| Genres: | Drama, Action, History |
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Every city has its secrets.
HBO presents this epic series about generals and soldiers, masters and slaves, husbands and wives--all entwined in the furious historical events that saw the death of a republic and the birth of the Roman empire.
The ensemble cast includes Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Kenneth Cranham and Ciaran Hinds.
52 B.C. Eager to return to Rome after eight long years of war, Gaius Julius Caesar ends his campaign with a big triumph in Gaul--and news of a shattering personal loss at home. When his army's gold standard is stolen, Caesar's cousin and commander Mark Antony enlists two soldiers, Centurion Lucius Vorenus and Legionnaire Titus Pullo, to track it down.
Appointed People's Tribune by Caesar, Mark Antony returns to Rome with Octavian's liberators, Vorenus and Pullo. After being feted by Atia, Vorenus heads home to his family for the first time in eight years. Unfinished business involving Pullo spawns a Forum melee--and sends Pullo and an injured Vorenus back into Caesar's ranks.
Alarmed at the speed with which Caesar's army has advanced, and with a less-than-full complement of soldiers at his disposal, Pompey makes an unusual tactical decision: abandon Rome to Caesar. Atia enlists Timon to ensure her family's security. As Vorenus marvels that Rome has been left undefended, Pullo sees his uncanny good fortune continue.
As Pompey 'maneuvers,' Caesar seeks to consolidate his hold on Rome. Atia throws a party to welcome Caesar home, while Vorenus throws one of his own to usher in his new life. Pullo's run of luck continues when he delivers Quintus Pompey to Caesar, who in turn returns Quintus to his father's camp--with an offer he knows Pompey will never accept.
Caesar weighs Pompey's counteroffer against Antony's recommendation to chase down Pompey's army. Vorenus is forced to reconsider his career choices. A jealous Atia concocts a clever scheme to separate Caesar from Servilia. Pullo is recruited to tutor Octavian in the art of soldiering, but ends up learning a lesson or two from the boy.
Mark Antony is running Rome while Caesar pursues Pompey, but when news comes that the tide has turned and that Pompey now pursues Caesar, Antony must decide whether to stick by his old commander or turn against him. Pullo takes Octavian to a brothel; Atia attempts to mend fences with Servilia; and Vorenus and Niobe rediscover their intimacy, albeit briefly.
Marooned in the Adriatic Sea, Vorenus and Pullo try to survive. In Greece, Pompey decides to attack Caesar's depleted forces, whose lack of options turns into their greatest strength. The result finds Pompey seeking reinforcements. In Rome, Octavia is enlisted by Atia to ask another favor of Servilia.
Having pursued Pompey into Egypt, Caesar arrives in Alexandria and meets the boy king Ptolemy XIII, who offers the general a surprise gift. Vorenus and Pullo play liberators again, freeing Ptolemy's incarcerated sister, Cleopatra. Caesar seeks payment from Egypt for past debts, and ends up forging a strategic union to ensure his legacy.
With Scipio and Cato defeated, Caesar returns home to a hero's welcome. Vorenus and Pullo's showdown with local thug Erastes gets an unexpected reprieve from Caesar. Servilia's plan to use Octavia to unearth a secret about Caesar backfires.
Proclaimed Emperor by the Senate, Caesar pronounces the war over, and prepares for five days of feasting and games. No longer an enlisted soldier, Pullo eyes a pastoral future with Eirene; Vorenus runs for municipal magistrate, with Posca's help; Octavian retrieves Octavia from her exile; and Servilia invites Quintus Pompey into her home, to Brutus's dismay.
While Pullo descends into Erastes' netherworld, Vorenus negotiates a severance for veteran soldiers on behalf of Caesar, who invites him and Niobe to one of Atia's parties. Cassius attempts to convince Brutus that the life and death of the Republic is indeed 'in your hands.'
In the Season One finale, Pullo and Vorenus have become heroes, causing Caesar to reward those he normally would punish. Pullo's return to Vorenus's household is not appreciated by his former slave Eirene. Caesar overhauls the Senate by adding some unexpected new faces. Servilia crosses the final hurdle in her ambitious revenge plan, at Niobe's expense.
