- After success in war makes Caesar a rising star, escalating tension between Rome's two most powerful men creates an opportunity for advancement.
- After success in war makes Caesar (Ditch Davey) a rising star, escalating tension between Rome's two most powerful men creates an opportunity for advancement.
In 81 BC, Julius Caeser is a 19 yr old recruit in the Roman Army. Caeser brushes across death in many battles he fights for ROme. Julius was born into a wealthy family, but when his father supports the losing side in a civil war, his family is stripped of all power and wealth. Julius joins the army to regain his family's lost glory and honor. In Rome you could get wealth and glory through the military. Through the decade, Caeser rises through the ranks and becomes a battle hardened warrior. Caeser is part of an army conquering new territory for the Empire, which had grown in the last 400 yrs from a city to a civilization spreading 720K sq miles.
Rome's military machine depends on slaves. Enemy citizens captures were forced to take the least desirable jobs of servants, gladiators and builders. All roads were built by slaves. By 75 BC, 2 MM slaves had built 50,000 miles of roads. This allowed the republic to continue to expand. Spartacus (Mana Hira Davis) is an escaped gladiator who wants revenge. He raises an army to the South of Rome. He wants revenge against a society that enslaved him. Spartacus moves north and his army grows to 100,000 men. All Roman armies sent to defeat Spartacus ended up decimated.
Spartacus is 200 miles from Rome and only an army of 35,000 Roman soldiers stands between them. Julius Caeser is in this army. The General was Marcus Crassus (Wesley Dowdell), the wealthiest man in Rome, who wanted to be a politician. Crassus wants to retreat, but Caeser argues that they should attack and fight the battle on Roman terms. Caeser advocates an attack at daybreak, when it is least expected. Caeser is married to Cornelia and has a daughter Julia (Phoenix Connolly). Caeser leads his men with cunning and courage. The next morning is the Battle of Silarius. Spartacus's army is taken completely by surprise. Spartacus is killed and his rebellion crushed. All 6000 prisoners are crucified. Caeser argues against Crucifixion and says prisoners can be used as slaves.
With this victory, Crassus returns to Rome, hoping to elected as Consul. Rome is a republic, home to 4 MM people. They don't have an emperor and are governed by a Senate. Ruling over the Senate is a Consul. But Crassus is not alone. General Pompey (Stephen Lovatt) is also hoping to achieve military victories to push his candidature as consul. Pompey was shocked that Crassus defeated Spartacus. If not for Caeser, Pompey would be known as the greatest military general in Rome. To get some credit, Pompey follows the escaped slaves from Spartacus's army and slaughters them.
Pompey reaches Rome first and claims he defeated Spartacus. Crassus confronts Pompey, who says no-one will believe Crassus without Spartacus's head. Caeser advises Crassus to back off. In the senate, Pompey wants to award conquered land to his soldiers, but Crassus objects to the plan saying that lands haven't been assimilated in the Empire yet. Due to this gridlock, all legislation from Pompey and Crassus is blocked inside the senate. Both generals have legions stationed outside Rome. Civil war looks inevitable. Cornelia dies after a long illness. Caeser knew backing the wrong side in a civil war can bring devastation. In 59 BC, Julius Caeser proposes a Triumvirate between the trio. He proposes that he be elected Consul and he becomes the neutral figure that both Pompey and Crassus trust to pass their legislation in the Senate. As a sign of trust, Caeser agrees to marry Julia to Pompey. Caeser is elected Consul.
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