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Documentary, Roman Empire- Reign of Blood S01E03 Enemy of the Senate
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00:00After the death
00:29of his father Marcus Aurelius, Commodus has ended the war in Germania and has returned
00:39home to take his father's place as Emperor of the Roman Empire.
00:59People of Rome, all hail your emperor, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Antonius Augustus!
01:13Aurelius
01:16Aurelius
01:18Aurelius
01:20Aurelius
01:21Aurelius
01:22Aurelius
01:23Aurelius
01:24Aurelius
01:25Aurelius
01:26Aurelius
01:27Aurelius
01:28Aurelius
01:29Aurelius
01:30Aurelius
02:01But while the people celebrate the new ruler, not all are content to see Commodus rise to power.
04:03White?
04:05Or red?
04:08You decide.
04:13As the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, Lucilla has been prepared for a life of influence.
04:18But as her brother takes the throne, she begins to manipulate members of the Senate, looking for ways to regain her power.
04:30Such a strong man.
04:32I wonder if you'll show the same strength in the Senate with my brother.
04:42The Senate isn't worried about Commodus, and neither should you be.
04:47That doesn't sound like much of a plan.
04:50The Emperor's inexperience is the only plan we need.
04:53He's a boy out of his depth.
04:55He's a boy out of his depth.
04:56A boy who will do anything we wish.
05:00Such confidence.
05:01Such confidence.
05:03But I wonder who will do as I wish.
05:07It's hard to figure out what's going on in the head of Lucilla.
05:22Oddly enough, she seems to have thought that as Commodus' elder sister, that she had a better claim on the throne than Commodus.
05:36And so Lucilla put together a very high-level conspiracy against him.
06:06As Lucilla begins to plot against her brother, the responsibility of the throne starts to weigh on the new Emperor.
06:23Do not be so hard on yourself.
06:28No man can please all men.
06:34My father could.
06:41You are not your father.
06:43You're Commodus.
06:53And we have to imagine the pressures that that would have placed upon a young Commodus.
06:59That he would have to have earned this position.
07:03He had to become the best Roman.
07:06He had to prove himself to be the best man for the job.
07:10He had to fulfill this immense ideological burden that the Emperor had to bear in order to operate, in order to make sure everything functioned correctly.
07:25The crowning of an Emperor marks a new era for Rome.
07:52And Commodus believes that to carry on his father's legacy and make a mark of his own.
07:59He'll need to gain the support of the Empire.
08:05Starting with the military.
08:08When an Emperor arrived on the throne.
08:12He gave the entire army a gift, sometimes very small, sometimes equal to a significant percentage of an entire year's pay.
08:21It was announced that what he was doing was thanking them for their loyalty, and of course at some level what he was doing was actually purchasing that loyalty going forward.
08:34For centuries, emperors have given gifts to their soldiers returning from war.
08:49In the form of money, slaves, and land from conquered regions in an effort to keep their support.
09:10For Commodus, winning the favor of the military is the first step in securing the support of the Empire.
09:22But before he can give the military its payment, he knows he'll have to convince the Senate to back his plan.
09:31For the first time in generations, we are at peace.
09:52So I think those who laid their lives on the line for Rome deserve far more than simply our gratitude.
10:05Emperor, I could not agree more.
10:08An excellent idea.
10:09It's the right thing to do, and precisely the right time to do it.
10:13The support means a lot to me.
10:15Emperor, please.
10:18The legions have spent eight years of their lives in Germania.
10:22We, Rome, owe them an enormous debt.
10:28A gift of rich, fertile lands upon which to settle seems like the least the Empire could do.
10:33Exactly. Which is why I proposed to...
10:34May I ask which areas you are considering?
10:37Etruria, Campania, Sardinia, perhaps Macedonia?
10:43An excellent question, Senator. To be honest, I haven't had the time to get into specifics.
10:49And why would you? You have far more pressing concerns to attend to.
10:53If I may, Emperor, offer the Senate's assistance in this matter.
10:58You have just made your triumphant return home.
11:03The process of assessing and allocating the most desirable plots of land in our vast Empire.
11:13This takes time.
11:16Time better spent reacquainting yourself with Rome and introducing yourself to your subjects.
11:23It's a very generous offer, Senator.
11:26Please. Your father was a great friend to the Senate.
11:31If it is within our power to make your transition to the throne smoother...
11:39It would be an honour.
11:47I gratefully accept your offer, Senator.
11:50It seems like something that can only benefit from the Senate's expertise.
11:53Exactly.
11:54We deal with this sort of thing every day.
11:57Why bother yourself with mundane administrative tasks?
12:04There will be much more of that in the months and years to come.
12:06Fine then.
12:07Keep me informed of any developments.
12:09Absolutely. You'll be the first to know.
12:14Your doubts were unfounded, Senator dear.
12:23The Emperor is a boy.
12:25But he is still the Emperor.
12:34Against the advice of the Senate, Commodus ended the war against the Germanic tribes.
12:39Losing favor among some of Rome's most influential citizens.
12:51Including a Senator named Quintianus.
12:58With Lucilla's backing, the Senator begins to lay the groundwork for his first play.
13:04Believing he can undermine the Emperor, if the Senate takes credit for the gifts.
13:17Senators, part of that aristocratic elite, could actually be a threat in certain circumstances to the Emperor.
13:24They had a bit more autonomy, a bit more wealth, and the familial background that some of them could compete in certain contexts with Imperial power if the situation was just right.
13:39So they were not always trustworthy in that sense.
13:43Emperor.
14:00Satorris and Kleander are here to see.
14:04What are you waiting for?
14:06Sartoros and Cleann are here to see.
14:18Emperor.
14:20What is it?
14:21This.
14:32The Senate hereby announces a gift to the brave legions.
14:36The Senate.
14:41Where did this come from?
14:42It was posted in the forum.
14:45This was my gift.
14:48My name is nowhere on here.
14:57They offer their assistance.
15:00Then they do this.
15:01Now my soldiers think their emperor places no value on their service.
15:10But only the Senate honours them.
15:14I have to do something.
15:16I'll tell you what you do.
15:19Let the streets run red with their blood.
15:21Just tell me which ones and I will see to it myself.
15:26If we kill them.
15:29Emperor.
15:31Punishing the Senate by spilling their blood would send a strong message.
15:34But the streets would be in turmoil.
15:38So soon after you've brought peace to the empire.
15:41It's the last thing the people want.
15:42Who cares what the people want?
15:44I do.
15:46Emperor, I did not mean to say it.
15:47You're angry.
15:49We all are.
15:52Sartorius is right.
15:55We must settle this another way.
15:58We must...
15:58We must stab them back.
16:00But not to draw blood.
16:05For what do senators love more than life itself?
16:11Money.
16:11Then that's where you stick the knife.
16:18Good.
16:21Good.
16:22Come back in the morning.
16:27For Commodus, the Senate's betrayal is a decisive move against his reign.
16:33And he knows to maintain his authority, he'll need to devise a counterattack.
16:39Like, essential for understanding Roman social relations is the whole idea of patron and client.
16:47So it was very, very important in the case of these donatives to Rome's soldiers.
16:52Where was the source they were coming from?
16:54Was it coming from the emperor or was it coming from the Senate itself?
16:56Finally, gentlemen, I'd just like to thank you for the assistance you gave in arranging my gift to the soldiers.
17:13Should you need anything else?
17:15I've been told the lands you chose are some of the finest in the Empire.
17:18My soldiers are extremely grateful.
17:20Well, that means everything to us.
17:24I've been thinking.
17:26I'm not the only ones who sacrificed.
17:29Emperor, compared to the brave legions, our sacrifices have been minimal.
17:35I was actually speaking about the people.
17:40Well, what I meant was...
17:43is that this goes without saying.
17:46The people made great sacrifices and offered steadfast support throughout the war.
17:50Exactly.
17:52So I was thinking one way I could thank them...
17:55is to stage a day of games.
18:00Games?
18:01Yes.
18:03On the first Saturday of next month.
18:05A massive day of gladiator games.
18:08Ushering in a new era of peace in the Empire.
18:14Emperor,
18:14please do not mistake our reticence to imply disagreements.
18:19The people deserve a day of games, and much more without question.
18:24But if I may speak freely...
18:26Of course.
18:28Imperial games at the Colosseum,
18:31even for a single day, are a costly undertaking.
18:34And after eight years of war, the treasury has been stretched to the limit.
18:38I understand.
18:40Money would surely have to be raised through taxation, and...
18:42Well...
18:44To tax the people for the very games you are staging for them, well, it would be...
18:47Unacceptable.
18:50If I may speak freely.
18:53You're right.
18:55Dear.
18:57The people shouldn't be taxed.
19:01And they won't be.
19:04I will see to it that these games are paid for.
19:09Now, if you'll excuse me.
19:16Commodus has launched a strike against the Senate.
19:20Demanding an even larger gift for his people.
19:24A day of games.
19:25The first stage is part of funeral rites for the elite class.
19:38Gladiator games have become a popular spectator sport of the Roman people.
19:45Featuring violent fights.
19:47And public executions.
19:53Used by emperors to gain support.
20:02People would be put to death.
20:06Then you had wild beast shows.
20:09You had exotic animals released into the arena, maybe set against one another.
20:14And then, as the climax, you had gladiatorial combat.
20:21And there was the feeling that gladiators were the headline act.
20:27By staging an elaborate day of gladiator games.
20:35Commodus believes he has a way to win over the Roman people.
20:43While undercutting the Senate.
20:44That sounds fine.
20:54If you need to discuss it further...
20:55Dio, did you hear?
21:01No.
21:04Judging from your state of agitation...
21:06He deceived us.
21:07He?
21:08The Emperor.
21:09What exactly did the Emperor do?
21:11He is taxing us, Senator.
21:15For the full cost of the games.
21:20I see.
21:22What is so amusing about that?
21:25I will see to it that these games are paid for.
21:27And it would seem he is doing just that.
21:29Paid for by us.
21:31You're just going to stand there?
21:33If his father were alive to see this disrespect...
21:36I will give the Emperor his due.
21:38Going forward, I think it would be wise that we all did.
22:01By forcing the Senate to pay for his games...
22:03Commodus has secured his revenge.
22:11But Quintianus refuses to admit defeat.
22:14To the Senate.
22:32I drink to that.
22:37Well, this is just the first step.
22:39We need to show the Senate that if they cross Commodus again...
22:42We already showed them that.
22:43And you think that's enough?
22:45I do.
22:47And you think they won't respond?
22:49Who cares if they respond?
22:51They're not who you should be focusing on.
22:53Emperor, with all due respect...
22:55I...
22:55Let him finish.
22:57You came back to Rome for a reason.
23:00Not to play games with the Senate.
23:01They'll never give you your due.
23:03But the people...
23:05What did they do when you announced your games?
23:08They were chanting my name in the streets.
23:10Giving their thanks...
23:11To their Emperor.
23:12I couldn't have said it better myself.
23:15And doesn't that show you exactly...
23:17Where your attention should be?
23:27Drink.
23:28Tonight we celebrate.
23:32Commodus has outwitted the Senate.
23:34And guaranteed the funding of his games.
23:39But to win over the people...
23:42He's convinced he has to do more than stage a spectacle.
23:46Commodus launches a massive PR campaign commissioning dozens of statues in his image and minting thousands of coins with his profile.
24:02Commodus made sure that he maintained the support of the Roman people.
24:07Coins are a great way for emperors to advertise their reign.
24:11It's a way that they can show themselves as they want to be seen.
24:16It's a way that they can show themselves as they want to be seen.
24:22People of Rome, thank you!
24:25Commodus was very interested in popular appeal and so many of his programs such as the donation of monies to the people were aimed around garnering popular support.
24:46These were moves that Roman emperors made to really bask in the glow of popular acclaim.
24:59As the emperor's popularity continues to grow, Lucilla realizes the time has come to put her plan in motion.
25:22And with her connections in the Senate in place, she makes her next move to dethrone her brother.
25:31Lucilla resented what is essentially a form of honorific demotion.
25:38And this resentment seemed to have worked with the other resentments among the leading senators and aristocrats,
25:49who also felt that Commodus had started to infringe upon their dignity and honor.
25:55So what Lucilla may actually represent is the sentiments of the traditional aristocracy and their willingness to move against a sitting emperor.
26:09Lucilla, this is your brother.
26:11Yes, I'm well aware of his relationship to me.
26:14The emperor of Rome.
26:16Only for as long as he lives.
26:18It sounds as though something happened tonight.
26:21Nothing happened tonight.
26:22This is about a lifetime of disrespect.
26:25You're upset.
26:26Sit down.
26:27I do not need to sit down.
26:28Have a drink of wine.
26:29I do not need wine.
26:31I need him dead.
26:33And I need a drink.
26:35You need a backbone.
26:37You know, if the emperor were to die tonight, I would not shed a tear.
26:41But to murder, there are other ways.
26:46It is the only way.
26:48You have underestimated him already and he only grows stronger.
26:53Are you so blind you cannot see that?
26:56You are letting your hatred blind you.
27:06Senator, my hatred gives me clarity.
27:11But tell me, what does your cowardice do for you?
27:24While the senator is reluctant to act, Lucilla's anger continues to grow.
27:30Knowing she'll have to follow through with her plan.
27:34With or without Quintianus.
27:49After announcing his day of games, Commodus takes his campaign for the people a step further.
27:57Mr. Torres, my brother.
28:00You call for me.
28:13What is this?
28:15Open it.
28:27Commodus has given Satorus one of the highest honours in Rome.
28:42Known as the Signet Ring.
28:46Commodus.
28:48You deserve this and more.
28:57The Signet Ring was used to seal letters, orders, etc. in wax.
29:22It was about as close a guarantee as you could get, given the technology of the time.
29:27That an item in question was emanating from the Emperor.
29:34Thank you, brother.
29:35And giving the Ring to his most trusted friend, Commodus has named Satorus his closest advisor.
29:56And as one of the few men he can trust, Commodus believes Satorus will appeal to the common people.
30:09Commodus, once he takes power, is keen to become his own man.
30:12He's keen to break away from this group that he sees as being loyal to his father.
30:17Always comparing him negatively with his father.
30:20And instead he looks to appoint his own men.
30:23People who are freedmen, former slaves who are from the lower ranks of society.
30:29Gentlemen, my apologies for keeping you waiting.
30:50The Emperor had some business he wished to discuss with me before I departed.
30:54The Emperor is not joining us.
30:56He has sent me in his stead.
30:57In his stead?
30:59He has named me Chief Aid.
31:02I am to act as his proxy in all matters pertaining to this body.
31:06It's all here in writing, with the Emperor's and my official seal.
31:14Well, this is...
31:15This is...
31:16This is...
31:17This is a momentous occasion, Satorus.
31:20Give the Emperor our warmest regards and let him know that we look forward to meeting with him.
31:25Should the need arise.
31:26Of course.
31:27And now with that bit of business out of the way, let me share this document with your scribe.
31:32This is a disgrace to Rome.
31:38And yet you stand and smile at the freed man who now rules over you.
31:43I merely welcome the man who is here at the Emperor's request.
31:46With the whim of the Emperor.
31:49A man not fit to rule.
31:51But in fact, he does rule.
31:52Well, now...
31:55Until something is done.
31:57What, may I ask you, could be done?
32:00Gentlemen.
32:02Shall we begin?
32:03Absolutely.
32:07Gentlemen.
32:08The Senate is in session.
32:09Commodus had difficulty in his relationships with the Roman Senate, partially because he chose as his advisors people who had originally been slaves in his court.
32:32The Senate was not included in his inner circle.
32:36And this was perhaps the most dangerous choice that Commodus made during his reign.
32:45For Quintianus...
32:50Commodus has dealt the ultimate insult to the Senate.
32:56And he realizes the only way to settle the conflict is to put an end to the Emperor's reign.
33:06Oh, by the gods, I wish you'd been there just to see the look on Quintianus' face.
33:21The son of a free man walking into the Senate, commanding their attention.
33:30Oh, brother.
33:36Senator Quintianus, this is an unexpected visit.
33:45I had to see you.
33:46And uninvited.
33:48Couldn't wait.
33:50Apparently not.
33:52But I happen to have been asleep and having a very pleasant dream.
33:57Commodus must die.
33:59My goodness.
34:01What on earth did my little brother do to you?
34:04He has no honor.
34:06Only contempt for everything the Rome you and I know stands for.
34:11To name a freed man to rule over the Senate.
34:13As resentment against her brother grows in the Senate, Lucilla sees an opportunity to further her plan.
34:31But she's not the only one in the palace with an agenda.
34:35Slaves were instruments, they were extensions of whoever owned them.
34:45They were non-existent individuals.
34:48So you would have Romans with their elite slaves that knew all of their secrets, knew everything that was going on in a day-to-day basis.
34:54And the clueless master that believes he has everything tucked away and nobody knows what's going on.
34:58When of course the slaves know everything.
35:04After watching Satorus rise to power and win the trust of the Emperor.
35:13Cleander is determined to take his place.
35:17And will do anything to seize the position for himself.
35:28What did you hear?
35:48I heard Senator Quintianus and Lucilla talking.
35:53They planned to murder the Emperor.
35:56When was this?
35:57Nearly two hours ago.
35:59Who else was there?
36:01I'm sure just me I think.
36:05Go back to Lucilla's quarters.
36:07Yes.
36:09Go.
36:27I guess they're getting a bit low.
36:28Madam?
36:29Yes.
36:30What is it?
36:31Sorry to disturb you but we have a...
36:34Gleander.
36:36Here to see you.
36:38Thank you, Tatiana.
36:39Sorry to intrude.
36:40I was just passing by and realised...
36:53I've never been in here before.
36:57Prepare my bath.
36:58If I'd have known you were coming I would have had the cook prepare something more substantial.
37:07No need.
37:08I won't be long.
37:09Is that a promise?
37:10Just long enough to tell you.
37:23I know everything.
37:25About your plans for the Emperor.
37:26Clearly I have no idea what you're talking about.
37:37Clearly.
37:43Which is a shame.
37:44Given that anyone plotting to kill the Emperor...
37:49Could certainly use someone close to him on their side.
37:56Tatiana?
37:58Yes, Madam?
37:59Never mind my bath.
38:01Our guest is very hungry.
38:04Prepare him a nice meal.
38:07We have much to discuss.
38:15There are several moments in the Empire...
38:19Commodus is one example...
38:21In which there is a nexus of lower status people around the Emperor...
38:24Who are perceived as his friends and are thought of as dangerous for this reason.
38:28And because power emanates from a single point...
38:32Anyone else who wants access to that power has to be close.
38:44I know that each of you who have taken great risks...
38:47To be here.
38:51This is your one chance.
38:54The future of Rome is at stake.
38:58Commodus is destroying everything that we hold dear.
39:03Our tradition.
39:05Our culture.
39:07He must be stopped.
39:14Good.
39:16It is all going to happen...
39:18At the games.
39:20Cleander?
39:22The most important person to remove.
39:24Mr. Taurus.
39:26And I will take care of that.
39:28The most important person to remove.
39:31Mr. Taurus.
39:33And I will take care of that.
39:35Roman emperors were the most powerful people on the planet.
39:48It perhaps is not surprising that many men...
39:52Wanted to have a part of that power...
39:55And looked to take control themselves.
39:57And so throughout the Empire...
39:59We find that assassination attempts are quite common.
40:01As Lucilla and members of the Senate plot their overthrow...
40:08Cleander knows this is his opportunity to eliminate Sertaurus.
40:17And with all eyes on the Emperor's games...
40:21He's determined to take advantage.
40:23After months of planning...
40:25The eve of the Emperor's games has arrived.
40:27A lost general all around.
40:30But while Commodus prepares for one of his most important days as Emperor...
40:33Lucilla has recruited influential Senators...
40:36And members of Commodus' inner circle...
40:38With a plan to dethrone.
40:40Lucilla has recruited influential Senators...
40:42And members of Commodus' inner circle...
40:44With a plan to dethrone.
40:45The Emperor.
40:46Lucilla has recruited influential Senators.
40:47Lucilla has recruited influential Senators...
40:48And members of Commodus' inner circle...
40:50With a plan to dethrone the Emperor.
40:52Lucilla plots to have Commodus assassinated.
40:53Lucilla plots to have Commodus assassinated.
41:09It may have been that she was simply after power.
41:16Perhaps she wanted to be Empress.
41:17to be empress or perhaps it was already clear to her that her younger brother
41:24was just not up to the job of being emperor and so needed to be got rid of
41:29before he threatened the safety of the Empire as a whole
41:47on the day of the games 50,000 people crowd into the arena
41:56to see battles and performances by more than 100 gladiators
42:02and thousands of wild animals
42:04these were celebrations that involved the entire city of rome they would be shown throughout the
42:19day the glory of the empire the glory of the emperor who was paying for all of this they
42:24would be of course encouraged to be loyal and see how great their emperor was that he provided all
42:28of these things but not everyone in rome is in the coliseum
42:42look at this satoris empty streets means a full coliseum
42:48perhaps some preliminary games the emperor is expecting us
42:55if anyone will understand it's commodus cleander
43:01the games won't start for another half hour and i know for a fact you won't need that long
43:18emperor commodus
43:24let the games begin
43:54so
43:58i'm sure they're on their way
44:01what other business could there be they'll be here
44:06come here
44:09hello my friend
44:24oh
44:45uh
44:46uh
46:22This is for the Senate.
46:48This is for the Senate.
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