Rome (LWM)

2 Seasons | 22 Episodes | TV-MA

Every city has its secrets. HBO presents this epic series about the furious historical events that saw the birth of the Roman Empire.

1.The Stolen Eagle

Caesar ends eight years of war with victory in Gaul, but suffers a personal loss at home.

2.How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic

Antony returns to Rome with Vorenus and Pullo. Pompey drafts an ultimatum.

3.An Owl in a Thornbush

Patrician families are forced to choose sides. Vorenus and Niobe make amends, and Pullo finds a fortune.

4.Stealing from Saturn

Pompey maneuvers outside the city as Atia throws a party welcoming Caesar. Vorenus also hosts a fete.

5.The Ram Has Touched the Wall

Vorenus reconsiders his career as Atia schemes to separate Caesar and Servilia.

6.Egeria

Antony ponders whether to remain loyal to Caesar as Atia tries to mend fences with Servilia.

7.Pharsalus

Caesar and Pompey find their fortunes reversed again. Atia enlists Octavia to ask another favor of Servilia.

8.Caesarion

Caesar arrives in Egypt with Vorenus and Pullo and forges an alliance with Cleopatra.

9.Utica

Caesar returns to Rome in triumph and Vorenus braces for a showdown. Servilia attempts to unearth a secret about Caesar.

10.Triumph

Caesar is proclaimed Emperor amidst pomp and fanfare, while Vorenus and Pullo plan their futures in Rome's new order.

11.The Spoils

While Pullo descends into Rome's netherworld, Vorenus reaps the rewards of his allegiance to Caesar.

12.Kalends of February

Vorenus' defense of Pullo lands him in an unexpected position of power.

Passover

In the wake of Caesar's death, Mark Antony considers a move north while Vorenus issues a curse.

Son of Hades

<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'>Directed by Allen Coulter Written by Bruno Heller With Erastes Fulmen gone, the Aventine is up for grabs, and rival gangs have taken to the streets in a struggle for control, stabbing each other in the open markets. Having surrendered to his grief, Vorenus refuses to leave his bed, staring catatonically at the head of Erastes Fulmen, still rotting in a corner. Pullo tries to talk Vorenus into a new start, noting the mourning period has ended, but Vorenus won't hear of it. Now Consul of Rome, Mark Antony is preparing for the arrival of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, which has Atia up in arms. To assuage her jealousy, Antony describes the woman as a "dark, skinny little thing who talks too much." Octavian interrupts to press him about the money Caesar left him, but Antony puts him off with talk of paperwork and lawyering. Cleopatra is far more subdued than she was four years earlier, which puzzles Mark Antony, whom she doesn't recall meeting. She's in mourning over Caesar, she tells him, as he was "like a husband to me." Antony scoffs. "Roman Consul, Egyptian wife? Wouldn't do." The Queen's counsel, Charmian, interrupts to begin negotiations: the Consul of Rome will guarantee armies to protect her throne in exchange for the value of her grain shipments. Posca ups the price, and they settle on an amount. But the Queen has one more issue to put on the table: her four-year-old son, Caesarion. Soon she must tell him that his father's people do not accept him as a true legal son. She wants a public declaration of the boy's paternity, "simply for his happiness." With a lecherous grin, Antony attempts to privately negotiate something in return, earning himself a fierce slap. "Nice manners for a whore," he tells her. "If I must prostitute myself for the good of my country and my family, I will," she fires back. "But the customer pays first does he not?" "Your son will eat sh** and die before I make him legal," he replies. At the Basilica, an irritated Antony receives petitioners. A representative of the merchants complains about the violence in the Aventine killing commerce, "the root of civic virtue." Cicero jumps in, warning that whoever controls the Aventine controls the docks and the grain supply. And if the violence spreads, the whole city will descend into chaos and famine, "and you will be blamed, I'm afraid." Antony growls before presenting Cicero with a list of candidates for next year's elections, claiming Posca found them among Caesar's papers. "Ah. Another lucky find," Cicero smirks, claiming the list contains every scoundrel in the city who paid off Posca. After a threat from Antony, Cicero agrees to endorse them, but only if they cross off the worst of the lot. At a loss with Vorenus, Pullo seeks out the new Consul of Rome. Mark Antony accompanies him back to the cursed villa, jarring his former soldier out of his funk. He reprimands Vorenus harshly, accusing him of letting "our great father die" and starting a war in the Aventine by killing Erastes. Vorenus insists he would kill himself, but "Dis" is his master; he's at the mercy of the God to end his life. "Dis is not your master. I am your master," Antony responds, and despite Vorenus's protests, he insists that no man is beyond redemption, "not even you." As Atia prepares to host a party for the Egyptians, Octavian spots Timon and his henchmen, armed for battle, and confronts his mother about her latest plot, which as he suspects involves killing Servilia. "There is a truce, ratified by priests," he tells his mother. "The political situation is extremely delicate. Her death would throw the Republic into an uproar." When he threatens to go to Mark Antony, Atia stops him, then sends Timon and his men away, furious with her impudent son. A retinue of exotically dressed servants and courtiers arrive with the wide-eyed four-year-old in tow, his hair done up like Caesar's. Not far behind is the stunning Queen - dressed to kill, and high on opium. She takes Mark Antony's hand affectionately and, ignoring Atia, captivates the room. Timon returns home to find a surprise visitor - his older brother, Levi, an observant Jew from Jerusalem, resurfacing after nine years. Levi claims he's come to expand his business where the money is - he's in the spice, cloth and oil trade. "You hate Romans," Timon challenges him. "Vile oppressors. Babylonian whores." Levi finally concedes that he was forced to leave his homeland, as he spoke too freely about the "so-called leaders licking the boots of Roman soldiers." Timon reproaches his brother. "I've got a wife and children to think of. Keep that cac to yourself." After torturing Atia with her beauty and overt affections toward Mark Antony, Cleopatra makes a scene as she leaves, telling the Consul she shall weep 'til she sees him again. Turning to Atia, she demands a kiss. "Die screaming you pigspawn trollop," Atia whispers into the monarch's ear. Antony is in for a rough night. As the gang wars escalate in the Aventine, the Priests of Concord call a summit. Six roughhewn captains of the underworld, each with their own band of henchmen, gather before the priests and their statue of Concordia, goddess of harmony. An alliance has formed between the two biggest gangs, the Caelians, led by Memmio, and the Quirinali, under Hannibal Cotta. Across from them, a quartet of smaller gangs stand in equal numbers, including the Oppians, led by Acerbo. Pullo and Vorenus make a dramatic entrance. Vorenus announces that he speaks under the authority of Mark Antony, Consul of Rome, who declares their battle to control the Aventine finished. "All violence will cease." The men look amused. "As killer of Erastes Fulmen, I claim his Captaincy of the Aventine...as my rightful spoils." Acerbo points out that he has no men; they're all dead or run away. "I will find men. Rome has no shortage of criminal scum. Maybe I'll take some of yours." As the men stir in protest, Memmio reminds them the Goddess is present. When order is restored, Vorenus explains they'll receive a monthly stipend of 5,000 denarii from Mark Antony - under Vorenus's supervision. In return, they will limit themselves to their "traditional liberties and malpractices...nothing that will disrupt trade or politics." Acerbo objects. "Why would sane and respectable men like ourselves do business with a poor curse-hounded beast like you?" With this, Vorenus pushes aside the priests and grabs the Goddess, then smashes the statue repeatedly against a pillar until it shatters into shards. The captains and horrified priests look on in astonishment. "I'm a son of Hades," Vorenus announces. "I f**k Concord in her arse. The truce is raised." Pullo panics, but Acerbo quickly agrees to do business, as Memmio and Cotta stare at the remains of the statue, speechless. Outside Atia's villa, a young boy is beaten by a pack of larger ones, until Castor intervenes. The grateful boy, Duro, kisses Castor's feet and begs him for work, offering to do anything, including sexual favors. Castor seems to consider the offer. Octavian seeks out Mark Antony one more time to remind him about his inheritance - he intends to give the plebs the money Caesar promised them. "You are a fool then," Antony tells the boy. "Once they have their money and spend it, they will only want more." Octavian explains he's enlisted a lawyer to help Posca transfer the money without further delay. This infuriates Antony, who tells him he's getting none of it. Atia tries to placate him, then scolds her son after he leaves. "Don't you see we're dependent on Antony now? Who will protect us if you drive him away from me?!" When Octavia confronts her brother about his insolence, Octavian shares his secret plans with her. As he sees it, the Republic is on the brink of collapse, with a weak and cowardly Senate and angry, starving plebs. And Antony is nothing but "a destructive brute." So he plans to assume a leadership role and offer new initiatives. Octavia bursts out laughing at her little brother, until she realizes he's dead serious. In the forum, a newsreader announces a pledge from "Gaius Octavian Caesar, the lawful son of Gaius Julius Caesar," who plans to personally fulfill the terms of his beloved father's bequest to the people, delivering the money they are due. "Let it be known that Caesar's son has sold away all his own property to honour his father's wishes," he adds. Hearing the news, Mark Antony enters the boy's bedroom in a fit of rage. Octavian tries to assure him the offering was not meant as a direct challenge to his authority, claiming he wants to make a public display of unity. His name - Caesar's name - can offer Antony protection from his enemies in the Senate. This only infuriates Antony more, and when he learns that Octavian was able to borrow against the money given his legal claim, he attacks the boy. When Atia hears how much he's given away (three million Sestertii), she jumps in, too. Watching Antony unleash all his fury at the small boy, Atia finally tries to stop him. "Forget about him. Let's go," she says to her lover, turning away from her son. "Fucking whore!" Octavian screams, inspiring Antony to pummel the boy a few more times, until Octavia finally intervenes. At the Aventine tavern, Vorenus moves into Erastes Fulmen's former office, as Pullo begins interviewing applicants for jobs in the more orderly collegium. A bold, scantily-clad woman named Gaia enters, impressing Pullo. A former supervisor at a brothel who kept the customers in line, she negotiates a similar job with better pay. Mascius, a former soldier from the 13th, arrives next, desperate for work. They warn him of the questionable nature of the work, but he lost his farm and now he's homeless. He'd already heard about the "black-hearted villain" named Vorenus who's in with the Gods below. Vorenus smiles wickedly at this, worrying Pullo. "What more can the Gods do to me?" Vorenus asks him. "Don't know," Pullo says, shaking his head. "Don't want to find out." Cicero pays a visit to Servilia, who is thrilled with the news of Octavian's bold initiative, certain that the Caesarion house divided will destroy itself. Though Cicero doubts the boy will be a true rival to Antony, Servilia believes Caesar chose him for a reason. She also thinks the Senate should ask her son to return. As Cicero talks of caution, waiting to see what develops, Servilia does not look pleased. Atia returns to her son's room to find a note bidding her farewell. Her face streams with tears as she reads it: "I hope in time you will understand the gravity of your mistake," he writes. Determined as ever to pursue a political career, he's headed south for Campania to stay with a friend, Agrippa, who is well established there. On a dusty road along the Italian countryside, Octavian rides on horseback, accompanied by several servants and guards. They pass a large slave transport full of bodies chained together, moaning in pain. In the very back, Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger, Lucius and Lyde are huddled on the floor, their faces blank and hopeless.</div>

These Being the Words of Marcus Tullius Cicero

<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'>Directed by Alan Poul Written by Scott Buck nAs Vorenus sleeps, a tearful Niobe appears. "I thought you were dead," she says. "The boy is blameless." Vorenus bolts awake to find himself lying in his office, overlooking the Aventine tavern. Below, a brawl breaks out between two prostitutes, drunken customers cheering them on, until Gaia breaks them apart. Mascius and Pullo catch each other admiring Gaia, as Eirene watches on. nAs the new head of the Aventine, Vorenus receives an official visit from Memmio and Carbo. A young nephew of Carbo's, a boy of 12, was "defiled" by an Aventine man, Quintus Bubo. Carbo comes to ask Vorenus' permission to avenge his family's honor and kill the man. Vorenus dismisses the request after learning that the boy accepted money for the exchange. No offense was committed and Mark Antony gave strict orders to maintain the peace. Besides, Bubo "is a man of property and respect." Vorenus orders Memmio and Carbo not to touch Bubo. nPullo speaks up on their behalf, "Money or not, he took advantage of the boy," suggesting maybe a moderate form of punishment. Vorenus shuts Pullo down, stoking the ire of Memmio. "We came to you out of politeness, a mere formality," the gang leader tells him. "Even your own man..." "My man doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut," Vorenus snaps before insisting his decision is final. After they leave, Pullo confronts Vorenus, who responds, "Do not question my authority under any circumstances." Pullo pulls back, "Authority?" They're interrupted by Gaia, bringing Vorenus food. nOctavia is hosting a friend, Jocasta, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. She's just returned from Macedonia with two sacks of hemp. With the help of a slave girl, Octavia tries smoking the seeds for the first time, only to choke on the smoke. They're interrupted by Atia who reprimands them for stinking up the house - before taking a hit of the hemp herself. Atia wants to know more about Macedonia; they are going there once Antony takes up the Governorship. Jocasta tells her the place is "ghastly," with a "filthy climate, vile food and beastly people." Octavia snickers, the hemp seeds finally hitting her, but her mother is not amused. "Perhaps you did not mix in quite with the best society," she says to her friend. Jocasta explains her father is "hideously rich," but there is no "society" to be found in the region. The women are so awful the men resort to their sheep. "It is truly the end of the world." nAtia scowls at the young woman. "I am no snob, my dear," she says to Octavia. "I do not mind that you bring home a tradesman's daughter. But let's stop there, shall we? No actors, or gladiators, or that sort of thing..." Jocasta stares up at her in disbelief. Octavia tries to assuage her friend after her mother leaves. "She's been in an infernal grump since Octavian left." nTimon tries to pay a visit to a depressed Atia in her chambers, but she sends him away before he can speak, throwing him into a fit outside her villa. Servilia's servant, Castor, witnesses the outburst while he is there summoning Duro, Atia's handsome boy servant, for sex. The boy struggles to endure his latest obligation in the horse stalls. When Timon returns home, his older brother Levi is helping his kids learn Hebrew, angering him even more. He throws back a glass of wine. nIn their rural slave barracks, Lyde and the children, Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger and Lucius, try to sleep in their small stall wearing little more than rags. Lyde watches the guard saunter by. nOver breakfast, Atia confronts Mark Antony about coming home so late, puking drunk and mauling her. She's also unhappy about going to Macedonia after his Consulship is over. He insists they have dressmakers and jewel merchants in the capitol, but she's already ruled it out. Once he leaves Italy, she tells him, his enemies will no longer fear him, and he will be powerless to strike at them. "I don't want to strike at them," he responds. "There's no juice in it anymore. I want peace and quiet and a nice rich province to squeeze." She tries a more direct approach to stoke his paranoia: "Your enemies will not rest until you are dead. You have a wolf by the ears. You cannot let go of it now." nBack in the Aventine, Timon finds his brother hovering with a suspicious-looking man. When he confronts him, Levi claims the man is a saffron trader, but Timon doesn't buy it. A bloodied and incoherent Quintus Bubo is presented to Vorenus and Pullo, his hysterical wife by his side, begging for justice. Memmio's boys got to him, Gaia explains. Enraged that his command was disobeyed, Vorenus plots Memmio's punishment as Pullo tries to talk some sense - Memmio will have to retaliate and he'll start a war. Vorenus insists he has no choice, then blames Pullo for questioning him in front of Memmio. He orders Pullo to go after Carbo. "This isn't the mumping legion. I take orders from no man," Pullo fires back. As Vorenus seethes, Pullo tells him his thinking is backwards, and that he's just trying to keep him alive. "You'd like nothing better than a gang war eh? Get yourself killed and be done with your misery. Take half the city with you...It won't bring back Niobe. Or the children. Or Caesar." nWhen Vorenus insists Pullo never helped him, Pullo starts ticking off a list, which includes getting rid of "that snake Evander." Realizing what he's revealed, Pullo finally admits to knowing about Niobe's child, and to killing the man who fathered him. "She loved you. You were happy together," he says, attempting to talk him down. "What was I supposed to do? If I'd told you...you would have killed her." Vorenus throws him out. nMark Antony meets with Cicero, who casually informs Antony of the considerable army Octavian has raised. Antony mocks the "cripples and fools" the boy has likely bought, but Cicero lets him know he's enlisted veterans. Standing up before a potted plant adjacent to the senate leader, Antony lifts his tunic and begins urinating in it as he informs Cicero of his new plans: he no longer wishes to take the Governorship of Macedonia; he wishes to take Gaul. The weather is better. The Senate will not pass such a measure, Cicero tells him, as they will see it as emulating Caesar, camping on the border with his legions, scaring Rome into doing whatever he wishes. Antony laughs, insisting he'd never thought of such a thing. n"You are the Senate, Cicero," Antony says before suggesting he propose his new Governorship at the next meeting. Cicero protests. "The Senate would know I was backing you through fear of death." He refuses Antony's offer of a bribe, so instead he receives a threat, a reminder of how his old friend Crassus died (molten gold poured down his throat). "Enough," Cicero says, giving in. "It is correct what you say. The weather in Macedonia is dreadful." nWhen Pullo tries to explain and apologize to Vorenus for not telling him about Niobe, he is quickly forgiven. "How can I not forgive you, Pullo. You're all I have left in life." They embrace stiffly, as Pullo, looking confused by his friend's sudden turnaround, changes the subject back to the Aventine war. He suggests they let Carbo pay a fine and talk to Memmio. "You may be right," Vorenus allows, "but it's too late now." nIn fact, Carbo is entering a public latrine to take care of business, two of his men in tow. They're interrupted by Mascius, Appius and three other gangsters, who knock out the men before turning Carbo upside down, head first into the open toilet seat. As Mascius beats the struggling Carbo, Appius rips his pants off. nAt Atia's villa, a strapping young man arrives announcing he has a message for the mistress of the house - from her son. As he waits for her, he stumbles upon Octavia practicing the lyre. Enchanted, he watches until she notices him, then introduces himself: Marcus Agrippa, a friend of "Caesar Octavian". Her brother is now a powerful man, he explains, in charge of an army 10,000 strong. "I have written him 100 times asking him to stop this madness - he doesn't listen to me," Octavia tells Agrippa. "On the contrary," the man replies, "I think you are the only person he listens to." Atia enters, overhearing this last part, and receives the message from her son: he wants to know that she is well, and to assure her of his respect and fidelity. And in the name of family, she should keep an open mind about her future prospects. In response, Atia threatens to tell Mark Antony "where the traitors are," given that Octavian is deliberately challenging him. Her daughter begs her not to. "He's your son's friend...no telling what Antony will do to him." "I have no son," Atia responds. nIn the meantime, Atia's boy slave, Duro, pays a visit to Eleni. Duro demands to speak to Servilia. After being refused, he threatens to leave until Servilia stops him - demanding to know why Atia is still alive. He can't find the right time, he tells her; she always eats with her daughter. If she doesn't mind killing both of them, he could do it tomorrow. "No harm to the girl," Servilia insists. He asks her for patience - and more money. When she gives in and hands it over, he insists on one more parting gift - a kiss. At first appalled at his gall, she reconsiders in the name of her mission and plants one on the boy. nAt a Bithynian salon, Cassius is making an appeal for money to the local dignitaries. "Those who help us now will have good friends in Rome when the traitor Mark Antony is deposed...With or without your help, we shall raise an army...Antony's head will rot on a spike." Ignoring his request, the Vizier asks about the shows where Roman women have sex with baboons. At a loss, Cassius explains it's "more of a punishment" than a show, and suggests they could always train baboons in Bithynia. "You need my money to raise an army. I want to see a Roman woman f**ked by baboons," the man responds. Cassius allows that "arrangements can be made." nIn the background, a tipsy Brutus is bragging to the other Bithnyians about killing Caesar, but the men appear more amused than impressed. "Seems rather cowardly..." a Pontic dignitary says to him. "Perhaps I shall find a fresh corpse to stab and become great myself." Brutus becomes enraged, calling the man a dog and telling him he'll pay for his insult. Cassius intervenes and escorts Brutus to another tent, where he tells him he's lost his way. nMark Antony informs Atia he knows all about Octavian's friend - Agrippa's in Rome meeting with Cicero, attempting to form an alliance against him. Unfazed, he tells her the Senate leader will refuse, as "I have my foot on Cicero's throat." Worried what Antony will do to Octavian, she makes him swear on Jupiter's stone he will not harm the boy. nIn the rural slave barracks, Lyde manages to wriggle open the slave cage and escape, but the others are caught. Torn over what to do, she makes a run for it into the night. nEirene stumbles upon the body of Appius, hanging upside down. Mascius is sure that its Memmio's work - a Caelian coin was left in the gangster's mouth. Vorenus is ready to declare a war, but Pullo challenges him, setting off his suspicions that he's on Memmio's side. "Can't you see what's happening to you?" Pullo asks, incredulous. "A demon has possessed you!" Upping the ante, Vorenus accuses him of having an affair with Niobe. Beside himself, Pullo swears "on the bones of my mother" nothing happened between them. But when nothing appeases him, Pullo gives up. "Okay I f**ked her. Me and every guy..." The two go at it until they crash through the second-level office onto the men below. Vorenus can barely move, but Pullo manages to get up, gather Eirene, and leave the Aventine. nFar from Rome, a gaunt, long-haired Brutus rides his horse to a river, disrobes and wades in to his waist. With his arms lifted to Janus, the God of new beginnings, Brutus begs to start his life anew. "As the shore is scoured by the tide, let me be cleansed..." He submerges himself. nOn the Senate floor, Mark Antony arrives late, only to find that Cicero has not arrived at all. A clerk announces Cicero has left a speech he insists be read into the rolls. Confident of what's ahead, Antony sits back. "'When I was a young man, I defended our state,'" the scrolls begin. "'As an old man I shall not abandon it." The clerk pauses when he realizes what he is to read next. Addressed directly to Mark Antony, Cicero says, "'Please listen as if you were sober and intelligent, and a not a drink-sodden, sex-addled wreck." The senators begin leaving in droves as the blood rushes to Antony's face. The clerk trembles. "'You have brought upon us war, pestilence and destruction. You are Rome's...Helen of Troy." Refusing to read on for fear of what will come next, Antony demands the clerk continue, as the senators continue to scurry out. "But then a woman's role has always suited you best." With this, Mark Antony bludgeons the clerk with all his rage, then looks around to find an empty senate. nOutside of Rome, Cicero rides in a litter with his slave Tyro, dictating a note to Octavian "Caesar." "Tell him I've exposed Antony for the debauched wreck that he is...At this time the Republic would be most grateful to accept Caesar's offer of assistance. We shall need his army at once." nAfter escaping Vorenus and traveling to Massilia for several months, Pullo and Eirene return to the Aventine, where all that's left is a burned out carcass of buildings. They stumble upon Mascius, who explains that Vorenus went north with Mark Antony. "Ever since we gave Carbo one up the ass, the Caelians boys and their friends have been going at us like Belgians." They lost ten men this month alone, he adds, begging Pullo to stay on. A bewildered Pullo is convinced the gods are playing tricks, as he was certain they told him to go back to Rome and find Vorenus. He tells Eirene its best they get out of Italy before the next civil war comes. nAs they leave the city, they're interrupted by a sickly-looking beggar woman looking for directions to the Aventine. She recognizes Pullo. "Lyde?" he says, as she collapses, overcome with relief. She tells him the children are still alive. nAlone at the dinner table, Atia asks after Octavia. She won't be joining, her servants inform her. Back in the kitchen, Duro waits for the others to leave before pouring a liquid into the stew. He watches in the wings as the young cook, Althea, delivers the bowl to her mistress. nOn a country road, a horse gallops into the afternoon sky. Pullo leans forward in earnest, his mission finally clear.</div>

Testudo et Lepus

Atia turns the tables on Servilia as Octavian wins a battle. Vorenus learns of his children's fate.

Heroes of the Republic

Vorenus returns to the Collegium. Octavian urges Cicero to embrace his request to be made Consul, and in exchange, Octavian promises not to make a move without consulting Cicero first.

Philippi

<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'>Directed by Robert Young Written by Eoghan Mahony Riding across a barren landscape in Northern Greece, Cassius agonizes over how they will continue to feed 100,000 soldiers, as Brutus revels in the view: an infinite road of men. He's confident they will have no problem taking Octavian and his legions. Far north in Rome, Mark Antony plots to surprise Brutus and Cassius by teaming up with Octavian and his forces. Scoffing at the obviousness of the strategy, Octavian insists they must kill Brutus and Cassius's most prominent supporters before their plans are revealed. Reviewing his list of targets, Lepidus looks up in horror. "These are among the finest men in Rome!" Maecenas reasons that the money of the noblemen will be useful, as Octavian hands the list to Agrippa with instructions to bring it to Vorenus, who will divide the names among the gangs. As Antony adds a few additional enemies to the list, Atia interrupts to add one of her own - Jocasta's father. Octavia's friend is a bad influence, she says. "This is not a game mother," her son scolds, but he reconsiders when he learns the father is immensely wealthy. Back in the Aventine, Vorenus erupts at Gaia when he catches her putting makeup on Vorena the Elder, and orders his daughter to wash it off. Gaia turns on Mascius after he leaves, angry that he didn't stand up for her. "I like you," he admits, "But be careful, slave, I have my limits." Vorena the Elder angrily scrapes off her makeup, then heads outside with her sister and brother, a slave chaperone in tow. Chasing after her siblings, she catches the attention of a well-dressed young man out by the docks. He casually wanders up to her to ask for directions. The chaperone quickly pushes him away, but not before he and Vorena share a moment. With orders received from Mark Antony, Vorenus convenes a meeting of all the collegia men, assigning each captain a list. Their collective mission: to kill 80 percent of the richest patricians in the city and to rob them of their fortunes. The question is how they will spend their "blood money," and Vorenus has a suggestion - the Feast of Pomona is coming soon, and he thinks they should return to the old custom of distributing fish and bread to the people, a gesture of goodwill that will change their image. "People used to come to the collegia for help - for justice," he tells them, sounding more like the senator he once was. "Money for marriage or funerals, extra grain." The men scoff - they're in the violence business, why pretend otherwise? "Whoever wins in Greece, wins Rome, and some kind of peace will follow," Vorenus explains. "The collegia must change or die." As the men stir in protest, he announces that the Aventine Collegia will honor Pomona - the rest of them may do as they wish. Memmio jumps in to support his plan, later explaining to Cotta that Vorenus is a "man of vision," and it's their duty to support him. But Pullo is suspicious of the endorsement, warning Vorenus that he doesn't trust the man. Outside, Vorena's handsome suitor ties together two small human figures made of straw, then summons Lucius to bring the creation to his sister. Admiring her gift, Vorena steals coy glances at the man, careful not to stir the dozing chaperone. Pullo gets the top job of taking out Cicero at his country estate, and decides to turn his mission into an extended family picnic, inviting Vorenus and his kids, their aunt Lyde and Eirene along for the day. He leaves them in a sunny field as he cheerfully gallops off to Cicero's with his assassination "kit." But a messenger beats him to the estate - delivering news that Antony plans to join Octavian in the attack against Brutus and Cassius. By the time Pullo gets to his door, Cicero is hastily scrolling a note to warn his fellow senators in Greece. He hands it off to the messenger before resigning himself to his fate. "Ah. The famous Titus Pullo," he says when he sees his Grim Reaper, "I am honored." Pullo returns the compliment, and learns that his work will earn him immortality. "I will live on in the history books," Cicero explains. "My killer's name will no doubt live on also." Pullo is disappointed. "Oh, my name. I thought you meant me." As a terrified Tyro charges at Pullo with a sword, Cicero waves him off. "If you could see how absurd you look you would not protest," he tells his loyal servant. Cicero has freed him in his will, and he asks him to take care of his people. At Pullo's suggestion, he kneels to accept the sword. Awaiting Pullo's return, Lyde comments to Vorenus on how beautiful Vorena the Elder has become, and suggests she could marry some day - if he would let her. "Niobe would only want her married to a descent man," he responds, and no man that she deserves would marry a prostitute. They're interrupted by the sounds of a startled horse - Lucius has run into the road, where he's nearly trampled by the messenger Cicero sent to Greece. Dropping the letter case, the messenger curses Vorenus and the kids and nearly earns himself a Centurion beating, until Lyde screams for Vorenus to stop. The messenger rides off - leaving Cicero's message behind. North of Rome, Agrippa is disturbed to learn that even more names have been added to the assassination list. He excuses himself for air. Pacing outside, he gets a visit from Octavia, on a visit to her brother. She asks if he's been avoiding her, and he begs her not to toy with him; he's aware his feelings for her are hopeless. "I have not a drop of good blood in me...You'll not be married to the commendable son of a nobody." Indignant, Octavia insists she'll marry whomever she wants. "No...you'll marry some useful nobleman of your brother's choosing." Octavia turns away. At a synagogue in the city, a Rabbi asks a congregation for money - to lobby Rome to keep King Herod in as King of Judea. Levi interjects: "In this holy place, you conspire in bribery so that idolaters can rule over your own people." Better a ruler they know and can work with than Ptolemy or the Seleucids, the Rabbi responds before asking Levi to identify himself: "We are the sons of Arod, from the families of Manasseh. We are the wrath of Israel." Calling the Rabbi a traitor, he then spits on him, setting off an all-out brawl, with Timon, Saul and two of his thugs joining in to help. When they finally escape, Timon explains their mission to their confused henchmen. "We are redeeming the kingdom of Zion." As soldiers prepare to head off to war, Pullo confides to Vorenus that he's worried about the peace that will follow. "Violence is the only trade I know," he tells Vorenus, fearing he'll soon be jobless again. Vorenus tries to assure him they will do big things, but Pullo cannot be convinced. In a trysting house, Octavia and Agrippa steal a few passionate hours together, far from anyone they know. When the time comes for him to go, Octavia breaks down in tears. She rushes home to send her brother off to war, ignoring Agrippa at his side. Her mother doesn't miss a beat. "How long have you two been lovers?" she asks, reminding her daughter she won't be marrying the soldier. "I know," Octavia concedes. "But I love him." Atia shakes her head. "Soft as cheese." They're interrupted by the horrified screams of Jocasta, collapsing in their atrium, her clothes torn and muddied. Her family has been murdered, she tells them, and the killers dishonored her. Octavia runs to her side and offers her refuge at their home, pleading to her mother. Atia freezes. "Of course - we'll protect you." Admiring his old war helmet, Pullo confides to Eirene that he wishes he was leaving with the soldiers. "It will be a short campaign," he says as she bursts into tears. "I'm pregnant," she finally announces. Pullo has to repeat the word, in a state of shock. As Cassius and Brutus prepare for the arrival of Octavian and his forces, Brutus admires his father's gold signet ring, sent to him by his mother for good luck. A breathless aide interrupts with a warning: Octavian's troops are one day's march away, and he's joined by Mark Antony. "Impossible," Brutus says as they calculate the numbers: 19 enemy legions to their 14. Cassius urges an immediate retreat, but Brutus protests. "No more running...If we win, all the more glory for us. And if we are to die? This is as good a place as any. It is in the hands of the Gods." Their soldiers outnumbered, Cassius and Brutus head into the battle, while Mark Antony and Octavian watch from a remote hilltop, Antony as cheerful as a spectator in the Coliseum, Octavian looking terrified. Unable to resist a good sport, Antony leads them into the action. As their right flank quickly goes down, one of Cassius's guards is taken - and he goes down next. Cassius is taken to the rear of the battle, where Brutus hovers over him, refusing to leave when his men warn him of the encroaching soldiers. After waiting for Cassius to die, Brutus sends his men on their way to save themselves. "Give my best to my mother. Tell her...something suitable." Resigned to what's next, Brutus walks toward the soldiers, rips off his armor, and pulls his sword. Wading into the front ranks, the men do nothing at first, until he slashes a soldier's calf to provoke them. They take turns thrusting their swords. Hours later, Mark Antony and Octavian search the smoldering fields, as bodies are piled on bonfires. Agrippa informs Antony that the body of Cassius has been found, but they are still searching for Brutus. Pleased, Antony orders him to pack Cassius's head in salt for transport back to Rome. "People appreciate the little touches, I find." As the group continues on, Antony misses seeing a peasant tugging fiercely on a hand from one of the dead soldiers. The peasant severs a finger from the body and holds it up, with Brutus's signet ring shining brightly in the dust.</div>

Death Mask

Servilia drives Atia to distraction. Octavian and Mark Antony forge new alliances -- political and personal, but Mark Antony fails to report a bribe. At the Collegium, Eirene insists that Pullo punish Gaia for insubordination.

A Necessary Fiction

<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'>Directed by Carl Franklin Written by Todd Ellis Kessler At his villa, Octavian addresses a gathering of wealthy Roman women, offering a history lesson on Rome's men, who were "fierce but uncouth" before they acquired wives - which is when "our rise to greatness truly began." He praises "the steely virtues and chaste morals" of the women of Rome, as just a few villas away, his mother engages in a vigorous round of sex with Mark Antony. Honoring the women for raising a nation of wise statesmen and invincible warriors, Octavian promises that "when the time is right," he will ensure laws are enacted to reward fertility and sanctity in marriage, while severely punishing "adultery, promiscuity and vice of all kinds." His audience stands silent. "They bought it wholesale," Maecenas declares afterward, ruffling Octavian, who insists he meant every word. Maecenas points out "the young piece" he told him about, Livia, an attractive, wide-eyed young woman. "Very presentable," Octavian agrees. "As ordered," says Maecenas. "Impeccable family. Young. Healthy. Proven fertility." In fact, she has one son, Tiberius. After a brusque introduction, Octavian gets straight to it: "Tell me, how would you like to be married to me?" Gasping at first, she manages a reply: "I would like that, if my husband does not object." Upon hearing her husband is Claudius Nero, Octavian is certain the patriotic family will allow for a divorce. Maecenas agrees to attend to the details, but first there's another business matter: Herod's gold has arrived off shore at Ostia, and he's been liaising with the former slave Posca on the delivery, considering using the men of the Aventine for transport. Octavian agrees to the plan since the men are allied with both him and Antony. Just one caveat: the entire business must be invisible. "If the bribe comes to light, it must be Antony's fault alone," he tells Maecenas. Timon, stoic and saddened, leads his family through Rome with a cart full of baggage. "When we get to Jerusalem," his oldest daughter asks, "will Uncle Levi be there?" Timon grimaces, as his wife tries to shift his focus to when they met, how she knew he was a good man. They pass by Posca outside a high-end jewelry shop, an ecstatic Jocasta gushing over him and a new necklace he's bought her. He sends her off to look for more as he enters a garish litter, where Maecenas is lounging opposite two nude lovers. Before discussing business, Posca insists the prostitutes leave. Maecenas sighs disdainfully, but Posca is firm, "We are stealing from our own chiefs, no precaution we take is too absurd." In his office above the tavern, Vorenus lays out the gold transport plan to Pullo and Mascius. Since he's told Octavian and Antony's men they travel via the river, they'll go by road instead, to avoid any leaks at the other end. He assigns Pullo to the task, angering Mascius - he always handles Ostian business. Octavian and Antony both know and trust Pullo, he explains. When they leave, Vorenus finds Vorena the Elder sweeping up the landing outside his office. Downstairs in the tavern, Gaia brings Eirene her tea, stealing a glance from across the room to watch her sip from her cup. Hours later, Pullo tears out of their room screaming for a doctor. Eirene lies under a pile of red-soaked sheets, growing weaker as a medicine woman works some spells. "Please, no burning," she says to Pullo. "In my country, we are buried." Choking on his words, Pullo insists she's not dying. With Pullo in mourning, Mascius takes over the gold transport, but is ambushed en route, all but one of his men killed and all of the gold stolen. When Vorenus delivers the news at Caesar's villa, Maecenas accuses Mark Antony, who in turn suggests it could have been any of them. Octavian asks Vorenus about his men, but he insists they're too afraid of him. Still, Antony demands the Aventine chief take full responsibility for his failed mission. Vorenus assures him he'll return the gold or suffer the consequences. Maecenas is still suspicious of Antony, and pulls Posca aside to accuse him of double-cross. Vorenus heads straight to Memmio's hide out, where he interrupts a party of gangsters and prostitutes, including Omnipor, his daughter's lover, twisting a straw figure for a bare-breasted woman. "Celebrating something?" Vorenus asks, searching their faces for signs of guilt. He warns them of the horrible death that will befall the thieves should they fail to return state property. Memmio advises him to look to his own people. Angry with Octavian for shrugging off the stolen gold, Maecenas tells him it's a gross personal insult. "Someone somewhere is always insulting me," Octavian says. "The price of fame." He won't jeopardize his alliance with Antony just because Maecenas doesn't like the man, he tells him. Maecenas finally plays his cards: "He's been making a fool of you," he announces before revealing that Antony is still bedding his mother, the marriage to Octavia a sham. His sister has her own reasons for keeping silent. Memmio summons the other captains of the collegia to offer a proposal: they put their rivalries aside to team up and take on Vorenus, putting an end to his rein and taking over his grain trade. When they dismiss him, he opens up his crates and begins tossing gold coins. At his villa, Octavian asks his new fiancée, Livia, if her husband or her father ever beat her, warning that he will on occasion ("with a hand or a light whip"), but it is not because she's caused him offense - it is only for his sexual pleasure. "Yes, sir," she says without a blink. He leads her to a dinner gathering and introduces her to his family, Antony, and Agrippa, before making it clear why he has brought them together. "I am master of this family, and you have rebelled against me," he announces, his voice turning fierce. "I wish I had such courage," Octavia responds, prompting her brother to reveal that he knows about her "treachery" - as well as his mother's. When Antony tells him to mind his business, Agrippa steps into the brink - confessing for all of them. Octavian announces he's sending his mother and his sister into seclusion, under guards, and sending Antony east to his own provinces - never to return. And if he refuses, he will tell the world their story, that Antony was cuckolded by a low-born pleb in his army. "Proles will laugh at you in the street. Your soldiers will mock you behind your back." Antony steps up to Octavian, ready to strike. But he contains himself, realizing he has little choice. "Take care," Octavia says to Livia as they all file out. "You are marrying a monster. Agrippa apologizes to Octavian after they leave, attempting to take blame for seducing his sister, but the new Caesar doesn't buy it. And he will not banish him - he needs his top soldier, and his sudden disappearance would suggest a scandal. Vorenus riles Pullo from his state of mourning when he tells him about his visit to Memmio's. They both suspect Mascius was their leak and set upon interrogating him. They're interrupted by Vorena the Younger, chasing Lucius for a straw figure. As Pullo moves in closer to press Mascius, Vorenus grabs the straw doll from the kids, and flashes back to Memmio's. His suspicions gaining on him, he runs up to Vorena the Elder's room and tears through it -- until he finds the box of straw figures. She flees downstairs, confirming his worst fears, but he stops her before she can escape. "It was you told Memmio," he announces. "You've been whoring yourself out to one of Memmio's men!" Vorena protests: "He loves me and I love him!" "He was only using you to get to me," Vorenus yells, "And for the love of this scum, you betray your own father!" Unfurling all of her pent-up rage, Vorena accuses her father of killing their mother, cursing them to Hades and turning her into a whore. "We all hate you! I wish you were dead!" Overcome by his own rage, he hits her. She dares him to try and kill her like he did her mother. "I didn't kill her," he says. "Liar! She didn't love you and you killed her for it!" Pushed to the edge, Vorenus wraps his hands around her throat, until Pullo finally intervenes, directing his attention to the other children. He lets go and storms out. Pullo gathers a gasping Vorena into an embrace. As the newsreader announces Mark Antony's departure for Alexandria, where he will take up his seat as "supreme Governor of Egypt and the Eastern Provinces," he pays a final visit to Atia's, bullying the guards into letting them talk. When the time is right, he promises to send for her, and tells her to be patient. Atia turns away before she can break down. Vorenus pays a final visit to Antony - informing him that he knows who has the gold, and that Pullo will be taking over the Aventine and the mission to reclaim it. He's resigned from the Collegium, a personal matter, and he's come to offer his services in Egypt. Annoyed at first that he's left important business undone, Antony sees the anguish and intent on his face, and realizes he could use him. "I'll need good men." Hearing his new plans, Pullo tries to assure his old friend that his daughter will come around some day. She's young, and she has his blood in her, which is to say she doesn't forgive easy. Vorenus is certain his leaving is for the best. He asks Pullo to take good care of the kids. "Tell them I tried." Octavia gets a surprise visit from Agrippa, arranged by her mother, and pleads with him to runaway with her. "I would go with you to Hades, to Britain even, if I thought we had the right," he tells her. "But we don't." Devastated, she asks him what right her brother has to keep her captive. Agrippa insists he has every legal and moral right, and now that Octavian has forgiven him for lying, he cannot betray him a second time. He has come to end their affair. "I understand," she says angrily. "You love my brother and the power he gives you. Why throw it all away for a woman?" She stalks out, stopping at the door. "By the way, I'm having a baby." He gains his composure enough to ask who the father is. "Who knows? Neither man is worth a brass obol, so what matter?" In the forum, Pullo, Mascius, Gaia and the men of the Aventine face off against the united rival gangs, armed for battle. He meets Memmio in the middle. "It's that madman Vorenus took us to this pass," Memmio offers. "No reason you and me can't do business." Pullo holds out a hand as if to shake, then hauls him into a vicious headbutt and bites out his tongue. Pulling his sword, the others follow. "Thirteenth!" Pullo screams as he hacks a bloody swathe through the ranks of the opposing gangs, the full power of his grief and rage laying waste to all before him. Far south in Egypt, Mark Antony enters a quiet palatial courtyard, dressed in full military regalia. Awaiting his arrival, in a diaphanous gown streaked through with sunlight, is Cleopatra.</div>

No God Can Stop a Hungry Man

Rome is facing a dire shortage of grain, forcing Octavian to barter with Mark Antony to get new shipments sent from Egypt.

De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)

Mark Antony and Cleopatra ponder a grim future; Pullo is sent to track down Vorenus and young Caesarion.