The Robe

Rome, master of the earth,

in the 18th year of the emperor Tiberius.

Our legions stand guard

on the boundaries of civilisation

from the foggy coasts of the northern seas

to the ancient rivers of Babylon,

the finest fighting machines in history.

The people of 30 lands send us tribute:

their gold and silk, ivory and frankincense,

and their proudest sons to be our slaves.

We have reached the point where there

are more slaves in Rome than citizens.

Some say we are only looters

of what others have created,

that we create nothing ourselves.

But we have made gods,

fine gods and goddesses,

who make love

and war.

Huntresses

and drunkards.

But the power lies not in their hands

of marble, but in ours of flesh.

We, the nobles of Rome, are free

to live only for our own pleasure.

Could any god offer us more?

Today we traffic in human souls.

The slave market is crowded because the

emperor's heir and regent, young Caligula,

is coming to buy gladiators.

He probably will not be pleased to see me.

Look here, look here. A singer, a dancer,

a companion for a noble lady,

or a noble gentleman.

Stop, gentlemen.

A priceless gem for your household.

Look here, look here. A singer, a dancer,

a companion for a noble lady

or a noble gentleman.

A physician from Egypt.

Question him if you like.

Stop and look. Stop and look.

A jewel, a jewel from the East.

You've heard of the beauty

of the Circassians. Look.

A beauty from Circassia. Stop and look.

Buy young and train them yourself.

Children grow into men and women.

These Goths grow strong.

Buy young. Buy young

and train them yourself.

Too old? Why, he's still got

ten or fifteen years left in him.

He costs no more than an ox,

and cheaper to feed.

A pair to touch the heart of any buyer.

A mother and child from Syria.

Buy them together. Buy them separately.

Smile. What's the matter with you?

Tribune. You came. I have them. Wait.

Girls. Girls.

Look. Two identical rubies. They're perfect.

And this one is a hairdresser.

She's an expert. Look at her hands.

- Very nice. Aren't they nice, Livia?

- Let go of me.

- I apologise for last night...

- Anything you say will be a lie.

Slave loose! Slave loose!

Thank you, Tribune.

A tribune. So today in Rome a tribune

does the vile work of a slave master.

Fool. Will you never learn? This is

Senator Gallio's son you're speaking to.

- Down on your...

- What's this? Tried it again?

Give me his slate. "Highborn, educated,

qualified for household steward. "

Sell him for lion bait. Put him up

as a gladiator. Never mind the price.

But, Cleander, Caligula's

buying gladiators today.

- What of it?

- He'll get this Greek for nothing.

- He's worth 1,000 pieces of gold.

- He's worth his weight in dog's meat.

- Please.

- A gladiator. You heard me.

You animal. Animal!

Did you hear what he said? Lion bait.

- I'm sorry. What were you saying?

- There's nothing more to say.

After last night you'll never hear

another word out of me.

In front of my friends, too. I know you

were drunk as a pig, but that's no excuse.

Do you realise you've made me

the laughing stock of Rome, Marcellus?

Marcellus Gallio.

Don't think I won't talk about this.

- I intend to.

- Yes.

It's good to see you, Marcellus.

It's good to see you again.

Then you do remember me.

Yes, of course. Let me see now, it was the...

And your promise.

Have you forgotten that too?

What promise?

To marry me.

Was I drunk?

That's not very flattering, Marcellus.

If you'd tell me when I was supposed

to have said this - the circumstances.

I remember them perfectly.

I'd cut my finger, and I cried.

You took a dagger and cut your own finger

to show me that it didn't really hurt.

Then you kissed me and I stopped crying,

and then you promised

to marry me when we grew up.

Diana.

- Where have your freckles gone?

- I lost them.

- I loved every one of them.

- Then I'm sorry I lost them.

Let me look at you.

12 years... The gods must love Capri

to make you blossom so.

- What are you doing in Rome?

- Tiberius sent me.

Since my father died

I've been the ward of the emperor.

- Yes, this is Caligula's pavilion.

- Empress Julia thinks I'd be good for him.

Caligula? You can't.

He'll be emperor someday, and...

Would that matter, Marcellus, to you?

More than my life. After all, I promised you.

And you'll never know

how seriously I took your promise.

Do you intend to hold me to it, Diana?

I might. But I've heard

that you've made other promises since.

But only one vow to Diana.

He's coming, Marcellus. You'd better go.

Caligula and I have been in competition

before, and I've never lost to him.

- At least you're frank, Marcellus.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.

Then all the tales I've heard of you are true.

- Every man makes enemies.

- All your enemies seem to be women.

Yes.

Begin the sale.

And why is Tribune Gallio in my pavilion?

Does he seek a favour?

I invited him, sire. We were friends

many years ago when we were children.

Buying today, or looking for amusement?

Buying, I hope, sire. A pair of twins.

- Male or female?

- Female.

- Have them put up first.

- Sire.

No. Sit down, here with me.

You're very kind, sire.

The pleasure of our loyal tribune

is important to us.

You have such excellent taste.

These twins must be charming.

We have here two Macedonian twins,

trained as companions, entertainers,

servant for a highborn lady.

Only once a year can their like

be found on the auction blocks of Rome.

They won't be sold separately.

What am I bid?

500 gold pieces.

1,000.

- Don't lose them, Gallio.

- 1500.

- Marcellus, are you my friend or aren't you?

- Not to this extent.

- 2,000.

- The bid stands at 2,000 pieces of gold.

- You bid for yourself?

- No.

Sold for 2500.

Forgive me, Gallio, but I have

decided to give them to the lady Diana.

- But, sire...

- You wouldn't refuse me?

No, sire.

Offered as a gladiator, a Greek.

I guarantee his strength and fighting spirit.

- Buy him.

- 50 gold pieces.

- 50.

- Dog's meat!

There are no more bids. Get on with the sale.

- You bid against me?

- Against Tribune Quintus.

- Be careful, Tribune.

- The Greek is well-qualified, sire.

- He's worth a better price.

- 200 gold pieces.

- 300.

- You want to make a gift of him to me?

No, sire. I want him.

And I bid against Quintus.

- 500.

- 700.

- 800.

- 900.

1,000.

3,000.

The bid is 3,000 pieces of gold.

A little high, but I expected

to spend more on the twins.

You offend me, Tribune.

I think it's time you offend me no more.

Detail! March!

Sold to Tribune Gallio.

A wonderful purchase, sir,

even though you may have to beat him.

- Yes. Unchain him.

- Sir?

- Unchain him.

- But he's a dangerous man.

- Unchain him.

- Yes, sir.

What's your name?

Demetrius, from Corinth.

At the end of the street you'll find

the house of my father, Senator Gallio.

It has a scarlet door.

Report to the steward there.

There are times

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