Spartacus: House of Ashur
Created by: Steven S. DeKnight
Season 1 – Episode 5
Episode Title: Goddess of Death
Stars: Nick E. Tarabay (Ashur), Graham McTavish (Korris), Tenika Davis (Achillia), Claudia Black (Cossutia), Jamaica Vaughan (Hilara), Ivana Baquero (Messia), Leigh Gill (Satyrus), Jordi Webber (Tarchon), India Shaw-Smith (Viridia)
Original release date: December 26, 2025 (Starz)
Episode plot summary: Caesar and his wife Cornelia settle in Ashur’s villa, much to his chagrin. Caesar reveals his men had carried out Viridia’s kidnapping so that Ashur could gain favor with her family, part of a plot by Crassus to sway Gabinius against Pompey. A number of gladiators, including Celadus and Tarchon, are chosen to fight in the games, with Achillia presented as champion of the ludus. Gabinius agrees to let Caesar present the games alongside him in a bid to influence Pompey in Rome, whom he now blames for Viridia’s apparent kidnapping by the Cilicians, in exchange for elevating Achillia’s fight with the Brothers Ferox to the main event. Caesar and Cornelia have sex with Hilaria and Messia in front of Ashur in order to assert their dominance over him. At a party, Ashur reveals Achillia to Capuan society, receiving a mixed response, while Proculus witnesses Opiter and Korris be together and Hilaria observes Viridia’s increasing fondness for Ashur. Afterwards, Achillia and Celadus sleep together. During the games, Celadus and Tarchon prevail in their match, while Achillia is greeted by a hostile crowd and instead of the brothers, faces a regular gladiator at Gabinius’ behest. At first Achillia’s speed is unable to overcome her opponent’s pure strength, but she maneuverers behind him and stabs him through the anus before killing him. The crowd and Ashur’s gladiators hail Achillia’s victory. Caesar informs Ashur that he is forced to leave early to meet Pompey but Cornelia will stay behind.
* * *
Spartacus: House of Ashur – S01E05 – Goddess of Death | Transcript
[grunting]
Place abomination in darkest corner, far from fucking sight.
[sighs] Noble wife need not trouble herself with such base matter of the household.
Cornelia counsels her own desires, as her father before her.
And she prefers house fit for Roman habitation.
All beneath my roof stand at your command.
I expect no less.
[both smooch, Cornelia laughs]
[clears throat]
Apologies.
I would break words in private regarding pressing concerns.
[sighs] Very well.
Let us discover wine upon the way to better soften sharp conversation.
[Cornelia]
You-what title do you hold in this house of shit?
I stand vilica of the House of Ashur and personal body slave to its Dominus.
Position of vilica stands less refined than in Rome, yet I suppose one must make do.
Yes, Domina.
Prepare bath, so I may cleanse the stench of this house from body in advance of it gaining permanent residence.
Ah [burps] [sniffs] Oh, at least your wine doesn’t taste of piss.
Only the finest offering in Capua were secured in expectation Crassus himself would materialize.
I had thought of broaching subject towards rebuilding the old arena–
The man remains encamped outside the gates of Rome with his army, countering that of Pompey, with thoughts far removed from Capua, its citizens of slight concern.
Your presence holds equal value.
Equal?
Uh-more so, in many regards.
And honored arrival breaks upon heels of glorious news.
I have gained position in the upcoming games of the Ludi Apollinares, hosted by Senator Gabinius himself.
Was such bounty presented in return for repelling Cilician attack against beloved wife and daughter?
[chuckles]
How has this word reached you so swiftly?
Did you truly hold the gods would smile upon one as base as you, absent guided hand beyond whim of divinity?
The Cilicians.
They stood your men?
Draped in manner and form plaguing the Republic.
Message placed you to retrieve freight at appointed time and place.
Then whisper set upon gentle breeze swept Cossutia and Viridia upon like hour.
Your men nearly had my fucking life.
[sighs]
Yet, here you stand.
And the will of Marcus Crassus well executed towards securing the gratitude of good Gabinius.
Crassus… set plot in motion?
If mind had been clever, you would have ingratiated self, absent need of intervention.
Thankfully, a keener wit has now arrived to mold situation towards advantage.
What goal fixes upon intent?
Gabinius must be swayed in opposition of Pompey towards your patron, Crassus.
And the man before you, of course.
Gabinius is mired in tradition and not easily moved beyond rooted position.
By your tongue, no. I will break word with the man.
Take flight;
secure an invitation.
Your will.
My hands.
Attend!
The games of the Ludi Apollinares fast approaches.
I would see you all blessed to position of victory, honoring this house.
And who stands for the arena, Doctore?
You are chosen, Tarchon, paired with vaunted father.
[cheering]
Erato, Ephesius, Dominus sees you to reward as well.
[cheering]
Achillia, you are to be presented as champion of the House of Ashur.
You honor me, Doctore.
I but cast you to wolves.
Celadus, Tarchon, fall to my side.
Let us stand reflection of the Brothers Ferox… and set Achillia to purpose.
Foul aroma permeates villa.
Born of failure and death, mingled with cuisine of foreign origin.
Our presence a sacrifice, towards promised glory.
You’ve set the Syrian upon path?
Like mule upon road, carrying burden unfit for human form.
How gauge you his men?
They do not all stand so firm of attribute.
He trains a woman?
[chuckles] Ambitions soar beyond training.
He presents her as champion of this fucking house.
[chuckles]
Visit to Capua presents unexpected delights.
[Gabinius] You see me to disadvantage.
I was told Crassus himself would grace our city.
[Ashur] Apologies-assumption made in error.
Yet know in absence I stand his voice and will.
Oh. A title I thought laid claim by the Syrian.
It stands so, when Caesar finds himself removed from Capua.
Hmm.
And what word carries from Rome?
Crassus seeks to erect a bridge, spanning chasm between himself and noble senator.
My favor lies with Pompey.
A position widely known.
Yet was it Pompey the gods dispatched when cherished wife and daughter were set upon by the Cilician shits the Syrian informs me of?
It was not.
Yet I have recently petitioned Pompey to remove himself from Rome and quell fucking plague ravishing the Republic.
You would see him unmoored from his army beyond the gates of Rome?
[Gabinius scoffs] The man remains firmly tethered, unmoved by reason or duty.
Perhaps he would be spurred by appearance of shifting loyalties.
He speaks for you or for Crassus?
In this, we are as one.
And how would such make itself known?
By the games of Ludi Apollinares.
I do not follow meaning.
If they were presented by Gabinius and Caesar, surely word would reach Pompey’s ear, perhaps unseat him from his distant perch.
[chuckles]
And… coin towards venture?
Shared, should minor concession find agreement.
Give it voice.
Elevate Crassus’ champion to the position of primus.
[laughs] You mean the Syrian’s champion?
[sighs] Just so.
He has procured offerings of most unusual form, certain to inflame the passions of the crowd.
And contest revisited with the Brothers Ferox would see flames further ignited.
An alluring offer-one I would see agreed upon.
There is but one concern left unaddressed-the cena libera on the eve of the games, a clutch of days hence.
Esteemed wife already sets to purpose in preparation of villa towards celebration.
Gratitude towards effort.
Yet I stand apparition within Capua, seldom of corporeal form within its walls.
You would honor me to see the cena libera held in my villa, graciously borrowed from the Syrian for the duration of stay.
Coin to fall from your purse towards endeavor?
Crassus himself offers aid.
[scoffs] A sum of little note, for one so blessed.
[clears throat]
Hm.
Then let us see it so.
And bonds strengthened towards common cause of the Republic.
[shouting]
[all grunt]
[both grunt, Achillia yells]
At last, words pierce fucking skull.
Speed is your ally.
The Brothers Ferox cannot kill what cannot be struck.
Again.
Glorious news by artful maneuvering, mighty Caesar gains us fucking primus!
[cheering]
Break for midday meal and return to your training.
Ha ha!
It shall be a glorious spectacle, to witness aged Gabinius’ reaction as a woman claims honored position upon the sands.
I do not hold trust in that fucking shit.
Nor I.
Yet Crassus embraces him, and we must follow… for the moment.
[Tarchon] She does not deserve to stand champion.
Nor has she earned position in fucking primus.
She… proves her worth to our Dominus, our Doctore and to me.
I… should stand for the arena…
[laughter] [all] Yes!
…not you fucking shits.
[laughter] If coin were offered to view shits fucking, yes, you would stand champion.
[laughter]
Place thoughts from mind.
The Ferox brothers will soon cut the bitch from our concern.
[indistinct conversations]
Brothers… what lies beneath your feet?
Opportunity!
[laughter] Coin!
[laughter] For our Dominus, perhaps… but we are fucking warriors.
[cheering] Our dreams are not filled with visions of coin and opportunity… but with blood.
[cheering] And glory!
[cheering] So I ask againwhat lies beneath your feet?
Sacred ground!
[laughter] Watered… with tears of blood.
[cheering]
Now is the time to pierce clouded thought and embrace that those who bear the mark of the brotherhood do not stand men.
[cheering] Nor fucking women!
[cheering] We stand gladiators!
[cheering, fists bang tables] His words are true!
[soft music]
Claim victory.
And see this house elevated from shit and piss.
[poignant music]
What seizes mind, that you would comfort Nubian cunt?
You mistake intent.
I would see her stand victorious in the arena only to offer fatal blow myself.
Claim title of true champion of this fucking house.
[music builds]
See wine plenished towards cena libera, weighted with vintage suited to Roman tastes. And I would haveApologies, Dominus. Cornelia has laid claim to preparations.
And what does the daughter of fucking Cinna intend?
She has not shared in her thoughts.
[sighs]
[soft moaning]
Cornelia.
You appear to have mistaken my quarters for your own.
I find this room more pleasant, if such a thing can be said of this oppressive hovel.
Messia stands second only to trusted vilica.
I would see her removed
Gaius.
The Syrian would see cherished wife’s appetites go unfed.
Her desires shall be indulged in all regards.
As would my own.
Crassus stands patron to us both, and I would see respect extended under fucking roof bearing name of Ashur!
[thud] Aargh [grunts] [Ashur grunts] [thud] [Ashur grunts, groans] [thud] [thud] Aargh!
[Ashur grunts]
Know your place, Syrian… and become intimate with mine.
When I enter room, you shall hail me not as imagined equal… but as god… upon mount.
[tense music]
Rise… and bear witness to true power… levied.
[grunts]
[tense music continues]
[whimpers]
[moans]
[tense music continues]
[music intensifies]
[exotic music]
[laughter]
[indistinct conversations]
[laughter]
[moaning]
[woman squeals]
[exotic music continues]
Caesar oversteps.
To lay hands upon you in such manner…
A thing of no concern.
Honored guests arrive.
Ah Gabinius.
You bless this house.
Elevating humble venue beyond its worth.
The House of Ashur extends warmest of welcome.
Well received.
My wife, Cossutia, and daughter, Viridia, too long absent from public eye.
The gods truly do honor us tonight.
Such divinity does not extend to all deserving such.
How did you come by such condition?
Unfortunate misadventure caused by a… careless step.
Comelet us to food… and wine.
Apologies for loathsome state of the Syrian’s villa.
Ha.
No amount of coin could raise the dead, nor this house towards level befitting present company.
[laughs]
[sighs]
Perhaps we should brighten her wine with the sting of piss.
Attend duties, and strike such thoughts from fucking mind.
[indistinct conversations]
It is not as it should be the way he speaks to you.
More gentle than touch of Roman hands.
Dominus bows and scrapes to them, even in wake of how Caesar so roughly took you.
He does what he must.
Did you note concern the daughter of Gabinius expressed towards him, and his reaction towards it?
Do as commanded, and fall to fucking duty.
Apologies… for observing the obvious.
[laughter]
Ah, Caesar, I would introduce good Uvidus, aedile of beloved city, recently from mourning.
Ah, yes. It rended heart to hear of your wife’s untimely passing at the hands of Cilician cutthroats.
A blight upon our lands.
Gratitude.
They stand most hated.
[Viridia] Mother and I would have joined poor Horatia upon the shores of the afterlife had host not bravely interceded.
I but did what any man would in defense of the Republic.
It is a gift your man Korris was afoot to lend aid, else I fear we would be mourning the Syrian as well.
What news from Rome towards ending such blight?
A thought is firmly upon mind, with Senate working towards resolution.
Let us place grave considerations aside and revel upon moment, in hopes of troubled spirits lifted.
Desire shared. I will present the gladiators myself, and see…
Hold.
I would have a name carrying more storied legacy command attention.
Citizens of Capua, May the gods grant favor… and cleanse this villa, so… rich in history of blood and betrayal… by elevating name for but single night to the House of Caesar!
[cheering]
He seizes laurels rightfully yours.
As first act of such, I call upon the lanistae to honor the games of Ludi Apollinares, generously provided for by Senator Gabinius…
[cheering] …and Caesar!
House of Opiter, step forth and present your men!
[cheering, applause]
Let us next greet the House of Proculus and its offerings!
[cheering]
A fine showing.
Yet more is to be added to fearsome sum.
What wonders do we present, Syrian?
The finest in Capua… and beyond.
[cheering, applause] And who stands, this night, champion of the House of Caesar?
A most rare and unusual offering.
From the savage lands of Kush comes a spectacle never before witnessed in the Republic.
[dramatic music]
Behold!
Achillia… the Goddess of Death.
[music builds]
[laughter]
You present fucking woman?
The aedile himself pressed to offer something novel…
Is this not your fucking house?
Caesar would disagree.
Fuck Caesar.
You stand the man before me.
And affront claimed yours alone.
Apologies.
In the reviewing of it, I should have informed you of the nature of my champion upon earlier convenience.
Presentation has already been made and expectations risen.
Let her death in the arena be the end of it.
And see much desired parting of ways between us.
Why did you confide intent of dispatching Pompey towards confrontation with the Cilicians well in advance of sharing same with Caesar?
Why did you not reveal such to Caesar yourself?
Or noble Crassus?
It did not appear… prudent.
You play a dangerous game, Syrian.
I am but humble piece upon a board, given purpose by greater hands.
There are many words I would use to describe you.
Humble stands not among them.
Nor soft of fucking mind towards true intent of embracing me… in confidence.
You divine test put upon you.
And actions fell accordingly.
Towards what purpose?
Of peace between Pompey and your patron, Crassus?
Or to see own name elevated beyond reasonable station?
The two need not stand… in conflict.
[chuckles]
Ah. Words broken as true Roman.
Let us place unfortunate choice of your champion aside… and move towards common goal.
[suspenseful music]
[exhales shakily]
This is the best the House of Asses could conjure?
[laughter] A cunt with a sword, yet stands a cunt.
[laughter] The Brothers Ferox.
Reality fails to rise to imagined legend.
I would fill mouth with swollen intent, and see words choked within throat.
A threat of little worry, if cock is in equal proportion to what… cowers before me.
[laughter]
Part veil… and witness proof the gods exist.
[laughter]
Proculus!
Reclaim errant children, lest they fall to illgotten fate.
Satyrus, return to heel.
I fall from sight… yet shall return to fuck you in your dreams.
[laughter]
She stands a feast for the senses, does she not?
The Syrian shits upon tradition and serves it proudly, as tainted meal.
I would have thought one who spews such from mouth would savor taste.
[Modesta snorts] Viridia.
Cornelia has broached subject of interest.
Come.
Let us conspire.
Impossible child.
I find her insights most refreshing.
Cornelia has been regaling with tales of Rome, especially those concerning men of worth, untethered by responsibility of marriage.
Mother.
She has intimate knowledge towards suitable match.
A difficult thing to conjure, a man worthy of such rare beauty.
Hmm.
Yet Quintus Minucius Thermus, well known to my husband, fills thoughts towards such.
I fear subject erroneously broached.
I yet grieve for my husband, fallen at the hands of Spartacus.
I hold deepest of sympathies.
Such sorrow can be all-consuming.
Until it simply no longer is.
[indistinct conversations]
[laughter]
[water splashes]
You seek to avoid me.
I but attend my duties.
And what might those consist of, presently?
Seeing to the fucking men.
And fucking woman-a detail that slipped mind when petitioning me to press for your cause in the arena?
Withheld towards reason-you still stand rival to this house.
And what do I stand towards you?
It is not disagreement, I seek.
I should return to my duties.
Is there really nothing more you desire in life than to serve at the whims of the Syrian until age overtakes senses?
You would not understand.
That you seek glory long past through the actions of the men you train?
I would have you set eyes upon the future… leaving past to remembrance… as all who truly live… must.
[sighs, pants]
[pants]
I should… go.
And yet you remain… rooted in place.
[sighs]
[suspenseful music]
[Ashur] Cock truly tilts body, that you darken this house with your fucking shadow.
I but stand upon request of noble Gabinius and honored Caesar.
No other cause would so move to lower myself into such… murky depths.
Hm.
Let us fall from word twisted in meaning and come to plain truth.
I welcome such diversion.
It was your man Fides who moved against my Doctore, guided by fucking hands… before me.
[chuckles] If I was to move against you, Syrian… be assured, it will be my hand, grasping blade.
I long for that day.
No more than I.
Hm.
[chuckles]
Entertainment stirs approval?
The House of Caesar offers many revelations, as does the man himself.
You appear of heavy mind.
Let us walk, see it unburdened.
You assured no one would fall to harm.
The aedile’s wife, Horatia, was known to me, and considered friend.
I said no one of note would fall to harm… and was true to word.
[scoffs] You twist meaning to suit purpose.
Was purse not swelled with coin in return for maneuvering Cossutia and her daughter to appointed time and place?
A decision now held in regret.
Oh.
Yet past is etched in stone, impervious to meat and bone of desire.
And what of the desires of Crassus and Pompey-how do they measure against your own?
The future yet to be revealed.
Perhaps one day we shall see Caesar ascend as a god, through guile and fucking deceit.
It is a disappointment I shall not find you among my worshippers.
Nor perhaps at all among the living.
[chuckles]
[indistinct conversations]
[suspenseful music]
See how they move-father and son of singular mind and purpose.
[cheering, applause]
Sympathies for their opponents, who shall find themselves fucked into the sands in tomorrow’s games.
[laughter]
Take food and wine as reward for welcomed display.
Dominus.
To share the sands of the arena with youa thing often dreamt of…
I shall rejoin you upon a moment.
I would have you remain by my side, in favor of unworthy distraction.
I am not fucking child.
Nor shall be treated so.
Apologies.
Caesar requests presence.
I bend towards greater name.
[indistinct conversations]
Your father casts disapproving eye.
Pay him no heed-the man stands stubborn and overbearing of late.
[laughs] Then you truly are his son.
What does Caesar require of me?
Well, your thoughts upon matter hold equal towards my own.
I’ve never broken words with the man.
You pull me from noble Roman as fat with coin as of belly, to what fucking purpose?
Shh.
One of pressing need.
You shall be the death of me.
Well, then I shall storm the shores of the afterlife… to see you in my arms again.
[both pant]
[both pant]
[moans]
How gauge you mood of guests towards Achillia?
As unwelcome shit in morning repast.
Gabinius stood same in response.
He does not favor straying from tradition, yet the passing of days often sees hardened resolve soften towards more reflective possibilities.
Wise counsel, to those in… much need of it.
I should attend to the men.
Your Doctore stands fortunate to find himself beneath roof with one of such vision, gazing forward in favor of back.
Desire towards better tomorrow holds greatest hope.
Wise counsel returned.
Would I find you among us in the pulvinus for the games?
I came here tonight to show respect towards the man who saved my life.
Yet it is a heavy thing to witness form and manner of those who claimed my husband’s.
Apologies. I did not pause to consider…
None required. You saw Spartacus to deserved end at great risk, and, with his fall, rebellion crushed.
In the doing of such, you stand forever in highest esteem.
Risk gladly ventured a thousandfold… if such leads to reward before me.
[indistinct conversations]
Mother will be frothing over falling from her side.
May Apollo see your champion to victory.
It is a blessing she will not attend the games-the arena and the men within it hold no place for such a… delicate thing.
Attend honored guests. And see this night to fucking end.
[laughter]
Fix mind towards purpose in the arena and do not allow it to drift towards softer pleasures.
I am but for blood and glory.
Let us set past differences to faded memory and embrace fortune as father and treasured son.
[dramatic music]
[music fades]
You wander astray into my cell, champion.
You have stood upon sands of the arena?
On many occasion.
What should I expect upon first entry?
[sighs]
The deafening roar of the crowd… a quickening of pulse… and the bitter sting of blood in the air.
The gods offer no greater bounty.
How gauge you odds at survival?
Against the Brothers Ferox?
Not in your favor.
Yet as men fully formed underestimate them, so will the brothers… underestimate… a woman.
Many of the eyes that fell upon me during celebration… were filled with certainty… that my fall has already been written.
Only the gods know what is written.
And even they are often fucking mistaken.
[poignant music]
If I am to face death at the break of day… then I would embrace life… this night.
I long ago placed such entanglements aside… towards glory in the arena.
Do not mistake intent.
There are none but men beneath this roof… and you… but stand the least offensive.
Doctore warned against placing hands upon you.
[pants]
Unwanted… hands.
Then let us see them filled.
Mmm.
[panting]
[gasps]
[pants] [both moaning]
[intense music]
[screaming]
[cheering]
The gods bless you.
Opiter indeed stands much favored of late.
[chuckles]
Viridia.
Arrival is most… unexpected.
She does not favor the games.
Really? What, then, moves you to grace presence?
The House of Ashur presents novel spectacle-one I could not resist bearing witness to.
We stand ripe with expectation.
Claim seat adjoining ours.
Gratitude.
I prefer to be removed from violent contest, and threat of errant blood.
As do we.
The Syrian has never been allowed within pulvinus before.
I pray he does not shit himself from excitement. [laughs] Hilara, see honored guest to wine.
Pay her no mind.
She is of a mood.
See lesser contest announced to hasten arrival of primus and conclusion of day’s events.
[sniffs] Air grows… unpleasant.
[feet shuffle]
Glorious day graces us with an abundance of astonishments… and we yet offer more… in honor of golden Apollo.
[cheering]
Blood sacrificed, towards favor of our mighty Republic… fortifying against threat, from without… and within.
[cheering, crowd stamps feet]
The crowd stands louder than imagined.
Their roar shall grow bolder still… when the Brothers Ferox present offering of Nubian blood.
I have always wondered-does a halfman bleed as abundantly as one fully formed?
[laughs]
Tarchon, Celadus, prepare yourselves.
In gratitude, I present offering from the House of Proculus-enter…
Harbelex, Murmillo, and Boriatis, hoplomachus
[cheering]
[laughs]
[cheering, whistling]
Honor this house and see Proculus’ men fucked from this world.
I would see you live… old man.
As would I.
And from the House of the Syrian…
Celadus, dimachaerus… and his formidable offspring, Tarchon, Thraex
[audience booing]
[booing continues]
[booing, cheering]
Fuck the Syrian!
[booing]
[booing continues]
[cheering]
Begin!
[cheering] Which do you favor?
Both.
Youth outpaces experience.
Tarchon but desires to draw first blood.
Desire denied.
Engage the Murmillo!
[both grunt]
[thud] [gasps] Tarchon, cover
[grunts]
Youth prevails.
[grunts]
[cheering]
[all grunt]
[all grunt]
[all grunt]
[thud]
[all grunt]
[thud]
[swords clang]
Yeah.
[whistling] Behind you.
[both grunt]
[pants]
Aargh.
[all grunt]
[both grunt]
Yeah.
[laughs] Yes.
[both] Yeah.
Come on.
[cheering, whistling]
Come on.
[cheering] Yeah [laughs]
[cheering, whistling]
A surprising victory.
Only to those lacking faith.
You ply me with undeserved praise.
Modesty does not serve a man of your status.
Your house proves formidable opponent and have rightly ignited the passions of the crowd.
Let us pray the mood does not sour upon presenting a woman in the primus.
[clears throat]
[cheering, whistling]
The House of Ashur stands victorious.
Yes.
Once more, you do not disappoint.
Achillia, your time approaches.
Prepare yourself.
For death… you fucking cunt. [snarls] Upon close of games, I would see you and noble husband to our villa to break meal, and continue intriguing conversation from previous night.
An invitation well received, Hmm.
Yet regrettably declined.
I prepare for travel at break of morning sun.
Your departure hastens?
Upon wings of necessity.
I am for Sinuessa en Valle.
Sinuessa?
Towards what purpose?
To break much needed word with Pompey.
Pompey? He did not mention slipping from Rome.
An oversight, I am surehis mind yet weighted with more important matters.
Your absence will be keenly felt.
I shall linger in spirit… embodied by… cherished wife.
You remain?
The gods themselves could not pry me loose.
Hmm.
Who announces the primus?
Let honor fall to Caesar.
His attention appears much in demand.
I am your man, then.
Citizens of Capua I, Gaius Julius Caesar, stand before you in place of Marcus Licinius Crassus… detained in Rome upon vital interest of the Republic.
With his blessing, and that of honored Senator Gabinius…
[cheering]
…I present to you the primus of the Ludi Apollinares!
[cheering]
And who shall step forth to appease Apollo with blood and honor?
I present to you…
Achillia, Goddess of Death!
[cheering]
[cheering fades]
Is this fucking jest?
[booing]
[booing continues]
Rubbish.
[booing continues]
[chuckles] Your champion stands well received.
As I feared.
Do not be swayed by braying mob, so easily turned by imagined slight.
Good citizens of Capua, you behold spectacle never before witnessed within the Republic.
Yet who will step forth to face such unheralded offerings?
Do not kill her too quickly.
I would see her suffer.
From the House of Proculus…
I present to you Ammonius, Murmillo!
[cheering]
Fuck!
No.
You steal fucking glory?
You deserve none, little man.
[grunts] The gods betray us.
[footsteps rumble rhythmically]
[fanfare]
Yeah!
[cheering]
I shall fuck your corpse.
You alter match absent consent.
It was not my hand that commanded it so.
The fault lies with my own.
You boast of your champion’s prowessI would observe such against opponent of proper proportion.
As would I.
Let the heavens tremble in anticipation of blood and glory!
[cheering]
Begin!
[cheering]
[both grunt]
She finds advantage in speed, as instructed.
How does fucking contest unfold?
You stand fortunate you do not face the Goddess of Death.
[both grunt]
[both grunt]
[both grunt]
[both grunt]
[swords clang]
[both grunt]
[both grunt]
See how she moves. I have never beheld anything its equal.
Nor anyone within the Republic.
[both grunt]
Come on!
[scream echoes]
[thud] Aargh!
Aargh!
[grunts]
[thud] [groans]
[cheering]
Boasted offering fails to quench thirst.
Yet promise of never before seen spectacle fulfilled-a woman dying in the arena.
[crowd chants]
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
[grunts] Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
[gasps] Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Neferet!
[scream echoes]
[whimpers]
[screams]
[both grunt]
[laughs] Yes!
[cheering] [grunts]
[shrieks]
[clattering]
[both grunt]
[both grunt]
[thud] Aargh!
[grunts] [screams]
[thud]
[Proculus chuckles]
A fine showingfor a lesser house.
[whimpers]
[crowd chants]
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
And now…
I fuck you!
Aargh!
[grunts]
[cheering] Yes!
Yes!
What?
What happened?
Huh? Oh.
Kill him! Kill him!
Not this day!
[cheering]
Yes!
Apologies, Syrian.
Your boast proves true.
Ha.
[crowd chants] Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Yes! Come on!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
[screams]
[crowd chants]
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
Achillia! Achillia!
Achillia!
[whoosh thud]
[sinister music]
[sinister music continues]
[music deepens]
[music continues]
[music becomes expectant]
[music becomes solemn]
[music becomes foreboding]
[music becomes dramatic]
[music continues]
[music becomes percussive]
