1:01:00
l congratulate us.
1:01:02
Tomorrow l lead six cohorts
of the garrison...
1:01:04
against the slaves on Vesuvius.
1:01:06
The whole city
is turning out to see us off.
1:01:09
Great merciful
bloodstained gods!
1:01:12
Your pardon.
1:01:14
l always address heaven
in moments of triumph.
1:01:18
Did Gracchus have something
to do with this brilliant affair?
1:01:20
Yes, he even proposed it.
Rather decently, too.
1:01:24
And you? Do you think l made you
commander of the garrison...
1:01:26
to control some rock patch
on Vesuvius?
1:01:30
lt was to control
the streets of Rome!
1:01:32
l only take six cohorts.
The rest of the garrison remains.
1:01:36
- Under whose command?
- Under Caesar's.
1:01:38
Excellent, excellent!
1:01:41
Finding Gracchus in control
of the mob and the senate...
1:01:43
you felt compelled to hand over
the garrison to him also.
1:01:48
l see.
1:01:50
I'll refuse. I'll withdraw
from the expedition.
1:01:53
One of the disadvantages
of being a patrician...
1:01:56
is that occasionally
you're obliged to act like one.
1:01:58
You pledged the senate to go,
and go you must.
1:02:00
lf Gracchus should decide
to move against you--
1:02:03
He won't!
Has no need to.
1:02:05
He has, with your assistance,
immobilized me altogether.
1:02:10
Your legions are still in camp
outside the city walls?
1:02:13
My legions?
1:02:15
Do you truly believe I'd order
my legions to enter Rome?
1:02:18
l only point out that
you can if you have to.
1:02:21
Are you not aware
of Rome's most ancient law...
1:02:23
that no general may enter the city
at the head of his armed legions?
1:02:26
- Sulla did.
- Sulla? To the infamy of his name!
1:02:30
To the utter damnation
of his line!
1:02:34
No, my young friend.
1:02:37
One day l shall cleanse this Rome
which my fathers bequeathed me.
1:02:41
l shall restore all the traditions
that made her great.
1:02:45
lt follows, then, that l cannot come
to power or even defend myself...
1:02:48
by an act which betrays
the most sacred tradition of them all.
1:02:52
l shall not bring my legions
within these walls.
1:02:56
l shall not violate Rome...
1:02:59
at the moment
of possessing her.