Those About to Die (2024) s01e02 Episode Script
Trust None
[distant chatter]
[tile scrapes]
[Tenax]
You can leave.
[screaming]
[knocking on door]
[knocking continues]
By the Gods!
What are you doing?
What do you want?
[door creaks]
What's this?
One cotter pin, cut halfway through.
My racing partner is dead,
and I would be if I hadn't switched rigs.
[sighs]
Was this one of your fixes?
Scorpus loses, you collect big.
I break a few bones or my neck
to make it look real.
No, of course it's not.
I told you, I have much bigger plans
for the both of us
than a few more rigged races.
Then find out who sabotaged my rig
- and kill them.
- [sighs]
[Scorpus]
Oh.
Nice.
Looks just like my horse Incitatus.
[chuckles]
[Tenax]
Go.
And take your winnings from today.
Don't take me for granted.
I don't.
[theme music]
Yes. Good boy.
How do you know Andalusians?
I drove them.
A long time ago.
You raced?
Well, there are no horses out there
to equal our Andalusians.
How are they?
Sorna and Sista got their legs cut
from the debris.
We'll have to rest them for a week.
Andalusians, huh?
- Yes.
- Oh.
Gavros has a high opinion of Andalusians.
I think they're pigs.
[Scorpus chuckles]
They're faster than your Bays,
sturdier and more nimble.
If they're pigs,
what does that make your Bays?
Listen to the boy,
who does he remind you of?
I was thinking me.
But now
I'm thinking you.
Tomorrow afternoon
I'll take a look at your Andalusians.
Gavros!
Your brother has a way with words.
You're running your horses for Scorpus
tomorrow afternoon.
Well done, little brother.
Imagine, our horses running
for the Blues in Rome.
Where are you staying?
I know a place. Follow me.
- [horse whinnies]
- [chuckling]
[laughter]
One of Tenax's.
This one has fewer vermin than the others.
Who's Tenax?
You'll find out soon enough.
Thank you, Gavros.
Nine sesterces a month.
Each.
I only have two.
What did you spend it on?
You've already spent enough time
in a bed, Fonsoa.
Now, you get the floor.
[chuckles]
[cheering from outside]
[snoring]
[footsteps thudding]
[Lentullus gasps]
[woman gasps]
[Lentullus cries out]
What's happening?
[straining]
Papa!
No! No! Please
Shh.
[breathes heavily]
Who told you to do this?
I didn't do it, Tenax.
Please, believe me.
So you're more afraid of whoever it was
than you are of me.
No, no. Please, please.
I know nothing about this.
[whimpers]
Believe me.
- [Lentullus] Please!
- You disappoint me.
- No, no, no, no.
- [girl] I know who.
He had red hair and he was in the shop.
[girl whimpers]
He said it was a surprise for you, Papa.
- Said it was a secret.
- [Lentullus gasps]
[Tenax]
Lucky you.
[cheering]
[Lucius]
Yes.
[laughter]
That's your day.
[Tenax]
You're new to Rome, yes?
[Lucius]
Who are you?
I'm Tenax.
Ask around.
People will suggest you be polite to me.
What do you want?
The way things work around here is that
before you fuck with a chariot race,
you ask me nicely,
and if you want do it in a way that might
kill the most valuable charioteer in Rome,
who happens to be my friend,
then I say no.
And I cut off your balls.
[weapons rattling]
Your name again?
Tenax.
I've heard of you.
You're very powerful in your little world.
The person who hired me
is from a much, much bigger world.
[chuckling]
[all chuckle]
[chuckling stops]
Perhaps this person will protect you.
We'll see.
[chuckles sheepishly]
[man]
Come on, Lucius.
He didn't even stand up.
[Dacia]
You should have killed him.
[Tenax]
I will.
But first I have to deal with
the one who hired him.
[Noro]
How do we find out who he was?
[Tenax]
He just told me.
- [owl hoots]
- [birds caw]
[exhales softly]
I will not send you away.
But you must.
I'll be Emperor soon.
No one will challenge me.
If your brother takes the curule chair,
what then of me and my people?
Nothing would delight him more than
filling his arena with our blood.
[Titus]
It's not his.
It's Rome's.
It's mine.
You stay here
in Rome.
[sighs]
[Tenax]
You two, out.
[sighs]
Did you kill the little shit
who tried to kill me?
Not exactly.
It was Domitian who ordered
your chariot's sabotage.
Domitian?
Why would he want me dead?
He just needed some money so he
nudged the odds a bit.
Why would Domitian need money?
His family rule the fucking world.
[Tenax]
Yes and no.
His father keeps him on a tight leash.
Remember, he's the lesser of the two sons.
He has to tread very carefully
with his father.
He owes millions to betting taverns
all over Rome.
Which tells us just how desperate
he's become.
It's good news, really.
This is the final piece of the puzzle
we need
to get our faction.
What? How?
Well
in you we have the best driver in history.
- Agreed.
- And when I sell the shares in the Blue,
we'll have enough to fund our own faction.
Then, all we need is permission
from the Aedile Ludi,
Master of the Games,
who happens to be
The noble,
but skint,
Domitian, son of the Emperor.
- [both chuckle]
- Yes!
[wheels scraping]
That's what happens to slaves
when they don't accept their fate.
[Farid]
Take them.
- [Jula] No!
- [Aura] Kwame.
Look at me. Be strong.
Be strong.
Help.
Aura, look after her.
[Jula]
No!
Kwame! No!
No!
[Jula whimpers]
[Jula]
No!
[lion growls]
[Carpo]
Ah, Farid.
What do you have for me?
Feast your eyes.
- [growls loudly]
- [Carpo] By the Gods!
I've heard of such beasts
but thought they were imaginary.
[Farid]
Oh, he's real,
and you're going to pay
real money for him.
He killed two men in the taking
and ripped apart another during transport.
[cackles]
Wonderful!
I like him already.
[lion growls]
Who's he?
[Farid]
Kwame, his captor.
He fears the beast is protected by demons.
I fear claws and teeth,
not magic.
You should fear
both.
[indistinct chatter]
[goat bleating]
[speaking foreign language]
How much for three Levant pearls?
If the pearls are real
300 each.
[in English]
Five.
[trader]
One moment.
[laughter]
Some Numidian is selling pearls.
Ah.
[chuckles]
[pot clatters]
Newly bought slaves.
Where would they be taken?
[speaking other language]
Near the forum.
Thank you.
[trader speaks in other language]
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[Cala cries out]
- [gasps]
- [hushes]
[in English]
How many pearls do you have?
And the money you got
for the one you sold.
[both chuckle]
What else might she have?
Can't you see?
[whimpers]
Psst!
- Hurry!
- [whimpers]
[chuckles smugly]
And to think my brother were to throw him
from the Tarpeian Rock.
[Domitian]
What a waste that would have been.
[Domitian]
Flamma!
Flavius Domitianus.
Are they still feeding you well?
[Flamma]
Yes.
- Women?
- My pick
on the Kalends and Ides of each month.
Hmm.
[Domitian]
Good.
New arrivals.
[Atticus]
Good.
Good.
Too light,
even for Retiarius.
I've seen him fight.
He's fast.
He is said to have killed a lion
- with his bare hands.
- Hmm.
With his bare hands?
I'd like to see what you can do.
Put him with this one.
[Atticus]
Viggo.
[Atticus]
Medium tether.
Ah!
[grimaces]
[Viggo laughs]
[grunts]
[Kwame strains]
[growls]
[Viggo]
He's not allowed to do that.
[Domitian]
A gladius.
- [screams]
- [Atticus] Stop!
[Atticus]
Stop.
[footsteps on stairs]
Forgive me, Flavius Domitianus.
Viggo has a following.
Isn't it perhaps better
to let Flamma kill him
before a crowd?
[Domitian]
Very well.
A lion
without a weapon?
A lie, of course, but a bold one.
North Africa,
filled with filthy vermin and dogs,
pacified by my august father,
but, thankfully, not pacified too much.
So, tell me,
what could you kill with your bare hands?
You!
Restrain!
[Domitian]
Buy him.
Make a good show of his death.
With me!
Where is he?
Don't worry.
He'll be here.
Here he comes.
[chariot approaching]
[horse whinnies]
They're small, your Andalusians.
It is not their size
that makes horses fast.
And no whip.
They run better without it.
Hey! Yah!
[horse whinnies]
Yah! Yah!
Hut, hut, hut, hut!
Whoa!
They're fast.
[horse whinnies]
Whoo.
[chuckles]
[Scorpus] Easy.
[exhales sharply]
[panting]
- Yes, yes, you.
- Hey.
- Have you thought about my offer?
- Yes, I have.
[Scorpus exhales]
Twenty thousand sesterces for the ten.
But
the three of you stay on as stable hands
to get the most out of them.
- We accept.
- Both offers.
The hell we do! We agreed to go back!
Elia.
Look around.
Do you really want to go back?
Yes!
We're in Circus Maximus,
and this is Scorpus,
he's trying to buy your horses
and hire us.
Exactly. He wants to trap us
in this sewer of a city.
Twenty thousand sesterces.
I will take the money,
but we agreed to sell the horses
and go back.
We could really be someone here.
Make a name for ourselves.
Horses, as many as you want.
I have all the horses I want,
back in Baetica.
[Scorpus]
Boys.
Scorpus is waiting.
Yes.
We vote.
I'm in.
Yes.
I am not voting.
I'm leaving.
Elia!
Hmm.
- He'll come around.
- Mm.
We have a deal.
The little shit stays as well, yes?
Yes.
[breathless]
I have just driven
the fastest horses in my life.
Are you sure?
[sighs]
They fly on the wings of Pegasus.
So I bought them.
Well, with your money.
- So you're in?
- Of course I'm in.
Yeah, I've always been in.
[exhales]
[exhales]
What do you want?
Isn't it normal for Scorpus to buy horses?
With your money, yes.
This was on his own.
Do you think Scorpus is leaving us
for another faction?
He's up to something.
[Filo]
Consul, there is a man here
requesting an audience.
Tenax, a Plebeian.
No. Of course not.
Send him to one of my clients.
[Filo]
He is very insistent.
He says he has something to offer you
regarding the Blue Faction.
Five hundred shares of the Blue Faction.
How did you get these?
A gambling debt.
[Marsus]
Why did you come to me with them?
Because these shares will make you
lead owner of the Blue Faction again.
Meaning you'll pay more for them
than anyone else.
Perhaps.
For certain.
The Blue Faction was prosperous
when you were lead owner.
It's no secret that
Caltonia married Old Linius
because of their combined shares
and then he died
and she remained lead owner.
And it's no secret that
you want that position back.
Seven hundred thousand sesterces.
[scoffs]
That's absurd.
Eight hundred thousand sesterces.
This is an insulting way to bargain.
Be off.
As you wish.
I assume Caltonia will want
to permanently solidify her position as
lead owner.
Stop.
Five hundred thousand.
Nine.
Fine.
[desk opens]
Nine hundred thousand.
But we tell the world it was five.
As you wish.
Enjoy your revenge, Consul.
[footsteps receding]
[Antonia]
Vile man.
Why did he sell to us and not to her?
Because he correctly measured
my hatred of Caltonia
with my desire to be the lead owner.
[chuckles]
What a face she'll make
when she learns of this.
[Domitian]
Beautiful, isn't it?
Beyond.
If these Judeans waged war with
the same facility they have to build,
- we never would have defeated them.
- [footsteps approach]
Flavius Domitianus.
Thank you for agreeing to see me.
You can thank Scorpus for that.
Please tell me you're not here
to ask what I owe you.
No.
I've long since come to realise that
taking bets from the Imperial family
- is no more than a form of taxation.
- Good.
Speak.
This conversation should be held
under four eyes.
Go.
Look, I don't care about what you owe me.
I don't care that you tried
to rig the race yesterday and all.
It just tells me one thing:
you need money.
Lots of money.
You play a dangerous game here.
As do you.
The grain supply,
food riots,
ambition,
they're all dangerous.
I don't know whether I should
listen to you
or simply have you killed.
You could do both.
Why not listen
to what I have to say first.
Very well.
Like you, I am an ambitious man.
My partner,
the great charioteer Scorpus, and I
wish to form a new racing faction.
You would break away from the Blue?
After everything they've done for him?
He's ambitious.
Same as me.
Same as you.
I'm enjoying this.
Continue.
Scorpus and I have the money
to start a new faction
and we've recently acquired some horses,
astonishing horses,
that will ensure victories.
All we need now is Imperial permission
from you, as Aedile Ludi,
to race them at the Circus Maximus.
How would this benefit me?
A river of money.
Half-ownership, in secret,
and all that it will yield:
victory purses,
gate percentage,
seat fees, stud fees,
betting proceeds,
as well as the value of
the shares themselves.
These "astonishing" horses?
Andalusians,
with, in the words of Scorpus,
"the wings of Pegasus".
With Scorpus driving them,
we'll never lose.
Unless, of course,
the odds make losing more profitable.
And, one other thing.
I'd like to formally become your client
- in order to better serve your interests.
- My client?
That is a big step.
The responsibility goes both ways.
Up
and down.
I'll consider it
and your other offer as well.
Leave now.
[laughter]
[Lucius]
Brothers!
[man]
Whoa!
[cheering and laughter]
Gotta take a piss!
Ah! See if you gotta go after I'm done.
[laughter]
[groans drunkenly]
Ooh.
[Lucius groans]
[urine trickling]
[gasps]
My pearls, or I cut it off.
I only have one left.
I swear!
I used the rest to pay debts.
[urine trickles]
[exhales]
That's all that's left.
- On the ground.
- [groans]
[groans]
[horses groaning]
[horse grunting in pain]
Elia, how many times do I have to say it?
It's not forever.
We'll all go back together soon.
When, exactly?
After you're grooms
instead of stable hands?
After you start driving?
[Andria]
Give it a chance.
One fortnight,
then decide.
No.
You've lied to me.
Both of you.
You never intended to go home.
Did you?
Take good care of Ferox.
Barley in the summer.
Don't forget to take him to the pasture.
Water brushes only.
- Never oil.
- [door closes]
- [footsteps approaching]
- Carrots for his teeth.
Elia! Come.
Quickly, come!
Ferox.
[laboured breathing]
[Ferox grunts]
Come closer.
Yes.
It is that time.
Since Caesar Augustus, no emperor
has been succeeded by a true son.
They've all been followed by adopted sons
or by usurpers.
Until now. Until me.
Ah.
Look at the two of you.
Both more than capable of taking my place.
Titus the solider, like myself,
with a string of victories.
And Domitian,
our politician
of insight and subtlety,
so adept at handling the Senate
in our absence,
and helping me secure the curule chair.
It is a difficult choice.
But nothing,
and nothing is more important,
than protecting our beloved Rome.
Our foreign enemies are dangerous,
and our enemies here in Rome itself
are also dangerous.
Ready to sacrifice this city
on the altar of their ambition.
But of the two,
our foreign enemies,
the Parthians, the Gauls,
the Britons, the Huns,
they are the greater danger.
Therefore
a solider must sit on the curule chair.
Titus
you
will be Emperor.
Domitian
I will serve my brother
in every way I can.
That is good.
[Domitian]
Door!
[footsteps receding]
[exhales sharply]
[exhales sharply]
Do you strike now?
Against Titus's legions,
his riches and the loyalty
of the Praetorian Guard?
No.
Let Titus believe he's won,
while I fight him with
the weapons I've been granted.
No, no, no, no.
I must look like
Alexander the Great, not a street whore.
Something much more dramatic
for my grand entrance.
Scorpus the Great, driver of
his own faction.
Yes?
Out.
Hmm?
Is this what you call discreet?
Word will get out,
once we get Domitian's approval.
If we get approval.
Come. He's meeting us at the stables
to look at the Andalusians.
Ah-ha.
Fuck.
Gavros went to get a physician.
[indistinct chatter]
[sniffs then grunts in disgust]
[wheezes]
Why didn't someone tell me?
[Felix]
Domitian, he's here!
Outside!
[sighs]
As I said
Fuck!
All right.
I'll divert him.
Close the curtains.
Go. Close them.
Come on.
[Elia]
Come. Help me.
Here.
Flavius Domitianus.
Where are these horses
with the wings of Pegasus?
First, how about some food
or wine, perhaps?
No.
Girls? Or maybe boys?
I was thinking
the stables don't
show them at their best.
You should see them on the track, running,
perhaps, tomorrow?
Tenax! I have no time for this.
Where are they?
I know horses well enough to see them
running or stabled.
Flavius Domitianus, you
honour us.
Scorpus
and sober.
Impressed already.
Is this one of them?
Yes, yes. Ferox, the lead.
Oh.
Why is he in a sling?
It's a Spanish technique, your Highness.
We sling them for a day
after a long, uphill run.
It makes them faster on the flat.
Yes.
Yes, I've heard of this technique.
- [horse grunts]
- Where are the others?
At pasture.
[Ferox blows air]
Outside.
- It's OK.
- [Ferox grunts]
Circus Maximus now has five factions.
Each of you will own one quarter.
My ownership of one half shall remain
in the shadows.
- As you wish.
- As I command.
Do not disappoint me.
Your Highness.
One more thing.
I've decided to make you
one of my clients.
You honour me.
'Till my death
I will serve your interests.
And, should it suit me,
I may protect yours.
With me.
[groans]
[Elia]
Shh, shh, shh.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
[Gavros]
Augendus, the best there is.
He was once veterinarius for the Greens.
You were right, Gavros.
Most definitely nightshade.
What can you do for them?
Bury them.
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
[Augendus]
There's little you can do.
A magnus might say
put crows in their stalls
for three nights
and use bells to call out Orci spirits
from their livers.
I'm not gonna bet my life on that one.
[Tenax]
Do what you can.
No one has seen this.
If you tell a single fucking person,
you will die in ways you cannot imagine.
Do you understand?
Yes.
[Tenax]
Remember
the only person you have to fear
more than Domitian
is me.
We understand, sir.
We have seen nothing here.
You two.
Andria, Elia, come.
[groans]
All right, little brother, you win.
This is getting too dangerous.
I say we play along until dark
and then slip out of the city.
To go where?
Anywhere other than here. Home?
I'm not gonna leave our horses to die.
Now he wants to stay?
We have reared these horses
ever since they were foals.
I love them.
And I am not going to leave them behind.
The Emperor's son has seen us.
How far would we get if we run?
We have no option.
We throw in with Scorpus and Tenax.
[Tenax]
And get guards. I'll send more.
Who did this?
I was about to ask you the same thing.
I told no one.
Except your bloody tailor
and who knows who else.
Antonia, perhaps?
Domitian has slaves and attendants.
They talk.
[sighs]
It's too late now.
In my first year of racing,
the Red's lead horse
was poisoned with nightshade.
The physician, Caldus, cured it
with yellow ash.
No, yellow ash is poison.
It will kill quicker than cure.
It worked for Caldus.
Can you get him? Where is he?
Pompeii. I'll go.
You go with him.
Keep him safe.
Try not to be seen.
[Scorpus]
Let's get some fresh horses.
- Guards.
- Yes.
Tenax.
I paid your men already.
- A fortnight ago.
- I'm not collecting.
I'm buying.
Nightshade.
I
don't sell poisons
anymore.
I sold all I had.
To whom?
[men laughing]
[man]
Come.
Let's go.
[laughter]
[screams, gurgles]
[spluttering]
I know that you poisoned my horses.
Who hired you?
You're going to kill me anyway.
Why should I tell you?
Don't be so sure I'm going to kill you.
You might be more use to me alive.
Salto, there,
only he knew.
He spoke to someone
in a litter.
I was across the square.
Describe the litter.
Fancy.
Gold and green stripes
with wooden handles.
Remember my mercy.
Find out who owns that litter.
How many have died?
This is the first.
I have saved the others thus far.
Gavros.
Find other horses to buy.
All the good stock
is owned by the factions.
Anything we find will not be as good.
They'll be alive.
[horse grunts]
No more.
We pack and we'll be ready to leave
as soon as Andria returns.
I've told you. I am not leaving.
You're a child.
You've always been a child.
Andria and I have spoiled you
since the moment our mother died
giving birth to you.
Fine.
Go.
[clattering]
[whimpers]
[Salena groans]
[Salena cries out]
Mother, are you all right?
Can I help you with that?
Yes, please.
What do we say?
[Otho]
Thank you.
[footsteps receding]
- [Filo] Make way.
- Woola.
- Woola, get up!
- [Woola] Huh?
[Felix]
That's the one.
Come on. Let's see where it goes.
Make way.
Make way.
[Woola]
Gold and green stripes.
This is definitely the litter.
Go get Tenax.
Yes, of course, for you I'll rush.
I can have them ready
in less than a month.
I don't have a month.
I'm not sure I have two days.
What about these?
Ah. These are
my best work.
I can build a pair exactly like these
for you.
- I'll take these.
- No, these are Leto's, erm
He ordered them for Xenon.
They're mine now.
Repaint them.
Er, no, I can't
We found the litter!
Repaint them.
What colour?
[bell rings]
[Tiones]
Gather round! Gather round!
The auction's about to begin.
[bell rings]
All right.
For our first offering,
look at this Briton!
Not only beautiful,
but she cooks all wonderful dishes
for which the Britons are so famous!
[cheering]
Who will give me 100 sesterces?
[crowd groan]
Oh, come on!
Eighty then?
Ah, excellent.
This one's yours.
Step right up and come and get it.
Up next
this workhorse of a girl.
Suitable for either type of ploughing.
[crowd cheering]
[Tiones]
Who will give me 50?
[bidder 1]
I'll give you 50.
[Tiones]
Fifty over here.
Come and get the key.
And now for our main attraction.
A pair of Numidian sisters.
Sold as a set or individually.
Any bids?
One hundred.
One-eighty.
[woman]
Two hundred.
I'm told this one is a virgin.
Untouched by man or beast.
Who'll give me 250?
[Tiones]
Now, any bids?
[bidder 3]
Four hundred.
[bidder 4]
Five.
[bidder 5]
Six hundred.
Seven hundred.
Eight!
Three thousand sesterces!
[gasping]
Sold for 3,000 sesterces.
Come and get your goods.
[whimpers]
Mother.
- Please, please.
- I'm sorry.
[Jula]
Mother! Mother!
[Tiones]
And next
[Jula screams]
her sister.
[Jula]
Mother!
Perhaps not a virgin but
sturdy
and well-formed.
Five hundred.
I bid 800.
Sold to Tenax for 500.
[crowd gasp]
No, no, no. No. No.
I bid 800.
- [Tiones] Sorry, didn't hear you.
- Here.
One thousand!
She's already sold.
No, no.
One thousand. I double your bid.
Sorry, the deal is done.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Claudia, leave us.
[door closes]
Sit.
I said sit.
After you take me,
sooner or later you will fall asleep,
and when you do, I will slit your throat.
You're going to slit my throat?
[gasps, strains]
- [door closes]
- I own you.
You are my slave.
I can do whatever I want with you.
[loud knocking on door]
[exhales]
You don't give up.
I'm her mother.
[sighs]
My girl.
Aura! I'm here.
You're okay?
I already told you.
She's not for sale.
Everything is for sale.
- At the right price.
- Not her.
Why did you buy her?
I need to know things about the person
who bought your other daughter.
I see.
You seek to use this daughter
as a go-between to my other daughter
to spy on your enemy.
I have an alternative.
I'm listening.
I will be your go-between.
[Aura protests]
But you don't touch her.
And when this is over, whatever it is,
you allow me to buy her
at your cost.
[Tenax scoffs]
No.
When all this is done,
I will consider selling her to you
for whatever price I like.
I need lodging.
[chuckles]
I have a room at the back.
You can stay with your daughter
for a couple of nights.
[footsteps receding]
My name is Cala.
Are you all right?
Hey. Shh. Shh.
Water.
Not poison.
You did well against me.
What do you want?
A deal.
Did you see the big gladiator watching us?
The giant one
with the markings on his neck.
Yes.
He is Flamma.
He's going to kill me.
- Pity you.
- [chuckles]
Yes. Yeah. Pity me.
See, from the time I was a child,
I've always been the biggest,
the strongest,
the fastest.
And, as a warrior,
I have always killed with ease.
Perhaps you will surprise this Flamma.
No.
He is going to kill me with ease.
He is bigger than me, faster than me,
stronger than me
and he has an endless well of tricks,
any of which can put a sword
through my belly.
What is this to me?
The trader
Farid.
He said that you killed a lion
without a weapon.
That is a lie I tell you Romans
to get hired for their hunts.
[exhales]
I did once kill a leopard
without a weapon.
It was almost full-grown and
sometimes a leopard can kill a lion.
So that is almost like me killing a lion.
Almost.
Perhaps in that there is some
little thing I can use against Flamma.
With what you know,
which is nothing,
you will not survive one day in the arena.
But
if you tell me what you know about
fighting animals bigger
and stronger than you,
I can teach you our weapons
and give you a chance to survive
and dream of the Wooden Sword.
The Wooden Sword?
Freedom.
If a gladiator entertains the crowd
well enough,
the crowd can demand
he be given the Wooden Sword,
which takes him out of this place.
A worthy want.
And what is yours?
To free my sisters
and kill Romans.
Pity we can't kill them all.
What of the one who was watching us?
The one with the eyes of a hyena.
Mm. Domitian.
He is the son of the emperor, Vespasian.
Then he will do.
[chuckles]
What?
You want to start with killing Domitian?
Then that's what we will do.
[tile scrapes]
[Tenax]
You can leave.
[screaming]
[knocking on door]
[knocking continues]
By the Gods!
What are you doing?
What do you want?
[door creaks]
What's this?
One cotter pin, cut halfway through.
My racing partner is dead,
and I would be if I hadn't switched rigs.
[sighs]
Was this one of your fixes?
Scorpus loses, you collect big.
I break a few bones or my neck
to make it look real.
No, of course it's not.
I told you, I have much bigger plans
for the both of us
than a few more rigged races.
Then find out who sabotaged my rig
- and kill them.
- [sighs]
[Scorpus]
Oh.
Nice.
Looks just like my horse Incitatus.
[chuckles]
[Tenax]
Go.
And take your winnings from today.
Don't take me for granted.
I don't.
[theme music]
Yes. Good boy.
How do you know Andalusians?
I drove them.
A long time ago.
You raced?
Well, there are no horses out there
to equal our Andalusians.
How are they?
Sorna and Sista got their legs cut
from the debris.
We'll have to rest them for a week.
Andalusians, huh?
- Yes.
- Oh.
Gavros has a high opinion of Andalusians.
I think they're pigs.
[Scorpus chuckles]
They're faster than your Bays,
sturdier and more nimble.
If they're pigs,
what does that make your Bays?
Listen to the boy,
who does he remind you of?
I was thinking me.
But now
I'm thinking you.
Tomorrow afternoon
I'll take a look at your Andalusians.
Gavros!
Your brother has a way with words.
You're running your horses for Scorpus
tomorrow afternoon.
Well done, little brother.
Imagine, our horses running
for the Blues in Rome.
Where are you staying?
I know a place. Follow me.
- [horse whinnies]
- [chuckling]
[laughter]
One of Tenax's.
This one has fewer vermin than the others.
Who's Tenax?
You'll find out soon enough.
Thank you, Gavros.
Nine sesterces a month.
Each.
I only have two.
What did you spend it on?
You've already spent enough time
in a bed, Fonsoa.
Now, you get the floor.
[chuckles]
[cheering from outside]
[snoring]
[footsteps thudding]
[Lentullus gasps]
[woman gasps]
[Lentullus cries out]
What's happening?
[straining]
Papa!
No! No! Please
Shh.
[breathes heavily]
Who told you to do this?
I didn't do it, Tenax.
Please, believe me.
So you're more afraid of whoever it was
than you are of me.
No, no. Please, please.
I know nothing about this.
[whimpers]
Believe me.
- [Lentullus] Please!
- You disappoint me.
- No, no, no, no.
- [girl] I know who.
He had red hair and he was in the shop.
[girl whimpers]
He said it was a surprise for you, Papa.
- Said it was a secret.
- [Lentullus gasps]
[Tenax]
Lucky you.
[cheering]
[Lucius]
Yes.
[laughter]
That's your day.
[Tenax]
You're new to Rome, yes?
[Lucius]
Who are you?
I'm Tenax.
Ask around.
People will suggest you be polite to me.
What do you want?
The way things work around here is that
before you fuck with a chariot race,
you ask me nicely,
and if you want do it in a way that might
kill the most valuable charioteer in Rome,
who happens to be my friend,
then I say no.
And I cut off your balls.
[weapons rattling]
Your name again?
Tenax.
I've heard of you.
You're very powerful in your little world.
The person who hired me
is from a much, much bigger world.
[chuckling]
[all chuckle]
[chuckling stops]
Perhaps this person will protect you.
We'll see.
[chuckles sheepishly]
[man]
Come on, Lucius.
He didn't even stand up.
[Dacia]
You should have killed him.
[Tenax]
I will.
But first I have to deal with
the one who hired him.
[Noro]
How do we find out who he was?
[Tenax]
He just told me.
- [owl hoots]
- [birds caw]
[exhales softly]
I will not send you away.
But you must.
I'll be Emperor soon.
No one will challenge me.
If your brother takes the curule chair,
what then of me and my people?
Nothing would delight him more than
filling his arena with our blood.
[Titus]
It's not his.
It's Rome's.
It's mine.
You stay here
in Rome.
[sighs]
[Tenax]
You two, out.
[sighs]
Did you kill the little shit
who tried to kill me?
Not exactly.
It was Domitian who ordered
your chariot's sabotage.
Domitian?
Why would he want me dead?
He just needed some money so he
nudged the odds a bit.
Why would Domitian need money?
His family rule the fucking world.
[Tenax]
Yes and no.
His father keeps him on a tight leash.
Remember, he's the lesser of the two sons.
He has to tread very carefully
with his father.
He owes millions to betting taverns
all over Rome.
Which tells us just how desperate
he's become.
It's good news, really.
This is the final piece of the puzzle
we need
to get our faction.
What? How?
Well
in you we have the best driver in history.
- Agreed.
- And when I sell the shares in the Blue,
we'll have enough to fund our own faction.
Then, all we need is permission
from the Aedile Ludi,
Master of the Games,
who happens to be
The noble,
but skint,
Domitian, son of the Emperor.
- [both chuckle]
- Yes!
[wheels scraping]
That's what happens to slaves
when they don't accept their fate.
[Farid]
Take them.
- [Jula] No!
- [Aura] Kwame.
Look at me. Be strong.
Be strong.
Help.
Aura, look after her.
[Jula]
No!
Kwame! No!
No!
[Jula whimpers]
[Jula]
No!
[lion growls]
[Carpo]
Ah, Farid.
What do you have for me?
Feast your eyes.
- [growls loudly]
- [Carpo] By the Gods!
I've heard of such beasts
but thought they were imaginary.
[Farid]
Oh, he's real,
and you're going to pay
real money for him.
He killed two men in the taking
and ripped apart another during transport.
[cackles]
Wonderful!
I like him already.
[lion growls]
Who's he?
[Farid]
Kwame, his captor.
He fears the beast is protected by demons.
I fear claws and teeth,
not magic.
You should fear
both.
[indistinct chatter]
[goat bleating]
[speaking foreign language]
How much for three Levant pearls?
If the pearls are real
300 each.
[in English]
Five.
[trader]
One moment.
[laughter]
Some Numidian is selling pearls.
Ah.
[chuckles]
[pot clatters]
Newly bought slaves.
Where would they be taken?
[speaking other language]
Near the forum.
Thank you.
[trader speaks in other language]
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[Cala cries out]
- [gasps]
- [hushes]
[in English]
How many pearls do you have?
And the money you got
for the one you sold.
[both chuckle]
What else might she have?
Can't you see?
[whimpers]
Psst!
- Hurry!
- [whimpers]
[chuckles smugly]
And to think my brother were to throw him
from the Tarpeian Rock.
[Domitian]
What a waste that would have been.
[Domitian]
Flamma!
Flavius Domitianus.
Are they still feeding you well?
[Flamma]
Yes.
- Women?
- My pick
on the Kalends and Ides of each month.
Hmm.
[Domitian]
Good.
New arrivals.
[Atticus]
Good.
Good.
Too light,
even for Retiarius.
I've seen him fight.
He's fast.
He is said to have killed a lion
- with his bare hands.
- Hmm.
With his bare hands?
I'd like to see what you can do.
Put him with this one.
[Atticus]
Viggo.
[Atticus]
Medium tether.
Ah!
[grimaces]
[Viggo laughs]
[grunts]
[Kwame strains]
[growls]
[Viggo]
He's not allowed to do that.
[Domitian]
A gladius.
- [screams]
- [Atticus] Stop!
[Atticus]
Stop.
[footsteps on stairs]
Forgive me, Flavius Domitianus.
Viggo has a following.
Isn't it perhaps better
to let Flamma kill him
before a crowd?
[Domitian]
Very well.
A lion
without a weapon?
A lie, of course, but a bold one.
North Africa,
filled with filthy vermin and dogs,
pacified by my august father,
but, thankfully, not pacified too much.
So, tell me,
what could you kill with your bare hands?
You!
Restrain!
[Domitian]
Buy him.
Make a good show of his death.
With me!
Where is he?
Don't worry.
He'll be here.
Here he comes.
[chariot approaching]
[horse whinnies]
They're small, your Andalusians.
It is not their size
that makes horses fast.
And no whip.
They run better without it.
Hey! Yah!
[horse whinnies]
Yah! Yah!
Hut, hut, hut, hut!
Whoa!
They're fast.
[horse whinnies]
Whoo.
[chuckles]
[Scorpus] Easy.
[exhales sharply]
[panting]
- Yes, yes, you.
- Hey.
- Have you thought about my offer?
- Yes, I have.
[Scorpus exhales]
Twenty thousand sesterces for the ten.
But
the three of you stay on as stable hands
to get the most out of them.
- We accept.
- Both offers.
The hell we do! We agreed to go back!
Elia.
Look around.
Do you really want to go back?
Yes!
We're in Circus Maximus,
and this is Scorpus,
he's trying to buy your horses
and hire us.
Exactly. He wants to trap us
in this sewer of a city.
Twenty thousand sesterces.
I will take the money,
but we agreed to sell the horses
and go back.
We could really be someone here.
Make a name for ourselves.
Horses, as many as you want.
I have all the horses I want,
back in Baetica.
[Scorpus]
Boys.
Scorpus is waiting.
Yes.
We vote.
I'm in.
Yes.
I am not voting.
I'm leaving.
Elia!
Hmm.
- He'll come around.
- Mm.
We have a deal.
The little shit stays as well, yes?
Yes.
[breathless]
I have just driven
the fastest horses in my life.
Are you sure?
[sighs]
They fly on the wings of Pegasus.
So I bought them.
Well, with your money.
- So you're in?
- Of course I'm in.
Yeah, I've always been in.
[exhales]
[exhales]
What do you want?
Isn't it normal for Scorpus to buy horses?
With your money, yes.
This was on his own.
Do you think Scorpus is leaving us
for another faction?
He's up to something.
[Filo]
Consul, there is a man here
requesting an audience.
Tenax, a Plebeian.
No. Of course not.
Send him to one of my clients.
[Filo]
He is very insistent.
He says he has something to offer you
regarding the Blue Faction.
Five hundred shares of the Blue Faction.
How did you get these?
A gambling debt.
[Marsus]
Why did you come to me with them?
Because these shares will make you
lead owner of the Blue Faction again.
Meaning you'll pay more for them
than anyone else.
Perhaps.
For certain.
The Blue Faction was prosperous
when you were lead owner.
It's no secret that
Caltonia married Old Linius
because of their combined shares
and then he died
and she remained lead owner.
And it's no secret that
you want that position back.
Seven hundred thousand sesterces.
[scoffs]
That's absurd.
Eight hundred thousand sesterces.
This is an insulting way to bargain.
Be off.
As you wish.
I assume Caltonia will want
to permanently solidify her position as
lead owner.
Stop.
Five hundred thousand.
Nine.
Fine.
[desk opens]
Nine hundred thousand.
But we tell the world it was five.
As you wish.
Enjoy your revenge, Consul.
[footsteps receding]
[Antonia]
Vile man.
Why did he sell to us and not to her?
Because he correctly measured
my hatred of Caltonia
with my desire to be the lead owner.
[chuckles]
What a face she'll make
when she learns of this.
[Domitian]
Beautiful, isn't it?
Beyond.
If these Judeans waged war with
the same facility they have to build,
- we never would have defeated them.
- [footsteps approach]
Flavius Domitianus.
Thank you for agreeing to see me.
You can thank Scorpus for that.
Please tell me you're not here
to ask what I owe you.
No.
I've long since come to realise that
taking bets from the Imperial family
- is no more than a form of taxation.
- Good.
Speak.
This conversation should be held
under four eyes.
Go.
Look, I don't care about what you owe me.
I don't care that you tried
to rig the race yesterday and all.
It just tells me one thing:
you need money.
Lots of money.
You play a dangerous game here.
As do you.
The grain supply,
food riots,
ambition,
they're all dangerous.
I don't know whether I should
listen to you
or simply have you killed.
You could do both.
Why not listen
to what I have to say first.
Very well.
Like you, I am an ambitious man.
My partner,
the great charioteer Scorpus, and I
wish to form a new racing faction.
You would break away from the Blue?
After everything they've done for him?
He's ambitious.
Same as me.
Same as you.
I'm enjoying this.
Continue.
Scorpus and I have the money
to start a new faction
and we've recently acquired some horses,
astonishing horses,
that will ensure victories.
All we need now is Imperial permission
from you, as Aedile Ludi,
to race them at the Circus Maximus.
How would this benefit me?
A river of money.
Half-ownership, in secret,
and all that it will yield:
victory purses,
gate percentage,
seat fees, stud fees,
betting proceeds,
as well as the value of
the shares themselves.
These "astonishing" horses?
Andalusians,
with, in the words of Scorpus,
"the wings of Pegasus".
With Scorpus driving them,
we'll never lose.
Unless, of course,
the odds make losing more profitable.
And, one other thing.
I'd like to formally become your client
- in order to better serve your interests.
- My client?
That is a big step.
The responsibility goes both ways.
Up
and down.
I'll consider it
and your other offer as well.
Leave now.
[laughter]
[Lucius]
Brothers!
[man]
Whoa!
[cheering and laughter]
Gotta take a piss!
Ah! See if you gotta go after I'm done.
[laughter]
[groans drunkenly]
Ooh.
[Lucius groans]
[urine trickling]
[gasps]
My pearls, or I cut it off.
I only have one left.
I swear!
I used the rest to pay debts.
[urine trickles]
[exhales]
That's all that's left.
- On the ground.
- [groans]
[groans]
[horses groaning]
[horse grunting in pain]
Elia, how many times do I have to say it?
It's not forever.
We'll all go back together soon.
When, exactly?
After you're grooms
instead of stable hands?
After you start driving?
[Andria]
Give it a chance.
One fortnight,
then decide.
No.
You've lied to me.
Both of you.
You never intended to go home.
Did you?
Take good care of Ferox.
Barley in the summer.
Don't forget to take him to the pasture.
Water brushes only.
- Never oil.
- [door closes]
- [footsteps approaching]
- Carrots for his teeth.
Elia! Come.
Quickly, come!
Ferox.
[laboured breathing]
[Ferox grunts]
Come closer.
Yes.
It is that time.
Since Caesar Augustus, no emperor
has been succeeded by a true son.
They've all been followed by adopted sons
or by usurpers.
Until now. Until me.
Ah.
Look at the two of you.
Both more than capable of taking my place.
Titus the solider, like myself,
with a string of victories.
And Domitian,
our politician
of insight and subtlety,
so adept at handling the Senate
in our absence,
and helping me secure the curule chair.
It is a difficult choice.
But nothing,
and nothing is more important,
than protecting our beloved Rome.
Our foreign enemies are dangerous,
and our enemies here in Rome itself
are also dangerous.
Ready to sacrifice this city
on the altar of their ambition.
But of the two,
our foreign enemies,
the Parthians, the Gauls,
the Britons, the Huns,
they are the greater danger.
Therefore
a solider must sit on the curule chair.
Titus
you
will be Emperor.
Domitian
I will serve my brother
in every way I can.
That is good.
[Domitian]
Door!
[footsteps receding]
[exhales sharply]
[exhales sharply]
Do you strike now?
Against Titus's legions,
his riches and the loyalty
of the Praetorian Guard?
No.
Let Titus believe he's won,
while I fight him with
the weapons I've been granted.
No, no, no, no.
I must look like
Alexander the Great, not a street whore.
Something much more dramatic
for my grand entrance.
Scorpus the Great, driver of
his own faction.
Yes?
Out.
Hmm?
Is this what you call discreet?
Word will get out,
once we get Domitian's approval.
If we get approval.
Come. He's meeting us at the stables
to look at the Andalusians.
Ah-ha.
Fuck.
Gavros went to get a physician.
[indistinct chatter]
[sniffs then grunts in disgust]
[wheezes]
Why didn't someone tell me?
[Felix]
Domitian, he's here!
Outside!
[sighs]
As I said
Fuck!
All right.
I'll divert him.
Close the curtains.
Go. Close them.
Come on.
[Elia]
Come. Help me.
Here.
Flavius Domitianus.
Where are these horses
with the wings of Pegasus?
First, how about some food
or wine, perhaps?
No.
Girls? Or maybe boys?
I was thinking
the stables don't
show them at their best.
You should see them on the track, running,
perhaps, tomorrow?
Tenax! I have no time for this.
Where are they?
I know horses well enough to see them
running or stabled.
Flavius Domitianus, you
honour us.
Scorpus
and sober.
Impressed already.
Is this one of them?
Yes, yes. Ferox, the lead.
Oh.
Why is he in a sling?
It's a Spanish technique, your Highness.
We sling them for a day
after a long, uphill run.
It makes them faster on the flat.
Yes.
Yes, I've heard of this technique.
- [horse grunts]
- Where are the others?
At pasture.
[Ferox blows air]
Outside.
- It's OK.
- [Ferox grunts]
Circus Maximus now has five factions.
Each of you will own one quarter.
My ownership of one half shall remain
in the shadows.
- As you wish.
- As I command.
Do not disappoint me.
Your Highness.
One more thing.
I've decided to make you
one of my clients.
You honour me.
'Till my death
I will serve your interests.
And, should it suit me,
I may protect yours.
With me.
[groans]
[Elia]
Shh, shh, shh.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
[Gavros]
Augendus, the best there is.
He was once veterinarius for the Greens.
You were right, Gavros.
Most definitely nightshade.
What can you do for them?
Bury them.
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
[Augendus]
There's little you can do.
A magnus might say
put crows in their stalls
for three nights
and use bells to call out Orci spirits
from their livers.
I'm not gonna bet my life on that one.
[Tenax]
Do what you can.
No one has seen this.
If you tell a single fucking person,
you will die in ways you cannot imagine.
Do you understand?
Yes.
[Tenax]
Remember
the only person you have to fear
more than Domitian
is me.
We understand, sir.
We have seen nothing here.
You two.
Andria, Elia, come.
[groans]
All right, little brother, you win.
This is getting too dangerous.
I say we play along until dark
and then slip out of the city.
To go where?
Anywhere other than here. Home?
I'm not gonna leave our horses to die.
Now he wants to stay?
We have reared these horses
ever since they were foals.
I love them.
And I am not going to leave them behind.
The Emperor's son has seen us.
How far would we get if we run?
We have no option.
We throw in with Scorpus and Tenax.
[Tenax]
And get guards. I'll send more.
Who did this?
I was about to ask you the same thing.
I told no one.
Except your bloody tailor
and who knows who else.
Antonia, perhaps?
Domitian has slaves and attendants.
They talk.
[sighs]
It's too late now.
In my first year of racing,
the Red's lead horse
was poisoned with nightshade.
The physician, Caldus, cured it
with yellow ash.
No, yellow ash is poison.
It will kill quicker than cure.
It worked for Caldus.
Can you get him? Where is he?
Pompeii. I'll go.
You go with him.
Keep him safe.
Try not to be seen.
[Scorpus]
Let's get some fresh horses.
- Guards.
- Yes.
Tenax.
I paid your men already.
- A fortnight ago.
- I'm not collecting.
I'm buying.
Nightshade.
I
don't sell poisons
anymore.
I sold all I had.
To whom?
[men laughing]
[man]
Come.
Let's go.
[laughter]
[screams, gurgles]
[spluttering]
I know that you poisoned my horses.
Who hired you?
You're going to kill me anyway.
Why should I tell you?
Don't be so sure I'm going to kill you.
You might be more use to me alive.
Salto, there,
only he knew.
He spoke to someone
in a litter.
I was across the square.
Describe the litter.
Fancy.
Gold and green stripes
with wooden handles.
Remember my mercy.
Find out who owns that litter.
How many have died?
This is the first.
I have saved the others thus far.
Gavros.
Find other horses to buy.
All the good stock
is owned by the factions.
Anything we find will not be as good.
They'll be alive.
[horse grunts]
No more.
We pack and we'll be ready to leave
as soon as Andria returns.
I've told you. I am not leaving.
You're a child.
You've always been a child.
Andria and I have spoiled you
since the moment our mother died
giving birth to you.
Fine.
Go.
[clattering]
[whimpers]
[Salena groans]
[Salena cries out]
Mother, are you all right?
Can I help you with that?
Yes, please.
What do we say?
[Otho]
Thank you.
[footsteps receding]
- [Filo] Make way.
- Woola.
- Woola, get up!
- [Woola] Huh?
[Felix]
That's the one.
Come on. Let's see where it goes.
Make way.
Make way.
[Woola]
Gold and green stripes.
This is definitely the litter.
Go get Tenax.
Yes, of course, for you I'll rush.
I can have them ready
in less than a month.
I don't have a month.
I'm not sure I have two days.
What about these?
Ah. These are
my best work.
I can build a pair exactly like these
for you.
- I'll take these.
- No, these are Leto's, erm
He ordered them for Xenon.
They're mine now.
Repaint them.
Er, no, I can't
We found the litter!
Repaint them.
What colour?
[bell rings]
[Tiones]
Gather round! Gather round!
The auction's about to begin.
[bell rings]
All right.
For our first offering,
look at this Briton!
Not only beautiful,
but she cooks all wonderful dishes
for which the Britons are so famous!
[cheering]
Who will give me 100 sesterces?
[crowd groan]
Oh, come on!
Eighty then?
Ah, excellent.
This one's yours.
Step right up and come and get it.
Up next
this workhorse of a girl.
Suitable for either type of ploughing.
[crowd cheering]
[Tiones]
Who will give me 50?
[bidder 1]
I'll give you 50.
[Tiones]
Fifty over here.
Come and get the key.
And now for our main attraction.
A pair of Numidian sisters.
Sold as a set or individually.
Any bids?
One hundred.
One-eighty.
[woman]
Two hundred.
I'm told this one is a virgin.
Untouched by man or beast.
Who'll give me 250?
[Tiones]
Now, any bids?
[bidder 3]
Four hundred.
[bidder 4]
Five.
[bidder 5]
Six hundred.
Seven hundred.
Eight!
Three thousand sesterces!
[gasping]
Sold for 3,000 sesterces.
Come and get your goods.
[whimpers]
Mother.
- Please, please.
- I'm sorry.
[Jula]
Mother! Mother!
[Tiones]
And next
[Jula screams]
her sister.
[Jula]
Mother!
Perhaps not a virgin but
sturdy
and well-formed.
Five hundred.
I bid 800.
Sold to Tenax for 500.
[crowd gasp]
No, no, no. No. No.
I bid 800.
- [Tiones] Sorry, didn't hear you.
- Here.
One thousand!
She's already sold.
No, no.
One thousand. I double your bid.
Sorry, the deal is done.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Claudia, leave us.
[door closes]
Sit.
I said sit.
After you take me,
sooner or later you will fall asleep,
and when you do, I will slit your throat.
You're going to slit my throat?
[gasps, strains]
- [door closes]
- I own you.
You are my slave.
I can do whatever I want with you.
[loud knocking on door]
[exhales]
You don't give up.
I'm her mother.
[sighs]
My girl.
Aura! I'm here.
You're okay?
I already told you.
She's not for sale.
Everything is for sale.
- At the right price.
- Not her.
Why did you buy her?
I need to know things about the person
who bought your other daughter.
I see.
You seek to use this daughter
as a go-between to my other daughter
to spy on your enemy.
I have an alternative.
I'm listening.
I will be your go-between.
[Aura protests]
But you don't touch her.
And when this is over, whatever it is,
you allow me to buy her
at your cost.
[Tenax scoffs]
No.
When all this is done,
I will consider selling her to you
for whatever price I like.
I need lodging.
[chuckles]
I have a room at the back.
You can stay with your daughter
for a couple of nights.
[footsteps receding]
My name is Cala.
Are you all right?
Hey. Shh. Shh.
Water.
Not poison.
You did well against me.
What do you want?
A deal.
Did you see the big gladiator watching us?
The giant one
with the markings on his neck.
Yes.
He is Flamma.
He's going to kill me.
- Pity you.
- [chuckles]
Yes. Yeah. Pity me.
See, from the time I was a child,
I've always been the biggest,
the strongest,
the fastest.
And, as a warrior,
I have always killed with ease.
Perhaps you will surprise this Flamma.
No.
He is going to kill me with ease.
He is bigger than me, faster than me,
stronger than me
and he has an endless well of tricks,
any of which can put a sword
through my belly.
What is this to me?
The trader
Farid.
He said that you killed a lion
without a weapon.
That is a lie I tell you Romans
to get hired for their hunts.
[exhales]
I did once kill a leopard
without a weapon.
It was almost full-grown and
sometimes a leopard can kill a lion.
So that is almost like me killing a lion.
Almost.
Perhaps in that there is some
little thing I can use against Flamma.
With what you know,
which is nothing,
you will not survive one day in the arena.
But
if you tell me what you know about
fighting animals bigger
and stronger than you,
I can teach you our weapons
and give you a chance to survive
and dream of the Wooden Sword.
The Wooden Sword?
Freedom.
If a gladiator entertains the crowd
well enough,
the crowd can demand
he be given the Wooden Sword,
which takes him out of this place.
A worthy want.
And what is yours?
To free my sisters
and kill Romans.
Pity we can't kill them all.
What of the one who was watching us?
The one with the eyes of a hyena.
Mm. Domitian.
He is the son of the emperor, Vespasian.
Then he will do.
[chuckles]
What?
You want to start with killing Domitian?
Then that's what we will do.