In the Name of Ben Hur (In the Name of Ben-Hur)

This is exactly what's wrong with the towns of this province.

No hospitality.

If you aren't allowed to...

sample the goods,

how do you know if you want to buy 'em?

We don't mean any harm. We're here to protect you.

That's why we've been sent here.

Now, the fact that you ran from us...

must mean you've got something to hide.

Are you hiding something?

Maybe we need to search you.

Why don't you bastard Romans go home?

It's because of people like you we have to be here,

people who fail to respect the authority of Rome.

May your children be eaten by better boars.

Romans!

You her boyfriend? You look more like her sister to me.

See? I told you this town would be interesting.

Maybe you should tell him you like being with us.

He should mind his own business.

That's not very sporting.

Maybe you should consider another way, my friend.

You should leave.

Word of advice.

One cannot always count on divine providence in matters such as these.

It is best not to start a fight you cannot win.

- Who said I wasn't gonna win? - In my experience,

the man lying bleeding on the ground weaponless and surrounded by soldiers

- is rarely the victor. - But not you?

No, not today.

- Who are you? - It's of no matter.

You a soldier, former gladiator perhaps?

Would you train me to do what you just did, to fight?

If you wish to truly live in peace, you must forgive your tormentors.

Forgiving the Romans is something I can never do.

Lusitania may be far from Rome,

but we still live under Roman law, and Romans are everywhere.

If you cannot accept that, prepare for a life of pain.

I cannot help you.

Get to the meat of it, Kaeso.

It was a disagreement.

Well, I would hope this was not the result of an agreement.

It was a simple fight in a tavern, sir, men letting off steam.

May I ask the cause of said disagreement?

It's not worthy of your time, sir.

It was a woman, sir, a question of honor.

I heard no report of a disturbance.

This watering hole is rather off-site, sir.

- We shouldn't have frequented... - No, you shouldn't!

We gave more than we got, sir.

I can assure you.

The odds were not in our favor...

- yet we prevailed. - Well, I would hope so.

We wouldn't want the locals to think our men weak, now, would we?

No, sir. They will not have been left with that impression, I can assure you.

Dismissed.

Can I find fault in Rome for the quality of soldier assigned our garrison?

Does not the medicine match the disease?

This may be so. We are far from Rome. Our borders are thin.

Yet is it not an oversight leaving the edges of empire

to a fighting force so weak and undisciplined?

Now, a man with less experience would say...

apply more discipline, more rigorous training,

but I tell you this tactic will not work.

Rome needs to send us a higher quality of soldier.

I have requested that at your insistence several times, sir.

I know. The silence from Rome speaks loudly.

Nero busies himself.

With his concubines, his games, and his orgies.

Maybe a gift would be in order,

a tribute from our province that would remind Rome of our value.

What do we have here that they do not already possess in Rome?

We have cork. We are near to the sea,

and possess a bounty of foodstuff that Rome could only dream of.

We are talking about Nero.

This Kaeso and this fight over a woman's given me an idea.

We send women?

Fresh concubines for Nero.

Well, if we make inquiries, I'm sure we can find some among the locals

that'll please him, untouched, unspoiled.

Would this not cause a disturbance amongst the locals?

If we take from the lower ranks, pay them well enough, it'll lessen the disturbance.

I see.

If our gift finds favor with Nero,

he will be more open to sending us a higher caliber of soldier.

How on earth can you show up at such a fine establishment looking as such, Adrian?

Well, at least I have an excuse. What's yours, Caius?

- Been sleeping with your sheep again? - At least I have an occupation, Adrian.

No, no. My ambitions are higher than mere survival.

From the looks of it, survival should be your guide.

- It was probably his sister Lucia. - No, no, no, no. Believe me,

if it was her, these wounds would be much, much worse.

- Yes. - You've had too many.

I think you'll find what you're looking for...

at the village down by the river.

They're straight from the Azores,

refugees, and you can have your pick of the lot.

Now...

is it something you want us to take care of, or will your boys be doing it?

There will be coin in it if you can be discreet.

Well, they don't come to me looking for a big show, now, do they?

For expenses to start. The rest on delivery.

These women are destined to be concubines for the Emperor Nero.

It will be so.

- There's trouble ahead. - Well, what is it?

Sergius and the Romans are plotting something, and we need to stop it.

Go on.

The other day, I met a sort of sell-sword.

No, we can deal with this ourselves, Adrian.

No. He's no ordinary mercenary,

but I may need a bit of coin from each of you.

Where are you?

Excuse me. May I help you?

I've no money to pay you.

I don't seek payment, only to pass the time in conversation.

- Well, go on then. - I'm looking for someone.

He's not too young, but not as old as yourself.

He's 17 stone and carries a staff, although I don't think he needs it.

Could be, but folks live out here because they don't want interference with outsiders.

I only wish to tell him thanks and to offer him a job.

Well, you may find him up that way.

Thank you.

You might think it a coincidence that we meet on this trail,

but I can confirm it is not.

So you left the town and made for safer climes.

I wish.

I told you before that I will not train you. That path will only lead to pain.

I wish to offer you a job.

- I respectfully decline. - You haven't heard the offer yet.

From my experience, when a man of no apparent means offers a job,

- it is one rarely worthy of consideration. - Hear me out.

The Romans are planning to capture slaves for Nero's concubines.

These people are not choosing this upon their own free will,

nor were they born into slavery.

They're being stolen, and that I cannot abide.

Will you join me in my efforts to stop this offense?

If one were to intercede in every injustice that occurred in the world,

one would toil from dusk until dawn.

It would turn one's heart as black as the coal from a fire.

Better to tend to your own affairs.

Do you not care about the plight of the innocent?

I am curious as to what your plan would be to stop this raid.

Would not only be me...

but with a cadre of those who feel as I do, who stand for the people.

And who will soon all shortly be crucified by the Romans on the outskirts of town.

If you feel as such, why did you help me the other day?

I did not do it for you.

Now be on your way.

And consider again choosing the path of forgiveness.

Almighty Lord...

I know I have not always followed the path of righteousness.

I have sinned.

But you have always shown me the way.

Now I ask for your guidance once again.

Since I finished my work at Calixto...

I have been listening for signs as to what to do.

- What is your name? - Melina.

Load 'em up.

Right. Open the cart.

That's it. That's enough.

It's a fair week's ride to Rome.

We won't have enough rations for any more.

So that's your lot then.

Quick! Split up!

Well, that went rather well.

I feel your gift will be rather well received, sir.

I have a question for you, Cyprian.

How come those young men who tried to interfere knew of our operation?

I just suspected they were from the refugee camp.

Were they?

I got the distinct impression they were trying to sabotage our operation.

These people are merely trying to protect their loved ones.

Because if there were some kind of organized rebellion in this area,

I'd want to know about it.

I find that highly unlikely, sir, but I will keep an ear to the ground.

You do that.

- The Romans, they took... - I know. I've been to the camp.

I want to go with you.

If you're willing to die, then get in.

- What weapons do you have? - I have my knife.

Keep it as last resort. If they capture you, you can kill yourself.

What?

- Can't afford to kill the Romans. - Have you seen what they've been doing?

You kill one, and you have the entire legion hunting you down.

Wound them, take their honor, then you might live.

Stop the cart.

Agree with me on this. Or I'll throw you from this chariot.

- You're insane. - I've never claimed otherwise.

So that's your sell-sword.

He's worth far more than we could pay him.

It's all clear.

Come on.

All right. Go on.

This place isn't safe for you anymore. Do you have anywhere else to go?

Yes.

Pack up your things and leave before the Romans return.

All of you should leave this place soon.

The Romans will be coming after us. It's just a matter of time.

And where would we go? This is our home.

I was born on this land. We are from here, and they are not.