will guarantee that your sons will rule this empire.

Your sons, not Livia's son.

You gave life to your sons once, Julia.

Now give it to them again.

To them and to the Empire of Rome.

Octavius!

Do you know how to build a new world?

By destroying the old.

It is done.

No.

It's only begun.

Caesar's murderers have escaped.

Either we attack Cassius, Brutus and Decimus,

or the men we have killed here mean nothing!

Will you declare war, Caesar?

It was the price I had to pay for Rome...

and I paid it.

Lucius.

Lucius, wake up. Wake up.

Your grandmother has medicine. Drink.

Some more.

There. Good boy.

Gaius. Gaius, awake.

Wake.

Grandma has some medicine for you.

Good boy. Have some more.

What are you doing?