Original subtitles

Your son Drusus is engaged

to my daughter Antonina.

He's openly living with his German concubine.

I won't let anything happen to you. Ever.

He disrespects my niece, my family!

I'm not leaving Drusus.

The German is now a problem.

She has to disappear for good.

No, no, no!

An absolutely prime female,

and bidding starts at 8,000.

I was thinking now you're back,

you might need someone to look after you.

After I lost Antigone, it was never the same.

What the fuck are you staring at?

Come to bed.

Might be a while.

Deep down, Gaius knows we killed Marcellus.

Your new master's inside.

- Fuck. - Agrippa.

You're unpopular.

Without your marriage to me, Iullus, you're nothing.

I'm pregnant again,

so it's safe for us to see each other.

It's not exactly safe.

Domitius, there you are.

Will you send for Antonia,

tell her that her husband's here?

Octavia's new son-in-law...

what do you make of him?

He's ruthless, ambitious.

- I miss you. - The usual place, tomorrow?

The son you never had.

Antonina, you're evil! Stop!

Yes, Pugnax, yes!

I sent for him. Come on, Pugnax, get your tunic off.

Obviously, I want to know what's what before I get married.

I don't want to just sit there like a lemon in front of Drusus

on my wedding night.

This is what Antigone did

for Aunt Livia before she got married. She told me.

Are those the balls?

Can't you ask Mother?

She told me to ask you.

What do I do with it?

Oh, dear.

I don't think I could get that inside me.

Antonia!

It's Mother. Quick!

Antonia!

Look. Just remember the rules.

Never in your bottom. That's what male slaves are for.

And never in your mouth, it's shameful

and no Roman lady allows it.

Right.

Don't bother putting that on.

Sometimes I wonder if you understand

the risk we're running.

Of course I do. But I don't care.

Did he see us?

How do I know?

Grandfather...

it's Drusus.

I bring you these gifts

and ask for your blessing...

for my wedding.

You can't just ask him for stuff and leave.

It's rude.

So... yes.

I'm marrying Antonina.

Octavia's youngest daughter.

If you remember...

Mother poisoned her son, Marcellus, a few years ago.

They haven't spoken since, not surprisingly.

So, obviously we're all looking forward to that reunion.

But, uh... as you know,

Tiberius and I have sworn to restore the Republic

after Augustus dies.

So, Mother says I have to marry into his family

and give him grandchildren...

for the honor of our family

and the glory of Rome.

Glory and honor?

- Seriously? - I know.

But what else is there?

Love.

Hope.

Freedom.

Who cares about all that stuff?

This marriage is what Mother wants.

- That's all that matters. - Yes, that is all that matters.

Pugnax!

Hurry up, over here!

Pugnax, quick! Quick!

There's something in the water.

Is this really necessary?

Better safe than sorry.

You don't want the slaves talking about you

sleeping with your sister's husband.

Half-sister.

Seriously?

Listen, I've had an idea

about the wedding... how to kill it dead.

It's, uh...

cruel, but I think it will work.

Do you remember our wedding?

Freezing fucking cold.

Your ex-husband, my ex-wife.

Drusus and Julia howling in Antigone's arms.

Half a lifetime ago.

And now...

the last two kids are off our hands.

Finally.

And think how much money we saved

marrying them to each other.

Hmm.

- What are you saying? - What?

- Come here. I'm cheap? - It's true. No!

- Calling me cheap? - Stop.

Agrippa.

Oh, send the cook.

As you're aware, politics is not really my thing.

But, this, uh... this new marriage legislation

that we're pushing through the Senate,

forcing aristocracy to get married

and start producing children, well...

well, it's not very popular.

So...

I was wondering if we could

maybe push the vote back a bit.

No.

Listen, brother...

could you run the vote without me tomorrow?

You're fucking joking, right?

I've some things I need to deal with.

Piso's expecting me.

Ah.

Livia.

He ambushed me as well.

You two asked me to officiate at this wedding.

Well, there's a condition.

And I know you hate conditions,

but things haven't been right with you two since...

well, business with the German girl.

- Her name was Gemina. - And it's time...

to make up.

Both of you...

or I'm not doing it.

Hmm.

All right.

I'm sorry.

No, you're not.

You'd do the exact same thing all over again.

Yeah.

But I didn't enjoy it.

I'm sorry about that.

There you are, Piso.

We're both sorry.

I feel bad lying to him about the girl.

What choice did he give us?

We've been waiting years for this wedding.

He better not fuck it up.

Well, yeah, we have waited a long time.

And this marriage will cement his position

as Augustus' heir at the heart of the family.

So show him some love and respect,

or you'll lose him.

And if we lose him then we lose everything,

because Tiberius is no fucking use to us on his own.

That hadn't actually occurred to you, had it?

I need you to vote in the Senate tomorrow.

Ah, those stupid new marriage laws.

Everyone hates them.

- Whose idea were they anyway? - Mine.

- Yours? - You vote "yes."

What is going on, Livia?

It's possible everything will depend on it.

Don't be late.

Are you sure you can spare the time for adultery?

You're supposed to be babysitting Octavia

day and night for Livia.

Yeah, well, she's asleep.

And Livia's paranoid.

You know, she'll betray you in the end,

if she has to... Livia.

She won't like it, but she'll do it.

Sometimes, Iullus, I just don't think you get it.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

- Marcella. - Mother.

Marcella.

My darling, you're soaking wet.

It was horrible. I was so scared.

- You've got fever. - No, no, no.

He was so pale.

And he looked...

- so unhappy. - What?

He touched my hand, and he was icy cold.

Who?

Marcellus.

Marcellus?

Oh...

Julia. Julia. There you are.

Antonia!

You idiots, I know. I've always known.

Marcella's had a dream or... something.

And there's a right to-do on the terrace.

Um...

Julia, they all think you're asleep in bed.

You come back with me, and I'll sneak you

back to your bedroom through the kitchens.

Antonia, listen.

You know...

Iullus and I...

This only happens when I'm pregnant.

So I always know my husband's the father.

The traditional Roman way.

You know I'll never tell.

Come on.

Oh, Domitius.

Where have you been?

Couldn't sleep.

Everything all right?

It is. Yes.

If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna get some sleep.

The slaves are out?

Wait.

It's so beautiful.

Thank you.

Conscript fathers.

Tomorrow...

Rome celebrates a marriage in the family

of Caesar Augustus.

And there is nothing more important

to Caesar Augustus

than the institution of marriage.

Where is he then?

Yeah, where is he?

For the children it produces

are Rome's most precious asset,

something the aristocracy of Rome seems to have forgotten.

With these new laws,

Caesar Augustus gives social

and financial incentives

to those who marry and produce children.

Ah...

And imposes...

suitable penalties on those

who choose to ignore their duty to the state.

As the guardian

of the laws and morals of Rome,

Caesar Augustus expects his own family to set an example,

and he asks you all...

He deflowered my mother!

And mine!

He asks you all to follow it.

I commend these new measures to the Senate

and call for a vote.

Oh, don't worry.

It fucking passed.

I wasn't worried.

Tell me, Tiberius, why has she got Augustus

shoving his morality down our throat?

Everyone knows he used to fuck everything in Rome.

Yeah, before he married your mother, of course.

I can't see it, either, but whatever it is,

she's been planning it for months.

I won't be here tomorrow.

I know.

The wedding.

Does it bother you?

I don't care about Drusus.

I have you.

Sister.

You look... you look tired.

Uncle.

Antonina.

- Are you ready? - I can't wait.

You should see my dress.

Mother, may I go and see Vipsania?

No! Uh, Antonina, come!

What's happened?

May we speak alone?

Vipsania!

Drusus.

It's me.

Antonina.

You're all grown up.

And ready to go.

Antonina, walk with me.

You're gonna get the talk.

- What's the talk? - She asks you questions.

- What are the answers? - Who knows?

I got them all wrong.

Aunt Livia. Sorry.

As the wife of Drusus

and a member of my family,

you will have a high public profile.

How will you adapt?

I will set an example of modesty and chastity,

like you, in public anyway.

And what are the most important qualities...

in a Roman wife?

Fertility and loyalty

to my husband, his career, and his family.

If only there were two of you.

Marcellus came from the underworld last night

in a dream to his sister.

He came to tell us...

that with all his heart, he opposes the wedding.

As do I.

I simply cannot face the thought

of marrying my daughter to Livia's son.

I'm...

I'm so sorry, Gaius.

I've tried to get past this.

And the gods know that I have tried.

But I cannot.

I've announced it in the Senate.

Declared public holidays.

Everyone we know is coming.

Except Marcellus.

Maybe...

if you spoke to Livia, even once...

No. Never.

I've accused her of terrible things.

What if I'm wrong? What if I'm right?

I go over and over it in my head and I can't find any peace.

Ever.

I can't just cancel the wedding the day before.

I understand.

Of course, the decision is entirely yours.

There's only one thing I can do.

Your husband would like to see you.

Huh?

He's postponed the wedding.

Indefinitely.

She left it late.

Pay for it.

What's the cover story?

The Augur was consulted, of course, as he must be.

Tomorrow was pronounced "unlucky."

We always knew Octavia wouldn't go through with it.

And it's too late for anyone to stop the marriage laws.

Well, yeah, but still.

What has to be done, I'd hoped to avoid.

Mmm.

Leverage like this, you never want to waste it.

Right.

You want me to make the arrangements?

Not yet.

Hey, Drusus.

What are you doing here?

You're getting married tomorrow.

Am I? Fuck.

Come on, Vistilius, let's play dice.

Uh, listen, I promised Tiberius

I wouldn't go gambling with you again,

after that last time.

He has this theory that your reckless, impulsive nature

leads you to make

self-destructive investment decisions.

Yeah, yeah. I know all that. Come on.

Also... um, I'm broke.

I'm not.

Hey.

Get out. Drusus is here.

You shouldn't have come.

You didn't say that

when I was bringing him here every night

to lose a fortune.

You got your cut.

Drusus is very important to us. We have big plans for him,

and we don't need you fucking them up.

I don't know. Do you want me to deal with her?

Brother, I always ask myself, "Is this violence necessary?"

Sometimes it's just enjoyable.

Drusus!

Vilbia.

It's great to see you. We missed you.

So, who's winning?

No one yet.

Oh.

I heard.

This makes it look really bad.

Most powerful man on Earth,

and I can't even arrange a fucking wedding.

I thought my sister was over everything.

Give her time.

You're taking this very calmly.

Do you have a plan?

You always have a plan.

Yeah, I have a plan.

I have a plan.

Mm-mm. Mm-mm.

Livia...

What?

What? This is how we always get past our setbacks.

We haven't done it in weeks.

- Weeks. - Hmm.

I...

What?

What, don't you want me anymore?

No, it's just...

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

Um...

Um...

Yeah, give her time.

She'll come 'round.

No, she won't.

Livia, I...

You had one job. One.

Shall I have the couches for the wedding feast removed?

No, give everyone the day off.

You ought to at least pretend to think

the wedding isn't happening.

Well, if anything starts to go wrong, send for me.

And what could possibly go wrong?

No! This is your doing! I hate you.

Control yourself.

At least have the guts to admit it.

- You'll just have to wait. - For what?

I'm 18. Everyone I know is married.

Vipsania's married, Antonia's married,

even Marcella's been married twice, and Julia.

What do you mean "even Marcella"?

You will get married.

At your guardian's pleasure,

just like every other Roman girl.

I am not "every other Roman girl."

And I will never marry anyone but Drusus!

One of the five great families of Rome!

They've had 28 consuls.

How many have we had? One.

Your father was a moneylender from Velletri.

My grandfather.

- Antonia, please, please... - No! No!

Whatever you think Livia did,

it's wrong to punish my sister or Drusus.

- You be quiet. - Yes.

Keep your mouth shut.

I will.

Yes. I will.

I swear before all the gods until you allow this marriage,

I will not eat again.

Yes.

And neither will I.

Oh, God.

Don't worry.

We won't miss many meals.

What do you mean?

She's right.

Livia wants this marriage.

She'll fix it.

I'll speak to Livia to make sure...

Surprisingly easy in the end.

You owe me.

You were the one that didn't want Drusus

marrying into the family.

I just...

wanted to piss off Livia.

And even she won't be able to get out of this one.

You still don't believe she killed my brother, do you?

Honestly, Marcella, since you ask,

I don't believe Livia does anything.

The idea that a woman runs spy networks

and moves mysteriously behind the scenes,

well...

Livia got where she is on her back,

like every other girl in Rome.

You still owe me.

What the fuck happened?!

Octavia!

Where are they?

Don't look at me.

I know, it's not your fault.

That's right. It's yours.

How didn't you see this coming?

Octavia was always going to be a problem.

Well, maybe we can poison her, too.

Yeah, some things we just don't say out loud.

Hmm. Look.

Forget Octavia.

You can't take Rome without an army behind you somewhere.

And the biggest one is on the German border.

Make me general of the Rhine army,

and I will make it mine.

After that, it doesn't matter who I marry.

"Whom I marry."

I'm 20 years old, Livia.

My life is slipping away.

Send me to war.

The wedding will happen in four days.

On the Ides of the month,

that is the next available day.

Can you shut up and wait that long?

And you, make your stupid wife pregnant!

I need Agrippa's family tied into mine.

Dear Mother.

So, the, uh,

situation is...

...in hand, hmm?

Why the foul mood, young lady?

When a man refuses a woman,

in bed, I mean, for... for the first time,

what's he thinking?

Well, honestly, uh...

it could be a lot of things.

I'm 40 this year.

I know. No idea what to get you.

I'm getting old, Piso.

I'm not ready to get old.

Mother wants you pregnant.

So one understands.

I've brought one of her dresses along.

Just in case.

Put it on.

I lost a fortune on that fuck last time out.

The fights are all fixed.

On the subject of fixes,

a lot of people aren't buying the Augur cover story.

I know I didn't.

It's embarrassing, of course, politically,

given the legislation and all.

A lot of people are wondering why you went cold

on marrying your niece into one of the five great families.

The consensus is...

Drusus has fallen from favor?

And a number of senators have been in touch,

not very discreetly,

wondering if you'd care to pimp out your niece to them.

Now that she's back on the market.

She's not back on the market.

Ah, what's Livia got in mind?

She thinks we should give it time.

But she doesn't know my sister like I do.

And, besides...

I'm not in the mood for time.

Agrippa.

We're just off to the country house.

Rome is simply impossible in this heat.

A message from your brother.

As your daughter won't now be getting married,

he wishes her to enroll as a priestess...

in the Temple of Vesta.

What? Mother.

Agrippa, this must be a mistake.

No mistake. It's the highest honor

the state can bestow upon a woman.

And the temple's always short of suitable candidates.

No.

No. Mother.

You are to take this note from your uncle

and give it to the high priestess.

You are to go immediately.

Wait. Just... Just leave us. Leave us.

Agrippa, what is this?

You asked that your daughter not be married.

- No, no, I... - Your brother respects that.

I asked that she not be married to Livia's son.

You need to respect his alternative.

What, that she be locked away

in a temple for the rest of her life?

It's only 30 years.

She can still get married afterwards.

She'll be 48.

She'll be 48 years old. This is vile!

It's just a marriage, Octavia.

A political alliance between one family and another.

- It's never personal. - She made it personal!

Your son was poisoned by his slave!

Yes, well, everybody keeps telling me that!

There's never been any proof that Livia was involved!

No, you never found it!

And I wonder just how hard you looked.

What the fuck?

Oh, yes, Agrippa.

I have seen the way you look at Livia!

If you change your mind about the marriage,

I suggest you do it soon.

You tell my little brother

that I'll let her rot in that temple forever

rather than have her marry into Livia's family.

I'll tell him.

Yes! Tell him!

You're not sorry about this.

Honestly,

I think that marriage just brings my brother

one step closer to a squalid and violent death.

Your father was an optimist, too.

I don't want to be Augustus.

I don't even want to be me.

I'd like to care about honor and glory

and your personal quest to restore the Republic but I...

I just can't.

There's obviously just...

something wrong with my head.

Hmm.

But I do care about my brother.

And I care about keeping him alive.

That's probably my only ambition.

I know.

Well...

I told them.

She went for you.

Live a ravenous cougar.

Mother was the same.

So are you.

Oh, I tell you, brother.

I feel sorry for Antonina.

I can't control Rome if I can't control my own family.

She's just caught in the middle of some old history.

Brother...

women are like dogs,

they can smell fear.

Horses!

It's Antonina.

He sent her to the Temple of Vesta to be a priestess.

What?

We didn't see that coming.

And once she takes the vows...

that's it.

Well, get her out of there. Now!

How? It's death for a man to enter the temple.

Well, you think of something.

I'll catch you up. Go. Go!

Get my horse.

Here it is, the Temple of Vesta.

This was supposed to be my wedding day.

The sacred flame of Rome.

We guard it, day and night.

If it should ever go out,

the wrath of the gods would fall down on Rome...

and upon us.

High priestess.

I am Antonia, daughter of Marcus Antonius.

This is my sister, Antonina.

I know. you were engaged to Livia's son.

I know Livia well.

We were best friends when we were children.

Our mothers were cousins.

We were always in each other's houses.

She used me and betrayed me

as she uses and betrays everyone.

She's ruthless,

selfish,

and cruel.

Let me show you 'round the temple

and the room you will share with the other initiates.

Did you hear that?

I wonder what Livia did to her,

the high priestess.

She really hates her.

High priestess...

is it true...

if a priestess breaks her vow of chastity, she's...

buried alive?

Fortunately, it rarely happens.

Where's your sister?

Oh, no.

Get her! Get her!

Sorry. Sorry.

Come back.

- Are you mad? - Wait!

Don't move.

Okay?

That was lucky.

Thank you, Tycho.

Make the arrangements.

- We end this now. - Lady.

Aunt Livia, you have to help me.

I can't be a Vestal! I can't!

Antonia and Iullus said you'd fix everything.

They're wrong!

I can't fix anything because I'm a woman!

And women have no power in Rome.

So if you want something done, you stand behind the men

and make sure no one can see you there!

Because otherwise they will tear you to fucking pieces.

Keep her hidden until I get back.

Mother is gonna fix this.

But you shouldn't let her. You shouldn't marry Drusus.

You should go back to the temple and lock yourself in.

What?

Livia's a monster.

She controls everything and everyone,

so nobody can breathe any more.

You have no idea what it's like.

She even tells us when to have sex.

What's sex like?

Well, if you put on one of Livia's dresses,

it's amazing.

Actually, no.

I've got a better idea.

Better than what?

Drusus, listen.

If I give myself to you,

and we...

you know...

I won't be a virgin,

so I can't be a Vestal.

They'll have to let us marry.

Even I know that's a terrible idea.

I won't marry a coward.

You won't have to.

Oh, you...

You idiot.

What do you want?

You don't want your daughter in the Temple of Vesta.

Neither do I.

I don't want my son in that mausoleum either,

but you stole him from me.

As you once stole my brother from Scribonia,

because you are Livia,

a thief.

Of people, lives,

and dreams.

And yet, you still expect me to unite our families

so that your son can gain a small advantage

in the vulgar scramble

to inherit the laurels of Augustus.

You understand if I prefer not to endure it.

Your adopted son, Iullus, has been intimate with Julia

before, during and after her marriage to Marcellus.

And now she's betraying Agrippa.

If their long affair became public,

it would humiliate your brother and destroy his authority.

Especially now, after his recent legislation on marriage.

For Iullus, of course, the choice would be exile

or suicide.

The wedding will go ahead.

The Ides of the month,

in four days' time.

You'd do that to my brother.

I won't have to.

Scribonia, what are you doing here?

Why aren't you at the wedding?

- That got cancelled. - What?

Why?

A lot of people hate Livia.

You're certainly not the only one.

Listen, Scribonia...

- I think I'm pregnant. - What?

- That's perfect. - Is it?

Why is it?

What if he doesn't want me any more when I'm fat?

This was always the plan.

It's what we've been working for.

You came to me for advice.

You came to me for revenge.

Do exactly what I tell you

and you will get everything you want.

You are the only person in that family

whoever treated me with any respect.

I always saw your potential.

I won't forget it.

Okay.

Oh, we just heard one of your slaves

- died out on the estate. - Is it true...

Would you like me to get you a new one?

It is true about you and Julia?

Oh.

I love her.

I always have.

I can't remember a time when I didn't.

- I can't help it. - Oh...

Father,

you shouldn't have left me alone like this.

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep doing this.

It's eating me alive.

Mother.

Here she comes.

- You threw us to the wolves. - They threw you back.

You might not always be so lucky.

So, Iullus.

Now do you get it?

So...

my sister changed her mind.

Mm.

Suddenly.

The wedding will go ahead on the Ides,

in four days' time.

That's the next available date.

Mmm.

I expect you had something to do with it,

somewhere.

And I'm grateful.

How grateful?

It was a bluff, right?

The Temple of Vesta?

We never bluff.

Can I have some wine, please?

Oh, my god, these are good.

You're hungry?

Just a bit.

What happened?

Mother won't talk about it.

What's it been, two hours?

Watch out, Antonina.

I don't care.

See? There you were.

Worrying about nothing again.

As always.

Livia.

Look. My wedding dress.

Piso bought it for me from the shop.

Hey.

Look, there's Antonina.

Good lad.

Happy now?

Her family's far beneath mine.

So's mine.

Yes.

Welcome, friends,

to the wedding of Nero Claudius Drusus

and Antonina,

daughter of Octavia and Marcus Antonius.

Great Juno,

goddess of marriage and fertility,

we ask your blessing on this day.

Accept this sheep from my farm in return.

Now, Drusus, will you take Antonina?

I will.

Antonina,

will you have Drusus?

All right.

Then, Drusus,

she is yours.

Now, let's kill this sheep!