Rome: Season 2 Episode 5 Heroes of the Republic
Marcus Tullius Cicero underestimates Gaius Octavian and an unlikely alliance is forged.
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
Vorena the Elder - Coral Amiga
Marcus Tullius Cicero - David Bamber
Soldier 1 - Christopher Sciueref
Vorena the Younger - Valery Usai
Character thumbnails with links to profiles
Detailed Synopsis
Timon and Levi pray in the Jewish Temple. Mark Antony brings a deer he hunted to his camp for his soldiers to eat. Lucius Vorenus, Titus Pullo, Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger and Lucius journey back home to Rome and just outside of Rome, come across a road block manned by Soldier 1 who tells them it is on orders of Gaius Octavian. Marcus Tullius Cicero congratulates Octavian on his victory over Mark Antony, while giving excuses for not holding a Triumph for Octavian including Rome having to send Lepidus to wipe out the remnants of Mark Antony's army. He finally tells Octavian that the people would not like it, especially with Octavian's troops camped outside of Rome, which Gaius Maecenas agrees with. Octavian then requests to be Consul and Cicero agrees to speak with the other Senators but only if he agrees to follow Cicero's advice.
Octavia of the Julii tells Atia of the Julii that she is going to visit Octavian, but Atia refuses to go with her. Lucius and Titus return to the Collegium. Octavian gets upset when he feels that Octavia is taking Atia's side over him and tells Octavia that he shall reside in Caesar's palace. Mascius gets upset when he finds out that he will be third after Titus Pullo. Lyde arrives at the Collegium and tells Lucius she has joined the Temple of the Blessed Orbona. He then takes her to see the children. Eirene tells Titus she is upset with him because she thinks he loves Lucius more than he loves her. Atia comes to visit Octavian and dramatically asks his forgiveness, but with questionable sincerity and Octavian forgives her. Atia returns home with Octavian and Octavia welcomes him home. A Priest of Janus blesses Lucius Vorenus' children to rid them of the bad spirits and Lucius renounces darkness. Lepidus is brought before Mark Antony and given the choice, join him as his second in command or die. Titus visits Octavian and Octavian asks for peace in Rome between the rival captains. Octavian gives a speech in front of the senate calling for Marcus Junius Brutus and Cassius to be called murderers and enemies of Rome, which shocks Cicero. A group of soldiers enter the senate grounds and no one speaks against the motion.
Cicero has Tyro take a letter to Brutus and Cassius calling them heroes of the Republic and asking them to march to Rome with their armies. Vorena the Younger steals some coins and brings them to Vorena the Elder who hides them away as Lucius enters the room. He finds a broken elephant toy and tells the child Lucius that he will fix it and then suggests they take a trip into the country one day. Gaia sees Lucius repairing the toy and asks him if has seen a real elephant before. She then offers herself to him and they have sex. After sex Lucius demands Gaia take some money as she angrily insists that she isn't a whore. While at an orgy with Gaius Maecenas, Agrippa sees Octavia with Jocasta. He then picks up a drugged Octavia and brings her home and tells Castor to wash her and put her into bed. Atia catches him leaving and Octavia tells Atia that Agrippa abducted her, but when Atia finds out Octavia was at an orgy she angrily yells at her and demands Agrippa not tell anyone. Agrippa promises not to tell anyone, because he loves Octavia. Brutus receives the letter from Cicero and happily tells Cassius that the senate is begging for them to come back and save the Republic.
Lucius holds a meeting with Memmio and Hannibal Cotta declaring a truce and they agree to a peace. The children run away to Lyde who tells Vorena the Elder to go back to Lucius and fake if she needs to that she loves him. Cicero visits with Octavian and demands that Octavian give up command of his legions and tells him that Brutus and Cassius are on their way back to Rome with twenty legions. He then threatens that any war with Brutus would be short and Octavian would lose, before smirking and walking out. Atia comes to visit and asks why Octavian looks sad. Servilia of the Junii writes to Brutus and sends his father's ring along with the message. At Mark Antony's camp, Atia arrives and brings along Octavian, and Mark Antony and Octavian, after some hesitation, hug. At dinner with Lucius, Titus, Eirene and the children, Lucius holds a toast for family.