Original subtitles

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Get him, men.

Titus, I will lay you two to one the slave will not be caught.

An ounce of gold.

Get him. Stop him.

Stop that slave.

All right, hold him.

Come on, you.

All right, you'll get your ounce of gold.

You know the law, punish him,

Anyone else who wants to lose his hands?

Forward,

No. No!

I will punish him.

Wait, Iface. Let me down.

What is the price of that slave?

He must be punished first, and then he'll be sold.

Without hands he'll be worth nothing.

The Emperor won't like that. Wasting his goods.

Well, I'll give you 400 for him.

Three hundred to be paid to the State,

I think 100 should be enough to corrupt you.

All right?

What is your name, then, slave?

Vibio.

And yours, Master?

Claudius.

Go along with the others.

Over there.

Put it down there.

Be careful.

Gently, men, gently now. Set it down easily.

Now let's see if anything was broken in transport.

They're so delicate, these clocks.

Oh, stop it, Maximus.

No. I want to know the truth.

Why do you treat me this way?

Don't insist, Maximus. I tell you it's all over.

But why, why?

Don't you ever want to change your mind? Without reason?

Perhaps it's Lucius who's made you change your mind.

What's the difference?

But Claudia, I love you.

That's exactly what makes you so boring.

You may go now.

Oh, Father, this is the limit.

It's a marvel, Claudia, isn't it? Mmm-hmm.

Just exactly what we need.

The house is full of clocks, and none of them keep the same time.

This will complete the collection.

It was a good buy, besides. Father...

Well, perhaps I did pay a little too much for it. But...

Who is this? He's a new slave.

He's as brave as two lions.

Vibio, a Dalmatian, age 29,

185 pounds, healthy, educated,

quick tempered, impulsive and violent.

Is it all true? I'm afraid so,

Mistress.

Let's hope he changes his character.

Mistress, the musicians have arrived. They await your orders.

All right, Sesto, I'll be with them in a moment.

Take them in, I'll place them myself.

Another feast?

You have your clocks, I have my feasts.

This way, both of us help pass the time.

Oh, this should be to a soldier's liking, Sebastian.

But it seems to displease you.

These men are not soldiers.

There's no glory in a wrestling match.

I agree with Sebastian.

As usual, Agnese seems to agree with you.

You two should get married.

What did you say? What was that?

Did I hear that someone is getting married

in my family, eh?

Oh, this is no laughing matter.

Are you going to go looking for the one man like your cousin here?

Father.

So I am going to be replaced by this Sebastian, am I?

Why didn't you tell me?

Oh, come now, Valerio.

Don't look at me that way. Smile.

Your man is winning, aren't you glad?

Fortune is not always so kind.

She was kind to you tonight.

I only hope her kindness continues.

While your luck's good, why stop?

Your champion

against the slave my father bought today.

Sesto.

Double or nothing.

This way, you can pay me what you owe me once and for all.

I'll do it. Ah!

It is I who wants you, slave!

Mistress.

Fight him and win.

I bet a fortune on your head. Now go on and win for me.

Well, what are you waiting for?

You order me to work, and I'll work.

This is what your father bought me for.

But I will not humiliate myself to make you or your guests laugh.

Well, he has character.

Sesto.

I want this coward lashed.

I don't think he's a coward.

In any case, the whip will do him good.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Sixteen. My Mistress,

why don't you come closer?

It's hard to see blood drawn from that distance.

Wait...

Why did you refuse to fight?

Dignity.

Dignity?

What dignity can a slave have?

Same as any man.

No man was born wearing chains.

Then why do you wear them?

Because I objected violently to being unfairly taxed.

Then I think it's time you learned obedience.

Continue. Come, Sebastian.

Wait. How many lashes are left? Seventeen.

Here, untie him. No one will count the scars on his body.

Ah, Sebastian. Agnese.

Take me home, would you? I've had enough of these feasts.

That's enough.

Stop it. Let go.

Well, you said you wanted to see if it worked.

It works.

I don't understand why he wouldn't confess.

Maybe he's a Christian.

It seems the more these Christians suffer,

the better they like it.

Corvino, may we talk? It's very important.

When my dogs are fed.

Now, what is it?

Give me that. You can go.

It concerns Agnese... She won't let you seduce her, is that it?

Worse. She knows you love her for her money.

No, that's not true. I do love Agnese.

I'm afraid that there is someone else, though. Sebastian.

But to kill a tribune is a terrible risk.

Even for a member of the State Police.

Who said anything about murder?

For the moment, all I want is to find out if she's in love with Sebastian.

Can you find out for me?

How much is it worth?

This is only on account.

And when Agnese and I marry, you'll receive the rest.

Will you do it?

I will.

In the Sacred Name, peace be with you.

And peace be with you, Sister.

Here, lean on me, Brother. I will help you.

They fight us and they persecute us because they know us not.

So it has been since Jesus was crucified.

No, that is not the reason.

It's because Jesus was too good.

They took advantage of him. If I had been there...

You would have obeyed then as you will obey now.

Do not interrupt me.

The Master has taught us to forgive our persecutors.

Your are late, Mistress.

I feared that you would not be able to come.

Mistress, Mistress,

in our Lord's church we are all free, Sesto.

Here we are equal, and you are as my brother.

Are you better?

Let me take a look.

...rich in the grace of our faith and our knowledge.

It is we who must lead the way.

And show by our example the road to providence and love.

Only thus,

by following the Master's teaching to the very end,

by showing to all the difference between the

love for one's neighbor and the fight between brothers.

Only, thus, I say unto you,

can we hope to see one day the entire world

blessed by the same divine grace

which Jesus offered to all of us from his place on the cross.

The last thoughts of Jesus were for us, his children, his chosen flock.

Did he turn to kings, to the wealthy and the mighty?

No, for Jesus sought the humble...

Corvino,

Torquato, but you're the last person in the world that I...

I thought to seek here. You should have told us.

All your friends are looking for you.

What are you doing here?

Why. Just what everybody else is doing.

Why are you dressed like that?

Don't you want to be recognized?

What do you mean? I'm not trying to fool anyone.

What do you want here? Why, that's Corvino.

The right arm of the State's Secret Police.

So, you're spying?

No, I'm not a spy. I swear. I, I'm not a spy.

No. That's false. I won't tell what I saw.

No. You have my word. No. I won't tell.

Have pity, please. No. Have pity on me.

I won't talk, believe me, I won't.

You bet you won't talk.

No, Catulo, no. That will do.

No, Catulo. Let him go, Catulo.

I order you. Are you not ashamed?

And the rest of you, who stand by in silence

to watch the murder of your brother.

You would teach charity and peace with hands drenched in blood?

Let Corvino go. Forgive me, brother.

Was it the voice of the Lord?

It was my voice. Sebastian.

Terenzeio told me that you had caught a spy.

I didn't wish to be recognized.

If I'd known, I'd...

Enough, Catulo.

It is no longer safe to meet here, Brethren.

We shall go to the Villa at Volks Hill.

The Emperor prefers these Africans to our Praetorians.

That's only natural. The Emperor is a barbarian.

Among his barbarians, he's more secure.

I guess you're right.

Corvino,

I've been looking for you for hours.

Is this the way you treat your friends?

You forget, friend. I've work to do besides yours.

I'm paid for it.

But what's interesting is,

is that Sebastian is not the one you have to fear.

Your rival is more powerful. He won't be easy to fight.

We're up against more than a simple tribune.

Why? Explain yourself.

Not now. We'll speak of this later. Wait outside for me.

Corvino, the Emperor will see you.

Duty first, and friends after.

Devine Maximian.

You may approach.

What is it that you want now?

The charge of the Secret Service.

The present Chief still has my confidence.

And besides, you're still much too young.

The young have good eyes and keen ears.

Plastro, give me the unguent, quick. This itch is torture.

So, what have you found out?

That your orders are ignored.

The Christian plots continue.

Ah, why should we get excited about a few idiots?

Idiots like Lucious Servarius?

Lucious Maximus, the Idar,

even your most trusted advisors are going to these meetings.

I have seen them with my own eyes.

I tell you, even the ward of Claudius is a Christian.

Impossible,

you must be mistaken. Claudius is the richest man in Rome.

Grant me the authority and I shall bring proof.

You know what this could mean?

I'm sure you know that half of all we confiscate will be yours,

but I warn you, if this is the only reason

you have for your actions, you'll answer.

Put me to the proof, Maximian.

All right, you have full authority.

And if you are capable, our Secret Police will have a new Chief.

How many guards were there? About 20.

Who else managed to escape? No one but me.

The Villa was already surrounded when I arrived.

Well, a few of us against 20,

there's little hope that we can free them.

Free whom?

I asked a question. Answer it.

Speak up!

The Christians.

And what do you care?

Or are you Christians?

Yes.

You'll end up like the rest of those delinquents.

Your cousin, Agnese, is amongst them.

Walk faster, you swine.

Here they come.

Wait here.

You fool, Agnese is amongst them.

I don't care if they kill all your friends, if they dare touch Agnese.

Agnese is tied to the others.

You'd better cover yourself.

Someone may recognize you.

Halt.

Halt, I say. Halt in the name of the Emperor.

For the love of God.

For the love of God, peace, brothers, peace, brothers.

Don't do it, brother!

Turn the other cheek, brother. Forgive thine enemy.

Remember the teachings, brother. Peace.

No, Catulo.

Oh, forgive me brother.

And a patrician, a patrician with slaves.

How could you?

To me, they are not slaves, Claudia,

I consider them as my equals.

I don't understand you. You will, though, one day.

You will believe. Yes...

Everyone will soon believe words like forgiveness and justice.

Justice and forgiveness?

Poor Agnese.

Poor Agnese.

You have no conception of the evils of mankind.

I know what goodness means now

and goodness will cure evil.

Words.

Your trouble is youth.

The young always fall in love with words.

We are justice.

Get out. All of you, get out.

And you stay here. I won't let you out of this room.

Oh, Agnese.

I don't want anything to harm you.

And the rest when Agnese is in my hands.

Lubala's clever, isn't she?

Wait, you. Who do you think you are?

What do you want, Valerio. No one sent for you.

I salute you, Corvino.

I see, you're still betraying your friends.

I've done my duty as a loyal Roman.

Ha, another loyal Roman paid for doing her duty.

And so what? This girl is the slave of Claudius.

And so we both know where we can find Agnese.

Where are you going?

I won't lot you hurt her, Corvino. You shall not hurt this girl.

I told you it's not just her gold I love.

Don't let him out.

Order your men to leave this house at once.

I have a warrant in good form from the Emperor.

Agnese is wanted for plotting against the State.

One little girl threatens Rome?

It is not for you to judge the Emperor's actions.

Your house is impressive, Claudia.

I'm sorry to have to come without being properly invited.

But I'm pleased to have the occasion to admire the place.

Corvino, we looked in the servants' quarters and she's not in there.

And this floor? Not here, either.

We'd better look upstairs, too.

Corvino.

Corvino.

The Emperor will regret this.

Rome owes a great deal of gratitude to my family.

And a great deal of money to my father.

For the last time, Corvino, give up your warrant,

or I'll make you pay for this.

Why are you so concerned?

If Agnese is not in your house, I shall even ask your pardon.

She's not here. Still...

I think you'd better leave this house,

before I have you thrown out.

Very well, Claudia.

But I'll pray to the Gods that we shall meet again soon!

Don't worry. We just made it.

Where is she? She's in a safe place.

And now there's this persecution, where will they go?

What will they do? They'll end up in the circus games.

I've never seen a lion go after a Christian, myself, but my father...

Ouch. Get some hot water.

My father used to say that there was a world of difference

between them and the usual criminals.

He said that, uh... Well, what is it?

Hello, Torquato. Where have you been?

I've been looking for you.

We have nothing to say to each other.

On the contrary. You have a great deal to say. Come along.

And don't give us any arguments.

But what's the idea?

He's going away, and he's only half-shaved.

Shaving's torture for my friend, Torquato.

He can't bear torture, can you, Torquato?

It's here.

It's all right, she's with me.

Your friends are welcome here, Vibio.

Some of these passageways lead out into the open country.

Others, directly into the heart of Rome.

So, this is where you people hide.

We don't actually hide.

We meet here to bury our dead and sanctify our martyrs.

What are they doing?

We keep closing old passageways and opening new ones.

That makes it difficult for those who would spy on us.

Agnese.

Oh, Claudia.

How can you bury yourself in this tomb without light or air?

Ah, but you are wrong, cousin.

There is more light here then in the palaces of Rome,

and the air that we breathe is clean and without hatred.

Come away. There's Octavio's house near Capua.

You'll be safe there.

Agnese is safe here, Claudia.

She's safe here with us.

We have all found peace in this place.

You, too, a Christian?

But are you all out of your minds?

If truth is madness, then we are all out of our minds, perhaps.

I don't understand you.

Stay here awhile with us, listen and watch.

We shall teach you the joys of our faith.

You may find peace, too.

Come on.

Come on.

What's happening? Shh. Don't speak.

Which way? Speak.

Down there.

Come with us, Claudia.

But, Sebastian, Vibio and the others, where are they going?

Don't worry, we'll see them outside.

Come with us. Hurry, please

They're on my heels. So are mine.

Stop it, you stupid fools.

While you're fighting each other, the Christians are escaping.

Follow me and use your heads.

Agnese. Agnese.

Agnese!

Let go of me. Let go of me.

Let go of me.

Turn back!

Let go of me. Let go of me!

Come on. Come on. Please. Let go of me.

Vibio...

Are you hurt? You're wounded.

Nothing serious.

Come on.

Claudia, what a pleasure.

I really didn't expect that we would meet here.

Take them away.

There's never any in between.

In the summer, it's too hot,

in the fall and winter all it ever does is rain.

Hey, you, down there. Here comes your food.

Don't waste the water like that.

It'll be eight hours before they bring any more.

Are you a Christian? Who, me? No.

I can't pay my debts.

Then why are you chained?

Why, for attempted escape, friend.

They drop the food basket, and I jump in and ride up with it.

The first few times they laughed, a joke, but not for long.

They got sick of me, so they chained me.

I'll take your bread, I see you're not eating it.

You give me your cape,

you stay back to defend me.

You risked your life to save mine.

Why?

Because it's my duty,

and of course, my desire.

But it's absurd. It's a nightmare.

But it will all be over in a little while.

My father will take me away from this horrible world.

Then, I'll take my revenge on Corvino

and on all those who dared touch me.

I'll show them.

Forgive me.

I was only thinking of myself.

You know, I'm sure it's the first time in your life

that you say such a thing.

I'm sorry, Claudius. I've done everything possible,

but he won't receive you.

I said, no one. No one?

You don't mean me, Maximian.

My money and I have always been allowed free access to your throne.

Have you forgotten that, Maximian?

You're wasting your time, Claudius.

Sebastian's already been here.

Your daughter, Claudia, will go on trial in open court.

That's the law.

Those are strange words coming from you.

If your daughter is found innocent, she will be released immediately.

And her accusers shall answer to me, personally.

No.

My daughter will not go before your judges.

Engraved in the Forum you'll find carved in golden letters

the names of my ancestors.

Do you know how much Rome owes to my family?

How much you owe to me?

You know that the Empire could not exist without my family's backing.

If our money were to be called in,

you would go bankrupt in 10 days.

Watch your step, Maximian, you've made too many enemies for your own good.

Don't force the hand of a father. I warn you.

Do not drive those you have need of to desperation.

When a man is beyond hope, he'll stop at nothing for his world is ended.

You've cut off my world.

Set my daughter free,

or another good friend, may become, overnight,

a terrible enemy.

I've warned you, Maximian.

Murderers! Murderers.

They've murdered him.

And they've cremated his body to remove all proof,

but it is Corvino's work.

He is arresting all your family and friends, as well.

He is saying that all of them are Christians.

It's all over now.

They'll kill me as well.

It's your fault.

It's your fault my father's dead.

May you Christians all be damned.

You're right, it is our fault he's dead.

What is that noise that sounds like a river?

That's the noise of the sewer, friend.

It's just behind us, behind those stones.

You'll get used to the noise of water after a little while.

When the Tiber starts into flood, it's like that.

Someday it's going to break the wall down and we'll all drown.

Look at it.

Catulo, Catulo, help me dig.

What're you going to do?

I want to drown.

Now what?

The water rises, we rise with it.

What a fool I was.

You know, I've been in this pest hole for years.

How simple. I was always afraid of the water.

What a perfect fool I was. By Jove, I...

Catulo.

Come on and help.

It's no use, we can't make it.

What can we do? There's no way out for him.

Let's give the alarm.

If we call the guards they'll pull us out of here.

They'll just put you into another prison.

This may be your last chance.

We don't have any alternative.

Come on, if we all shout together, they're bound to hear us.

There's no point in that. It's too late now.

Not for you, you have no chains on you.

Now you'll be able to escape from this inferno.

With the water going up,

the water will get you out of here.

You wash your sins away with water, I heard.

With water you can purify the soul, can't you?

If only my soul could be purified, too.

Please.

I baptize thee, Tertulious,

in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Greetings, Corvino.

What do you want?

Corvino, I thought you might need help, so I brought the guards.

No one asked you to help.

My men will have no trouble in arresting Christian dogs.

That's true. But what I'm worried about, though, are your dogs.

I wouldn't care to have our prisoners killed without a trial.

Corvino. Hurry, let's head for the water.

Don't give up.

Please go with the others.

Come along. Lean on me.

Corvino, they might have tried to double back.

Check the forest.

We'll go around the edge of the woods. I'll meet you later.

Head towards the south.

And God bless you.

Quiet, children. Quiet, now.

They won't hurt you.

They're just too friendly.

I've prayed that you would be saved.

I knew that you would be.

This way. Come.

This is my humble cabin.

Come in.

Hey, come out of there. Come along.

Can't you see we have guests?

Excuse them, we don't get many visitors.

The marks of the whip are still here.

I did it.

This is the last one.

Tribune, what are you doing?

The Commander of the Praetorian Guards

fighting to defend the Christians,

the enemies of the State.

A sorry sight.

A Roman Tribune fighting in the streets like a common thug.

I'm only doing my duty. Why do you interfere?

You have one more duty to fulfill then.

I, too, am a Christian.

Release him.

In the name of the Emperor, your sword, please.

You, even you, Sebastian, I can't believe it.

One of my own officers, a Christian.

Have you forgotten how much you owe me?

I've thought of you as my own son.

I made you the youngest tribune in Rome?

Why, I even hoped one day to put you on the throne.

To think I've nourished a serpent in my bosom.

And I'm lucky even to be alive,

not to have been stabbed by my own Praetorians.

I've told you I was a Christian.

You need have no worry about your safety.

Well, then, why did you hide your religion like a common thief?

Why did you accept my favors while you go on breaking my laws?

To help save my brethren.

I felt someday that you would understand, Maximian,

you felt I would understand what?

I am a soldier, and a soldier defends the law,

not persons who are trying to subvert it.

Look, Sebastian, try to understand. Don't be a fool.

I'm sure I can offer you a solution.

In two days, the circus is going to start.

And I will call it off, but on one condition,

the Christians must renounce their faith

before the entire Roman Senate.

The High Priest will conduct you to the temple

for the sacrifice to our Gods,

and we'll forget the matter.

It's impossible, Maximian.

All right, then, you die.

But not like your friends in the arena.

Iface!

Come here.

Select a squad of your finest archers

and have them tie this traitor to a tree.

Shoot him full of your sharpest arrows,

I want him to feel the points.

Don't shoot at his heart.

You will cover his entire body with arrows.

Let the blood drain slowly from his wounds.

I want this traitor to suffer.

Understand? Take him away.

Sebastian's attempt to help Agnese has only made things worse.

They have condemned all our comrades without trial.

Demanding they renounce their faith.

And what about Sebastian?

He is to be executed tomorrow.

The Emperor is furious. He fears the Praetorians.

He knows they love Sebastian and may try to revolt.

So the Africans will execute him.

Terenzeio, Jonah, Catulo,

get some horses. Where are you going?

To Rome. But, Vibio...

If you go to Rome, you'll be killed.

They'll have to catch us first.

And that won't be easy.

We must try to save him, Sesto.

That's the least we can do for him.

She must've heard.

Why have you requested this audience, Claudia?

What have you to say to me?

I've come, seeking justice, Maximian.

For I have been persecuted.

I've known violence and imprisonment.

My house and my possessions have been confiscated.

Now I'm again in the hands of your soldiers.

I ask you why a high-ranking Patrician such as I

should pay for a crime which was never committed.

I have never believed in the God of the Christians.

My only faith is in the gods who watch over Rome.

But you helped the Christians, you were with them.

I was only trying to save, Agnese. I swear.

That's her word. It's only her word.

That's enough, Corvino.

You are free. All your possessions will be returned to you.

You've renounced their faith, so I'm satisfied,

Rome must know that I always maintain my promises,

even as I am stern in my revenge.

Did you hear me, Iface?

Select anything you like.

You can take everything.

But, you must convince him.

And if you succeed, you won't be poor anymore.

I shall cover you with gold.

No.

I prefer to keep my hand right where it is.

All right, if that's all your love means, I'm leaving, Iface.

No, wait.

Why don't you ever talk about anything except gold and jewelry?

Why? What do you want to talk about?

Love.

About love with a man who won't even do me one little favor?

Look, just one arrow,

one arrow,

and the man is dead.

And suppose that you miss his heart?

Me, miss a shot?

Don't aim for the heart.

The Emperor wants him to suffer.

Don't shoot him in the heart or any vital part of the body.

Let him have time to think and feel the pain.

Oh, Lord above,

I pray that my sacrifice may serve as an example to Rome.

One at a time. You first.

May the persecutions cease,

and my brethren be martyred no more.

Our religion must triumph through our words,

and not through the blood of martyrs.

Truth will one day prevail over the ignorance of men.

Goodness and justice shall rule the world.

And men will no longer hate their brother.

The last one is for me.

Dear Lord,

send down thy grace into men's hearts,

and let thy heavenly light shine on a better world.

One Christian less to give us trouble.

Let's go, men.

There's wine for all.

Where is he?

In a safe place. The house of Evio, the physician.

Catulo, get the strongest men and meet me at the catacombs.

Let's go.

Sebastian. Vibio.

It's a miracle you're alive, Sebastian.

It really is a miracle.

One inch more to the right and they'd have hit the heart.

Don't stay too long, will you? He's lost much blood.

I'm all right, really.

We could go into the garden, but he won't permit it.

Why did you come? You're risking your life here.

But it's only my life I risk.

Tomorrow, Agnese and the others are sure to lose theirs in the circus.

I know.

It's terrible to be so helpless.

But there is something we can do, Sebastian. That's why I'm here.

We won't use the catacombs only to hide,

but from the catacombs, we can dig a passage into the main sewers of the suburra,

then we can reach underneath the circus and all we have to do is wait.

Then what?

When the games start, the noise of the crowd will make it difficult

for the guards to hear the sound of our picks.

We can dig a hole in the outside wall of the dungeon,

take Agnese and our brethren out with us.

If the guards try to stop us... Yes, go on.

May God forgive us for what may happen then.

Vibio...

Vibio, I resorted to violence and this is the result.

My brethren will suffer for it.

Don't descend to the level of our persecutors.

Don't resort to violence, promise me.

No, I cannot promise this.

Sebastian, they can't martyrize us any longer.

I can no longer turn the other cheek.

We can't let them torture us without reacting.

Haven't you suffered enough?

What have I had to suffer?

How easy it is to suffer

when you know that it may show the way to peace,

to turn others to our faith.

But when will they understand?

They will, one day. Just have faith.

Three hundred years ago, the same words were said on Calvary,

and the day hasn't come yet.

Don't blaspheme.

Forgive me, Sebastian,

but I can't wait any longer.

I've told you, I can no longer turn the other cheek.

I'm not a saint as you are.

I cannot stand idly by while beasts devour my brothers,

or the gladiators massacre them.

Wait, violence is not the solution. Vibio, wait.

Listen to me, Vibio.

Oh, give up. Let's leave Rome.

Are you suggesting that I run away?

Yes. Let's try at least to save our love.

It's all I have left, and I don't want to lose that as well.

I'm afraid this is no longer the woods.

This is Rome.

In the woods you loved me.

But here, you are again the Mistress and I am the slave.

But you can't save them. They can save themselves.

All they need do is renounce their faith.

We don't speak the same language any longer.

Did it ever occur to you that you might be wrong?

You would change our world.

We have ancient and just laws,

and you would substitute the laws of the weak,

the visionaries, the slaves?

It's you who create disorder. It's you who provoke violence.

Forgive me.

Evio.

Evio!

Where is Sebastian?

I don't know.

When we try to overlook their crimes,

the Christians only become even more audacious,

I maintain they constitute a genuine threat to the State and to our own person.

It is our sacred duty to defend the Empire against this danger.

They are everywhere, in our homes and in our families,

nibbling away at the very foundations of our Roman civilization.

If the Emperor and the Senate continue to close their eyes to these traitors,

as they have up to now,

we shall all be responsible

for the disaster which the Christians,

this band of subversive traitors, will bring down on Rome.

And I ask you, can any loyal Roman citizen

stand quietly by and permit this to happen?

Maximian...

Maximian, listen to me.

Don't spill the innocent blood of martyrs on the soil of Rome.

You, who have destroyed the temples of God, listen.

No. Silence. No, don't come near me.

No, You will hear me. I refuse to be silent.

Iface told me that you were dead. What are you? A ghost?

Won't even death shut you up?

God spared me for this hour.

In His holy name,

I ask you to spare my brethren.

Why spill the blood of these innocent men?

Rome is filled with cruelty and sorrow.

Why do you wish your name to be cursed forever?

Let these people go now. Please.

They're full of goodness and charity.

Why do you fear men who are good?

Why destroy them?

Maximian, don't stain your hands with innocent blood.

Silence. Isn't it enough to have betrayed us?

Arrest him!

I order you to arrest him!

Maximian, beware.

The Lord is just. Corvino!

No, Corvino. No.

Oh, my baby.

Oh, my poor baby,

follow me, come on.

The Christians, they're taking them to the arena.

Get in there.

Let us go home, Mistress.

Where are you going?

Come on. Get on there!

Come on. Get going.

What are you trying to prove?

Why don't you speak, idiot?

All of your suffering is for nothing.

You think you're tougher than we are?

Vibio, Catulo, and the others. Where are they?

Where are they?

He's dead.

The fool.

All right, who is next?

Well, will you speak up now?

Speak up, or I'll have you eaten by my dogs.

And they are hungry.

They have not eaten in three days. They're starving.

Why don't you feed them, then?

What?

The poor creatures must be hungry.

Why do you bark like that?

No one wants to hurt you.

There. Calm down, now. Good boys.

Quiet now, quiet.

You have no right to treat these poor beasts like this.

Come here. Come on, boys, now, now, don't be afraid.

I've many dogs at home, but I feed them.

I'm sorry I have nothing to give you.

Not even a crust of bread.

I wish I had. Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

You're very sweet.

Ah, if men could only be as nice as you dogs.

Good boy.

Poor beasts.

They're so affectionate.

Dirty Christian.

Help.

Help.

Your offer is generous.

And I want very little in exchange.

During the games, you are to get rid of the Praetorians

who are on duty in the corridor.

So the Christians can escape?

You must neither see, nor hear, nor must you ask questions.

Now, I've promised to set Lubala free,

if you agree to my request.

And I shall also give her a most generous dowry.

Get me some more wine.

We haven't even offered a toast to our benefactor.

I suppose you know how dangerous this operation is?

Not any more dangerous than what you did for Sebastian.

Should Maximian ever find out,

he'd never forgive you.

Is that a threat?

I was only asking you to think.

You know, I like women like you.

You know what you want and you're not afraid to ask for it.

What should I be afraid of?

Yes, I've always wanted to have a woman like you.

You haven't answered me yet.

This is quite an occasion for me.

Let me go. Don't touch me,

Iface. What do you want?

The Emperor wants to see you.

What is your answer, then?

I will leave the guard, and marry Lubala

and with her dowry, I'll build a house bigger than yours.

Come, Lubala. This house is mine.

And I'm going to stay here and wait for him.

Divine Maximian, your wish is our law, but still,

to replace Corvino with an African,

to name him the Chief of your household...

The Africans are the only ones I can trust.

The Praetorians. No Praetorian even tried to save Corvino.

They've never forgiven me for Sebastian.

Now, I'm not going to be struck down by my own men as Nero was.

Vibio,

you'll find horses and wagons by the Appian Way.

We'll all meet there tomorrow, during the games.

The streets will be deserted.

No one will even suspect us.

Thank you, Sesto. Providence has sent you.

With the help of Claudia.

She is going to be there, too.

Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar!

Hail! Hail!

We who are about to die salute thee.

Mistress, Mistress.

What is it, Lubala?

Iface says he doesn't want to marry me anymore.

Oh, no. He says he can't help

the Christians, anymore, either.

I don't know what to do.

Come.

The games have begun, Vibio.

Come on. Come on.

Iface. What do you want?

I want to... I can't speak here. It's dangerous.

Come with me.

I can't accept your offer, Claudia.

Corvino was killed, and I'm his successor.

You expect me to help the Christians now, do you?

I'll give you everything I have, Iface.

My home, my belongings, my land, everything.

The Emperor has offered more than that.

You're too dangerous to let free.

I thought you said this was soft rock.

Let's try to pry it.

Whoever gets past that line will be pardoned.

He who kills a Christian before he crosses the line will be free.

Kill a Christian or serve

ten years in the galley, a fair exchange.

We'll start with you. Go on.

Another.

You two, there.

Another one.

Vibio.

You, now!

You, next!

No!

What are you waiting for?

You want to spend 20 years in the galleys?

Vibio...

Grace them, Maximian. Grace them!

Grace them, Maximian, Grace them!

Grace them! Grace them!

Grace them! Grace them!

Grace them! Grace them!