Original subtitles

A marriage to Julia would be very good for me, politically.

She's marrying Agrippa.

But he won't live forever.

And when she does become available,

I want you to fix it.

Julia has dishonored her marriage to Agrippa.

It wasn't Vilbia Julia was sleeping with.

Does it ever bother you

that he adopted my two sons and never yours?

Love makes us weak.

I saw Gaius's will.

So, the adopted sons of Agrippa to inherit everything, hmm?

- Who's the executor? - Domitius.

It was Domitius behind the famine,

as you suspected.

You still don't believe she killed my brother?

Revenge on Livia is your passion, not mine.

- Is that the letter from Mother? - Yes.

Don't know why she bothered putting it in code.

Habit, I suppose.

Go get the priestess Aurelia.

I want a copy of Agrippa's will, too.

I want you to take Germany...

for Rome.

If he ever sees you as a threat or a problem,

you'll be dead.

You certainly won't inherit his power.

This is a fucking enormous honor!

- No, it isn't. - Yes, it is.

It's a ten-year suicide note, is what it is.

I'd be asking yourself why it's got your name on it.

Something wrong with my head.

Bad Tiberius lives inside Tiberius.

He always has done.

Tiberius, she's dead.

Mostly, he sleeps but...

- Who wakes him up? - Mother.

Her poisons.

Yes, she said you were bound to need them.

Please, enough fighting.

Stop it. Silence.

Please help, please. Listen, stop it.

- Agrippa. - Come on, lads,

don't piss your mother off.

Agrippa.

All right, that's enough.

Stop the bloody carriage!

- Enough of this now! - I said stop!

Agrippa, they're fighting again.

Lads, lads, oi!

- Agrippina, enough. - You were told!

Gaius, you're not sitting together anymore.

- Agrippa. - Julilla, get her back.

Agrippa!

Agrippa.

- I saw that! - The baby's coming.

It's fucking coming!

Can you not just wait till we get back to Rome?

- What? - No? Right. Okay.

Yeah, yeah.

Okay. Kids, form up!

Gaius!

Lucius!

Julilla.

Ooh, it's coming now.

Julilla?

I'm coming to get you!

Hmm.

I wonder where she could be.

Found you! I win!

Come on!

Come on, sit down.

I found you.

Oh! I'm knackered.

Out of shape.

Don't worry about your mum.

She's all right.

Women love a good fuss.

You know, my dad...

...would bring us here hunting when I was your age.

We'd check the traps and then...

then my brother and I, we'd run off,

throw rocks at birds.

Oh, it was magic.

You know...

I've fought battles and...

sunk fleets and...

built temples and aqueducts.

I don't think I've ever been as happy as I was then.

Except maybe now.

Fuck, it's coming, I can feel it!

Daddy?

Wake up, Daddy.

There you are.

Look, it's a boy.

A big, fat boy.

What? What's the matter?

Agrippa?

Oh, my love.

Thank you.

What?

My friend.

My brother.

Senator.

General.

Architect.

Warrior.

As long as...

As long as...

this city stands...

on these hills...

...men will remember the name...

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

Hey. Hey. It's all right.

You don't need him anymore. You don't need him anymore.

Augustus.

This is the final will of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa,

held in safekeeping in the Temple of Vesta.

I wonder what's in it.

You shouldn't joke about that. Forging wills is sacrilege.

Possibly.

It's brilliant, though.

If you control the temple, you control the future.

I knew he was leaving everything to Gaius.

Did you really need any more money?

Money buys people,

and armies, you can never have enough.

I'll take my old room.

Put the boys in Tiberius's old room

and the girls in Drusus's.

The baby can sleep with the nurse.

- Are you all right? - Yes.

Have a seat, darling. Hi, you.

So, Julia, back home with the parents. How's that?

Still, it's only until they find you a new husband.

Have they told you who it is yet?

What? After two marriages and five children?

No. I'm done.

You're only 27.

You can't seriously imagine you won't get pimped out again?

Oh, that's hardly the tone, is it?

What tone would you prefer?

Of course you're welcome to my husband, such as he is,

but sadly there's no chance of that happening.

Oh, that is quite enough of that.

In fact, it's much more likely to be yours, Antonia.

Why? Have you heard something?

Well, I know Domitius is interested.

Or then there's Drusus.

- What? - Or Gallus or Varus.

They'd be worth having in the Senate.

Or even Tiberius,

now that Vipsania's father can't vote anymore.

How can you be so callous?

- Plenty of practice. - Oh, honestly, Marcella,

we're barely into the mourning period.

Do you have to be such a fucking bore?

No one gave a slave's ass about my mourning period.

As soon as Marcella's father turned to ash,

I was panting away underneath Antonia's.

I got pregnant so fast

that I wasn't actually sure whose it was.

- Mother. - That is my point.

After two husbands, they left you alone.

And you only had four children.

Yes, but I only had relations with my husband.

Um, Octavia!

Well, it's a bit late for self-righteous outrage.

Fuck you, Marcella.

You fucking...

Marcella, stop!

Marcella.

Run, Julilla.

Run for your life.

- Never stop and never look back. - Get off!

- Stop it! - It's ridiculous.

Fucking Marcella.

She started taunting Julia about her next marriage.

What next marriage?

Oh, it's the only thing anyone wants to talk about.

She said it might even be one of you two.

Mother's with Piso.

Start packing.

Tell nobody.

I loved Agrippa.

As much as I could.

He was... the balance between Gaius and me.

His death doesn't really change the succession.

As far as everyone's concerned,

Augustus's adopted sons are still first in line

to inherit everything.

But the new will you made will take care of that,

unless he marries Julia off,

and that really could complicate everything.

Better he doesn't, for everyone.

But he will.

The choice of husband will be hugely significant,

politically.

I know.

A mark of particular favor

and influence.

Then it has to be Drusus.

Iullus, I'll leave you to it.

No.

No, what?

No, I can't fix your marriage to Julia.

Not now. Maybe not ever.

You promised me.

I've done everything you asked.

Gaius will let you run for the Consul next year,

and I will pay for it.

Everyone's a Consul now.

I want Julia.

You want the daughter of Augustus.

Why shouldn't I?

I'm sorry.

That's the last time I'll get betrayed

by your fucking family. - I doubt that.

My father ruled the world with yours,

but I'm kept outside like a fucking leper,

waiting for my turn as a Consul.

I swear to the gods,

I'll bring this whole fucking thing crashing down.

No, you won't.

Livia, you listen to me.

My whole life, I've always done what everyone else wants.

I've earned my freedom.

Even a slave gets that in the end.

What?

I don't want to get married again.

I want to be left alone.

And as some sort of woman, I expect you to get that

and get behind me. - Agreed.

What?

I don't want you to get married again.

It's messy,

and it complicates everything, so...

All right then. Fine.

So, you'll fix it?

Drusus.

The women are all talking about who's next for Julia.

If I can't put it off,

it will have to be you.

Will that bother you?

I love Antonina.

But it's just a marriage.

Nobody takes it personally.

What matters is getting the Republic back,

and if I have to marry Augustus to do that, then I will.

Prepare your wife.

Domitius will want Julia, too.

You can leave that to me.

Find my sister, please.

And Scribonia,

Livia.

We'll rely on these measures...

Domitius.

- Excuse me. - Yes, of course.

Livia.

Are you looking for me?

I want to ask you to speak to Augustus today.

Tell him that out of respect for your wife Antonia,

you can't be considered as husband for Julia.

And why would I do that?

Because it would make me happy.

Well, I hate to make you sad,

but if Augustus

is looking to marry his daughter to anyone,

then I would expect to be considered.

And I certainly wouldn't turn her down.

Hmm.

Domitius.

Was that all?

You know, I never told Augustus

that you organized that grain famine...

...with your close friend, Marcus Cassius Elva.

That's where you got the money to run for Consul.

That's a lie.

My people found your agent in Egypt,

Tomi, the one you used to buy the grain,

which you sold to Rome for six times the price.

Well, he was tortured until he told us everything.

So, you know...

That's all.

Are you divorcing me for Julia?

If things work out,

I might have to.

Are we still going to Germany tomorrow?

Of course.

Nothing will happen till next year.

Oh, well, that's it, then.

Still...

it was fun while it lasted.

It'll be me who has to marry Julia.

What?

Stepfather loves Drusus,

because everybody loves Drusus,

but he's jealous of him, and I think he fears him, too.

He won't give him his daughter.

He'll give her to someone who... who he doesn't fear at all,

someone everyone thinks is useless.

Yes, you're clearly the most useless choice.

Deep down, he'll enjoy giving Julia

to the only person in Rome who doesn't want her.

Because he's a monster.

Plus...

of course you're irrelevant now, politically,

after your father's death.

Meaningless.

We can't take the baby with us.

He'll slow us down, and it won't be safe.

Antonina will look after him.

Are you ready then?

I have been ready all my life.

Domitius.

I was just leaving.

He's not well.

I've told him that he should stop having these meetings,

that it's too tiring, but he won't listen.

I'm all right. It's just a chill.

What did Domitius want?

Oh, Domitius said that he would prefer

not to be considered if Julia were to remarry.

But he was very nice about it. I mean, I thought

he was very respectful. - Mmm.

Listen, Livia, now that we're all here,

I have a gift for you.

Julia.

She'll have to marry again.

This time I want it to be into your family.

So...

she'll marry Tiberius.

Tiberius?

And then maybe we can have grandchildren together, finally.

Oh, thank you.

Yes, thank you.

Well, I... I'm just grateful

that none of my daughters have to get divorced,

'cause that's always a bore, isn't it?

They have to come home,

and they just complain about everything.

I know I'd normally consult you over something like this,

but I wanted it to be a surprise.

It certainly was.

Fuck!

Fuck! Fuck!

Someone get Tycho!

Tiberius?

You are fucking kidding me!

- This is a joke. - Shh. Keep your voice down.

It could be worse.

- Oh? - You could have got Domitius.

Listen to me, this is a good thing.

With Tiberius we can do a deal.

No sex, no children.

That way everything will come to your boys.

They're the future of Rome.

Fuck Rome! What about my future?

It's just an engagement. With the mourning period,

you'll get a bit more time before the wedding.

- Julia... - No.

- Julia. - Scribonia, just leave it.

This is not the worst outcome.

It is for Tiberius.

And Stepfather obviously doesn't trust me.

If he doesn't trust me now, then he never will.

Honestly, Drusus, none of that matters.

We know Augustus wants Julia's sons

to inherit his power because they're his blood,

but his will is gonna name you as his successor.

You forged his will?

We can't have another civil war.

Exactly. And what was the alternative?

We move now.

I command the Army of the Rhine.

Instead of leading it into Germany,

I lead it into Rome.

Agrippa's gone,

and Stepfather's all over the place.

This is the moment.

He'll fight. You know he will.

Not if he's dead, like Marcellus.

You get the poison. I'll get the army.

We'll have the Republic back by the end of the year.

Fuck.

Livia...

Unless, of course, you're not really serious

about ending his tyranny

or avenging your father?

Answer the question, Livia.

We wait, like we planned.

That way we control the outcome.

No, you don't.

You think you do, but you're dreaming.

Life is completely fucking unpredictable.

You of all people understand that.

- It's too risky! - So is waiting!

- Shh. - Tiberius is gone.

What do you mean, "gone"?

He left Rome with Vipsania on horseback before dawn.

They left the baby and this.

It's for you.

He's not coming back. That's what it says.

Find them. Get them back.

Drusus. Drusus, please.

No one else can do this.

Find your brother.

- Gaius will never forgive... - To be continued.

Antonina.

Livia. Sorry, we're still packing for Germany.

Germanicus!

Even though that's obviously been delayed.

So you heard?

Vipsania left me Drusillus and a note.

Couldn't believe it.

What the fuck does Tiberius think he's doing?

If my uncle finds out

he's refusing the marriage to Julia,

he's finished. Everything is finished.

What do you mean?

I know what it is you want them to do.

Drusus talks in his sleep.

Things he wouldn't dare say when he's awake.

At first it didn't make much sense. Just words...

Fears.

But in the end, I got it.

Of course I've never told anyone.

Not even Drusus.

You see, that would be fatal.

Yes, it would.

People sometimes forget,

my uncle killed my father,

indirectly.

Just like he killed yours.

So, we're going to restore the Republic.

And if you ever need anything from me,

you can ask.

I love you.

And I need you to watch Drusus.

Do you mean...

spy on my husband?

Yes. That's what I mean.

Got it.

Come on! Come on!

Come on.

You, come in.

Come in.

See? Look.

Come on.

Come in.

All the pleasures of the world.

See?

Welcome, welcome.

Wine for the lady. Olives and grapes.

Would the lady prefer to see a man or a woman?

Oh, I don't care, really.

I'm the daughter of Augustus.

And I've never had cunnilingus.

Hello, gods.

Hello, goddesses.

It's me Vipsania Agrippina.

Give me health.

Give me sandals.

And let me escape from Mother.

And in return,

I won't tell anyone you don't exist.

What is it?

My happy childhood.

Drusus gave this to me on my eighth birthday.

He stole it from Tycho.

Where's its head?

Give me that fucking horse!

What?

My father broke off the head.

Why?

I don't know.

It's wine, Tiberius. Try this.

Mmm. Here.

Lad, have you ever seen a clitoris?

Yeah, come here. Come here and show him.

Sh... Show him your vulva.

For fuck's sake, Nero!

He's only a boy. Ow!

Get off!

You never talk about him.

- Ever. - Father.

Is this Mother's?

I said, is this Mother's?

Put it on.

It's funny, really, if you think about it.

Underneath it all,

or even not underneath any of it,

there's just no difference between you and me.

Like, "Here you are, here's a dress,

"a place to crash, help yourself to the wine,

"he'll be in in a moment,

"and then someone else after him."

And why is cunnilingus so taboo anyway?

I'll tell you why, 'cause it's fucking awesome.

Oh, come in, we're open for business.

Julia.

Gracchus.

Hello. How are you? How's, um...

...thingy? Your wife.

Julia, what are you doing here?

Well, I'm in mourning. How about you?

Well, come on then, Gracchus.

Fuck me.

Everyone else has.

Domitius.

Are you waiting for me?

Well, I was just going to give thanks

for Julia's engagement to Tiberius.

- Would you care to come? - Of course not.

Let's say you were right.

Let's say Livia did have your brother killed.

What?

Have the gods finally restored your eyesight?

- It was more Livia. - But it made me wonder.

Do you remember Julia's lover

that everyone was looking for but never found?

I'm the last fucking person to forget about that.

Do you think that it was Livia that had Vilbia set up?

Got Agrippa to kill him?

Well, it certainly wasn't Iullus.

He can barely wipe his ass with a sponge.

Marcella.

All right. Here's what I do know.

It was Livia who got my mother to back off

on Antonina's wedding,

and I also know it was Livia who uncovered the famine,

back when...

you know, the grain prefects and the corruption, all that,

which is how that rat Ursa

ended up living with Livia's new daddy, Piso.

You know, Domitius,

you ought to pay more attention to women

and slaves and gossip

if you want to know what's really going on.

If Livia did get Vilbia killed, that would be

very dangerous for her,

if certain people found out.

Does it matter if it's true or not?

As long as certain people think it is.

That would be an extremely dangerous game.

If you want any kind of power in this city,

eventually, you'll need to get rid of Livia.

Drusus will find him.

He wants to see you.

Hey, how are you?

I meant to tell you.

Agrippa's will.

He left you huge bequests of land.

You're nearly as rich as me now.

Really?

He always loved you.

Did I move too fast with Julia?

It's never good to let things drift.

It looks weak.

Especially now.

Nobody thinks you're weak.

I'll see Vipsania and Tiberius today.

Of course, she'll need a new husband.

What do you think of Gallus?

Oh, there's no need to hurry.

Wait till you're better.

No, we need to be ready.

If anyone's going to move against us, they'll do it now.

Nobody's going to move against us.

What are you doing with the poisons?

- Nothing yet. - Livia.

Both of my sons are completely out of control.

The situation's unstable.

Tiberius, wake up.

Wake up.

Livia didn't come today

'cause she doesn't love you.

She never has.

And once upon a time...

She doesn't really love you.

...when you were a tiny baby,

she killed you. Did I tell you that?

When you were a tiny baby.

She smothered you

with her hands... hands,

until you couldn't breathe anymore.

Her hands...

And when you were quite dead,

she killed you,

you know what she said then?

She doesn't love you.

It was him...

She killed you.

...or us.

With her hands...

she killed you.

She's a monster. Wake up!

Oh, it's just a dream.

It wasn't a dream.

Ah, I couldn't breathe.

Can you put some clothes on?

Leave us.

I knew you wouldn't fuck off to Greece without this rubbish.

These are Mother's.

She was looking for them for months.

What do you remember about Father?

Father?

Nothing.

Nothing at all?

I remember his corpse.

Seeing him in the atrium for people to visit.

Mother took us for cakes afterwards, to celebrate.

That's all you remember?

They were almond cakes.

- Why? - I can't go back.

I know.

But you have to.

No, I don't.

Yes, you do.

No, I don't.

One day you'll be free from all this.

But not now.

Not like this.

Please.

Let me go.

Please.

Look at me.

He'll never forgive you.

It's not safe...

for anyone.

It's not safe for you.

I don't care about me.

I know.

I...

I can't control it.

Myself.

Him.

I can't do this without you.

Oh, I... I can't breathe.

You can't... you can't leave me alone.

Tiber, no, no.

No, stop. Stop.

Stop. Stop it.

No. Stop. Stop.

- I'm a monster. - No. No.

You're not. You're my brother.

You're my... you're my brother.

Okay?

Stupid self-confidence.

Mother.

Welcome back.

- Are you fine? - Yeah.

It wasn't my idea,

the marriage to Julia.

Yes. But you're not sorry, are you?

Well, no.

Fuck!

What a fuck-up.

Tell me you can fix this.

We need to talk.

Your father's ill.

Brilliant. Serves him right.

Hope he dies screaming.

He wants to see you both.

Now.

Don't make him choose between us.

He will always choose me.

Oh, Father. I'm so sorry you're unwell.

I'm fine.

No, he isn't.

You smell like a whorehouse.

It's this new perfume Marcella bought me.

Your mother told you about the wedding?

Of course.

Thank you.

It's a great honor.

Yes, and I think Agrippa would be pleased.

Congratulations, Tiberius.

I'm so happy for you both.

Congratulations, Tiberius.

So sorry for you both.

Stepfather.

We came to say goodbye.

Ah.

Antonina.

Goodbye, Antonina.

We'll be back for the wedding.

Bring me Germany.

I wouldn't mind if it were you.

Be careful.

Someone else lives inside Tiberius,

and you don't want to meet him.

I'm so sorry

for your father, Tiberius, and the divorce.

Yes. I'll be married again in no time.

I'll let you know who it is when I find out.

Thank you for bringing him back.

If you want us to wait, we will.

I'll keep my army in Germany for now.

I love you, Mother.

Don't go back to Germany.

Please, it's not safe.

That's why he's keeping you there.

No, he isn't.

You're worrying about nothing again.

I can't lose you, too.

We need to talk about something.

I'll write.

You never write to anybody.

I'll write to you.

Drusus.

We're ready to move again when you are.

I need to finish this.

- Fucking code. - Here.

Let me help.

What's so urgent?

It's just something I want to get off to Tiberius.

Thank you.

"M"...

One-two.

"O"...

Six-eight.

"T"...

Three-four.

Are you sure this is his code, and not Mother's?

I'm not a complete idiot.

And it is the latest one?

Uh... fuck.

No, it is the right one.

My brother's hand only.

- And this is for Livia. - Of course.

Uh, I won't make it back tonight.

Catch us up when you can.

You... come with me.

Mount up.

Tiberius, I know you won't agree with me,

and Mother never will.

But now is the time to act.

If I bring my legions to Rome,

and you bring yours from the Balkans,

Stepfather will have to cede power.

If we act together, we can restore the Republic

without bloodshed or war.

For Livia, from Antonina.

But I cannot do it alone.

It will take both of us together...

an overwhelming show of force.

For Tiberius Nero from Drusus.

Think this over. Give me your answer.

And don't tell Mother or Piso.

Impressive, even by your standards.

Leave us, please.

Antonina, I assume.

Give me the letter.

Write back.

You want me to tell him I support Stepfather.

What choice do we have?

We could poison Stepfather

and bring out that will you forged,

naming Drusus as successor.

Or not.

Mother...

...when I was a baby,

did you suffocate me with your

bare hands until I was dead?

Yes. Why?

Well, I guess that sort of thing was bound to happen...

sooner or later.

We were on the run.

Bounty hunters found us.

They were all around in the woods. We were hiding.

And then you started to cry.

- It was me or you. - I stopped you crying.

When it was safe, Antigone put you in a stream.

Cold water brought you back.

- I went to the underworld. - And then you came back.

Someone else came back with me.

I don't believe in "Bad" Tiberius.

He's just someone Drusus made up when you were kids.

Now write.

I've betrayed my wife...

and myself.

Now for my brother.

It's an exact copy?

I gave the original letter to Tiberius.

And the key square?

It's always locked away.

Antonina or his slaves are always around.

Get it for me.

I can't break the code without the key.

I-I won't let you down.

Mother said you'd have to choose between us,

in the end.

Me or Mother.

Mother or me.

She said you'd always choose her.

She doesn't love you.

She doesn't love you.

- She never has. - She never has.

- She's a monster. - She's a monster.

It's you or me,

Mother.

And it isn't me.

Aah!

What have you done?

Come on.

I can't breathe!

I thought I was dead!

I was suffocating!

Oh! It was just a dream.

A nightmare.

It was so real.

Like someone was on top of me.

What are you doing here?

I, I couldn't sleep.

I was in the kitchen. I heard a noise.

Go back to sleep, yeah.

Domitius, long time since you were here.

I'm still celebrating the death of Agrippa.

Won't you join me?

About that...

I just found out.

It wasn't Agrippa that had your brother killed.

He was set up.

It was Livia.

The wife of Augustus.