Pompeii Page #2

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?

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.

You, unfortunately,

will not be alive to see that I am right.

So sure?

Today you showed me your weaknesses.

Your left arm is weaker than your right.

So you protect your ribs

at the expense of your neck.

And you should learn how to thrust

when you're shifting your weight

and stop favoring a high guard.

It would make you less predictable.

This one.

That one.

These two.

On your feet, slaves.

All right.

You, here.

You, barbarian, here!

Both excellent fighters.

One, a champion,

and the other,

tried and proven in the provinces.

I want to see him from behind.

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