Sheba and the Gladiator

1

SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR

-Who are you?

-A legionary of the Emperor.

-What do you want?

-I have a plea.

You must avenge all those

who tell in Syria

because of

Quenn Zenobia's treason.

Quenn Zenobia, who rose

to the throne of Syria

following the death

of King Odenathus.

her spouse and our

most loyal ally.

began showing signs

of intolerance towards Rome.

With the help

of the Assyrians

she served the sacred bonds

which tied her to the Empire.

Our garrisons were taken

by surprise and annihilated.

Their banners dragged

along the desert sand.

That woman's crazed ambition

must be suppressed.

Perhaps we should entrust

the fate of that far province

to negotiations rather than

to military force.

Negotiations would serve

no purpose.

Zenobia rebelled

when she realised

our troops wouldn't be moved

from the northern borders.

Revolt is rife

in Gaul and Germany.

Withdrawing one single legion

could spell disaster.

What about the disasters

which could be caused

by that arrogant queen?

We've confronted

that arrogance

with the bravery

of one of our best generals.

Marcus Valerius.

Marcus Valerius is a man,

not a god.

No matter how courageous,

his cohorts are insufficient

to hold back those hordes.

Marcus Valerius, commander

of the Roman troops.

He's here at your feet,

alive as you wished.

On your knees.

Kneel before our Queen,

you Roman dog.

Don't Romans kneel?

Not before a queen

guilty of treason.

The treaty with Rome

was oppressive for my people.

Isn't someone who refuses

to sbmit to Rome a traitor?

And what is someone refusing

to kneel before Zenobia?

-An enemy.

-Conquered enemies should die.

-Kill me.

-Dying is too easy.

Slavery is more offensive

to a Roman's pride.

You developed your muscles

in Rome's gymnasia.

I'll send you to a place

whe yo can exercise them.

Work, you scum!

Come on, move.

Hold it.

If you kill him,

you'll take his place.

Go on, keep working

or I'll break your bones.

Stand back.

Pull back the stone.

Help me get him out.

All back to work.

Hurry.

-What's going on?

-His arm is crushed.

-He'll bleed to death.

-Don't waste your time.

He's useless for work, anyway.

I'll finish him off.

Don't move or I'll kill him.

Look after him.

Take him outside.

Even with one arm

he'll be good for something.

Thank you.

He was one of my soldiers.

In battle you'd be

too scared to look at him.

Now you can take

your anger out on me.

Get him.

I could slay you like a dog.

But that would be too little

for what you've just done.

Tie him to the cross.

In the sun!

You'll die of thirst.

Your skin will parch.

Your blood will dry up

while you await death.

But that will be slow to come.

Take him away.

Go.

Hey, you!

Forbid our men

to enter any taverns.

or to approach women.

Our lives are at stake.

One word and we're lost.

May I be damned

if that isn't our ally.

It is she!

It would be child's play

to kill her now.

But it would cost you

your life.

One step towards her

and you're dead.

Who will give us

the information we need?

Someone I'm meeting tonight.

Stand back.

Back.

Go away.

-Is that the Roman consul?

-Yes, my Queen.

What's his crime?

Attempting

to start a mutiny.

Bring him here.

That man does not deserve

your sympathy.

In your place

I would not be so lenient.

I didn't ask

for your advice, Semantius.

What makes you think

I'm so merciful?

Quickly.

So this is a symbol

of the Roman Empire.

He could be knocked over

with a single blow.

I was told you dared

to revolt against my men.

It doesn't surprise me

that such inhuman tortures

were ordered by you.

Your cruelty is well known.

You're talking to

the Queen of Palmyra.

A traitor to the Empire.

You're too insolent.

True. But wait for her order

before you kill me.

It's useless

to attempt to provoke me.

I won't give you

the gift of death.

You must live, Consul Valerius.

That is your punishment.

You'll live to witness

the end of Rome.

You'll live to see

its Empire crumble.

I thank you, Queen.

You're wishing me a long life.

It would take longer

than both our lifetimes.

You're wrong, Consul.

The flight of Rome's eagles

is over.

Then your skies will be

crowded with vultures.

A sad change, indeed.

Many corpses are needed

to satisfy them.

Tie him to the cross again.

Batsheba...

I thought

I'd never see you again.

The gods protected me.

My dear....

I'm so happy.

But how could you

be so careless?

There's a reward for any

Roman captured in town.

I had to see you.

I would give my life

for your safety.

Do not fear.

I know how to defend myself.

Do you have any news

of Consul Valerius?

Have they killed him?

Worse. He's a slave

at the mills.

I must save him.

I have resolute men with me.

If they catch you,

they'll show no mercy.

Can any of the guards

be trusted?

Perhaps one.

His name is Lator.

He's a strong man

who pretends to be cruel.

He believes in a strange god.

He's loyal to me.

He'll help you.

How will he recognise me?

Give this to him

and say the words

"For the love of God".

He says that all the time.

Why are you sad?

Once Valerius is freed

I'll lose you.

I'll be back, Bathseba.

Together with

the Roman legions.

Zenobia will pay

for her treason.

As will

your brother's assassins.

Poor Odenathus.

I hope you don't think

the Romans killed him.

I'm sure they didn't.

Why would they?

Odenathus was loyal to Rome.

His assassins

are right here in Palmyra.

Bathsheba...

It's dawn.

-I must go.

-Yes, or you'll be found out.

I'll be back soon.

Then you'll no longer be

the vestal virgin.

You'll simply be Bathsheba,

the spouse of Julian.

You!

Are you asleep?

-Are you relieving me?

-Yes. I'll do better than you.

I'll keep my eyes wide open.

Fire...Fire!

Come on, hurry.

Come on, move.

This way.

Bring water!

Valerius, at last.

Quickly, let's go.

Thank you, Lator.

Flavius...

Go up there and keep guard.

I'll take care of this.

You, at least, didn't forget me.

It is Rome which does not

forget its favourite sons.

A conquered son.

In Rome, the Senate

and the Emperor know

that you were overwhelmed

by a far larger army.

They also know it was

an honourable defeat.

Our friendship makes you

forget reality.

In Rome I will face demotion.

Worry not. Marcius Valerius.

Rome needs you.

Julian...

I have an idea.

A brillant idea.

What idea?

I'll go back to Palmyra.

Has slavery driven you crazy?

No.

I must return to Palmyra

at all costs.

For what purpose?

Our revenge.

But how can we achieve it?

I have a plan which could turn

the situation in our favour.

What happened last night

is unforgivable.

I can't trust anyone any more.

If it isn't treason

it's gross negligence.

It's incredible.

Despite guards everywhere

a slave in chains

managed to escape.

Had we killed him

as I suggested...

I alredady told you

a Roman doesn't see death

as punishment.

Marcus Valerius is too

dangerous to be free.

We can't just

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