You are not logged in
Belgium
Vorenus, Mark Antony and several tired oarsmen make their way across the Aegean, returning from battle, as Antony notes, unconvincingly: "All my life I've been fearful of defeat. But now that it has come it's not near as terrible as I'd expected. The sun still shines, water still tastes good... glory is all well and good but life is enough, nay?"
Back in Rome, the newsreader declares that the forces of Octavian Caesar under the command of Agrippa have won a decisive victory over Cleopatra and "her slave Mark Antony". While at Caesar's villa, Livia holds court about Antony's cowardice before her captive guests, Atia and Octavia.
At his camp in Alexandria, Octavian rejects Antony's offer of defeat in exchange for being able to live a private life. But Octavian asks his emissary to return to Antony with the news that he will only accept complete surrender, and to bring word to Vorenus that if he opens the palace gates for them, his life will be safe. Octavian pressures Pullo to offer up some private message to Vorenus that will prove his safety and Pullo acquiesces: "Tell him his children are well, and I hope my child is well also". Responding to Octavian's quizzical look, Pullo explains, "private joke".
Inside the palace, Antony and Cleopatra preside over a debauched, orgiastic party. Antony, drugged and worn out, refuses to surrender to Octavian. Cleopatra suggests they flee, but death is the only solution Antony proffers. Meanwhile, receiving Pullo's and Octavian's message, Vorenus refuses to turn against Antony. Suddenly, Antony calls out to the emissary with another solution: "I challenge your master to meet me in single combat".
While Antony practises for battle, high on opium, Octavian and Agrippa discuss how to handle Antony, not wanting to get into a lengthy battle or further anger the Egyptians by burning down the palace with the Queen inside. Instead, Octavian appeals to a sober Cleopatra directly, promising her she can retain her crown and her life if she delivers Mark Antony dead. When she receives the written offer, Cleopatra is tormented: "My life for my honour". Antony finds her upset, and tells her they must decide together how to end their lives before Octavian's legions attack. She urges him to wait until the next day and he returns to the party, to drink some more with Vorenus.
Antony gets a note from Cleopatra, delivered by her slave, saying goodbye. "With her last breath, she called your name". Devastated, Antony, impales himself, with Vorenus holding the sword, "tell the people I died well. I died Roman". As he falls to his death, the slave runs off to give the news to Cleopatra, who is, in fact, still alive.
Vorenus, dressing Antony's body in the armour befitting a Roman general, is surprised to see Cleopatra, who walks through Antony's blood to weep over his body. Disgusted with the Queen, Vorenus confronts her and insists that he take Caesarion with him, so that Octavian won't kill him. He vows to take him to his real father, Titus Pullo.
Back in Rome, the newsreader declares that the forces of Octavian Caesar under the command of Agrippa have won a decisive victory over Cleopatra and "her slave Mark Antony". While at Caesar's villa, Livia holds court about Antony's cowardice before her captive guests, Atia and Octavia.
At his camp in Alexandria, Octavian rejects Antony's offer of defeat in exchange for being able to live a private life. But Octavian asks his emissary to return to Antony with the news that he will only accept complete surrender, and to bring word to Vorenus that if he opens the palace gates for them, his life will be safe. Octavian pressures Pullo to offer up some private message to Vorenus that will prove his safety and Pullo acquiesces: "Tell him his children are well, and I hope my child is well also". Responding to Octavian's quizzical look, Pullo explains, "private joke".
Inside the palace, Antony and Cleopatra preside over a debauched, orgiastic party. Antony, drugged and worn out, refuses to surrender to Octavian. Cleopatra suggests they flee, but death is the only solution Antony proffers. Meanwhile, receiving Pullo's and Octavian's message, Vorenus refuses to turn against Antony. Suddenly, Antony calls out to the emissary with another solution: "I challenge your master to meet me in single combat".
While Antony practises for battle, high on opium, Octavian and Agrippa discuss how to handle Antony, not wanting to get into a lengthy battle or further anger the Egyptians by burning down the palace with the Queen inside. Instead, Octavian appeals to a sober Cleopatra directly, promising her she can retain her crown and her life if she delivers Mark Antony dead. When she receives the written offer, Cleopatra is tormented: "My life for my honour". Antony finds her upset, and tells her they must decide together how to end their lives before Octavian's legions attack. She urges him to wait until the next day and he returns to the party, to drink some more with Vorenus.
Antony gets a note from Cleopatra, delivered by her slave, saying goodbye. "With her last breath, she called your name". Devastated, Antony, impales himself, with Vorenus holding the sword, "tell the people I died well. I died Roman". As he falls to his death, the slave runs off to give the news to Cleopatra, who is, in fact, still alive.
Vorenus, dressing Antony's body in the armour befitting a Roman general, is surprised to see Cleopatra, who walks through Antony's blood to weep over his body. Disgusted with the Queen, Vorenus confronts her and insists that he take Caesarion with him, so that Octavian won't kill him. He vows to take him to his real father, Titus Pullo.
