Seven Slaves Against the World

Look over there!

- Come on! - Forward !

Master Balisten, the Romans!

By Jove, what beautiful horses! You can buy all of them.

- I've not yet been told the price. - It doesn't matter, friend.

It's not as though you'd pay for them.

It's a deal then.

Go ahead, try and take them.

Take him away.

Master, what are you doing?

Surround him!

A strong man like you will make a magnificent slave.

THE STRONGEST SLAVES IN THE WORLD

I've never seen so much water in my life, Emilius.

Then enjoy it, Marcus, because you'll soon miss...

this spectacle as much as those in the arena.

Those atrocities? I hate them.

That's why I attracted the wrath of the emperor.

- So what they say is true? - Yes, Emilius.

Someone insinuated that I sympathize with the Christians.

You of all people!

You like women too much to be one of them.

Yes, but sometimes just being under suspicion is enough.

But in the end, Nero wasn't too severe with me.

- What a magnificent country this is. - Wait before you say that.

Forward!

Come on.

Get moving!

Hurry up!

Get to work! Move along!

Hurry up! Come on!

Guards! Flog that slave! Hurry, hurry!

Come on, quick!

You bastard!

Damn them!

What are you going to do?

- This is not the time. - When, then? When?

It will come, I'm sure.

- Let's get back to work. - Get back to work, go on!

You bastards, get back to work! Go on!

- What did he do? - Nothing, he just wanted a drink.

I'm... thirsty.

Who doesn't thirst in this damn country?

So go ahead and drink!

Greetings, Selim.

The heat is stifling today.

There's never a moment of peace with those scoundrels.

You seem to get by well enough.

But how do you manage to get away with skimming off so much money?

This is my share?

It's much less than last time.

That's for bringing this rotten grain.

I'm eating what even pigs refuse.

Very well, Gaius.

But remember, if the money for the next load isn't evenly divided...

this is the last deal we do together.

So, what is it? Are you tired?

Exhausted? Why should you be?

You work very little and badly at that.

You'll be punished!

Starting tomorrow, you'll be on half rations of water!

Hurry up, come on!

Go! Get moving, you bastard!

Go on, bastard, get to work!

Centurion, we have visitors. Look!

Let me guess, Lucius Emilius?

You're the officer who'll relieve me?

Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not.

The tribune Marcus Aulus will be the new commander of this garrison.

And you, Gaius, will be his right-hand man.

You mean I'm staying here? And in a subordinate position besides?

They sent me here...

...in the midst of this fuss to punish me, not you, Gaius.

Is that right?

This will be the tribune's first command.

Your experience and advice will be invaluable.

Very well, but...

I can't be responsible for your decisions, tribune.

I regret I can't offer hospitality worthy of you...

but unfortunately we're not in Rome.

I have something to show you, Emilius.

When you return, you can inform the procurator.

This is the plan of the aquaduct,

and this is the section that we're building.

This is a matter that concerns you, Marcus.

Yes, of course that's true.

More him than me now.

So, we started here in Moiken two years ago, in October.

Today we should be here, Gareb, here we are.

But we surpassed Gareb three months ago.

What do you think of that?

I can get to the waterfalls... Oh, I'm sorry,

you can get to the waterfalls six months earlier than planned,

maybe even seven.

You've done a good job, more than others could have.

I had to overcome a thousand difficulties.

There's no water here, you have to reach it on muleback...

and the air is so hot...

...you breath fire.

Remember what I said at the waterfalls?

- A lot of slaves died? - Yes, of course, but who cares?

And they don't rebel?

Not with the methods I use on them. It's not advisable.

Yes, prevention is better than cure.

I'll see you soon, Marcus.

When you get back to Rome,

perhaps you'll have less aversion for the games in the circus.

You wanted to see me?

Have you ever tasted that stuff? It's disgusting.

Even to them.

I took a look at the accounts, Gaius.

Given what we're paying for supplies,

we should be eating better than we are.

Now that you're in charge, save more money, if you can.

- Anything else? - No, not at this time.

- Give me more. - Get out of here!

Thank you, Balisten, thank you.

Go on! Move! Get to work!

Get to work!

Get moving, bastards!

Gaius!

How long has this man been here?

Judging from the bowl of water, I'd say...

- ...two days. - That's right, Centurion.

He resisted less than the others, it was really disappointing.

Take him away, soldier.

- I told you... - Yes, of course!

Obey your order.

Listen to me, Gaius.

- And don't forget what I say. - Don't think about it twice, I have a good memory.

All the better for you!

Here, only I have the right to condemn a man to death.

- I and no one else, understand? - No! No!

Go! Go! Get out of the way!

You too! Get back to work!

Get back! Get back!

Let me live, tribune. Help me.

No!

He won't suffer now.

- You didn't have to kill him! - I didn't realize. I'm sorry.

- Get back to work! - Move, get going!

Bastards!

Back to work! Go on!

Hurry up! Move it! Get going, you!

What are you doing?

Get back! Get back!

Guard! Guard!

He tried to drink?

No, but that one did.

I had just started whipping him,

when this bastard pounced on me!

Do you know what awaits you?

Bury this man in a pit!

No, centurion! No!

I already told you I'm the only one...

who can condemn a man to death.

I didn't anticipate your order.

The slave who attacks a soldier must die,

you can't decide otherwise, tribune.

Let the man go.

Let him go!

Do you want to get us all massacred?

You must punish this man as he deserves!

Or you'll encourage all of them to rebel!

Right now, you're the only rebel.

Then I'll see this to the end.

Put down your weapon.

You'll have to kill me first.

I don't want to fight a fellow Roman.

Fine words. Yes...

...that hide a coward.

I'd wait to say that!

Halt! Get back!

Get back! Get back!

Go ahead, kill me!

No...

I've just proved who's in charge here.

Come on, quick! Back to work!

You made a mistake not killing me.

Your visit doesn't surprise me, Gaius.

You're a good soldier,

but this time you failed in your duty.

You left your unit...

without your superior's authorization.

I had no other way to talk to you.

I asked several times to confer with you,

but I was never granted an audience.

What did you want to tell me that's so serious?

I feel it's my duty to inform you that the situation over there...

grows more worrisome every day.

Marcus Aulus has been weak with regard to the slaves.

His approach is undermining the security of the garrison.

This morning he ordered the slaves to be unshackled...

during the night!

What are you saying? That's not possible!

That seems absurd to you, right? I objected to it!

And now I'm risking a court-martial for insubordination.

But the lives of my legionaries are more important to me.

I know those barbarous slaves too well.

They'd massacre us to the last man!