Pompeii

The Governor wants these trade routes re-opened.

These rebel Celts need to be dealt with once and for all.

This entire territory requires a clear and well-defined message.

Yes, Tribune Corvus.

No......

Kill them. Kill them all.

Ah.

Useless.

You have dragged me from a perfectly adequate brothel for this?

What Caesar saw in this hell hole, I will never know.

These Thracians are far too costly to feed.

They're always maiming the guards.

I am looking for something new, Bellator, something fresh.

They call him "Celt".

They say his people were horsemen and he is the last of them.

Celt. Celt. Celt.

Wasted out here in the provinces, wouldn't you say, Master?

- Make way. Make way. Off. - Off the road. Off.

- Make way. Make way. Off. - Off the road. Off.

Off the road.

Make way for your betters.

- Move it, scum. - Clear the way there. Move.

The horse. Back in line, slave.

The horse is in pain, you ignorant pig.

Stop.

Let him help the horse.

Yes, My Lady.

Easy. Easy, boy.

Put pressure on the top of the leg here, so he doesn't feel the pain when I move him.

I am sorry, My Lady. He's a savage.

Get up.

Harness another horse.

Why would the brute do that?

Because it was the kindest thing to do.

Come.

Thank you.

Go on.

A whole year in Rome and I never saw you look at any man the way you looked at that slave.

I can't believe he had the strength to do that. Didn't you see his muscles?

That's not what I meant.

Really? Oh, please...

Look. There it is.

We're home.

Driver, what is it? The Vinalia, My Lady.

The streets are blocked. Drunkards everywhere.

- What? - Come on.

My Lady? My Lady.

We will meet you back at the villa. My Lady.

I remember every statue, every street corner.

Does it make you miss Rome? It makes me forget it.

Cassia, oh, it's so good to see you.

But how are you here? We weren't expecting you until after Vinalia.

I couldn't bear to spend another day in Rome.

Too many arrogant men who flatter you with their presence.

It sounds like my baby is no longer a child.

- Father, are you crying? - Shh.

Tell no one. Or I will never haggle a decent price again.

We missed you.

Juno's tit. Is this all your luggage?

What have you done, purchase the entire city of Rome?

Did you meet anyone there? Nobody worth talking about in Pompeii.

Well, not to worry.

I think your father has informed every unmarried man in the city of your return.

Oh, no. Really? Now, come on. I want to hear everything about Rome.

I have missed you.

Welcome to your new home, savages.

Keep walking.

Stop.

Unlock them.

Feed these animals.

Vires.

Oh, I missed you. I missed you. Hello.

He's pleased to see you, My Lady.

And I can see he's been in good hands. Thank you, Felix.

And I will have Vires ready for you first thing tomorrow. I will exercise him myself tonight.

Thank you. I will see you tomorrow.

Atticus...

I think that's The Celt. Which Celt?

The Celt.

They say that Celt is faster even than you.

They always say that.

He wants to know your name, Celt.

He wants the name of the man who killed his brother.

He wants to know my name?

Two wine rations on the big Thracian.

Two wine rations. Done.

Explain.

He did not start it. He was trying to eat.

Bellator.

Your purpose is to care for these men, is it not?

Having them bite pieces from one another is of no value if no one is paying to see it.

I am sorry, Master Graecus.

That one is done.

This one...

Can be repaired.

And the next time, Bellator, it will be at your cost.

I will remember you, Celt.

Open the gate.

Close it.

You owe me two wine rations, Celt.

Thirsty? Okay.

What's wrong?

Vires.

Vires.

Wake up, scum.

On your feet.

Relax.

If I was going to kill you, Celt...

I would have done it already.

What is your name?

We will have to speak at some point.

No, we don't.

What we have to do is kill each other at some point.

So my name's my own, I have no interest in learning yours.

Everyone out.

Move.

You're getting old, Atticus.

Plenty of young flesh out here just aching to take apart a champion.

When I win in the arena tomorrow, I am a free man.

It's Roman law.

And there's nothing you can do about it.

Atticus, my champion, tomorrow you have the honor of closing the games.

First,

let us see if I have found an opponent

worthy of you.

Now...

Who's the poor bastard who has to die for my freedom?

Unlucky, Celt.

Very unlucky.

But I am going to take it easy on you.

Give you a fighting chance for tomorrow.

You may have earned your reputation, but not fighting against a gladiator like me.

You made that a little too obvious.

Did I make that too obvious?

Bellator. Get away.

Get out of the way. Get up, scum.

Back to work.

Why did you save my life?

No gladiator should die from a blade to the back.

When you die, the blow will come from the front.

I promise it will be tomorrow.

And it will come from my hand.

Well, I can make you a better promise.

When the time comes,

your death will be quick.

And it will come from my hand.

Don't worry. Your plan is nothing short of brilliance.

Only a mad man would advise the Emperor against investing.

Well, let us hope that the Emperor has not sent us one. Keep up in time.

Senator, do forgive us for not being able to receive you at the harbor.

Severus, you're a busy man. I understand entirely.

Besides, if I had a wife as beautiful as yours,

I'd be in no hurry to forsake her company.

I am Senator Quintas Attius Corvus.

May the gods grace me to bless your kind hospitality. You're most welcome, Senator.

So, Senator, tell us the news from Rome. How does the new emperor, Titus, fare?

The "new" emperor?

The new emperor, Titus, fares well.

His father, Vespasian, was loved by his people,

and they continue that love for his son.

- As the gods demand? - Indeed.

Severus, I have a question for you.

On my journey from the harbor, I noticed some of your townsfolk

turned their backs towards me.

There wouldn't be some kind of problem, would there?

Some local resentment against Rome?

No. Nothing of the sort. A tiny...

A miniscule minority of opposition to our plans.

But our new construction will provide the people with a new aqueduct,

better sanitation, bigger bath houses, a new arena.

A whole new Pompeii.

What was all that about the new emperor?

He's a politician. Be careful what you say to him.

Do you think we can do business with him?

He wouldn't be here if the Emperor wasn't interested.

Why would father invite a Roman senator into our home?

How could you allow such a thing?

If we want Rome's rich to spend their money here, we must keep up with what they demand.

What they demand? Does father have any idea what's going on in Rome right now?

Since Titus took power, everything has changed.

Every crooked man now has the ear of the Emperor.

And they assume that they can take whatever they want.

Cassia, why did you come home early? What happened in Rome?

I'd simply had my fill of it.

Mother, is that Vires?

Whoa. Whoa. Easy. Easy.

Vires, what are you doing out here?

Where's Felix?

I heard tomorrow is your last fight. That's right.

After I kill you, they will give me my freedom.

They won't do it.

Not while your arm's still strong. Freedom is Rome's promise.

You trust them to keep that promise?

I trust their law.

There's only one freedom for a gladiator.

When you die in that arena, you die unconquered.

And you spit in the eye of Rome.

Then this is your future.

And you die a slave.

But not me. Tomorrow, Rome will make good on its promise.