The Eagle: The Making of a Roman Epic

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Marcus Flavius Aquila.

Fourth cohort of Gauls, second legion.

Come to relieve the command.

Lutorius Drusillus Salinator,

acting senior officer.

- Where's the garrison commander?

- He left this morning, sir.

Couldn't wait to get away.

The duty-roster,

and the keys to the pay-chest.

- No paymaster?

- We're too small a garrison.

Unfortunately,

that job falls to you.

As you probably noticed,

we've had a little trouble

with the latrines,

but we have someone

working on it.

- Unsuccessfully.

- So far.

- This you're first command, sir?

- It is.

What made you choose Britain?

You have family connections,

I believe.

No.

I've noticed the fort,

it's in a poor state of repair.

We'll need to do something

about that.

Yes, sir. Sure.

Move, move, move.

Get in line, soldier!

Now! Fall in!

Our new commander,

Marcus Flavius Aquila.

Where's our newly minted commander?

Probably unpacking his rule book.

You mark my words.

Marcus Aquila is tainted.

Well, you know

who is father was.

The man who lost the Eagle of the Ninth.

Not to mention, 5000 men.

That was a little absent minded.

I heard, he asked to be sent here.

- To this sh*t hole?

- Yeah.

I'm telling you.

I've marched with the Eagles 23 years.

I know a bad omen, when I see one.

The boy's a bad omen.

Mithras, lord of light.

Please, help me.

Father of our fathers.

Help me lead my men well.

Do not let me dishonour my legion.

Please, help me regain

my family's honour.

Dig in deep, boys.

Your lives depend on

these defences.

You must be answerable

to your instructions!

It's been told,

the grain delivery hasn't arrived.

I want you to send out a patrol

to investigate.

I wouldn't worry, sir. One day late,

is nothing here.

Well, it is to me.

- Send out the patrol.

- Believe me sir, too dangerous.

We've had reports of a Druid

roaming the villages.

Right now,

I would not send out a patrol.

The men, they need to eat too.

Patrol!

Forward! March!

Left, right, march.

Wake Lutorius.

Yes, sir.

- Did you hear that?

- Sir?

I hope the patrol's all right.

It seems I may have got

you up for nothing.

What did you hear?

It's a cattle, most likely.

There. That.

Did you hear it?

Oh, damn the dark.

Should I call the men to arms?

If it's only cattle,

they won't thank you.

Better angry than dead.

Call them out.

But in silence.

Yes, sir.

Soldier, wake up!

Bloody helmets!

Come on, come on!

Move, move, move!

Bring me a torch!

Hold! Steady!

Hold your lines!

- Sir. - Well done. - Sir.

The light of the sun be with you,

brother.

Many more of us

would be lyng there, sir.

Is there any sign of the patrol?

Sir!

I'm not leaving them to die.

Muster fifty of the reserves

and hold them at the gate.

Sir...

Let me lead them.

It was my decision

to send out the patrol.

It's my responsibility

to bring them back.

Muster the men.

Mithras, lord of light,

father of our fathers,

let me not bring misfortune

to my Legion.

Mithras, lord of light,

father of our fathers,

accept whatever sacrifice, that I may not

bring misfortune to my Legion.

On my command!

We form Testudo!

Ready! Open the gate!

Legion!

Dopuble time, March!

Testudo!... Form!

Move forward!

Move forward!

Locking Testudo!

Move!

Hold the circle!

Tight the circle!

Here!

Cut that's free!

Hold the circle!

Hold!

Hold the circle!

Fall back!

Run!

Run!

Father, where are you?

Father.

Rest now.

Lie still, still.

Where am I?

You still in Britain.

Calleva.

Calleva?

Your fort surgeon

had you transferred here.

Two hundred leagues

in a mule cart.

A few are wounded,

so I wonder you didn't die.

I'm your uncle,

in your father's side.

Aquila.

These are not the best circumstances,

under which to meet, but...

Assuming you gonna live,

Oh you'll have a plenty of time

to make your acquaintance.

Don't. Please, lie still.

The patient must rest.

I hope the medicine, he's gonna

give you does you some good.

It smells repellent,

like one of his farts.

My men?

What happened to my men?

Your men were saved.

Thanks to your effort.

Rest now.

Subtitle by HyugA

Marcus.

Marcus.

You have a visitor.

- Lutorius.

- Sir.

The men have been asking

after you.

- And how are they?

- Anxious to know how their Commander fares.

- You have some news for my nephew?

- Yes, sorry.

We have received word from Rome.

For holding the fort

under extreme duress...

The Fourth Cohort of Gauls,

Has been awarded

the gilded laurel.

From today, their standard will carry

its first wreath.

Tell the men,

I could not be more proud.

And that's not all, sir.

They've awarded you,

A military armilla.

For conspicuous gallantry.

And an honourable discharge,

Because of your wounds.

The citation reads

"honour and faithfulness".

Honour and faithfulness.

May I be the first to offer

my congratulations?

It was good of you

to come so far.

Sir.

Thank you, Lutorius.

Stephanos. Leave him.

There's no medicine for that.

Ease him down.

Carefuly.

Fun!

What was my father like?

Your father?

Your father was the perfect Roman,

With everything that that implies.

The man who lost the Eagle

was the perfect Roman?

How the Eagle was lost,

no one knows.

But if your father died

defending it,

He died honourably.

That's what we tell ourselves.

But what if he didn't?

- What?

- What if he was a coward and ran?

And now...

a fight to the death!

It's a slay.

A gladiator and a slave's

never a fair contest.

Never.

Come on. Come on.

Fight!

There's bravery.

Come on!

He's gonna give himself his death.

Look at that, look at that!

Go! Come on!

Come on! Go!

Fight!

Get up! Fight him! Get up!

Get up!

Fight!

Come on!

Fight!

- Kill him!

- Kill him!

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Kill him!

Life! Life!

Life!

Come on, what is this?

Come on, get your thumbs up!

Come on, you fools!

Life!

All of you, life!

Get your thumbs up!

Get your thumbs up!

- Life!

- Come on you fools!

Get your thumbs up!

Life! Life!

Come on!

Let him live!

No doubt that was not expecting.

Why did you save him?

Stephanos!

Stephanos!

I've decided Stephanos

is too old to serve two masters.

I've bought you

your own body slave.

I don't need my own slave.

Marcus.

I should have been consulted.

Yeah, well...

you weren't.

Slave!

His name's Esca.

- I have no use for you.

- I had no wish to be bought.

You should've run.

My uncle wouldn't stop you.

You saved my life.

I have a debt of honour to you.

Against your wish.

No man should have to beg

for his life.

You didn't. I did,

on your behalf, and...

I meant nothing by.

I'm the son of the Brigantes,

Who never broke his word.

My father's dagger is my bond.

I hate everything

you stand for.

Everything you are.

But you saved me.

And for that I must serve you.

- Who searched this wound?

- The surgeon at the fort.

Was he drunk?

Never seen such a mess.

You must have been

in constant pain.

Sent him two hundred leagues

in a mule cart, nearly killed him.

I'm going to have to re-open it.

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