Original subtitles

Let me through!

Who are you? -A legionnarie who has fought for the glory of our Empire!

What do you want? -In the name of my fellow veterans I implore vengeance for

all those killed in Syria...

...Victims of the treacherous Queen Zenobia!

Since the usurpation of the Syrian throne following the assassination of King Odaenathus,

our most faithful ally,

His consort Queen Zenobia is showing increasing signs of intolerance towards

the authority of Rome.

Involving the Assyrians, the sacred ties between our two empires have been severed.

Our garrisons have been caught by surprise and annihilated...

Our flags swept away by desert sandstorms...

This Queen's insane ambition must be quashed!

Perhaps it would be better to trust in negotiations rather than arms!. -To try and negotiate would be useless, Zenobia rebelled the moment...

...she realized we wouldn't mobilize our troops from the Northern frontiers!.

You all know well that in Gaul and Germania revolts are common.

To retreat even one legion could easily cause a catastrophe!.

What about the catastrophes to come at the hands of this proud and insane Queen!?.

-And of pride!, we of Rome counter with one of our proudest Generals. Marcus Valerius!.

Marcus Valerius is but a man, not a God

Not discounting his valor, his troops are too sparse to quash this Asiatic horde!.

Marcus Valerius. Commander of the Roman troops. Here he is as requested your highness, alive.

Kneel

Kneel before our Queen, Roman dog!

So a Roman doesn't kneel? -Not before a Queen who has betrayed us!.

To deal with Rome is nothing but a noose around the neck of my people.

So all those who resist the will of Rome are traitors? -What are those who resist kneeling before Queen Zenobia?.

An enemy. -A vanquished enemy is granted death!, kill me!.

No, death comes to easy for a Roman

Slavery is a more noble sentence for pride such as yours

You developed muscles in the gymnasiums of Rome, I shall send you somewhere suitable for you to exercise them.

Why are you sad?

Once you have liberated consul Valerius, I shall never see you again.

I will return Bathsheba,.. together with the Roman legions.

Zenobia will pay for her treason!

They'll all pay!. Including your brother's murderer!.

Poor Odaenathus -You don't believe he was killed by Rome do you?.

No, I'm sure. Why would they kill him?

Odaenathus was faithful to Rome

No, his murderers are in the courts of Palmyra

Bathsheba..

Sunrise..

..I must go. -It's best you do, no one should see you.

But I shall return soon..

When I do, you shall no longer be a Vestal.

Yet simply Bathsheba, wife of Julianus.

Flavio,.. go up there and keep a close eye

I'll take care of this -Well, at least you haven't forgotten me

It isn't I who count you know, It is Rome who never forgets it's greatest sons.

A defeated son

In Rome, both the Senate and the Emperor know you were up against an enemy ten times stronger..

..They also recognize it as an honorable defeat

Friendship can blind one from seeing reality

In Rome nothing but shame awaits me

Do not fear Marcus Valerius, for Rome needs you

Julianus...

I have an idea

I'm all ears -A magnificent idea

Can you understand this? -I confess I give up even trying to understand how we are going...

...to be attacked, only to surrender and subsequently fight back. Nobody even knows when it will be, we've been languishing...

...in the Sun for two days now!.

Here they are! Dispose of your weapons and surrender!. All of you!

Roman don't you think Bathsheba could have assisted the prisoner's escape?

What do you think?

That the so called Lator is very faithful in complying with orders given by you

Maybe... What makes you say that?

There's a strange coincidence, both the fire that was put out as well as the disappearance of Bathsheba from Palmyra...

...that occurred on the same night the prisoner's escaped -So.. Zemanzius is quite astute after all.

How do you expect your God to help you?

The same God who allowed his prophet to be crucified? -Doesn't the pain of your beloved Bathsheba make you..

..love her even more? Does her suffering for you and her sacrifice show you her love?..

...This is how the sacrifice of Jesus feels to us, it shows us the goodness of his word.

Sir, the Queen awaits

I'll be right there

This uproar is such a nuisance

The consul Marcus Valerius is here

Call for Zemanzius right away!

You seem much more comfortable dressed this way

That's because this is the kind of clothing I have always worn

A slave's rags were new fashion for me -Possibly

I'll be more useful to you like this than in chains

I only hope your slavery hasn't exhausted your ability to fight

Does this mean hope towards my freedom?. -It's a promise. In my army there is a worthy place for a Roman ex consul

I shall be honored to serve you

You called for me. I have news for you. -Come forth

If only you were not a Roman

And if only I could touch the Moon by merely reaching for it

You are the only man alongside me who appreciates life

Perhaps that's because I have been so often close to dying

I do love life -As you should, after all you are young, beautiful, powerful

And alone -With but one command all fall at your feet

True...

...But to choose,..

..is nothing..

..compared to being chosen

I dream I was never your enemy

Marcus Valerius is no longer an enemy Zemanzius..

..Well? -A wise plan, but you have made one simple mistake..

..You have foreseen everything Zemanzius, everything. Including the ingenuity of your adversary.

I hadn't considered Roman resourcefulness..

..Yet we have defeated them before -Zemanzius!

No Zenobia he is right

I was defeated. But, I only had six legions at my disposal...

Does the Sun burn in Rome as it does here? -In Rome the weather is as sweet as an eternal Spring

Would you ever return? -No, never. I'd find nothing but luxury and intrigue..

I would though return to my home town Tusculum. Where the wind caresses the pines, reflecting in a crystal lake.

The desert is also fascinating

Sometimes.. my days just seem so empty, without meaning

I only feel alive through my love for Palmyra

I know Rome is powerful and civilized, if I rebelled it was only because my land was suffering.

Humiliated.. Subjugated.. Can you understand?

Yes Zenobia, I can. -I only want goodness for my people..

Not only those in the hills and cities, but also those who dwell in the desert. For too long have they been forgotten about

Can you help me to make my dreams come true?

Sure. -Never leave me Valerius

Does this still occupy your mind?

Marcus Valerius. I wish to speak to you of Bathsheba, the sacred vestal virgin.

Bathsheba is imprisoned underneath the temple. Nobody may see her.

Valerius listen, she and I are in love. You must release her from the high priest's grasp

Julianus, I'll see what I can do.

For the love of God consul Valerius. Save Bathsheba from being sacrificed

Pity!

I had always suspected Zemanzius was a traitor

Have Zemanzius arrested.

For before the sun rises twice, the Romans may be at the steps of our undefended gates!.

I refuse to believe our Queen would betray her beloved fatherland!.

What would I gain by lying to you?

I have always served my people faithfully

He who disagrees, may the Gods forgive his blindness.

Noble friends...

I had never doubted your wisdom

But before we go our separate ways..

..To aid the salvation of Palmyra..

I wish to invoke your enlightened reason..

To consider another grave matter.

I speak of Bathsheba. -The sacred vestal!

The sacred vestal who's sacrilege has brought the fury of the Goddess upon us.

Marcus Valerius has convinced Zenobia to pardon her.

And meanwhile Bathsheba refuses to expiate her crime..

Ghosts of disgrace, mourning,.. and defeat shall wander.. Casting her evil omen upon our land!

Zemanzius is right!. Bathsheba must be killed!

You have been defeated!

Stand back!

Now return to your people. Guide them towards a prosperous future, under the Sign of Rome.

I recognize the future of Palmyra rests on the shoulders of Rome, please, allow my people to be born again with clemency