Rome: Season 1 Episode 10 Triumph
Caesar celebrates his victory, Lucius Vorenus' star brightens while Titus Pullo's fades.
Series Index
Characters/Groups
Atia of the Julii - Polly Walker
Servilia of the Junii - Lindsay Duncan
Marcus Junius Brutus - Tobias Menzies
Octavia of the Julii - Kerry Condon
Marcus Tullius Cicero - David Bamber
Erastes Fulmen - Lorcan Cranitch
Vorena the Elder - Coral Amiga
Curial Magistrate - John Boswell
Vercingetorix - Giovanni Calcagno
Vorena the Younger - Anna Fausta Primiano
Character thumbnails with links to profiles
Detailed Synopsis
The Senate gathers to nominate Caesar as Emperor for ten years. Marcus Junius Brutus and Marcus Tullius Cicero discuss the state of the Republic, which now appears to be coming to an end. Cicero tells Brutus after the vote he plans on going into the countryside to await Rome coming to its senses as the honorable thing to do, but Brutus remarks if they had any honor their fate would have matched those of Porcius Cato and Scipio's. The Curial Magistrate calls on the senate to hear Cicero who puts the motion for Caesar to become Emperor and Brutus seconds the motion and the motion passes. Caesar gives a speech in which he describes building a new Rome with a warning against those who might oppose him. Eleni tells Servilia of the Junii that Atia of the Julii is here to see her. Atia feigns sorrow at Servilia's health as Eleni and Merula share icy stares at each other. Atia then invites Servilia to sit with her during Caesar's Triumph parade while making subtle digs at her and Brutus, but Servilia declines her offer. Octavia of the Julii, who has secluded herself in a monastery, is cutting herself when Gaius Octavian goes to the monastery to tell her he is bringing her back home, whether she likes it or not to avoid family dishonor.
Lucius Vorenus, Niobe and Posca go to a crowded street in Lower Aventine and Lucius gives a speech asking the local citizens to vote for him in the upcoming elections. During the speech, in which Lucius promises to offer justice for all Romans, a Heckler continues to mock Lucius. Posca nods, and the Heckler is surreptitiously taken away by a group of men. Vercingetorix is brought before Caesar and Caesar orders him cleaned up in preparation for his Triumph. Titus Pullo walks into the camp of the 13th Legion and asks to join them in their march during the parade. Centurion tells him he can not march with them as he is no longer in the army and they leave for the parade. Caesar gets dressed for the parade and takes offense when Mark Antony jokes about the facade of looking like a God in his attire. Brutus asks Servilia to go to the countryside so she doesn't sit in the dark like she has been and she makes a comment alluding to his friendship with Caesar. Octavia's cut marks are covered in makeup and Atia tells her she is glad she is back. A very drunk Quintus Pompey bangs on the door of Servilia's home and demands to see Brutus. Servilia has him brought inside when she hears him swear to kill Caesar. Octavian dressed in his Pontiff attire paints Caesar's face in blood. Vercingetorix, now covered in make up and his original battle attire is chained to a wagon and a noose is put around his neck. The parade begins and Niobe, Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger, Lucius and Oedipus go to watch it, with Oedipus lifting Vorena the Younger onto a statue so she has a better view of the parade. Caesar rides into the parade on a chariot and then mounts the steps to a platform and raised seating, where Calpurnia, Mark Antony, Atia and Octavia sit. Caesar makes a gesture and Vercingetorix is choked to death in front of the crowd with the noose around his neck.
Newsreader tells the public that tables with food will be set up for 5000 people, 100 denarius will be given to every citizen, farms will be given to deserving families and all rent will be paid for a year in lower district homes. Servilia and Quintus Pompey are discussing something she has written when Brutus requests to speak to her alone. Brutus asks when Quintus is going to leave, but Servilia tells him Quintus shall stay as long as she wishes him to stay. Posca tries to teach Lucius about Roman laws and tells Lucius that the reality is that he will win the election no matter what as he is the only real candidate, which troubles Lucius. Titus asks Lucius for a loan so that he may free Eirene and marry her and then move to the country. Titus admits to Lucius that he has been feeling low and has decided that it is because he needs to marry Eirene. Brutus walks to the Senate and sees an excited Cicero. Brutus is then troubled to find out that someone has written anti-Caesar propaganda using his name. Brutus storms into his home and confronts Servilia about the propaganda and she tells him both her and Cassius co-wrote it. Servilia tells him he cannot fail her only that he failed the Republic and Brutus tells her that he may be killed by her actions. Servilia then tells him that he is a direct descendant of founders of the Republic and it is his duty to follow their lead, but Brutus refuses to join her and those against Caesar. Titus and Lucius go to the Register of Slaves and officially free Eirene after Titus signs paperwork, while the Clerk insultingly insinuates Titus cannot spell his own name.
Titus then tells Eirene that he has freed her and she thanks and kisses him. Titus gives her a dress and tells her to try it on and she leaves. Oedipus walks up to Titus and thanks him for freeing Eirene and tells him they have been saving to free themselves so that they can get married and that as thanks for freeing Eirene they will take his name as theirs. Titus angrily slams Oedipus' skull into a pillar over and over, killing Oedipus in front of Vorena the Younger and Rubio. Eirene runs screaming and hugs the body of Oedipus and Titus admits to Lucius that he killed Oedipus. Titus offers to pay Lucius back and Lucius tries to fight Titus after Titus points out that Lucius used to call Caesar a tyrant but now bows before him. Titus refuses to fight Lucius and is ordered to leave Lucius' home and never to come back. Titus awkwardly tells Eirene he is sorry and then walks away. Brutus tells Caesar he had nothing to do with the propaganda and Caesar tells him he believes him. Vercingetorix' body is dumped unceremoniously in the city dump and then secretly brought out into the woods and burned in a pyre by Gauls. Erastes Fulmen approaches a drunk Titus at a bar and offers him work.