Son of Hades
Encyclopedia
"Son of Hades" is the second episode
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...

 of the second season of the television series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...

.

Plot summary

With Erastes Fulmen
Erastes Fulmen
Erastes Fulmen is a fictional character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actor Lorcan Cranitch. He is depicted as a ruthless businessman, who over the course of the first season becomes one of the leading figures in the Roman underworld.-Personality:While wearing the...

 gone, the Aventine is up for grabs, and rival gangs have taken to the streets in a struggle for control, stabbing each other in the open markets.

Having surrendered to his grief, Vorenus refuses to leave his bed, staring catatonic
Catatonia
Catatonia is a state of neurogenic motor immobility, and behavioral abnormality manifested by stupor. It was first described in 1874: Die Katatonie oder das Spannungsirresein ....

ally at the head of Erastes Fulmen, still rotting in a corner. Pullo tries to talk Vorenus into a new start, noting the mourning period has ended, but Vorenus won't hear of it.

Now Consul of Rome, Mark Antony is preparing for the arrival of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, which has Atia
Atia of the Julii
Atia of the Julii is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Polly Walker. The niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Octavian/Augustus and Octavia, she is depicted as a cheerfully amoral and opportunistic manipulator...

 up in arms. To assuage her jealousy, Antony describes Cleopatra as a "dark, skinny little thing who talks too much." Octavian interrupts to press him about the money Caesar left him, but Antony puts him off with talk of paperwork and lawyering.

Cleopatra is far more subdued than she was four years earlier, which puzzles Mark Antony, whom she doesn't recall meeting. She's in mourning over Caesar, she tells him, as he was "like a husband to me." Antony scoffs. "Roman Consul, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...

ian wife? Wouldn't do."

The Queen's counsel, Charmian, interrupts to begin negotiations: the Consul of Rome will guarantee armies to protect her throne in exchange for the value of her grain shipments. Posca ups the price, and they settle on an amount. But the Queen has one more issue to put on the table: her four-year-old son, Caesarion. Soon she must tell him that his father's people do not accept him as a true legal son. She wants a public declaration of the boy's paternity, "simply for his happiness." With a lecherous grin, Antony attempts to privately negotiate something in return, earning himself a fierce slap. Antony then vows that her son will never be legitimate in the eyes of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....

.

At the Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...

, an irritated Antony receives petitioners. A representative of the merchants complains about the violence in the Aventine killing commerce, "the root of civic virtue." Cicero jumps in, warning that whoever controls the Aventine controls the docks and the grain supply. And if the violence spreads, the whole city will descend into chaos and famine, "and you will be blamed, I'm afraid." Antony growls that he will resolve the matter before presenting Cicero with a list of candidates for next year's elections, claiming Posca found them among Caesar's papers. Cicero claims that the list contains every scoundrel in the city who paid off Posca. After a threat from Antony, Cicero agrees to endorse them, but only if he can cross off the worst of the lot, remarking that he is still (for the moment) too useful for Antony to simply kill him.

At a loss with Vorenus, Pullo seeks out the new Consul of Rome. Mark Antony accompanies him back to the cursed villa, jarring his former soldier out of his depression. He reprimands Vorenus harshly, accusing him of letting "our great father die" and starting a war in the Aventine by killing Erastes. Vorenus insists he would kill himself, but "Dis" is his master; he's at the mercy of the God to end his life. Antony replies that he is Vorenus' master, and that no one is beyond redemption.

As Atia prepares to host a party for the Egyptians, Octavian spots Timon
Timon (character of Rome)
Timon, is a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Lee Boardman. He is a Jew, depicted as a "hired sword" – from bodyguard to assassin – for Atia of the Julii, from whom he is quite willing to take her body in lieu of coin.-Personality:Timon initially appears as little...

 and his henchmen, armed for battle, and confronts his mother about her latest plot, which as he suspects involves killing Servilia. When he threatens to go to Mark Antony, Atia stops him, then sends Timon and his men away, furious with her impudent son.

A retinue of exotically dressed servants and courtiers arrive with the wide-eyed four-year-old in tow, his hair done up like Caesar's. Not far behind is the stunning Queen — dressed to kill, and high on opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...

. She takes Mark Antony's hand affectionately and, ignoring Atia, captivates the room.

Timon returns home to find a surprise visitor — his older brother, Levi, an observant Jew from Jerusalem, resurfacing after nine years. Levi claims he's come to expand his business where the money is: the spice, cloth and oil trade. But after a terse talk with his brother, Levi finally concedes that he was forced to leave his homeland, as he spoke too freely about the "so-called leaders licking the boots of Roman soldiers." Timon reproaches his brother, not wanting Levi's zealot
Zealotry
Zealotry was originally a political movement in 1st century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Iudaea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy land by force of arms, most notably during the Great Jewish Revolt...

 views to bring trouble to Timon and his family.

After torturing Atia with her beauty and overt affections toward Mark Antony, Cleopatra makes a scene as she leaves, telling the Consul she shall weep until she sees him again. Turning to Atia, she demands a kiss. "Die screaming, you pigspawn trollop," Atia whispers into the monarch's ear. Antony is in for a rough night.

As the gang wars escalate in the Aventine, the Priests of Concord call a summit. Six roughhewn captains of the underworld, each with their own band of henchmen, gather before the priests and their statue of Concordia
Concordia (mythology)
In Roman religion, Concord was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. Her Greek version is Harmonia, and the Harmonians and some Discordians equate her with Aneris. Her opposite is Discordia ....

, goddess of harmony. An alliance has formed between the two biggest gangs, the Caelians, led by Memmio
Minor characters of Rome
There are several minor but significant characters featured in the HBO/BBC/RAI television series Rome.NOTE: Characters are listed in alphabetical order by character's first/only name-Noble characters:...

, and the Quirinali, under Hannibal Cotta. Across from them, a quartet of smaller gangs stand in equal numbers, including the Oppians, led by Acerbo. Pullo and Vorenus make a dramatic entrance.

Vorenus announces that he speaks under the authority of Mark Antony, Consul of Rome, who declares their battle to control the Aventine finished. Acerbo points out that he has no men; they're all dead or run away. Vorenus replies that he will recruit from Rome's large population of thieves and murderers, "and perhaps some of yours."

As the men stir in protest, Memmio reminds them the Goddess is present. When order is restored, Vorenus explains they'll receive a monthly stipend of 5,000 denarii from Mark Antony — under Vorenus's supervision. In return, they will limit themselves to their "traditional liberties and malpractices...nothing that will disrupt trade or politics."

With this, Vorenus pushes aside the priests and grabs the Goddess, then smashes the statue repeatedly against a pillar until it shatters into shards. The captains and horrified priests look on in astonishment. Pullo panics, but Acerbo quickly agrees to do business, as Memmio and Cotta stare at the remains of the statue, speechless.

Outside Atia's villa, a young boy is beaten by a pack of larger ones, until Castor
Castor and Pollux
In Greek and Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux or Polydeuces were twin brothers, together known as the Dioscuri . Their mother was Leda, but Castor was the mortal son of Tyndareus, king of Sparta, and Pollux the divine son of Zeus, who visited Leda in the guise of a swan...

 intervenes. The grateful boy, Duro
Rafi Gavron
Raphael Pichey "Rafi" Gavron is a British actor, known for his roles in the Anthony Minghella romantic-drama film Breaking and Entering , and the 2008 movies Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and the fantasy Inkheart....

, kisses Castor's feet and begs him for work, offering to do anything, including sexual favors. Castor seems to consider the offer.

Octavian seeks out Mark Antony one more time to remind him about his inheritance; he intends to give the plebians the money Caesar promised them. Octavian explains he's enlisted a lawyer to help Posca transfer the money without further delay. This infuriates Antony, who tells him he's getting none of it. Atia tries to placate him, then scolds her son after he leaves.

When Octavia
Octavia of the Julii
Octavia of the Julii is a fictional character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actress Kerry Condon. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus.-Season One:...

 confronts her brother, Octavian shares his secret plans with her. As he sees it, the Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...

 is on the brink of collapse, with a weak and cowardly Senate
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...

 and angry, starving plebians. So he plans to assume a leadership role and offer new initiatives. Octavia bursts out laughing at her little brother, until she realizes he's dead serious.

In the forum, a newsreader announces a pledge from "Gaius Octavian Caesar, the lawful son of Gaius Julius Caesar," who plans to personally fulfill the terms of his beloved father's bequest to the people, delivering the money they are due. Hearing the news, Mark Antony enters the boy's bedroom in a fit of rage.

Octavian tries to assure him the offering was not meant as a direct challenge to his authority, claiming he wants to make a public display of unity. His name — Caesar's name — can offer Antony protection from his enemies in the Senate. This only infuriates Antony more, and when he learns that Octavian was able to borrow against the money given his legal claim, he attacks the boy. When Atia hears how much he's given away (three million Sestertii), she jumps in, too.

Watching Antony unleash all his fury on the boy, Atia finally tries to stop him. Octavian insults her, inspiring Antony to pummel the boy a few more times, until Octavia finally intervenes.

At the Aventine tavern, Vorenus moves into Erastes Fulmen's former office, as Pullo begins interviewing applicants for jobs in the more orderly collegium. A bold, scantily-clad woman named Gaia enters, impressing Pullo. A former supervisor at a brothel who kept the customers in line, she negotiates a similar job with better pay. Mascius, a former soldier from the 13th, arrives next, desperate for work. They warn him of the questionable nature of the work, but he lost his farm and now he's homeless. He'd already heard about the "black-hearted villain" named Vorenus who's in league with the Gods below. Vorenus smiles wickedly at this, worrying Pullo. Pullo says that that gods will punish Vorenus for claiming he is a son of Hades; Vorenus replies that the gods can do no more to him, as they have already taken his wife and children.

Cicero pays a visit to Servilia, who is thrilled with the news of Octavian's bold initiative, certain that the Caesarion house divided will destroy itself. Though Cicero doubts the boy will be a true rival to Antony, Servilia believes Caesar chose him for a reason. She also thinks the Senate should ask her son to return. As Cicero talks of caution, waiting to see what develops, Servilia does not look pleased.

Atia returns to her son's room to find a note bidding her farewell. Her face streams with tears as she reads it: "I hope in time you will understand the gravity of your mistake," he writes. Determined as ever to pursue a political career, he's headed south for Campania to stay with a friend, Agrippa, who is well established there.

On a dusty road along the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 countryside, Octavian rides on horseback, accompanied by several servants and guards. They pass a large slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...

 transport full of bodies chained together, moaning in pain. In the very back, Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger, Lucius and Lyde are huddled on the floor, their faces blank and hopeless.

Cast

Character Actor
Lucius Vorenus Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKidd
Kevin McKidd is a Scottish television and film actor and director. Before playing the role of Owen Hunt in Grey's Anatomy, McKidd starred as Lucius Vorenus in the historical drama series Rome, and provided the voice of Captain John "Soap" Mactavish in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the sequel...

Titus Pullo Ray Stevenson
Ray Stevenson (actor)
George Raymond "Ray" Stevenson is a Northern Irish-born English film and television actor. He is known for playing Titus Pullo in the BBC/HBO television series Rome , and in film as Dagonet in King Arthur and as Frank Castle/The Punisher in Punisher: War Zone and The Super Hero Squad Show...

Mark Antony James Purefoy
James Purefoy
James Brian Mark Purefoy is an English actor best known for portraying Mark Antony in the HBO series Rome.-Early life and work:...

Servilia of the Junii
Servilia of the Junii
Servilia of the Junii is a character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series, Rome, played by Lindsay Duncan. The mother of Marcus Junius Brutus, lover of the married Julius Caesar and enemy of Atia of the Julii, Servilia is depicted as a sophisticated and regal Roman matron who follows her...

Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Vere Duncan, CBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actress. On stage she won two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her performance in Les Liaisons dangereuses and Private Lives , and she starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Her most famous roles on television include:...

Posca Nicholas Woodeson
Nicholas Woodeson
Nicholas Woodeson is an English film and television actor.-Education:Woodeson attended Marlborough College and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.-Film:...

Octavia of the Julii
Octavia of the Julii
Octavia of the Julii is a fictional character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actress Kerry Condon. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus.-Season One:...

Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon is an Irish television and film actress.She was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. Her roles include Victoria in Unleashed , and Kate Kelly in the 2003 film Ned Kelly...

Marcus Tullius Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero (Rome character)
Marcus Tullius Cicero is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by David Bamber. He is depicted as a moderate politician and scholar, who is challenged with trying to save the traditional Republic from the ambitions of the various...

David Bamber
David Bamber
David James Bamber is an English actor, known for his television and theatre work. He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.-Early years:...

Newsreader Ian McNeice
Ian McNeice
Ian McNeice is a prolific English screen, stage, and television character actor.-Early life:McNeice was born in Basingstoke in Hampshire. McNeice's acting training started at the Taunton School in Somerset, followed by two years at the Salisbury Playhouse...

Cleopatra Lyndsey Marshal
Lyndsey Marshal
Lyndsey Marshal is an English actress best known for her performance in The Hours as the recurring character Cleopatra on HBO's Rome, and as Lady Sarah Hill in BBC period drama Garrow's Law.-Biography:...



External links

  • "Son of Hades" at the Internet Movie Database
    Internet Movie Database
    Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...

  • HBO summary
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