In the Name of Ben Hur

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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.

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