Rome, 44 B.C. Julius Caesar has conquered the known world.
Murdered by the senate,
- Caesar names his young nephew Octavius heir to the empire.
Bury him by the hemlock.
We have to bleed him and get the poison out.
This is my authority.
A legacy Octavius bequeathed to me.
Tyrannus was right.
He gave up everything for me.
Family, freedom.
What if I have never come?
He would have lived here as my son.
He would speak Latin?
His destiny would be his own.
Don't tell him I was here.
Octavius is alive.
You jeopardized everybody.
It isn't enough for you to run from your duty,
- but I have to abandon mine, as well.
- Tyrannus... - The centurions are looking for me.
If they find you instead, you'll be executed.
Not if you take your name.
Camane, please!
Come for me when you're Caesar, come for me.
I will come for you.
C'mon.
When I wake up, I'm afraid to move.
Afraid to think-
- Rome is crumbling at our feet.
I can't read the signs anymore.
I've lost the sight.
That led us into chaos.
I failed all that I loved,
- the temple, Rome,
- Octavius.
Caesar's dream is dying.
How will history judge these days.
And who will protect this dream.
What do you want?
You must be hungry, tired?
I'm used to prisons, why am I here?
I know about your son.
Hear me out.
There is no shame leaving him to a better life.
Tyrannus, you are a symbol.
Caesar died in your arms.
If you and I are united, the people will follow.
I'm not a boy with dreams of empire.
Caesar gave you a wooden sword-
- and enslaved you to an oath. I don't bargain that way.
The armor of the Centurior,
- it is the only way a free man can become a soldier,
- and a soldier become a noble man.
Why should a stranger raise your son?
Serve me in my army, champion my course,
- and I'll get you land and title, and I'll give you what Caesar promised.
Serve you?
What does it matter if I gain politically-
- when the choice for you is so simple.
Your death...
...or your son.
Camane.
Gods, I never should have let her go.
Cicero will help.
You locals.
My father has a farm south from here.
We're cousins.
Gods.
Don't, those are cursed with Girese,
- and animal spirit,
- from here to Longoria.
Maybe the old boys got a point.
- Hey! - Let him leave.
These were Antony's soldiers.
What spirit flies an arrow through a soldier's hands at 50 meters.
- A good chance spirit. - This was a robbery.
Men did this.
Men willing to define Antony.
Men who could help us.
We can fear the gods or we can listen to them.
For theirs is the language of signs.
Often they are left like footprints in the sand.
Few are those with the wisdom to see them.
Fewer still are those with the courage to claim them.
We wish to speak with Cicero.
Who may I say is calling?
Tell him...
...Caesar.
Noble Cicero, I'm sorry to come like this unannounced,
- but I need your help.
Camane has been taken by Antony's forces.
A vestal. You know what this means:
Antony has defied the will of my uncle and taken Rome for himself.
The people need a voice.
You are Rome's greatest statesman, you must return,
- and tell them I'm alive and I'm coming for the thrown.
Your friend is standing on my baby's breath.
Don't be deceived by its size.
Baby's breath grows fiercely, forcing all aside.
She doesn't know it is small and thinks it is an oak tree.
And here the distinction is not,
- and nor will it ever be.
If we peel off a few senators from the north,
- then soldiers of those province may follow.
You were a friend to my uncle, be a friend to me.
The peas are splendid this season,
- Lily will prepare supper for you.
Stay the night if you would like, and then be on your way.
Is there a problem here?
This commoner struck the Signifyer, sir.
A freed man struck an officer of my legion?
Strip him!
Let this be a lesson to you!
That's enough.
The only reason you've still got a head is because your Antony's pet.
He has the entire ninth legion under his command.
You just made a powerful enemy...
...but won the devotion of your men.
I promise not to speak of politics, if you don't speak of gardening.
A convoy of Antony's was ambushed on the road.
The attackers left this mark.
This mark?
You've seen it before?
No.
I've never seen this.
Are you certain?
I am.
May I use your library?
Octavius, be wise, don't pursue this.
Why?
I don't want to see you hurt.
The legendary reform of Marius in 180.
Each legion of Rome was described an emblem of identity,
- a precious symbol.
There is one cloth.
The legendary third,
- Caesar's greatest legend,
- his most famous warriors,
Balfus, the archer. Saturnicus, the master of the sword,
- the hill at Rebecti.
With his men, he pinned the third into the valley with a rain of spears.
The resolve of Caesar's greatest soldiers was broken.
Against their general's orders they broke ranks and fled until...
...Caesar plunged the head of his men into the barrage of spears thrown from the hilltops,
- and the third rallied and took the hill at Rebecti,
- but Caesar could not forgive.
For their cowardness, he ordered the legion decimated.
Chosen at random, one out of every ten soldiers was executed by their own.
Brothers killing brothers.
This punishment broke the will of Caesar's finest legion,
- and shortly after there was a mass desertion.
The legendary third vanished into the mist of god.
- What... - Shhh!!
Octavius.
They left quickly.
They'll kill him... prepare my carriage.
We're close.
How do you know?
Octavius!!
What is your name, boy?
Gaius Octavius, but when my uncle was killed,
I inherited his name and his legacy.
My name is Caesar.
He was just a boy.
So was my brother when he was murdered.
Savages.
I say the boy dies.
Surely a curse of them all.
Are we not united in this?
Is this not the retribution we waited years for.
Where is Maximus, I'm Marcus Cicero, you fool.
They came to execute Octavius.
Well, of course they do.
I demand justice.
Cut his throat,
- as Caesar had my brother's cut, blood for blood.
What law was broken at Rebecti.
The way you apologize for him.
- And the line not been broken, we'd never come to this! - Where were you...
...at the back with the luggage.
Enough!!
Maximus, sir,
- he says he is Marcus Cicero.
Roman law has no authority here, Cicero.
I come to speak on behalf of the boy.
Let him speak for himself.
Let him beg for mercy.
I will beg for nothing.
Nor will I bargain away the memory of my uncle to save my own life.
I know your anger.
I do.
Caesar was like a father to us all.
And his methods were his own.
That day on the hill at Rebecti,
- you were the greatest warriors-
- of the greatest legend that ever walked the earth.
And the only thing that stood between Rebbectatus and the fall of Rome,
- that day you lost brothers-
- and pride...
...He stood to lose the world.
I'm in chains, yes.
But you're the ones in prison.
To a memory.
Follow me out of this forest.
Join me against Antony.
Be the legendary third one last time.
Behold our brother.
Raise another sword against a commanding officer,
- and I'll have you tried for treason, and executed.
Do I make myself clear?
If I hadn't stopped him, he would have killed the boy.
I admire your commitment to your men, Tyrannus,
- but the law is the law.
If that is all...
Stay a moment.
There is some news, Tyrannus.
Apparently Octavius is alive.
We thought this would be received as welcome news.
Tell me that my wife is alive.
And my son sleeps in his own bed.
That would be welcome news.
Yes, you have suffered.
Magnify that suffering by hundreds of thousands.
That is the civil war that Octavius is planning.
I'm not a politician.
All we ask is for your loyalty.
It was simple once.
I killed who they asked me to kill.
And now it is simple again.
You can go.
March now,
- crush Octavius into the dust before this plague spreads.
Citizens...
...this conflict has reached its most desperate hour.
Caesar, risen from the ashes,
- has defied history, and won the support of the famed third legend.
Throughout the countryside,
- peasants are taking up arms in news of Caesar's return...
...and Marc Antony feeling his fire-
- will become an inferno has gathered six legends.
And at home...
...he has formed against Caesar's allies,
- and led with a punishing hammer against any who defy him.
As I speak these words, the armies gather on the battle fields of Mutina...
...outnumbered and encircled,
- the fate of Octavius and his third legion-
- now rests in the hands of the gods.
Pray for the son of Rome tonight, my friends.
Pray for us all.
You look well.
Make your offer.
I have no desire to see Romans killing Romans tomorrow,
- even disgraced soldiers-
- do not deserve to die because of your vanity.
My vanity, I never wanted this legacy.
Why are we here?
Because Caesar chose it.
Because he refused to share power with anyone. It was proud.
No. I was a student. A student. That's what he wanted.
Caesar was a conqueror who loved this people,
- but he didn't know them.
He could never be one.
And you offer them what?
The infinite wisdom of a spoiled patrician brat.
You're right, I'm a spoiled patrician,
- but I'm also a Plebian who stood with the mob as Caesar's body burned.
A slave born in the blood pits of Arcum,
- an exiled soldier seeking redemption.
And I'm a son.
Who found his true father on this journey.
I am Rome, and I will reflect her people-
- and give them a nation they deserve.
You are a dreamer, and the reality is:
You will die on the battlefield tomorrow,
- and your dream will die with you.
I have so far, no Caesar blood on my hands,
- and I see advantages in keeping it that way,
- so I propose exile for you.
With a little Vestal, a lovenest.
Hold.
Your not worthy to speak of her.
You hear me, though,
Octavius.
Political death-
- is far less painful than real thing.
I reject your offer.
Dawn then.
Dawn.
Caesar,
- the men are asking for you.
I've killed them all, haven't I?
There is still a chance.
Agrippa,
- bring me a cloak, ready my horse.
Where are you going?
Just do this for me.
Watch over me tonight.
I have no offering but myself.
Do they answer?
Your gods?
You're here.
Always.
They told me you were in Mutina with Antony.
I am.
I rejected his offer of surrender.
At the time, I knew why I did it,
- but now I'm not sure.
If I am to die tomorrow, there is nowhere on this earth-
I would rather be than here with you.
Nor I with you.
I've made you suffered.
- No. - I have.
Everyone has suffered because of me.
My soul is my own,
- and I've given it to you by choice.
Antony offered exile.
With you.
That's another lie.
Yes, but it made me think.
If I am not Caesar,
- if I were just myself,
- this is our dream now.
If it were all different,
I would take you to the outside,
- some place warm and safe,
- and I would ask you to spend your life with me.
I would want that with all my heart.
I don't think I can play this game.
No, no game.
My Lord, if I freed you from the promise you made me that night,
- if I let you go, would you go.
Would you please.
You asked me to come to you when I was Caesar,
- and I'm here.
I can't leave those men out there.
I know.
Everything will be all right.
Don't be afraid.
I'll stay with you tonight.
If he stops coming, I'll talk to him.
I passed a seer along the road this morning,
- studying the end trails of a slaughtered rabbit.
He told me Octavius and his third legion-
- would meet a bloody death on this field today.
I said, well, that is impossible, my friend.
Because I'm already dead.
And Caesar's third legion died on the hill of Rebecti 12 years ago,
- so you cannot kill us-
- because we cannot die.
This is why Antony is afraid.
Because he knows-
- that beyond death,
- there is no fear.
You fear this comet as an omen of the end times.
You're wrong!
This comet is mine!
This comet is ours!
We, not the gods,
- we have chosen this comet, and this hour!
To tell the world-
- that the lost legion has risen and Caesar has returned!
Hail Caesar, hail Caesar...
Should I save Caesar for you?
Let's not stand on ceremony,
- if you see him,
- kill him.
You cannot see him.
Charge!!
Let go!!
Octavius, they're rolling over us.
Hold the line!!
Hail Caesar.
Protect Octavius.
Teach him how to rule.
Centurno.
Fight out without me.
I serve Antony.
No more.
I die on this battlefield today with Caesar.
I want to ask you to join me,
- if you stay with Antony, feel this today.
Do me this one thing:
Tell my son...
...tell my son what I did here.
What are we waiting for?
Tyrannus!!
We are about to die...
...salute you.
You're with us now?
Wait. What is going on?
The legion turned,
- and the soldiers are joining us.
Thank the gods.
Second thoughts.
Not every man is made fool.
Obviously not you.
Never a gladiator when you need one.
Caesar never crawled.
You may have deflowered your vestal horn,
- but you should never have this empire.
What would Caesar do?
Kill him.
Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar!
Do it.
But I won't.
He may be of some use.
Hail Caesar. Hail Caesar...
Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar! Hail Caesar!
A child of Nuerva,
- and keeper of the flame...
...upon you now, rests a sacred trust.
To tend the herth fire-
- and the palace of Athina.
When mercy sees fit to intervene on behalf of the condemned.
For the owner of these duties...
...you give your life to this temple.
With vows... to remain childless...
...and pure, for the length of your living days.
But I don't play this game.
Failure to keep these vows brings death.
And pretense the fall of Rome.
Camane.
My Lord, Caesar.
I anoint you keeper of the flame.
Matriarch of the order of Vestar.
There are no gladiator tombs in Rome, no gravestones,
- no record of their names or triumphs.
History remembers the rulers, not the slaves.
The name Tyrannus of Rome will slowly fade into the stream of time.
Only the gods will know he melt by the dying Caesar-
- and swore an oath to protect the boy who became a god.