A NETFLIX SERIES
[brooding music playing]
10 AD ONE YEAR SINCE THE VARUS BATTLE
THE CHERUSCI HAVE RETREATED DEEP INTO THE NORTHERN FORESTS
REIK ARI IS TO BECOME KING, UNITING THE TRIBES FOR THE FIRST TIME
BUT THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS NOT GIVEN UP ITS CLAIM TO THE LAND OF THE BARBARIANS.
[horse snorts]
[man shouts]
[horse whinnies]
[brooding music continues]
[in Latin] Stop!
Some savages dropped their whore.
[chuckles]
Is she still alive?
Take her to Commander Tiberius.
[chuckles]
As an additional present.
If these Barbarian whores weren't so filthy,
maybe we could do something with them.
- [screams] - [groans]
- [yells] - [grunts]
[soldier] To arms!
[screaming]
[soldier 2] Make a shield!
- [soldier groans] - [screams]
[tense music playing]
[rumbling]
[soldiers indistinctly shouting]
[groans]
[warriors yelling]
[grunting]
[screaming]
[Thusnelda in English] Take as much as you can carry and burn the rest.
Goatskins.
The Suebi people pay us a fortune for them.
Uh-huh.
And then they'll sell it back to the Romans
and make an even greater fortune.
Were there any more?
The wagons are full of them.
What do they need them for?
What is it?
They need them for contubernia.
Contu-what? What is that?
Contubernia are big tents.
For soldiers.
For thousands of soldiers.
Send messengers to Reik Aldarich and Reik Brandolf.
We need to meet.
[theme music playing]
[brooding music playing]
[soldier in Latin] Arminius, that devil.
He tricked Varus back then.
But this time, Tiberius is doing nothing, and we're dropping...
like flies.
Prefect Germanicus.
Stop spouting nonsense.
Arminius is mortal too.
We'll just have to teach him how to die.
Tents for an entire legion!
We can't put up with this any longer.
We should ride out tonight!
Every village where we find goatskins, we burn it down!
- No questions asked! - We will stick to the strategy.
[Germanicus] Tiberius.
These are my men.
My comrades.
My brothers.
It must not be our strategy for even one of them to be killed by these animals.
No attacks until the new legions arrive.
Germanicus.
Son, Rome has an endless supply of brave commanders.
But you, you will become the next emperor.
Start to think like one.
Why crush a few tribes when you can sack the whole country?
[gentle music playing]
[indistinct chattering]
[in English] It's all right.
Thumelicus. Hello, my little reik.
Thank you.
[woman] Yes, it's good when it rains.
Uh, two?
What is it?
It was a success, wasn't it?
Rome is moving quickly. War is upon us.
One of the officers mentioned Tiberius earlier.
That means the camp by the river is under his command.
Tiberius only shows up when things get serious.
We've already shown Varus how we handle "serious."
Tiberius is Rome's supreme commander.
He has imperium proconsulare.
[Thusnelda] He has what?
It means he can decide what to do with the legions.
No one has that much power apart from a Caesar.
Well, he's just another Roman, is he not?
[man] We have scouts on the mountain passes in the south.
If any troops were on the move down there, we would know.
[Ari] Reik Brandolf, those tents are meant for soldiers. That's proof enough.
We can't just sit down and wait for those soldiers to come.
Well, if you plan to attack immediately,
you can count on my warriors.
That's not enough.
Just the Marsi, the Lombards, and the Cherusci won't be enough.
- Reik Hadgan will fight again. - Yeah.
But only for the right price.
Reik Rurik and Ibor.
The Chatti, the Batavi.
All of them. We all fight together as one.
That's not enough, Aldarich!
There are too few of us to stand up against Tiberius' legion,
especially if there's another one on its way.
And they definitely won't repeat their past blunders.
A second legion increases their numbers to 20,000 men, in a secure camp.
Together, we add up to maybe 8,000. That's nothing.
[Thusnelda] Marbod.
The Marcomanni.
- He's not going to help us. - He has 70,000 men.
70,000?
Marbod has never been interested in what happens in the west. Never.
But it's never been so dangerous.
[Brandolf] And we all know what that means.
We need all the help we can get, especially Marbod's army.
Who else, if not you, could convince him, Ari?
[Thumelicus cooing]
Marbod should already be on his way here for the big Thing on the solstice.
That's perfect.
See?
A sign from the gods.
[Thumelicus cooing]
[sighs]
[pensive music playing]
[Ari] Odvulf, take ten horses to Reik Rurik.
Tell him I will have no claim to the spoils if he fights alongside us.
- And get the message to Reik Thorleif. - [Odvulf] I'll ride right away.
[Thumelicus babbling]
Be right back.
- [Thumelicus cooing] - [Odvulf laughs]
Do you think that's enough?
And Marbod?
You have to talk to him.
[Thumelicus cooing]
Invite him out hunting. Or maybe fishing.
Or for some beer and whores.
[Ari chuckles softly]
Marbod is clever.
Before I ask, he'll know we want his troops.
You know him?
From long ago.
[tense music playing]
Marbod, my prince. We're ready. Can I show you the progress we've made?
We're almost done with the tent.
Shall we dig ditches and build palisades?
[Marbod] That won't be necessary.
Nobody would dare to break the peace at the Thing.
[man] Very well, my prince.
[woman] This place is a dump.
- [insect buzzing] - [groans]
The insects.
[breathes deeply]
I don't believe we've needed the Thing for the last few years, Marbod.
This year is different.
The future of the tribes.
The victory over Varus.
Since when do we care about the other tribes?
Since they started caring about us.
And we should take advantage of that.
[laughs]
Reik Marbod!
Talio, on behalf of the Cherusci.
My reik Ari, son of Segimer, sends his greetings.
Reik Ari...
Is that all?
Ari invites you to go hunting
before the big Thing on the solstice.
Hunting.
Is that so?
Solely for the thrill of hunting?
Yes.
For the thrill of hunting.
Tell him...
I accept his invitation.
I enjoy the thrill of hunting too.
[horse whinnies]
Ari...
[tense music playing]
[breathes deeply]
[sighs]
[Thusnelda] You're thinking so loudly I can't sleep.
With or without Marbod, you will find a way.
The gods love people who don't wait for the gods
and take action when before trouble.
So what does Runa think?
[breathes deeply]
I'll have to sacrifice a sheep, probably.
[laughs]
I had to learn that I could take my destiny into my own hands.
That I could be whoever I want.
I'm also a Roman, Thusnelda.
I can't just ignore that part of me.
You are who you are.
[gentle music playing]
[ominous music playing]
[indistinct chattering]
[in Latin] Halt.
Are you here for the market?
I'm Prefect Flavus Quinctilius Varus, 6th legion, on a secret mission.
Of paramount importance.
- Do you have any papers? - Let me in.
[guard] Open the gate!
[ominous music continues]
[guards indistinctly shouting]
[man] Commander, I'm so sorry.
Speak, soldier.
A visitor for you. Flavus Quinctilius Varus.
Flavus Varus?
He dares to come here?
[imperceptible]
Hail Caesar.
Commander Tiberius.
Germanicus.
Proconsul.
Hail Caesar.
The emperor's name in the mouth of Arminius' brother?
I am on a secret mission for the capture of high traitor Arminius.
By order of Caesar Augustus himself.
I am asking for an elite troop of 50 cavalry
in support of my honorable endeavor, Commander Tiberius.
We received no such order.
No orders received?
Nothing.
Hmm.
I can't imagine why the order hasn't come through, Dominus.
Ah.
Rome was quite clear.
Why would they trust a traitor's brother with anything?
Rome, in its wisdom, felt that only I could capture my kin...
Ha!
- You insult the legions! - [Flavus] I do no such thing!
[Germanicus] Expel him, Father.
- Dominus, I can capture Arminius! I can! - He's lying, Father! Expel him!
My orders are to wait here until additional legions arrive.
Unless I get new orders, of course.
Flavus, you have my hope
that you can acquire your brother without support.
- But I can't... - If you cannot, then you cannot.
[scoffs] I imagine they'll kill you before you even get close.
Still, best of luck.
Then that's what I'll do. I'll capture him and bring him to you.
Hail Caesar!
Yes, of course, hail Caesar.
[ominous music playing]
- [horse whinnies] - [breathes deeply]
[children laughing]
[ominous music continues]
[in English] Thusnelda, the Cheruscan.
Your reputation has reached us in the east.
Welcome.
My wife, Odarike, daughter of Tudrus.
It's a quaint place you have here.
As declared enemies of Rome, our villages have to be small.
Long time no see, Ari.
Yes.
Yes, indeed.
Well then... how about a hug, my friend?
Let's go hunting.
[epic music playing]
[both goad horses]
[epic music continues]
This was my favorite place as a child.
Our land.
As far as the eye can see.
[soldier shouting in Latin in distance]
[in English] "For the thrill of hunting."
You want something from me.
Well, I simply wanna destroy this camp.
- It's just a camp, isn't it? - Their numbers are increasing, Marbod.
But we can stop them if we join forces.
[indistinct chattering]
Isn't it nice to see the tribes all free and independent now?
[sighs] "The tribes?" What are you saying?
- I mean that the tribes... - I know what you mean... but...
when I look around here, I just see the Cherusci. You.
And if you were in my village, you'd only see the Marcomanni. Us.
And maybe that's a good thing.
[chuckles softly]
Can I offer you anything, Odarike?
I would like to be seated in the shade.
And perhaps a drink of water?
Fresh, drinkable water?
Do you have that here?
[Thusnelda] Mm-hmm.
[Marbod] You want my warriors.
[spits] I could give you a hundred reasons
why I wouldn't pick a battle with the Romans.
- Give me one that really counts. - This here.
The fact that we're here now talking to each other.
Can't you feel that?
That is peace.
Don't be so naive.
- Be careful what you say. - This peace is not going to last, Marbod!
It only exists because they're waiting for reinforcements.
They're preparing themselves.
And then, I promise you, your peace will be over.
[Odarike] Mm-hmm. Just a little bit.
[Odarike suckling, laughs]
What a good eater!
Yeah, he is.
[Odarike sighs]
Mmm. Tastes good.
So, even the most primitive villagers can brew mead.
That's nice.
It's the first thing you like here. Great!
You know, after the first two births, my breasts were still in reasonable shape.
After the third...
[whimpers, laughs]
- Farewell, breasts! - [chuckles softly]
Do you want more children?
Sure, yes.
- You? - [laughs]
Oh, no, definitely not.
And Marbod?
Marbod is happy with his children.
[chuckles]
With his children.
[Marbod] One day, the Romans came and massacred my tribe.
Killed my family and dragged me to Rome.
When I was 17, they sent me back and made me reik.
And then I understood that
that had been their plan from the beginning.
But I took advantage of that and risked everything
to move east with my tribe.
To a new land.
A new life.
And how are you so indifferent toward the Romans after all that?
Precisely because of everything I've experienced.
I just don't want any trouble.
You're scared.
You see this here?
That little boy who was hiding from looting soldiers back then,
who was then discovered, tortured, and almost beaten to death.
Yes, Ari, that little kid was scared.
But now, there's no fear in me.
Of anything or anyone.
[brooding music playing]
Will you fight with us?
I...
I'll give it some serious thought.
[brooding music continues]
Well?
Will Marbod show you his support?
He said he'd give it some thought.
Will he bring his 70,000 men?
[sighs]
It's Marbod. It's impossible to tell what he's thinking.
What does Rurik say?
He says we can count on him.
Odvulf is still with Reik Thorleif. I'll ride out to see Gudmunt.
So we're missing Hadgan.
Hadgan is tricky. We can't be too direct about it.
And he won't say yes until he feels it'll benefit him greatly.
My father.
I'll take care of it.
I'll meet him tomorrow.
How do you know Marbod so well?
It seemed like you're old friends.
We spent our youth together.
In Rome.
He was a tribute from his tribe as well.
Just like my brother and I.
Can we trust him?
I hope so.
- [man] My prince? - [Odarike laughs]
There's a Roman here who'd like to speak with you.
One Roman?
All alone?
[all laughing]
That's what I call bold.
[man] Greetings, Marbod...
Prince of the Marcomanni.
[brooding music playing]
Flavus Quinctilius Varus.
[chuckles softly]
Officer Flavus.
I was recently transferred to the region and didn't wanna miss the chance to
visit...
an old friend.
So here I am.
How did you know I'd be here in the west at the moment?
The commander of 70,000 spears...
is pretty easy to spot.
[Marbod] Then you also know about the Thing.
Your brother invited us today.
We reminisced about the good old days.
He's not my brother anymore.
[indistinct chattering]
And you can talk to me about the new good days.
[thunder rumbling]
[ominous music playing]
[indistinctly whispering]
Darkness is near.
Dark times.
[echoing] Beware, Thusnelda.
[echoing] Gods, what do you want?
[ominous music continues]
[breathing heavily]
[Varus in Latin] Rome will be your mother now.
And I am your father.
[Varus chuckles]
[gasps, breathes heavily]
[Thumelicus whining]
[gasps, breathes heavily]
Varus, I had no choice.
[brooding music playing]
[horse whinnies]
[birds chirping]
[in English] Mother.
Segestes.
It's so good to see you.
How are you?
I'm not here as your daughter
but as princess of the Cherusci.
Your tribe needs your help.
Help? Why should we help you anyway?
Of course we will.
- We would do anything to help our own. - [Thusnelda] Good.
Rome will attack soon, and the tribes need to be united.
That means you should mediate with Reik Hadgan tonight at the Thing.
Hadgan only wants the spoils.
[Thusnelda] And he'll have them.
But in case he needs another nudge,
he's stupid enough to listen to you, so advise him.
You should watch your tone, Thusnelda.
What's in it for me?
Help us with Hadgan, and you may rejoin the tribe.
You can rely on us.
[horse grunts, whinnies]
[indistinct chattering]
[laughter]
[in Latin] You, boy!
First time in Germania?
Met any Barbarians yet?
I was there.
The attack of the traitor, Arminius.
Barbarians nailed the heads to the trees.
They ripped out the guts...
and ate them!
From the dead, or just the wounded.
And the testicles too.
[boy] I think... I have to...
[all laughing]
Welcome to Germania, boy!
[laughter continues]
Have a pleasant stay!
[boisterous chattering]
[cheering]
[rhythmic music playing]
[cheering]
[rhythmic drums playing]
[Ari] It's been a year of peace and healing.
And as I look around,
I see strong reiks and brave warriors with a common goal.
To fight for freedom and sovereignty.
[all cheer]
We battle for our land,
for that which has always belonged to us.
And they battle to steal what doesn't belong to them.
[all cheer]
But if we stand united, they will not succeed.
Let's go fight those dogs right now!
- [all cheer] - Yeah! Yeah!
[Ari] That's exactly what I'd like to do, Rurik.
It's about time all of this came to an end.
New legions are on the way. We cannot wait any longer.
We have to attack now.
'Cause we're unstoppable if we stand together as one.
[all cheer]
Together, with me as your king!
[all rhythmically chanting]
[chanting fades]
Let's hear it for Ari, the fearless reik!
[all cheer]
Who led you all into battle like a clever wolf!
[all cheer]
If he becomes your king,
he will lead you to war again.
- [man 1] Marbod's right. - [man 2] Yeah!
[Marbod] It's been a long time since I last saw you all here.
Reik Rurik.
How many of your warriors did you lose in the battle in the forest?
Reik Thorleif!
Where is your brother?
Ari says, "a year of healing."
Is your dead brother healed?
And you, Brandolf.
Last time, you were here with your three sons.
Three sons!
Honored warriors!
Where are they now?
A year ago, Ari said you would drive the Romans out of your land.
That freedom was worth any sacrifice.
A whole year has gone by, and you're here again,
but the Romans haven't gone away.
And Ari, once again, has nothing else to offer but war.
But times have changed, Ari.
Anyone who only thinks like a wolf
doesn't look too far ahead.
And a man who only knows one way of doing things
is not wise enough to be your king!
[indistinct shouting]
You have no right to talk like that.
While all these men were in battles, you were hiding away in your village,
you cowardly asshole.
It's true.
I have been trading with the Romans for many years.
We do business. Good business!
The Romans trust me.
That, my friends, is a better way.
A peaceful way...
in which all of you can partake.
[muttering in agreement]
A year ago, none of you had a choice.
You do now, believe me!
Choose wisely, my friends.
Choose wisely.
Choose me as your honored king.
[brooding music playing]
[indistinct chattering]
[Thusnelda] Why didn't you stop them from leaving?
We didn't come to a decision.
[laughing] The night is over.
The gods will decide on the king some other time.
What?
You'd better save yourself and your child!
[laughing]
[panting]
You know nothing about the gods, Thusnelda.
You think they can't do you any harm
because you didn't get a punishment for your arrogance and contempt.
[Runa laughing]
What are you saying?
[Runa] Nobody can fool the gods!
Nobody! Beware, Thusnelda!
The gods will punish him too!
[Runa laughing]
[Thusnelda] What is Marbod up to?
I don't know. That wasn't like him.
I'll go to try and find out. I'll find his wife.
I'll talk to him again.
[Thusnelda] Ari? There he is.
[Ari] Marbod!
[horse grunts, snorts]
[horse whinnies]
Who is going to take our things to the village?
Why should anyone do that?
What did you say? We had an agreement.
[Thusnelda] Then make sure that it all works out at the next Thing.
Someone should put her in her place, or else she won't come to her senses.
[breathes deeply]
[horse whinnies]
[horse grunts, snorts]
[Ari] Marbod?
Why did you do that?
[Marbod] This is your war.
It's your war with your past, with yourself.
What are you talking about?
Our tribes are to have their blood spilled
because you have to prove to yourself you're not a Roman.
That's nonsense.
Maybe the Romans aren't the problem.
Maybe you're the problem.
The only thing I want
is for the tribes to unite so their freedom is protected!
[man clapping]
What wise words, King Ari.
Flavus?
[breathes deeply]
[tense music playing]
So this is all you're doing.
You ruined my life.
You ruined my life!
[both grunting]
It's over, Ari!
[both grunting]
- [Ari] Give up, brother. - [Flavus grunts]
[Flavus panting]
[both grunting]
[tense music continues]
[Flavus grunting]
[horse whinnies]
[melancholy music playing]
[music fades]