02x06 - Philippi

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Where are the grain
provisioning figures?

This can't be right.

I've been talking with the men.

They had no idea Greece
was so large.

And they're sick of
the endless marching...

you put us through.

We're plotting our revenge.

We must find good ground.

They're quite an amiable lot, really,
when you get to know them.

Ravening potbellied whorescum.

Let's hope they fight as well as eat.

If you will bury your nose
in quartermaster's accounts

you must expect to be gloomy.

Look up, Cassius.

Look around.

Is it not wonderful?

I see only a hundred thousand
mouths to feed.

You have no poetry in you, Cassius.

We ride with these men
to save the Republic.

Yeah, well, sorry to be prosaic.

Before we do any saving of republics,
we have Octavian to defeat.

Indeed.

If we play this right

we can take Brutus and Cassius
by surprise.

They will be expecting to face
only you and your troops.

So when both our armies arrive
in Greece

they will be trapped.

And there will be no time
for them to flee.

Do you understand what I'm saying,
or shall I speak more slowly?

No, making use of strategic surprise
is obvious.

To that end, there is a list
of the most prominent friends...

and supporters of Brutus
and Cassius left in Rome.

We should... k*ll them

before they learn what we're about.

You are a ferocious little c**t
with a pen.

These are among the finest men
in Rome.

Some of them my good friends!

Their money will be useful as well.

General Antony, tell them.

Cicero is the cleverest b*stard
of them all...

and he has the largest network
of spies. He must die first.

There are one or two names
I'd like to add myself.

I shall start back to Rome.

I'll muster my troops
and let it be known I intend...

to go East to confront
Brutus and Cassius alone.

Lepidus, you will remain behind
with a small force.

Keep the peace in Rome
after we've left.

I'm pledged to agree with you.

But I must say these killings...

Send the list ahead to Lucius Vorenus
at the Aventine Collegium.

Add instructions telling him
to divide the names among the gangs.

I have a name while you're at it.

Not Servilia. We cannot k*ll women.

Not Servilia.

Rufus Tranquillus.

Who?

Isn't he father to
Octavia's friend Jocasta?

Why do you want him dead?

I don't like the girl.

- She's a bad influence.
- This is not a game, mother.

- Her father is immensely rich.
- True.

Stone quarries.

Woe unto Rufus Tranquillus then.

Make sure Vorenus knows
that he and Titus Pullo...

should deal with Cicero personally.

All right.

Tell them...

to cut off his hands and nail them
to the senate door.

I told the old fool I'd do it
if he ever crossed me again.

Nobody can possibly say
that I don't keep my word.

Goodbye, my love.

I shall miss you.

We're forever saying goodbye.
It's becoming tiresome.

One little campaign in Greece
and we shall never be parted again.

Do you mean that?

Of course.

That would make me very happy.

When you return you must bring me
Brutus' head as a wedding present.

Yes, a wedding.

Yes, we must think about that
when I return.

Now

don't keep your darling boy waiting.

It's a long way back to Rome.

And you be careful with Octavian.

Of course. I know how to handle him.

That's what I'm afraid of.

There, see?

Brings out your eyes.

What are you doing?

Wash that off at once.

Yes, father.

What's the problem? A little blush.

Paint yourself as you wish.

You stay away from my daughter.

Mascius, tell the collegia captains
we meet here today.

Tell them it'll be in their interest
to attend.

- Will do.
- Thanks.

Standing up for me like that.

Shut up.

He's captain. She's his daughter.

He says don't paint her.
Don't f*cking paint her.

Spoken like a true third man.

I like you.

You know I do.

But be careful, sl*ve.

I have my limits.

Each of you has been given a list.

On it are ten of the richest men
in Rome.

You've been given license
to k*ll them...

and are to take of theirs
what you and your men can carry.

Licensed by who? You?

By order of Octavian Caesar.

What gives you the right
to decide who gets what?

The list has been equally divided.
You all get your fair share.

I've only got two senators.

Try to keep him out of the mud.

I will, father.

- Cotta here's got six.
- Right!

You got more equestrians.

It balances out.

It's the principle!

Lucius!

Lucius, Stop right now!

Lucius

get out of the mud! Lucius!

Lucius, stop right now.
I swear I'll smack you so hard.

Lucius, stop! Stop it!

That's the one.

Lucius!

Lucius!

Excuse me, lady.
Is this the way to the temple of...

Vai!

Vai. You don't talk.

Vai.

There's more than enough here
for everyone.

Close on eighty of the richest

noblest patricians for you
to m*rder and then rob.

Which of you has ever seen
so much money for the taking?

What shall we do
with all this wealth?

I'm serious.
How shall we spend this blood money?

sl*ves?

Wine?

wh*res for the boys?

We can assume you have a better idea.

The feast of Pomona is coming soon.

It used to be that each collegium
would distribute fish and bread...

- to the people.
- Why?

As an offering to Pomona...

and as a gesture of goodwill
to the people.

Yes, but why?

The people eat fish.

Then what?

Then the people will begin
to see the collegia...

as more than purveyors
of violence and fear.

But that is what we are.

It used to be different.
It used to be...

people would come to the collegia
for help, for justice, for...

money for a marriage or a funeral...

when they needed it, extra grain
when the dole was short.

What, we're gonna be
priests of Ceres now?

Thank you for the history lesson,
but that was the old days.

And nothing but w*r and turmoil
since then.

Things change, brother.

They do, brother.
They are changing now.

Whoever wins in Greece wins Rome.

Some kind of peace will follow.

Suppose it does.

Peace is no friend to men like us
men that thrive on blood and anarchy.

The collegia must change...

or they'll die.

Suppose we don't want to change.

Suppose we don't want to waste
good money on fish for beggars.

I cannot force any of you
to be generous.

However, the Aventine will be
honoring Pomona with fish and bread.

You can spend your money as you wish.

I see. I see!

Play the big man
and make us look bad.

For that, you need no help from me.

Vorenus, you're right.

You're right. It's a splendid idea.

We shall be charitable.
We shall be large.

Let us feed the people.
By all means, goodwill.

So.

Speak, brother.

Why'd you back him?

He's a man of vision, Cotta,
a man of vision.

It's our duty as Romans to back him.

- And?
- It's done.

I don't trust that Memmio.

Too smooth by half.

He bears watching.

You'll take care of Cicero?

He's at his villa in Tusculum.

They want it done quick.

I'll get my kit and be off then.

No looting on this one.

We'll show some respect.

Right.

Off out are you?

- Sharp.
- Don't touch that.

- Where are you going?
- Not your business.

Just trying to be friendly.

Look, love

I know your game.

I don't want any part of it.

Too bad.

It's a good game.

Go find yourself some other fool
to play with.

If you ever change your mind...

Don't flatter yourself. We're done.

What she want?

Nothing. You know her.

Yes, I know her.

Where are you going?

A bit of work.

Only for the day.

Why don't you come along?

It's lovely country where I'm going.

Vorenus, why don't we all go?

Don't go.

I'll be back before you know it.

Save me some of that chicken, girls
or I'm eating Lucius when I get back.

Good luck.

It's my middle name.

Dominus.

Speak, man, what news?

I've just spoken to someone
in Antony's camp.

And?

I think your secrets will be safe
with Hector. Out with it.

"My dear Brutus,
I write in haste with urgent news.

Octavian and Antony have reconciled.

Their two armies are united.

They plan to descend on Greece...

and take you by surprise
with an overwhelming force."

Dominus, armed men are at the door!

"You must retreat to Asia
before the trap is sprung."

You must run.

No.

Too late for that.

On your life, you must get
this letter to Brutus. Understand?

On your life.

Yes, sir.

Master, you must save yourself.

Show him the back way.

Be quick!

So you Cicero then?

What is your name, young man?

Titus Pullo, sir.

Late of the Thirteenth.

The famous Titus Pullo. I am honored.

Likewise, honored.

Talk about famous,
everyone's heard of Cicero.

Yes.

I dare say

your work today
will earn you immortality.

- How's that?
- I will be in all the history books.

My k*ller's name, no doubt,
will live on also.

My name.

Thought you meant me.

Good peaches.

Yes, just getting ripe.

There's no way...

I can dissuade you from your task,
I suppose?

I have a great deal of money.

Sorry.

Normally, I'd be tempted,
but you're far too important.

Imagine the fuss. I get back
and I haven't done my job.

Go away!

Leave him alone.

- Give over. Put your weapon down.
- Never.

Don't mess about.
I haven't got all day.

Do as he says, Tiro.

But, Dominus...

Really.

Old friend, if you could see
how absurd you look...

you would not protest.

Do as he says.

Thank you.

No, not yet.

Please...

Give me a few moments.

Whenever you're ready.

Mind if I pick some peaches?

What?

Oh, yes.

Take what you want.

Thank you.

Nice present for the wife.

All right.

Now.

Stop this at once!

Resume your hideous wailing
when I'm gone.

Everything will be all right.

You've been freed in my will.

Take...

Take care of my people.

Yes, master.

Goodbye.

Easiest if you kneel.

You might not want to watch this.

Such a beautiful girl.

She is.

I mean no disrespect

but it seems a shame she'll never
have a family of her own.

It is. It is a shame.

But she could. Marry.

If you would let her.

I know Niobe would want it so.

Niobe would only want her
married to a decent man.

And no decent man would have her.

We might try and find her one.

What kind of man
would marry a prost*tute?

No man that she deserves.

Lucius!

- If she can't have a good man...
- Lucius, stop!

Take better care of your brats,
peasant. I could have k*lled him!

You stupid b*stard,
you were riding too fast.

f*ck you and your f*cking mongrels.

Get out of my way.

Vorenus, no! The children.

Go.

Go, get out of my sight.

Get back to your game.
And you, stay out of this road.

Anyone want some peaches?

- Good day, was it?
- Very nice.

- Yours?
- No problem.

He's not a bad fellow, that Cicero.

Not stuck up, like you might think.

Give one to your sister.

More names from Mark Antony.

More?

Antony has many enemies.
It takes time to remember them all.

Surely we have k*lled enough.

- Close on a thousand men.
- The troops need paying.

We have to get the money
from somewhere.

Agrippa has a point.
We should proceed more slowly.

We do not want to...

appear butchers.

Certainly not.

Excuse me.

I need some air.

Long day?

Very long.

It's tiring work, I imagine

k*lling people,
even defenseless ones.

Most of them we shall let
escape into exile.

They will only lose money and land.

Just ruined? That's all right then.

It's not pleasant work.

- But it's necessary.
- For the good of the Republic.

Exactly.

If you'd excuse me.

No, wait.

You've been avoiding me.

I thought it best.

Why?

To avoid any awkwardness.

Awkwardness.

I see.

I was right then.

How so?

I think if you did actually love me
as you said

you wouldn't mind
any amount of awkwardness.

No, no, I'm glad
to know the truth.

Please...

do not toy with me.

You cannot have mistaken
my sincerity.

But to avoid awkwardness?

I have not spoken to you
because I am aware...

that my feelings for you
are hopeless.

But that's for me to say, isn't it?

No.

No, it's not.

My father was a nobody.

His father was a sl*ve.

I have not a drop of good blood
in me.

So you have risen purely by merit.

Surely that is commendable,
in its way.

You are sister
to Gaius Octavian Caesar.

You'll not be married to
the commendable son of a nobody.

I'll marry who I like.

No.

No, you won't.

You'll marry some useful nobleman
of your brother's choosing.

- Octavia...
- Just leave me alone.

I'm sorry.

I've been torturing myself
these last months.

I cannot...

- I cannot bear to...
- Don't.

Hello, Octavia.

Maecenas, I came to see my brother.

I'm sure he'll be very happy
to see you.

Agrippa, we can't find
the wretched blasted figures...

for the blasted tax projections.

Yes.

Lovely to see you again.

It is no small sum
we are asked to give.

What guarantee is there that
our money buys the influence we seek?

It is Herod's own agent
who makes this request of us.

If our money can ensure that
Rome recognizes him

as king of Judea,
Herod will be in our debt.

He acknowledges this himself.

But who exactly
does he intend to bribe?

Who knows who will be
master of Rome next month

leave alone next year?

We will not disburse the money
until the conflict is settled.

How has it come to this?

In this holy place...

you conspire in bribery...

so that idolaters
can rule over your own people.

Who do you think you are?

Sit down, Moses.

Would you have the Seleucids
rule Judea?

Or the Ptolemys?
Better one we know

one we can work with.

Why let any of them rule?

This is our land.
You are traitors to your own kind.

May Hashem have mercy on all of you.

Name yourselves.

We are the sons of Arod,
from the families of Manasseh.

We are the wrath of Israel.

Tevye. What joy it is
to have your strength at my side.

I don't get it.

Roughing up the Elders, no problem.

But where's the point
in something like that?

Zion is the point, brother.
We're redeeming the kingdom of Zion.

Remember, friends!
Remember who we are!

- We are the chosen people.
- Not sl*ves, not animals.

- The chosen people.
- Make way!

Make way there!

Thank you.

- Everybody eats today.
- Bless you, Vorenus.

See?

Orderly as you like.

Yes.

Very nice.

Octavian leaving today?

Winner takes all, you reckon?

I reckon.

Shame not to be there.

Those days are behind us, brother.

We've other concerns here.

There'll be peace soon,
one way or another.

A good thing...

I suppose.

But?

You know how it goes with me
in peacetime.

Violence is the only trade I know.

Peace comes, and the collegia change
as you say they must

I'll be on my a*s again, won't I?

Jobless, telling w*r stories
to the rest of the drunkards.

No, it's different now.

You and me?
We can do big things here.

You will.

You'll do big things.

It's good to see you so happy
and full of purpose again.

It is.

But me?

I don't know.

You're second man in the Aventine.

Second man.

I can see it on my tombstone now.

"Second man on the Aventine.
He handed out many fish."

Nothing wrong with handing out fish.

No no no. Canny business, no doubt.
But it's not soldier's work, is it?

I'm a soldier.

I used to be.

Second hour.

Second hour.

We should go.

Third hour.

Gods!

That can't be right.

- They're always right.
- Third hour.

Blind bawdy house sl*ves.

Always.

You're familiar with the species,
are you?

I'm an unchaste and sinful woman.

I thought you liked that about me.

I'm sorry.

I have no right to be possessive.

No.

I like that about you.

Are you sure you're all right?

I'll be fine.

Once you're gone,
I'm sure I shall be fine.

I really should go. I'm very late.

Then go.

I don't want to leave you like this.

Go!

Octavian, please

if only for my sake,
be good to Antony.

I am pledged to it, mother.

He's an arrogant sh*t, I know,
but he's a good and honest man.

You need him. You need each other.

- I'm aware, mother.
- Listen...

Troops are assembling
on the field of Mars.

- We must be away soon.
- Where is Agrippa?

I don't know. Saying goodbye
to some woman, I expect.

He attends to several wh*res.

Or one lover.

I don't know which.

Be a friend to Antony.

Don't be cold and superior.

It will only provoke him.
It provokes everybody.

We all know how clever you are.
No one needs reminding.

Yes, mother.

I'm so sorry. Hot from
a brothel bed on such a day?

Shame on you, Agrippa.

I assure you, nothing of the sort.

I'm teasing you. It's fine.
We should go.

Goodbye, mother.

Juno bless you.

Thank the gods
you haven't gone already.

I'm sorry I'm late. Women's troubles.

Had to go to the temple.
Place was a madhouse.

I'm so glad I didn't miss you.

Give me a kiss, sister.

The men are waiting.

Forward!

So now you can tell me
all about Agrippa.

What about him?

How long have you two been lovers?

It's not true.

Please. Don't lie to your mother.
You know it's futile.

How did you know?

I didn't until now.

You mustn't... You mustn't
tell Octavian. Please.

It's harmless enough, I suppose.

Both you and Agrippa
have good reason to be discreet.

You may as well enjoy yourself.

Thank you.

Just so long as
you keep your wits about you.

Don't be thinking you can go off
and marry him someday...

because it's not gonna happen.

I know.

But I love him, mother.

I love him.

Soft as cheese.

What am I gonna do with you?

Help me!

Gods, help me!

Gods, help me!

Please help me!

- I beg you to help me.
- Jocasta!

What's wrong?

What's happened to you?

Men came in the night!

All my family are dead!

They k*lled them and took me away.

They have dishonored me.

You're safe now.

Isn't she, mother?
We'll keep her safe.

Of course. We'll protect you.

- Hey.
- Hey.

Whole place stinks of fish,
doesn't it?

I don't mind. Reminds me of home.

Right.

Liked fish, did they, your lot?

I didn't know that.

We had a big lake.

Deep.

A lot of fish.

What is the helmet for?

Nothing.

Just thinking of old days,
that's all.

Old days.

Not today.

Soldiers leaving.

You mean me, leaving with them? No.

No.

It had crossed my mind, obviously.

I'm in with the chiefs, aren't I?

If I was to go back in now

I'd probably be first spear,
at least. Legate even.

Think about that. Wife of a legate.

Talk about respect and money.

Probably buy a lake.

It'll be a short campaign.

Everyone says so.

Sons of Dis, I was only talking.

No call for blubbery.

I'm "preglant."

What?

I'm "preglant!"

- "Preglant!"
- Pregnant?

Whatever you call it!

What is that you've got there?

You've been mooning over it
the last hour.

This is my father's signet ring.

I received it from my mother.

I remember it on his hand
when I was a boy.

It's a good fit.

Sir, word from the scouts.

- The enemy is sighted.
- At last.

It's not just Octavian, sir.

Mark Antony is with him.

- That's impossible.
- The heron standard was seen.

- How many legions?
- Nineteen, it seems.

To our fourteen.

The worm turns.

How far away are they?

A day's march.

Muster the men.

We must break camp and
begin the retreat immediately.

No, wait. Stop.

Do nothing.

We will not retreat.

- Old friend, this is...
- No!

No more running.

We will meet them here tomorrow.

If we win...

all the more glory for us.

And if we are to die...

this is as good a place as any.

'Tis in the hands of the gods now.

We have the upper ground.

As he says.

Heavens, I entirely forgot.

Today is your birthday, isn't it?

Is it?

I believe you're right.

Happy birthday.

Sorry there's no cake.

Next year.
You can bake me an extra big one.

I shan't forget.

No cinnamon.

Makes me sneeze.

If you need to urinate,
now would be the time.

I'm fine, thank you.

You sure?

Let us begin then.

Watch closely, boy.

This is how history is made.

Now

let's have some fun.

Advance!

Sorry, rude of me.

Would you like the honor?

No, no, you do it by all means.

Thank you.

Advance!

What is happening? Do you know?

No idea.

On my command, follow me.

Where are you going?

When in doubt...

attack!

Standard on Antony!

Go.

Thank you.

You two, on me.

Yes, sir.

Sir, Antony's forces
have broken the line.

Our right flank is gone.

Halt! Our right flank is gone!

Send in the reserve cohort!

Testudo!

Forward!

Down.

Cassius?

Cassius?

What happened?

Not sure, to be honest.

Hell of a birthday.

Don't despair.

The day's not done yet.

Sir, our center is routed.
We must fall back.

We must fall back immediately.

I see.

All right.

Come, old friend, we have to move.

Sir, we must go.

Cassius?

We must go.

Sir.

It has been an honor
and a pleasure leading you.

I am sorry we could not do better.

But you must look to yourselves now.

Save your skins.

Sir...

Give my best to my mother.
Tell her...

Tell her something suitable.

Cohort halt!

Keep searching.

Throw the dead on the pyre.

Breathe deep, boy.

The smell of victory.

Smoke, sh*t and rotting flesh.

Beautiful, isn't it?

What report, Agrippa?

The body of Cassius has been found.

We're still searching for Brutus.

Excellent.

Have the head packed in salt
for transportation back to Rome.

People appreciate

the little touches, I find.