Spartacus: House of Ashur (2025) s01e01 Episode Script

[blade rings]
[intriguing music]
[low, percussive music]
Spartacus.
There's movement upon the path.
[chatter]
[dramatic music]
Ashur!
[scattered laughter]
[Lucretia] A man must accept his fate
- [yells]
- [blade rings, blood splatters]
or be destroyed by it.
[dark, eerie music]
[music continues]
[voices whisper] Ashur. Ashur. Ashur.
[breathes shakily]
[pants]
Your life was forfeit upon Vesuvius,
taken by one to whom
you have done grave injustice.
And now here you kneel, joining
your domina and her child
among the dead in the Underworld.
At what measure of a man stood you
when heart beat within chest?
[thunder rumbles]
A Syrian
despised by all;
a slave to my husband, Batiatus
a gladiator
[yells]
ever so briefly
upon the sands of the arena
[crowd roars]
elevated to trusted conspirator,
valued for your gifts
of cunning and deceit.
And when the House of Batiatus fell
to the mad Thracian Spartacus
and his rebels
- [muffled screaming]
- [Crixus] Kill them all!
you turned against your brothers
aiding Roman masters -
an attempt to bring
rebellious slaves to heel.
And yet you had already fallen
well in advance of Spartacus,
being struck from the world
of the living by Roman spears.
Yet the Fates weave many threads.
Your untimely passing was but single path
- of what might have been.
- [pants]
Do you desire to bear witness to another?
- [grunts]
- A new reality,
uncoupled from history
where you did not perish upon Vesuvius,
where instead you aligned
with mighty Crassus,
the richest man in all the Republic,
and his dog of war,
Gaius Julius Caesar.
A path where you hurled fatal spear
that claimed the life of Spartacus
- [yells]
- [grunts]
and, in the act, saved Crassus,
who rewards you with patronage
and all that once belonged
to my noble husband.
[Batiatus] Embrace the path
the gods have set you upon.
[Lucretia] Do you desire
to know where that fate
would have led?
[echoes] Awake, then
[Batiatus] The gods have
brought you this far.
and embrace a life
that might have been.
[Batiatus] I believe
we are not done with you yet.
[laughs]
Wake!
[gasps]
[breathes deeply, shudderingly]
- Dominus?
- [grunts]
Are you unwell?
[pants] A fleeting dream
born of unfortunate meal in
advance of slumber. [sniffs]
What did Morpheus reveal upon his shores?
It [exhales heavily]
It
eludes grasp of waking mind.
[pants shakily]
[laughs, pants]
A thing of no importance.
[exhales heavily]
Bring food
and wine.
[exhales]
I will greet morning sun.
[inhales deeply]
And what fortunes it carries.
[growls] Ha!
[rousing percussive music]
[grunting]
[grunting continues]
[driving percussive music, vocalizing]
[weapons whip, thud]
[fighters grunt]
Halt!
- Second position.
- [fighters exclaim]
- [yells]
- Begin!
[swords clatter, fighters grunt]
Watch footing, you fucking woman.
Watch tongue, you fucking cunt.
- [grunts]
- Logas!
[fighters grunt]
Tarchon!
[fighters shout, cheer]
- [fighter laughs]
- Use your mind!
Get him off!
- Yes!
- [roars]
Doctore!
Form the men.
I would have words.
[fighters pant]
Attend.
You act as child
with shit running down your leg.
I act as my father would
in his youth.
I should have never laid
with your mother.
[chuckles]
[whip cracks thunderously]
[rich, haunting string music]
What is beneath your feet?
Sacred ground
watered with tears of blood.
No,
you simple fuck.
What lies beneath your feet
is opportunity -
for coin,
and the respect such bounty presents.
And
glory in the arena.
You stand but first crude brick
laying foundation
to the rise of the House of Ashur!
To ascend, you must train absent
mirth or breaking of laughter.
You must commit flesh to
being forged into semblance
of the gods
to honor the man
who brought down
the mighty Spartacus himself.
[snickers]
[ominous tone]
[wind whistles]
You find issue in such thought?
Apologies, Dominus.
Break words, absent threat of reprisal.
Rumor bends ear.
Speak and see it straightened.
That you
hurled spear at the bringer of rain
while his back was yet towards you.
[low, tense music]
Perhaps you think your dominus
unworthy
opponent.
Bring me gladius.
Dacus.
[tuts] No.
I would see wood give way to steel.
[tense music slowly builds]
[blades ring]
[music darkens]
Dominus strays from reason.
No.
He but corrects those beneath him.
Well?
- [exhales heavily]
- Begin.
- [growls, grunts]
- [sword whips]
[grunts]
Advantage of size means little
when countered with skill
and mind
fleet of purpose.
[low percussive music]
[snarls]
- [yells]
- [sword whooshes]
[grunts]
He shifts weight to right leg,
signaling intent.
[exhales, inhales deeply]
[exhales, growls]
- [sword whooshes]
- [yells]
Agh!
He gathers breath before assault.
Again, signaling intent.
[yells, grunts]
Give way to emotions,
and fall upon the sands of the arena,
- presenting ass for fucking.
- [laughter]
[roars]
[gasps]
That
was Falernian.
[roars]
[grunting, yelling]
- [yells]
- [blood splatters]
[grunts]
[breathes raspingly]
[yells, grunts]
[roars]
[intense, dark music]
[roars]
[blood bubbles]
[exhales]
[blood gurgles]
[pants]
And I was deemed lowest
among the Brotherhood
by most vexing doctore serving
my own dominus, Batiatus.
Yet even the lowest of a gladiator
stands colossus
in regards to common men.
Grasp words to fucking breast
or see heart torn from it.
Bury him where he lies
so I may water grave
with pressing need
of each morning's piss.
[brooding string music]
[music darkens]
[chisel scrapes]
[Hilara] Grain delivery has been delayed.
Cilicians fell upon ship and transport.
I've instructed Messia
to ration what we yet hold
while other arrangements can be secured.
What of dispatches from Rome?
Have any been received?
No, Dominus.
See to the day's work, Hilara.
And inform delicate fucking artist
to finish labors by nightfall!
Or see hammer and chisel
turn upon master.
Ashur!
[ominous percussive music]
I would have fucking words.
Have you lost fucking sense?!
He was a man of great worth
who held promise towards fucking arena!
I will not be addressed in
such tone, you fucking goat.
Cease tongue and see passions
cool to more pleasing breeze.
Apologies.
Yet words carry sting of truth.
The man's demise will be keenly felt.
So shall lesson imparted
upon remaining stock.
There are less permanent ways
of motivating them.
Then why have you not summoned
such mystical powers of persuasion?
My doctore opens mouth,
yet shit spews forth.
I am not one of your fucking slaves
and shall not be treated as such.
I am a free man,
an honor earned by
my victories in the arena.
No man is truly free if he yet
finds himself in need of coin.
You are well paid for your services.
But if you hold belief
a man of your advanced years
may obtain a better position
in another ludus,
let us part
fucking ways.
I do not care for you.
Nor I you.
Yet we are bound
by need.
Let us see our fortunes rise as one
and forge a path
towards less tempestuous relations.
[swords clatter in distance]
Your will, my hands.
Our hands.
[brooding string music]
Gather yourself. We attend the games.
We gain position
to finally present our men?
[Ashur laughs]
No.
But words strike to heart of intent.
[crowd roars]
[yells]
[dramatic music, woman vocalizes]
[crowd cheers]
[roars]
[dramatic music]
[crowd roars]
[yells]
[weapons clang, fighters grunt]
Yeah!
[yells]
[weapon thuds]
Fucking war hammer?!
Thraex should be paired
against spear of hoplomachus
- or sword of murmillo.
- Attend the crowd.
They give no shit towards tradition.
[crowd yells, cheers]
[fighters grunt, blood splatters]
[intense percussive music]
- [roars]
- [blood splatters]
[crowd groans, cheers]
[guffaws]
[cheering, applause]
[cheering, applause fades]
A fine showing,
yet the gods bless us
with even greater spectacle
for primus
to conclude the day,
to honor Capua
and most deserving citizens!
[crowd roars]
Good Opiter
has seen fit to present
most glorious offering.
Come on!
- Enter Pluton - hoplomachus!
- [cheering, applause]
- [crowd stomps feet]
- Make it hurt!
[roars]
[chuckles]
[roars] Yeah!
Who shall face such formidable opponent?
There can stand only one!
[crowd stomps feet,
rhythmic drumbeat plays]
- From the House of Proculus
- [crowd] Ooooh
enter Ammonius -
- murmillo!
- [cheering, applause]
[roars]
- Ha ha!
- [crowd roars]
[women shriek]
Your man is well received, Proculus!
He but claims laurels rightfully due.
Perhaps the House of Opiter
shall present surprising challenge.
Would that voice graced with
such beauty entreat the heavens.
Mmm.
[cheering, applause]
May the Gods
favor our offerings.
- Begin!
- [crowd roars]
[rousing percussive music]
[weapons whoosh, clang]
[gladiators grunt]
[cheering, applause]
[laughs]
[rousing music continues]
See how Ammonius draws his
opponent in, lending false hope.
- [roars]
- [metal clangs]
[gladiators grunt]
Yes!
He wields not only strength
but sharpened strategy.
Shall I seek to arrange
for you to swallow his cock
upon contest's end?
The man stands unrivalled upon the sands.
It would be an honor to drink
such potent a blessing.
[gladiators grunt]
[roars, grunts]
[blood splatters, crowd groans]
He is of form.
If we can conjure an opponent
of equal worth
- [yells]
- [blood splatters]
Oof!
[cheering, applause]
[laughter]
[rousing percussive music]
[roars, laughs]
[women scream]
Jupiter himself would have
to grace us with champion
to give Ammonius slightest of pause.
[crowd chatters]
Come. Let us set foot upon path
and see you proved
short of fucking sight.
[upbeat percussive string music]
[chatter]
A most welcome diversion,
easing encumbrance of
ill-natured concerns.
It lifts heart to hear it so,
Cossutia. Let us
Aedile!
Ah!
I would seize moment and beseech word.
You accost me in the street now,
Syrian, as common cutpurse?
Apologies. I was unable
to secure audience
through traditional means
and took initiative
- through brighter prospects.
- The man flaunts savage nature
and presents it as shrewd navigation.
Let us not stand in too harsh a reply.
Did the Syrian not help quell rebellion,
turning upon his own in the effort?
Such is said through
parted lips and eager tongue.
[Ashur] I but serve the Republic.
[Cossutia] As does my husband -
at times, to distraction.
- His absence most deeply felt.
- Mm.
Duties yet hold him in Rome?
He counsels Pompey in attempt
to soothe inflamed relations
with Crassus.
Crassus yet stands
your patron, does he not,
gifting you position and Batiatus' ludus?
I stand so blessed
for services rendered.
Then surely you have his ear
in the matter.
I have dispatched messages
regarding variety of
pressing concerns, not least among them
rebuilding once mighty arena
brought to ruin
- by Spartacus and his rebel
- Yes, a lofty ideal,
- to be sure.
- [chuckles]
Please give Crassus our wishes
for continued prosperity.
[chuckles] If you shout them loud enough,
perhaps they will reach
all the way to Rome, hm?
[chatter, lively music plays]
Uvidus!
Aedile. I would broach subject
for position in future games.
Position? Word travels upon wind
of your men being less than.
I assure you, they stand equal
to any good Proculus
- could hope to offer.
- Korris speaks out of turn
yet breaks truth.
Let us grace the Syrian
with reward equal to worth -
if not swayed by my desire, then
in name of honored husband?
Very well.
One man to be presented mid-month
- upon festival of Liber Pater.
- [chuckles]
I eagerly await the day.
As do I.
[chuckles]
[ominous rattle music]
[chatter, laughter]
[laughs]
[inhales deeply] Did I not tell
you? We at last gain position!
If you'd bowed any lower, your
mouth would be filled with dirt.
And I would gorge until
bursting to gain advantage.
Who stands most well-honed among our men?
Rhodius, by wide fucking margin.
Rhodius? Which man is he?
The one you buried this morning.
[dramatic music]
[Ashur] You did not think
to broach subject
before I fell the fucking man?!
I warned his absence
would be keenly felt.
After deed had been done!
Oh, apologies for not
divining future where you
fell from reason and took life
with jug of fucking wine!
[growls]
We have opportunity, Korris,
and we must seize it.
[crickets chirp]
Pit man against man at break of dawn.
Whoever triumphs by
fall of night shall stand
our champion in the arena.
- Your will
- Go!
- Dominus.
- What?!
Apologies.
I thought you might take food.
And perhaps warm bath.
To temper mood.
Is it so foul a creature?
For enraged bull?
- No.
- Mm.
Lead way.
And I shall attempt not to gore
with errant horn.
[mysterious, sensual string music]
[sighs deeply]
[sighs]
What troubled thoughts lend burden?
None of worth.
Place them upon scale to be
weighted by a less critical eye.
Many nights I would lay in
my cell below us in the ludus,
dreaming
of a day I would hold title of dominus.
Absent concern to onus
such title carried.
Did former dominus share in reflection?
Batiatus?
The man stood constantly pressed,
believing the gods themselves
spread cheeks
for frequent ramming. [chuckles]
[kisses]
And how did he survive?
Through cunning and deception.
Benefit of my aid
at every turn.
[sighs sensually]
Then you shall rise
through conviction of your own counsel
[seductive, pulsating music]
[both sigh lustfully]
as your cock
heralds way.
[both sigh lustfully]
[water splashes]
[seductive, pulsating music continues]
Ah!
Shall I summon Messia to join us?
No.
I have desire for sweeter nectar.
- Wash day's bitter taste
- [sighs gently]
from mouth.
[water splashes]
[gasps]
[bold music crescendos]
- [chuckling, banter]
- Bless the gods. We
- are for the arena!
- [chuckling]
You are for fucking shit, Erato.
You fare no better.
Place lips upon hole so I may
impart more cloying breath
than breaks from fucking mouth!
- [laughter]
- Oh, Tarchon.
Your boy stands absent sense or concern.
And you did not fall into
quarrel during day's training?
Passions overwhelmed upon the moment.
I should not have
lashed out at my brothers
when true enemy stands Roman.
- [all] Oooh.
- Logas!
- Oh, let him speak.
- Towards what end?
Of us fucking all
if whimpering growl
reaches ear of our dominus.
- The Syrian?
- Mm?
He stands a traitor to the Brotherhood -
something well known to Spartacus.
You would see us all nailed
upon cross along Appian Way.
I would see us slip from beneath heel.
What Spartacus began lives in the spirit
of those who followed him. And rumors
the man himself
may yet live.
- [laughter]
- If he yet drew breath,
the Bringer of Rain
would make presence known.
No, no, no. More likely the mad fuck
forever slumbers in unknown beds
[scoffs] beneath fetid ground.
[chuckling]
Tarchon,
fall to my side
and let us remove ourselves
from such foolishness.
[footsteps recede]
You clear fucking room.
We are better served in their absence.
The lesson of Spartacus
is well learned
for those who dare embrace it.
What fucking lesson?
To die at the end of spear?
That freedom is worth any cost,
as is claiming the life
of those who would oppress us.
Whoever stands upon
the sands of the arena
will have the opportunity in victory
to shed the blood of our dominus
and every Roman cock he kneels to suck.
[lock clanks, doors open]
[uneasy string music]
You have been granted
the greatest of honor
to at last grace the sands of the arena!
To prove yourselves against the
shit, Proculus, and his men.
- [leather creaks]
- Some
would claim you've been
blessed by the gods.
Fuck the gods!
They give no shit
towards the affairs of men,
a thing I have witnessed
countless times as a gladiator,
as a soldier
as a free man.
We forge our own fate
with our hands,
with our will,
and with our blood!
Prove yourselves worthy -
not to Jupiter and his fucking cock
but to yourselves.
And to your dominus.
[intriguing string music]
[pounds shield rhythmically]
[fighters pound shields]
[exhales] Doctore.
[intriguing music continues]
[rhythmic pounding continues]
Salvius!
Hedylus.
[pounding quickens]
[stirring percussive music]
Begin!
[fighters grunt]
[yells]
[roars]
[grunts]
[yells]
[metal clangs, fighters grunt]
[roars]
Illugorus. Firmus.
[fighters grunt]
[fighter grunts]
[roars]
[low, tense percussive music]
- [grunts, pants]
- [growls]
Logas. Helios.
[fighters grunt, swords whoosh]
[Logas roars]
Erato. Ephesius.
[weapons thwack, grunting]
[fighters grunt, sword whooshes]
[roars]
Celadus. Tarchon.
[yells]
[Tarchon grunts, yells]
[tense percussive music continues]
[grunts]
[laughs]
Celadus, Logas
take position for final contest.
[fighters pound shields rhythmically]
[driving drum music]
- [exhales]
- [fighters grunt]
[rumbling, clanking]
Mm.
So, you stand above all others
in the House of Ashur.
Logas has proven himself
worthy of the arena.
Were you not the one
who spoke of sacred grounds
watered with tears of blood?
Yes, Dominus.
Place thought aside.
Proculus will not risk embarrassment.
He shall seek an opponent
with deadly consequence,
perhaps even the champion
Ammonius himself.
All those before me shall fall,
regardless of name or title.
Mmm.
See it so.
And be rewarded for fucking effort.
[tense music builds]
[rousing percussive music]
[crowd roars]
[net whooshes, gladiator roars]
[metal clangs]
[cheering]
[roars]
[crowd cheers]
[metal clangs, gladiators grunt]
- [yells]
- [blood splatters]
[woman gasps, laughter]
[roars]
[crowd cheers]
[chuckles]
The crowd again favors
your wares, Proculus.
Gratitude. Yet I fear
good Opiter may forfeit all coin
in attempts to restock his ludus.
- [laughs]
- Well, fortunes may yet shift
- in my favor.
- As I would see it so.
Sun threatens zenith
and, with it, promise of
most anticipated contest.
May the gods grant spectacle
to shake the very heavens.
Mm.
See our man ready
and first victory of
the House of fucking Ashur.
- [crowd chatters]
- [grunts]
[dark, eerie music]
[shouting in distance]
[door clangs]
[grunts]
It is time to embrace your destiny.
A thing that I have long dreamt of.
Now I've imparted all I can
in the days allowed us.
Bring honor to the name Logas.
And if the gods will it,
embrace the afterlife
with a dignity befitting our brotherhood.
It is not I who shall fall this day.
[heroic brass music]
[men play rousing drumbeat]
[crowd chatters, festive music plays]
[crowd clamors]
- How stands our man?
- Filled to overflowing
- with lust for blood.
- [exhales]
The gods may yet bless us this day.
I hold no stock in them,
yet I would gladly stroke
Jupiter's cock to completion
if it held promise towards our favor.
The gods hear your plea.
Gabinius returns from Rome
to bear witness to our efforts.
Gabinius. You grace us
with unexpected presence.
I had not thought to see such a vision
[chuckles] for yet a handful of days.
Heart could not bear another
fleeting moment [smooches]
- absent from your embrace.
- Mm. [smooches]
Apologies. What news from Rome?
None to lift heart. [exhales heavily]
I entreated Pompey to offer
disbanding his army garrison
beyond city gates;
in return, in kind from Crassus
and his forces equally positioned.
Well, a reasonable solution
to ease mounting tension.
I fear reason has taken wing.
Love lost between
the two consuls in recent months
proves too great a divide
to close with simple words.
Slightest spark of temperament
may ignite civil war.
Replace concern of uncertain future
with more joyful present.
Wise counsel for all attending.
And well received.
Viridia did not accompany?
The games serve only
to reopen old wounds.
I bear gifts from Rome
- to aid in their healing.
- Mm.
Ah, let us not drag the day
into morose reflection.
I am for wine
- and the clash of swords.
- Mm.
As I would see desires satisfied.
[men play dramatic drum roll]
[cheering, applause]
She at last finds fucking tongue.
Citizens of Capua,
honored guests and beloved husband
Liber Pater -
benevolent god gracing us
with most welcome discovery of honey
and blessing us
with fertility,
harvest,
- and wine
- [cheering, applause]
[laughs]
has also seen fit
to deliver most
extraordinary spectacle
- [exhales sharply]
- [muffled] for those
- of faithful worship.
- [cheering, applause]
For the first time
in all of history,
the House of Ashur
presents upon the sands.
[cheering]
And who shall the Syrian put forth?
Enter
- um
- [laughter]
[chuckles]
[whispers] Logas.
Enter Logas -
murmillo!
[door clangs]
[dramatic martial music]
[loud booing]
[crowd jeers, shouts]
A momentous reception.
The mob does not know what
moves until motion has ceased.
They sound pretty fucking moved to me.
And who shall face
such fearsome opponent?
Good Proculus has chosen carefully.
Enter
the Brothers Ferox, thraex,
murmillo and hoplomachus.
- [cheering, applause]
- Three?!
Logas is to face three fucking men?
[crowd roars]
[Korris] What is this fucking shit?!
[growling]
[crowd clamors]
Jest veers from proper contest.
'Tis but slight amusement.
See how the spirit of the crowd
is so lifted by it.
[crowd cheers]
Whoo!
What is that he wears upon his belt?
Trophies taken from
the lives he's claimed within
the arena and beyond.
Ah!
[crowd clamors]
[suspenseful music]
[gladiators yell, growl]
May your sacrifice
find favor among the gods.
[tense music builds]
- Begin!
- [crowd roars]
[Logas roars, metal clangs]
[blood splatters, Logas groans]
Mm.
First blood to Satyrus.
[gladiators shout, grunt]
[Logas groans, crowd cheers]
Recall training! They are but men!
They are aborted demon,
belched from fucking cunt
of the Underworld.
[gladiator shouts, flesh squelches]
[crowd roars]
[crowd groans]
- [yells]
- [crowd cheers]
[grunting, yelling]
[yells]
[Logas growls]
I pray the Syrian's man
does not fall too quickly.
I would see moment prolonged.
[thrumming drumbeat plays, crowd cheers]
Kill this cunt!
[roars]
[gladiators grunt]
[crowd cheers]
[stirring percussive music]
- [crowd roars]
- [Ashur] Yes!
[laughter]
Brother!
[metal clangs]
Balbus!
Come.
Let us see how you fare absent
fucking brothers, little man.
[grunts]
- [crowd cheers]
- Ha!
[roars]
[crowd cheers]
Is this the best that Proculus offers?!
[snarls]
Ha!
[pants]
My cock stands larger threat.
[Satyrus screams]
- [squeals]
- [crowd roars]
[gladiators grunt]
[screams]
[urgent orchestral music]
[growls] Fuck.
[grunting, swords clang]
[bellows]
[dark rumbling music]
[crowd roars]
[muffled cheering, whistling]
[somber music, vocalizing]
[grunts]
[muffled shouting]
[gasps, pants]
One day [pants]
[coughs, gasps]
[blood gurgles]
[muffled cheering]
[Satyrus muffled] Yes!
[roars]
Yeah! [chuckles]
- [laughs]
- [crowd cheers, whistles]
[brothers roar triumphantly]
No man stands above us
when laid to fucking ground!
[Satyrus roars]
[pants]
[screams]
[loud laughter]
[guffaws]
They laugh.
They fucking laugh at us.
There sit mother of fucking jest.
[growls] Regain your seat.
Would you have us sit and bathe
in fucking mockery?
They desire us gone
a satisfaction I would see denied.
[laughter, cheering]
[roars]
Apologies, pressing concerns
wrest me from position.
Cossutia.
Day is but half fallen,
and I stand for Liber Pater.
- I would remain.
- And I would not.
[sighs] What turns such mood?
Surely not amusement
at expense of the Syrian toad.
That toad is pet to
Marcus fucking Crassus.
I make overtures to temper
smoldering resentment
between the man and Pompey, only
to find wife stoking flames!
Apologies, Gabinius. We did not think
No, you did not.
If Crassus yet bore concern
towards the Syrian,
intentions would have been
made known. He is forsaken
and soon shall fade from Capua
as unpleasant memory
upon passing of time.
I pray words hold truth.
Come.
[dark, pensive music]
Gratitude for most enjoyable day.
[pensive music continues]
[sinister note]
[distant chatter]
[jangly music plays distantly]
[jangly music continues playing]
[lively drumbeat plays, chatter]
Witness speed and ferocity
unmatched upon the sands!
- Little shit!
- [yells]
[yells]
[chatter, laughter]
Oh!
Most honored guest at last arrives.
Behold the mighty Syrian -
- Dominus of the House of Asses.
- [loud laughter]
[laughs]
[festive music plays]
[exhales heavily]
Pay him no heed. Satyrus
drinks as man fully formed,
overfilling flyspeck vessel.
Voice so small to be barely of note.
Yet louder than your man
in the arena with throat slit
by tiny hand.
I shall compensate for your loss
in hope that jest is received
in manner intended.
- It has been taken as intended.
- Ah. Sentiment well met.
I would not have Crassus
believe otherwise.
I find no reason to concern him
with such matters.
We are one in this regard.
Perhaps more common ground
may yet be claimed.
Is the man incapable
of speaking plainly?
Apologies.
I should reduce words so
base intellect may grasp intent.
I have born your jest
absent complaint, yet
the House of Ashur has not yet
been afforded proper contest.
You seek additional position
in the arena?
[Proculus] Crowd turns
weary of repeated meal.
They quench hunger by devouring
new and unusual meat.
Perhaps if you acquired
something novel to offer.
I shall redouble the effort
to secure undiscovered spectacle
and see rematch upon a day.
A thing greatly anticipated.
Ah, good Herennius has arrived.
Let us greet him, lest Opiter
bores the man to early grave.
Hm.
Herennius, I trust Opiter and
noble wife have offered wine.
There stood a time such insult
would have been paid in blood.
Would that sun reversed its course
and return us to fucking moment.
Come.
We must secure stock matching
purpose to regain footing.
Are we to train men
the size of children now?
I would force sword
into hand of newborn babe
if the crowd desire such.
The slaver Rusonius here in Capua
holds none of exotic nature.
We shall seek further abroad,
to Neapolis or Cumae,
and pray the gods
you're forever moaning about
at last present fucking selves.
[spits]
[uneasy music]
[gull squawks]
[big cat growls]
[snarls]
[chatter]
You shall behold no finer
specimens within Republic.
Each man stands fresh from
journey across Tyrrhenian Sea.
Breathe in intoxicating scent of
future triumphs upon the sands.
I have conjured more worthy
shits from troubled bowels.
What of the Gaul?
He cuts a form towards promise.
We possess a dozen
yet carved in the man's image.
We must present unknown delights
to ignite the crowd
and gain attention of fucking Aedile.
- When's the next shipment due?
- By month's end. Perhaps then
You fill cup with warm piss
and expect request for more?
Let us to Cumae and hopes of
more fragrant opportunity.
You grasp gold from a sow's arse.
And will plunge to fucking
shoulders in the seeking of it.
Cumae will provide
even less for consideration.
We should return to Capua
- Halt!
- and then
[man grunts]
- Aargh!
- Seize her!
[chains jangle]
[grunting]
- Ah!
- Aargh!
[grunting]
- [whack]
- [screams]
Aargh!
[grunts, groans]
[energetic, mysterious music]
[grunts]
[whinnies]
[grunts]
- [Ashur grunts]
- [sword clatters]
- Aargh!
- Aah!
- [thud]
- [grunts]
- [gasps]
- Move
and see life fucking forfeit.
Halt!
- [grunts]
- Ah!
This one seems to have presented
unfortunate complications
to your day. I would
remove her from concern,
lest further embarrassment arise.
She struck a Roman.
I'll see her removed
from this fucking life.
Let us not fall to bloody disagreement.
Give way, you fucking shit.
This fucking shit holds favor
of Marcus Licinius Crassus,
Co-Consul of Rome,
and I, his man in Capua.
Lay hand upon me or those in my employ,
and word shall reach him of offense.
You are his Syrian,
who aided the Republic
against the rebel Spartacus.
I stand the same.
I believe this should
more than balm wounded pride.
We stand for Crassus
against the butcher, Pompey.
Relay allegiance if opportunity arises.
[chatter, horse whinnies]
Fall to fucking form! Move!
You waste coin on another
fucking house slave?
- [grunts, pants]
- No.
The gods I do not believe in
manifest unexpected gift,
one I would see towards advantage.
- [whimpers]
- Move.
You have truly fallen from fucking sense!
I but rise above lesser minds.
You would have me train a woman
to stand in the arena.
A woman? Upon the sands?
The very notion of fucking perversion.
Perversion not yet tasted
by ravenous crowd.
One that shall gain notice
impossible to ignore.
Hilara would present equal challenge
pitted against fucking gladiator.
I have witnessed many of breast and cunt
far more deadly than their opposite.
Among rank of Spartacus and his rebels,
they stood as fierce as any
possessed of cock and balls.
Ha ha! [slurps]
You are set upon course?
Mm.
Have her bathed and
brought to office chambers.
Let us gaze upon glorious future.
Ha!
[uneasy string music]
[wind whistles]
[uneasy string music continues, builds]
[delicate, ethereal music]
[footsteps approach, chains jangle]
- Has she taken food?
- As jackal upon wounded prey.
Who could lay blame?
Journey through the belly of a slave ship
offers few comforts,
as any who have survived such may attest.
See this dispatched to Rome
at first light to be delivered
into no other hand than
possessed of Crassus himself.
Yes, Dominus.
Are you able to break common tongue?
Close gap. I would have
closer inspection.
Come. I bear no teeth
and would be greeted in kind.
[chains jangle]
[insects chirrup]
What name do you carry?
Neferet.
Neferet?
Most pleasing upon tongue.
Yet not upon Roman ear. They
desire more familiar personage.
Yes, one stirring reflection
of ancient legends
and impossible exploits
of lore.
[mysterious music]
Achillia.
The name you will bear
from this day forward -
Achillia.
Imagine the crowd chanting such,
the sound assaulting
the very heavens in your honor.
Crowd?
You're not without skill
in way of combat,
evident keenly presented
upon shores of Neapolis,
yet you stand as newly forged blade.
Sound of steel
yet dull of edge.
I will have you honed to deadly advantage
and unleashed upon
the sands of the arena
[whispers] to the roar
of the crowd.
And you may reap benefits
such adulation provides.
[chains jangle]
Do such benefits promise more wine?
[chuckles] Ha!
Enough to drown the gods
if you so desire.
You but need to fall to command
- [jug shatters]
- Ugh!
- [sword rings, chains jangle]
- [grunts]
Move and see his fucking life forfeit.
Hold ground. Hold fucking ground.
- Release him!
- You cannot slip these walls.
Then we fall from this world entwined.
I will not die a fucking slave
to men such as you.
We are all of us but slaves
to those of means and position
who move us upon board, pieces in game,
sacrificed upon whim or need
Speak clearly while you yet
have thought to form words.
Even if you slip these walls,
you will never be truly free.
They will hunt you down for
such offense and see life ended.
A fate more desirable
than one bound in chains.
There is another way.
Pledge oath. Call me dominus
and fight in the arena.
Earn your freedom upon the sands.
A freedom the Romans can never seize
- from you.
- [gasps]
Such a thing is possible?
I stand proof it is so.
Let us,
uncouple from history,
and embrace,
- unknown tomorrow.
- [breathes jaggedly]
[chains jangle]
- [grunts]
- [coughs] Leave her!
[gasps]
We struck a bargain.
Have we not?
[brooding music]
Dominus.
[triumphant music builds]
[music swells]
[pulsating, percussive music]
[mysterious, rhythmic music]
[music continues]
[music ends hauntingly]