1 00:00:18,519 --> 00:00:20,771 2 00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:11,905 The music we play is mournful... 3 00:01:12,698 --> 00:01:15,576 and tears flow, itching our cheeks with sorrow. 4 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:18,954 We do not forget that our beloved Empress 5 00:01:19,037 --> 00:01:22,040 has departed this world for one of eternal bliss. 6 00:01:22,791 --> 00:01:24,334 She's left us far too soon, 7 00:01:25,043 --> 00:01:27,963 but I take great comfort that her soul resides in eternity, 8 00:01:28,046 --> 00:01:30,924 watched over by all the Gods in the Elysian Fields. 9 00:01:32,551 --> 00:01:34,469 Now as we prepare to light the pyre 10 00:01:35,012 --> 00:01:37,055 that usher her into the afterlife, 11 00:01:37,472 --> 00:01:39,433 I ask only one thing of you. 12 00:01:40,392 --> 00:01:42,227 That you remember her as I do. 13 00:01:43,395 --> 00:01:45,105 A woman who loved Rome... 14 00:01:45,647 --> 00:01:46,732 and family... 15 00:01:47,649 --> 00:01:49,318 more than life itself. 16 00:01:57,951 --> 00:01:59,161 17 00:02:18,764 --> 00:02:22,017 14 years after becoming the Emperor of Rome, 18 00:02:22,476 --> 00:02:25,521 Marcus Aurelius mourns the death of his wife, 19 00:02:26,271 --> 00:02:28,023 and the mother of his only son... 20 00:02:28,607 --> 00:02:30,192 Empress Faustina. 21 00:02:41,119 --> 00:02:43,956 22 00:04:23,597 --> 00:04:24,640 Are they ready? 23 00:04:26,225 --> 00:04:27,643 They're just giving the horses some water. 24 00:04:29,937 --> 00:04:33,524 You should prepare to leave for Rome at first light tomorrow. 25 00:04:34,942 --> 00:04:36,985 This is not a good time for me to leave the front. 26 00:04:37,569 --> 00:04:38,904 I'll follow you in a week. 27 00:04:40,155 --> 00:04:41,448 Trust Pompeianus. 28 00:04:42,407 --> 00:04:44,201 And our attack plan is good. 29 00:04:47,204 --> 00:04:48,455 Tell them I'll be there in a minute. 30 00:04:53,502 --> 00:04:54,545 Father... 31 00:04:58,423 --> 00:05:00,509 When Mother sent me up here to learn from you... 32 00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:03,011 I know I didn't take it seriously. 33 00:05:06,807 --> 00:05:08,267 Now, I feel I'm ready to. 34 00:05:08,892 --> 00:05:09,852 Feel? 35 00:05:10,686 --> 00:05:13,105 Know. I know I am. 36 00:05:14,398 --> 00:05:15,691 You don't know anything. 37 00:05:19,570 --> 00:05:20,946 I'm your son. 38 00:05:22,614 --> 00:05:23,657 Let me try. 39 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,036 40 00:05:30,289 --> 00:05:31,582 We'll see. 41 00:05:48,390 --> 00:05:50,601 The basic reason that Marcus Aurelius 42 00:05:50,684 --> 00:05:53,937 chose Commodus as his successor is the obvious one, 43 00:05:54,021 --> 00:05:55,814 that Commodus was his son. 44 00:05:56,899 --> 00:05:59,943 And once that is taken into consideration, 45 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:06,408 I think it would be extremely difficult for Marcus to pass his son over. 46 00:06:06,491 --> 00:06:09,536 It would have looked extremely problematic. 47 00:06:11,163 --> 00:06:13,832 48 00:06:43,403 --> 00:06:47,157 The purpose of this training is not to teach you how to kill. 49 00:06:48,408 --> 00:06:51,828 A great leader has internal strength. 50 00:06:52,454 --> 00:06:54,498 To get there, we begin with the sword. 51 00:06:55,457 --> 00:06:58,627 But, it's only the beginning. 52 00:07:00,963 --> 00:07:01,797 Begin. 53 00:07:04,091 --> 00:07:06,301 54 00:07:22,776 --> 00:07:23,735 Again. 55 00:07:25,237 --> 00:07:27,030 Marcus Aurelius had been chosen 56 00:07:27,114 --> 00:07:30,117 at the age of 17 to, someday, become Emperor. 57 00:07:31,410 --> 00:07:35,581 And at that point, after years of education, and prepping, and grooming, 58 00:07:35,664 --> 00:07:37,207 he had been given military commands. 59 00:07:37,291 --> 00:07:38,959 He had been given experience. 60 00:07:39,835 --> 00:07:42,880 And he patterned Commodus's own education in exactly that way. 61 00:07:45,591 --> 00:07:47,843 For Commodus to succeed him, 62 00:07:47,926 --> 00:07:49,761 and one day rule the Empire, 63 00:07:50,429 --> 00:07:52,598 Aurelius knows that first, 64 00:07:52,681 --> 00:07:55,392 his son must be groomed for the throne. 65 00:07:55,475 --> 00:07:58,562 A process with a long tradition in the Empire. 66 00:08:03,859 --> 00:08:05,652 Since the dawn of the Empire, 67 00:08:06,361 --> 00:08:08,363 the success of an emperor's rule... 68 00:08:09,615 --> 00:08:12,117 has relied on his control of the army. 69 00:08:19,791 --> 00:08:22,544 And to gain the respect of the Roman troops, 70 00:08:23,295 --> 00:08:28,175 an emperor must prove himself as a skilled warrior. 71 00:08:29,051 --> 00:08:30,802 Now, we may think that it was a bit irresponsible 72 00:08:30,886 --> 00:08:34,515 of a father to take their son along into a war zone. 73 00:08:38,185 --> 00:08:45,025 And yet, what Marcus Aurelius is trying to do is introduce his son to his troops. 74 00:08:45,108 --> 00:08:47,945 He knows that when Commodus inherits from him, 75 00:08:48,028 --> 00:08:50,739 that the troops will be his power base. 76 00:08:54,743 --> 00:08:58,747 And he wants to make sure that the troops are already familiar with him 77 00:08:58,830 --> 00:09:00,207 and comfortable with him. 78 00:09:18,517 --> 00:09:20,477 Greatly improved, Commodus. 79 00:09:21,186 --> 00:09:22,729 There's still a long way to go. 80 00:09:24,147 --> 00:09:27,109 In battle, your enemy will look you in the eye and attack you with a weapon. 81 00:09:29,903 --> 00:09:30,904 In Rome, 82 00:09:31,947 --> 00:09:34,491 you must learn to fight a battle of words... 83 00:09:36,410 --> 00:09:38,161 in a den of snakes. 84 00:10:05,606 --> 00:10:08,483 After proving himself on the battlefield, 85 00:10:08,567 --> 00:10:11,236 Commodus heads back to Rome with his father. 86 00:10:12,487 --> 00:10:16,617 But his training for the throne is far from complete. 87 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:18,619 88 00:10:32,257 --> 00:10:34,176 Now, Marcus Aurelius knows... 89 00:10:35,302 --> 00:10:41,475 it's time for Commodus to learn to navigate the Empire's political systems, 90 00:10:45,229 --> 00:10:47,064 including the Senate. 91 00:10:51,777 --> 00:10:53,028 For centuries, 92 00:10:53,612 --> 00:10:56,198 the Roman Senate has commanded authority... 93 00:10:57,616 --> 00:11:00,994 as one of the Empire's most powerful institutions. 94 00:11:07,459 --> 00:11:08,961 There was no way, 95 00:11:09,044 --> 00:11:12,047 no matter how much power the Emperor claimed to exercise, 96 00:11:12,589 --> 00:11:17,052 for a single person to rule an empire of 50 million people... 97 00:11:18,053 --> 00:11:19,304 without the help of others. 98 00:11:21,098 --> 00:11:24,560 The Emperor needs civilian governing apparatus. 99 00:11:24,643 --> 00:11:27,980 And that apparatus, that governmental structure, 100 00:11:28,063 --> 00:11:29,606 had to have leaders. 101 00:11:30,190 --> 00:11:32,192 The answer was the Senate. 102 00:11:36,864 --> 00:11:39,908 Made up of 600 men of the elite class, 103 00:11:41,243 --> 00:11:43,996 and with seats passed down through generations... 104 00:11:47,666 --> 00:11:51,420 the Roman Senate is responsible for maintaining the treasury, 105 00:11:51,503 --> 00:11:53,005 holding trials, 106 00:11:53,088 --> 00:11:54,965 and advising the Emperor. 107 00:12:02,055 --> 00:12:04,600 I humbly thank the Senate for its time. 108 00:12:05,851 --> 00:12:07,436 May the Gods be with you. 109 00:12:07,519 --> 00:12:10,022 110 00:12:13,567 --> 00:12:14,902 Emperor... 111 00:12:14,985 --> 00:12:18,614 Senators. You know my son, Commodus. 112 00:12:18,697 --> 00:12:20,949 - Of course, of course. - Senators. 113 00:12:21,033 --> 00:12:22,492 Emperor, before anything else, 114 00:12:23,118 --> 00:12:25,037 I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences, 115 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:26,413 on behalf of the Senate, 116 00:12:26,496 --> 00:12:27,873 on the loss of your wife. 117 00:12:28,415 --> 00:12:29,958 You're very kind, Senator. 118 00:12:31,043 --> 00:12:33,587 But you should remember that it's not just my wife who was lost. 119 00:12:33,670 --> 00:12:35,005 My children have lost their mother. 120 00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:36,256 And Rome... 121 00:12:36,965 --> 00:12:38,717 -has lost their Empress. -Indeed. 122 00:12:39,301 --> 00:12:40,594 And a great one. 123 00:12:40,677 --> 00:12:41,678 Without question. 124 00:12:41,762 --> 00:12:44,056 This is such a difficult time for the Empire... 125 00:12:44,890 --> 00:12:46,183 in so many ways. 126 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:50,521 Which is why I have not made my request for funds lightly. 127 00:12:50,604 --> 00:12:52,898 I am acutely aware of the limitations of the treasury-- 128 00:12:52,981 --> 00:12:55,776 We are not interested in awareness, Emperor. 129 00:12:55,859 --> 00:12:58,153 Simply, accountability. 130 00:12:58,237 --> 00:13:00,405 Emperor. What Senator Quintianus means-- 131 00:13:00,489 --> 00:13:02,741 Senator Quintianus made himself quite clear. 132 00:13:05,494 --> 00:13:09,206 But be assured, the Barbarian resistance is in its last throes. 133 00:13:09,289 --> 00:13:10,999 And I have no doubt, with the aid of the Senate, 134 00:13:11,083 --> 00:13:13,460 our inevitable victory will come that much more quickly. 135 00:13:14,253 --> 00:13:17,422 A victory which will bring greater compensation back to those... 136 00:13:18,799 --> 00:13:20,259 who made it possible. 137 00:13:22,177 --> 00:13:23,262 Senator... 138 00:13:29,893 --> 00:13:31,353 It's very interesting. 139 00:13:37,359 --> 00:13:39,236 You can't trust any of them. 140 00:13:47,578 --> 00:13:50,289 In the early centuries of Roman expansion, 141 00:13:50,372 --> 00:13:54,835 the Senate saw itself as the kind of brain's trust of the state. 142 00:13:55,794 --> 00:13:58,255 The Emperors had to pay lip service to them, 143 00:13:59,882 --> 00:14:02,301 but they were always conscious of the fact 144 00:14:02,384 --> 00:14:06,847 that they could not allow Senators to overreach themselves. 145 00:14:07,890 --> 00:14:11,310 And so, the relationship between Emperors and Senators 146 00:14:11,393 --> 00:14:12,853 was often very challenging. 147 00:14:15,355 --> 00:14:18,692 As two of the most influential Senators in Rome, 148 00:14:18,775 --> 00:14:23,655 Cassius Dio and Quintianus both serve under Marcus Aurelius. 149 00:14:25,949 --> 00:14:29,536 And by supporting the Emperor's request for military funds, 150 00:14:29,620 --> 00:14:32,372 they look to maintain power of their own. 151 00:14:34,333 --> 00:14:39,338 Cassius Dio and Quintianus were both powerful Roman politicians. 152 00:14:39,421 --> 00:14:40,839 They were both Senators. 153 00:14:40,923 --> 00:14:43,926 Cassius Dio was actually to become a consul. 154 00:14:44,009 --> 00:14:48,639 Quintianus had led the successful Roman campaign into Germania. 155 00:14:49,848 --> 00:14:52,059 So people looked to them for leadership, 156 00:14:52,142 --> 00:14:54,478 for advice, for patronage. 157 00:14:55,145 --> 00:14:58,607 Both men were at the heart of Roman politics. 158 00:15:05,572 --> 00:15:06,990 For Aurelius, 159 00:15:07,074 --> 00:15:11,995 negotiating with the Senate is an important lesson for his son. 160 00:15:14,540 --> 00:15:16,959 But before he can assume the throne, 161 00:15:17,042 --> 00:15:21,755 Commodus must have an empress who will aid in his rule. 162 00:15:23,465 --> 00:15:26,426 When we're looking at Rome's Emperors and their families, 163 00:15:26,510 --> 00:15:29,638 it's almost exclusively arranged marriages. 164 00:15:32,266 --> 00:15:36,562 So these decisions were not made very much on the basis of love. 165 00:15:36,645 --> 00:15:40,732 Almost all, really, virtually all of the marriages 166 00:15:40,816 --> 00:15:43,819 one has seen for generations amongst Rome's elite 167 00:15:43,902 --> 00:15:46,530 are for political, dynastic purposes. 168 00:15:51,118 --> 00:15:52,536 The high society of the Roman Empire, 169 00:15:52,619 --> 00:15:54,371 was a highly aristocratic one. 170 00:15:56,456 --> 00:15:59,877 And it was therefore necessary, when choosing a spouse, 171 00:16:00,836 --> 00:16:04,047 either for a prince or a princess in the Imperial household 172 00:16:04,131 --> 00:16:07,426 to choose somebody of considerable aristocratic prestige. 173 00:16:22,357 --> 00:16:25,485 Born into one of Rome's most influential families, 174 00:16:27,905 --> 00:16:33,535 Bruttia Crispina is the daughter of one of Marcus Aurelius's closest advisors, 175 00:16:34,745 --> 00:16:40,292 and is chosen by the Emperor as a strategic match for his son. 176 00:16:43,837 --> 00:16:47,132 Bruttia Crispina was from a very powerful family. 177 00:16:47,216 --> 00:16:49,259 Her father has been consul twice. 178 00:16:49,343 --> 00:16:54,598 A clever emperor needed the support of the most powerful people in Roman society, 179 00:16:54,681 --> 00:16:57,142 who tended to be the Senatorial class, 180 00:16:57,226 --> 00:17:00,562 and so he knows then that when he himself dies, 181 00:17:00,646 --> 00:17:02,356 Commodus will be able to 182 00:17:02,439 --> 00:17:07,486 inherit a situation where the movers and shakers in Roman politics 183 00:17:07,569 --> 00:17:08,904 are there to support him. 184 00:17:13,784 --> 00:17:17,329 My apologies. I did not mean to be delayed, but... 185 00:17:18,247 --> 00:17:19,331 here we are. 186 00:17:21,166 --> 00:17:24,545 I must say, it's good to take a break from all the matters of the Empire 187 00:17:24,628 --> 00:17:27,339 with this simple, private, social lunch. 188 00:17:29,007 --> 00:17:33,929 This gathering is as important as any meeting I've taken in the Senate. 189 00:17:34,012 --> 00:17:34,930 190 00:17:35,931 --> 00:17:37,432 Don't you think so, Commodus? 191 00:17:39,101 --> 00:17:40,060 I do. 192 00:17:41,311 --> 00:17:43,188 But I also think it's a beautiful day. 193 00:17:44,147 --> 00:17:46,650 I would love to show Crispina some of the Palace orchids. 194 00:18:00,414 --> 00:18:02,082 Would you care for more wine? 195 00:18:02,165 --> 00:18:03,166 Perhaps a little. 196 00:18:17,181 --> 00:18:20,893 The marriage will bring Commodus one step closer to the throne, 197 00:18:23,312 --> 00:18:26,607 securing his power and support within the Empire. 198 00:18:32,821 --> 00:18:37,701 But the union is also a threat to anyone looking to gain influence, 199 00:18:38,410 --> 00:18:41,580 including Commodus's sister, Lucilla. 200 00:18:44,958 --> 00:18:50,464 Lucilla had been the perhaps most visible powerful woman 201 00:18:50,547 --> 00:18:52,299 in the Roman Empire at the time. 202 00:18:53,383 --> 00:18:57,012 And Crispina may have, in a way, sort of usurped her position. 203 00:19:00,182 --> 00:19:02,100 204 00:19:06,271 --> 00:19:07,689 Within months, 205 00:19:07,773 --> 00:19:09,942 Commodus and Crispina will be married... 206 00:19:10,859 --> 00:19:14,863 in a ceremony traditional of royal weddings in the Roman Empire. 207 00:19:20,702 --> 00:19:23,205 When a member of the royal family is married, 208 00:19:25,874 --> 00:19:29,127 an agreement is signed between the two families. 209 00:19:32,297 --> 00:19:36,718 Gifts are exchanged and the union is honored by the general public. 210 00:19:40,973 --> 00:19:42,516 For Commodus and Crispina, 211 00:19:43,267 --> 00:19:46,019 the wedding is commemorated with minted coins... 212 00:19:47,938 --> 00:19:51,567 and a commissioned song by one of Rome's best composers. 213 00:19:55,112 --> 00:19:58,073 But while the Empire welcomes a new empress, 214 00:20:01,660 --> 00:20:04,538 not everyone in the palace is celebrating. 215 00:20:14,173 --> 00:20:16,508 The marriage secures a valuable alliance, 216 00:20:18,677 --> 00:20:21,805 but as the Empire's future begins to settle in Rome... 217 00:20:26,977 --> 00:20:28,562 hundreds of miles away, 218 00:20:29,313 --> 00:20:32,941 with the absence of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus on the battlefield, 219 00:20:33,817 --> 00:20:36,820 the war against the Germanic tribes has escalated. 220 00:20:42,284 --> 00:20:45,704 The Roman army is struggling to fight back. 221 00:20:50,167 --> 00:20:51,752 222 00:20:54,213 --> 00:20:56,256 The Goths, this Germanic tribe, 223 00:20:56,340 --> 00:20:57,674 move westwards. 224 00:20:57,758 --> 00:21:00,052 And what this causes is a kind of domino effect. 225 00:21:00,135 --> 00:21:04,640 And there is a whole series of wars between groups of these German tribes 226 00:21:04,723 --> 00:21:05,849 and the Roman Empire. 227 00:21:11,939 --> 00:21:14,316 They're a diverse group of tribes. 228 00:21:14,399 --> 00:21:16,860 It's not like dealing with the Persian Empire, 229 00:21:16,944 --> 00:21:19,905 where you're just dealing with one government, one army. 230 00:21:20,405 --> 00:21:23,909 They form alliances, they fall out with each other. 231 00:21:25,869 --> 00:21:29,665 And so the war proves to be very long, costly. 232 00:21:37,798 --> 00:21:41,426 233 00:21:46,139 --> 00:21:48,183 As the Emperor's wartime advisor, 234 00:21:48,851 --> 00:21:50,811 and a respected military leader, 235 00:21:51,937 --> 00:21:54,565 Pertinax has acted in the Emperor's place. 236 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:03,490 But with the Roman army losing ground, 237 00:22:05,701 --> 00:22:09,079 he sends word of the mounting struggle to Marcus Aurelius. 238 00:22:30,976 --> 00:22:35,731 News of invasions along the border and Roman casualties travel to Rome. 239 00:22:39,193 --> 00:22:42,279 And Aurelius and Commodus know they have no choice... 240 00:22:42,946 --> 00:22:45,365 but to head back to the front lines. 241 00:22:55,459 --> 00:22:58,170 In the reign of Marcus Aurelius, 242 00:22:58,253 --> 00:23:01,131 the military campaigns were mainly reactive. 243 00:23:02,132 --> 00:23:05,677 These were not campaigns of conquest. These were to solidify Rome's borders. 244 00:23:05,761 --> 00:23:08,514 And these were forced upon Marcus Aurelius. 245 00:23:20,108 --> 00:23:22,027 246 00:23:53,976 --> 00:23:58,939 Now facing a war with multiple fronts against several battling armies, 247 00:23:59,773 --> 00:24:02,943 Marcus Aurelius must come up with a plan. 248 00:24:03,652 --> 00:24:06,822 The third legion two leagues... 249 00:24:06,905 --> 00:24:09,074 west to the seventh legion, 250 00:24:10,242 --> 00:24:11,743 two leagues east, we'll trap them. 251 00:24:12,411 --> 00:24:13,829 -Right there. -Yes, sir. 252 00:24:14,580 --> 00:24:15,414 Thank you, gentlemen. 253 00:24:18,417 --> 00:24:20,460 I'll give the Barbarians something. 254 00:24:21,837 --> 00:24:23,630 They don't give in easily. 255 00:24:25,174 --> 00:24:26,341 Can we defeat them? 256 00:24:28,093 --> 00:24:29,678 We'll find out on the battlefield. 257 00:24:30,929 --> 00:24:35,267 Or wherever these cowards decide to crawl out from under their rocks. 258 00:24:37,269 --> 00:24:38,854 Is it true they have us surrounded? 259 00:24:40,189 --> 00:24:42,649 They do not have us surrounded. 260 00:24:42,733 --> 00:24:45,527 They do have us unsettled, only because I wasn't here to lead a... 261 00:24:45,611 --> 00:24:48,280 a direct counter attack here. 262 00:24:52,826 --> 00:24:54,661 If we hadn't gone back to Rome, 263 00:24:56,163 --> 00:24:58,874 we wouldn't be in this predicament. 264 00:24:59,833 --> 00:25:01,251 But we had to go back to Rome. 265 00:25:07,090 --> 00:25:08,425 We had to go back. 266 00:25:10,886 --> 00:25:14,056 Yes, yes we did. 267 00:25:14,765 --> 00:25:15,933 But if we hadn't-- 268 00:25:16,016 --> 00:25:17,392 This isn't mother's fault. 269 00:25:18,894 --> 00:25:20,687 Don't put words in my mouth. 270 00:25:21,021 --> 00:25:22,356 What are you trying to say, then? 271 00:25:24,024 --> 00:25:24,983 I'm saying-- 272 00:25:25,067 --> 00:25:27,486 She went to your tent to ask for forgiveness. 273 00:25:27,569 --> 00:25:31,073 Your mother made a decision. 274 00:25:31,156 --> 00:25:32,991 Did you refuse? 275 00:25:34,284 --> 00:25:37,996 Do not lay the blame at my feet. 276 00:25:38,705 --> 00:25:40,791 277 00:25:40,874 --> 00:25:42,376 Father? Father, Father... 278 00:25:43,043 --> 00:25:44,002 Father! 279 00:25:45,087 --> 00:25:45,921 Help! 280 00:25:48,882 --> 00:25:49,800 He just collapsed. 281 00:25:58,642 --> 00:25:59,852 For years, 282 00:25:59,935 --> 00:26:02,771 war has ravaged the borders of the Roman Empire... 283 00:26:03,397 --> 00:26:05,399 and taken a toll on its Emperor. 284 00:26:07,609 --> 00:26:10,195 285 00:26:16,243 --> 00:26:18,871 But nearly a decade after the conflict began, 286 00:26:22,875 --> 00:26:25,752 Marcus Aurelius is fighting another deadly enemy. 287 00:26:28,463 --> 00:26:34,011 One sweeping through the Empire and wreaking havoc on the human population. 288 00:26:37,306 --> 00:26:38,390 The plague. 289 00:26:46,523 --> 00:26:48,525 For the past 15 years, 290 00:26:49,193 --> 00:26:52,988 the Antonine Plague has devastated the Roman Empire. 291 00:26:57,701 --> 00:27:01,747 And the same half million miles of roads built by the Romans... 292 00:27:02,331 --> 00:27:06,502 are now providing an ideal path for the spread of the disease. 293 00:27:08,003 --> 00:27:12,841 One of Rome's greatest strengths has become a fatal weakness. 294 00:27:21,433 --> 00:27:23,227 The Antonine Plague occurs 295 00:27:23,310 --> 00:27:26,021 in the mid '60s, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. 296 00:27:27,314 --> 00:27:29,316 The effects seems to have been dramatic. 297 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:33,570 2,000 people a day are dying in the city of Rome, 298 00:27:33,654 --> 00:27:38,033 and a quarter of all those who are affected die of the symptoms. 299 00:27:44,665 --> 00:27:48,126 The Roman Empire had good networks of communication. 300 00:27:48,836 --> 00:27:52,464 But that also meant that disease could travel along those networks. 301 00:27:58,595 --> 00:28:00,848 It meant that any kind of new disease 302 00:28:00,931 --> 00:28:04,810 would quickly be dispersed amongst the wider population. 303 00:28:14,403 --> 00:28:17,489 More than 5 million people have died of the plague. 304 00:28:18,699 --> 00:28:21,201 And the Roman Army has been nearly wiped out. 305 00:28:23,620 --> 00:28:24,830 With his father ill, 306 00:28:25,706 --> 00:28:29,543 Commodus knows the fate of the Empire is at stake. 307 00:28:43,724 --> 00:28:44,600 Commodus... 308 00:28:47,060 --> 00:28:48,604 Bring me good news. 309 00:28:51,773 --> 00:28:55,319 There are reports of a tribal army on the other side of the river. 310 00:28:56,987 --> 00:28:59,531 Pompeianus thinks we should send the second legion across, 311 00:28:59,615 --> 00:29:01,325 hold the fourth and fifth in reserve. 312 00:29:02,034 --> 00:29:02,951 No. 313 00:29:04,369 --> 00:29:06,163 Tell him to commit all the troops. 314 00:29:06,246 --> 00:29:07,831 The Barbarians will have to... 315 00:29:08,707 --> 00:29:11,335 march a hundred miles to attack our flank. 316 00:29:12,252 --> 00:29:13,754 We can overpower them... 317 00:29:15,172 --> 00:29:19,134 Pompeianus is always too conservative... 318 00:29:25,599 --> 00:29:26,642 Father... 319 00:29:28,852 --> 00:29:31,188 You're going to be sole Emperor of Rome, 320 00:29:32,189 --> 00:29:33,232 when I die. 321 00:29:34,525 --> 00:29:36,026 You're not dying. 322 00:29:37,236 --> 00:29:38,695 I wish that were true... 323 00:29:39,988 --> 00:29:41,156 for your sake. 324 00:29:43,492 --> 00:29:44,660 I'm not ready. 325 00:29:46,203 --> 00:29:47,204 No. 326 00:29:50,541 --> 00:29:52,334 But if I don't name you Emperor, 327 00:29:53,752 --> 00:29:55,045 they'll kill you. 328 00:29:56,672 --> 00:30:00,717 You were brought up with women and slaves, when you should have been here, 329 00:30:00,801 --> 00:30:02,135 by my side. 330 00:30:04,847 --> 00:30:06,056 I can be strong. 331 00:30:08,475 --> 00:30:10,060 Well, you'll have to be. 332 00:30:12,104 --> 00:30:14,690 Because even when you've taken the throne, 333 00:30:15,983 --> 00:30:17,192 they'll come for you. 334 00:30:20,028 --> 00:30:20,946 Who? 335 00:30:22,447 --> 00:30:23,490 All of them. 336 00:30:30,038 --> 00:30:31,164 No, no, no. 337 00:30:31,248 --> 00:30:33,792 Not the generals, they're loyal soldiers. 338 00:30:36,170 --> 00:30:39,798 Anyone who thinks they deserve to be Emperor. 339 00:30:43,844 --> 00:30:44,928 Promise me... 340 00:30:47,472 --> 00:30:49,016 you'll finish the war. 341 00:31:17,252 --> 00:31:20,088 Nearly 20 years after he claimed the throne, 342 00:31:23,258 --> 00:31:26,803 Marcus Aurelius dies at the age of 58. 343 00:31:34,937 --> 00:31:37,731 344 00:31:49,868 --> 00:31:52,996 The life of one of the most celebrated rulers 345 00:31:53,080 --> 00:31:58,502 in the history of the Roman Empire will be honored for centuries. 346 00:32:03,006 --> 00:32:08,053 And his writings on philosophy will be read for generations. 347 00:32:08,887 --> 00:32:11,807 Marcus Aurelius was famous for being a good Emperor. 348 00:32:11,890 --> 00:32:15,811 He saw it as his duty to support the Empire, 349 00:32:15,894 --> 00:32:18,230 and to try and protect it militarily. 350 00:32:18,313 --> 00:32:20,566 But he was also popular with the people. 351 00:32:20,649 --> 00:32:22,943 He delivered Rome great military victories, 352 00:32:23,026 --> 00:32:24,695 he handed out money, 353 00:32:24,778 --> 00:32:27,447 and people seemed to have held him in very high regard. 354 00:32:38,375 --> 00:32:41,295 After the passing of one of Rome's greatest Emperors, 355 00:32:43,338 --> 00:32:49,595 Commodus knows he must now take on the most powerful position in the world. 356 00:32:59,897 --> 00:33:01,982 And while the Empire grieves, 357 00:33:03,275 --> 00:33:05,485 the royal family looks to the future... 358 00:33:06,653 --> 00:33:10,157 knowing that the only son of Marcus Aurelius... 359 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,493 must now carry on his father's legacy. 360 00:34:19,643 --> 00:34:22,688 That's four farms along the frontier and two villages to the east. 361 00:34:22,771 --> 00:34:23,605 Cowards. 362 00:34:23,689 --> 00:34:26,650 And we'll continue to see more of this unless we strike back now. 363 00:34:26,733 --> 00:34:28,944 And stretch the legion out even thinner? 364 00:34:29,027 --> 00:34:31,613 We need to consolidate our forces. 365 00:34:32,114 --> 00:34:33,574 While the animals that did this 366 00:34:33,657 --> 00:34:35,868 scatter into the woods to strike us again tomorrow. 367 00:34:37,035 --> 00:34:39,788 No. I say we push across the Danube. 368 00:34:39,872 --> 00:34:41,748 Drive a wedge between the two tribes-- 369 00:34:41,832 --> 00:34:44,877 You seem to forget the numbers are on our side. 370 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:48,505 To say nothing of the Gods, this one battle may have been lost-- 371 00:34:48,589 --> 00:34:50,591 I don't doubt we'll win the war-- 372 00:34:50,674 --> 00:34:51,842 Enough! 373 00:34:55,345 --> 00:34:58,807 Consolidate, separate... 374 00:35:00,976 --> 00:35:02,853 Can you give me an answer as to why are we even here? 375 00:35:02,936 --> 00:35:05,189 Emperor. We are here for the glory of Rome. 376 00:35:06,023 --> 00:35:08,066 We are hundreds of miles from Rome. 377 00:35:08,859 --> 00:35:12,362 -Emperor, your father himself-- -I'm well aware of my father's feelings. 378 00:35:14,615 --> 00:35:15,657 Of course. 379 00:35:24,208 --> 00:35:25,792 For nearly a decade, 380 00:35:25,876 --> 00:35:29,129 Commodus has watched his Empire consumed by war. 381 00:35:31,131 --> 00:35:32,299 And with his father gone, 382 00:35:33,467 --> 00:35:35,302 he knows he must make a choice 383 00:35:35,928 --> 00:35:38,847 that will determine the fate of Rome. 384 00:35:41,475 --> 00:35:43,519 When Marcus Aurelius dies, 385 00:35:43,602 --> 00:35:46,688 Commodus finds himself in a war zone 386 00:35:46,772 --> 00:35:48,982 with a war that he doesn't want to continue. 387 00:35:54,530 --> 00:35:57,991 It's easy for us to judge Commodus by the standards of his father. 388 00:35:58,575 --> 00:36:01,370 But Marcus Aurelius was an exceptional emperor, 389 00:36:01,453 --> 00:36:05,332 who had ruled from the very highest standards of good governance. 390 00:36:05,999 --> 00:36:08,877 Commodus was not really interested in administration. 391 00:36:08,961 --> 00:36:11,880 And he was not interested in fighting wars. 392 00:36:11,964 --> 00:36:15,217 And so, Commodus seems to sit at this threshold 393 00:36:15,300 --> 00:36:17,594 of an empire that is transitioning. 394 00:36:39,616 --> 00:36:42,911 Commodus will soon lead the entire Roman Empire. 395 00:36:43,912 --> 00:36:47,499 And those he trusts will be promoted into the highest ranks 396 00:36:47,583 --> 00:36:49,793 of the Imperial palace. 397 00:36:51,336 --> 00:36:55,465 Including his closest friends and former slaves... 398 00:36:55,883 --> 00:36:58,010 Cleander and Saoterus. 399 00:37:00,304 --> 00:37:02,472 Knock knock. Anyone home? 400 00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:05,642 Emperor? 401 00:37:07,936 --> 00:37:08,896 No. 402 00:37:09,813 --> 00:37:11,064 He's got to be at the bluff. 403 00:37:11,690 --> 00:37:13,025 Back to the bluff. 404 00:37:17,613 --> 00:37:20,699 Cleander and Saoterus were members of the Imperial household 405 00:37:20,782 --> 00:37:23,535 and of slightly different background 406 00:37:23,619 --> 00:37:26,371 at the moment when we encounter them in the life of Commodus. 407 00:37:26,455 --> 00:37:30,375 But both of them were, in essence, low status individuals 408 00:37:30,459 --> 00:37:33,462 who achieved high status by virtue of proximity to the Emperor. 409 00:37:34,296 --> 00:37:38,842 Commodus's trust of Cleander and Saoterus probably derives from the fact 410 00:37:38,926 --> 00:37:41,637 that they were close to him for virtually his entire life. 411 00:37:43,013 --> 00:37:46,975 412 00:38:06,119 --> 00:38:07,246 Let them through. 413 00:38:11,250 --> 00:38:12,751 We thought you were coming back to the tent. 414 00:38:13,585 --> 00:38:15,420 I don't want to be anywhere near that tent. 415 00:38:15,504 --> 00:38:20,425 Or that camp. Or them. Or this ridiculous, endless war. 416 00:38:20,509 --> 00:38:21,760 What did they say? 417 00:38:21,844 --> 00:38:23,262 It's what they didn't say. 418 00:38:24,471 --> 00:38:27,683 “Yes, Emperor. “Excellent point, Emperor. 419 00:38:31,770 --> 00:38:32,938 They don't care what I think. 420 00:38:35,774 --> 00:38:38,110 You see, I'm not my father, so I don't exist. 421 00:38:38,652 --> 00:38:40,737 They'll just keep doing what they want to do and... 422 00:38:41,572 --> 00:38:42,906 and they'll never respect me. 423 00:38:42,990 --> 00:38:45,951 You're the Emperor of Rome. They don't have to respect you. 424 00:38:46,827 --> 00:38:48,036 They have to obey you. 425 00:38:48,745 --> 00:38:49,913 If only it were that easy. 426 00:38:51,957 --> 00:38:53,959 It doesn't have to be so difficult. 427 00:38:55,252 --> 00:38:57,754 Commodus, the people of Rome, they're just like you. 428 00:38:58,172 --> 00:39:00,048 They want to see an end to this war. 429 00:39:00,132 --> 00:39:02,217 I've heard it in the streets every day. 430 00:39:02,301 --> 00:39:04,845 It kept your father away for eight years. And now, it's threatening 431 00:39:04,928 --> 00:39:07,264 -to do the same to you. -I know. But I can't just-- 432 00:39:07,347 --> 00:39:11,059 They need to see you. A new Emperor needs to be in Rome. 433 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:17,524 I promised my father I would finish the war. 434 00:39:18,817 --> 00:39:20,235 Those generals, they know it. 435 00:39:20,319 --> 00:39:22,529 And they will use it against me at every opportunity. 436 00:39:23,113 --> 00:39:24,573 So finish it. 437 00:39:26,200 --> 00:39:28,952 438 00:39:44,885 --> 00:39:49,723 Despite his father's wishes and the advice of his military advisors, 439 00:39:50,349 --> 00:39:55,646 Commodus is determined to put an end to the war with the Germanic tribes. 440 00:39:57,898 --> 00:40:00,484 And just months after his father's death, 441 00:40:02,194 --> 00:40:05,531 he makes his first move in his absence. 442 00:40:23,632 --> 00:40:27,219 Emperor, with all due respect, I urge you to reconsider-- 443 00:40:45,279 --> 00:40:47,197 The war is over. 444 00:40:50,534 --> 00:40:52,411 445 00:40:58,500 --> 00:41:02,045 The treaty marks a historic moment for the Empire... 446 00:41:02,713 --> 00:41:05,340 as Germanic tribes are pushed back from the border... 447 00:41:06,508 --> 00:41:11,847 and thousands of enemy soldiers are forced to enlist in the Roman Army. 448 00:41:17,352 --> 00:41:21,398 But for Commodus, the fight is far from over. 449 00:41:23,859 --> 00:41:26,403 While the people celebrate peace, 450 00:41:27,279 --> 00:41:30,490 the military and the Senate oppose the treaty. 451 00:41:36,830 --> 00:41:40,375 Commodus did not continue to pursue 452 00:41:40,459 --> 00:41:44,004 his father's war with the Germanic tribes. 453 00:41:46,757 --> 00:41:52,346 When historians wrote about Commodus suspending this war, 454 00:41:52,429 --> 00:41:56,099 they often said that he was eager to rush back to Rome, 455 00:41:56,183 --> 00:41:59,394 because he wanted to enjoy life in the city. 456 00:41:59,478 --> 00:42:03,065 That he had some interest in luxury and debauchery 457 00:42:03,148 --> 00:42:05,359 that kept him off the battlefield. 458 00:42:05,442 --> 00:42:09,404 But instead, we can see someone who really wanted to shore up 459 00:42:09,488 --> 00:42:13,992 political support for himself in the nexus of power. 460 00:42:17,037 --> 00:42:18,580 With the war finally over, 461 00:42:19,122 --> 00:42:21,458 Commodus prepares to leave the battlefront. 462 00:42:22,334 --> 00:42:27,339 And can now return home as ruler of the Roman Empire.