CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE
OF CICERO – NIGHT
Marcus Silanus divides the parchments up among
THREE CAVALRYMEN. After quick
instructions the men ride off, and Caesar’s voice can be heard narrating once
again as the cameras follow the three men as they ride.
CAESAR
(V.O.)
Of all the letters, the one
sent to Gnaeus Pompey in Rome was the most important. He was to send me two newly formed legions stationed in north
Italy. I also ordered the legate Gaius
Fabius to bring his legion to Cicero.
The rest of the letters went to all the other winter camps explaining
the situation and telling them to be weary of Gauls for there exists a strong
possibility more tribes may revolt.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE
OF CICERO – DAY
The camera shows that most of the Roman bodies have
been buried and there are very few legionnaires needed now to dig graves. Caesar continues to speak.
CAESAR
(V.O.)
It was two days until our dead
had been buried, by then the legions I had requested had arrived.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE
OF CICERO – DAY
A LEGION marches into the former battlefield from
the south as Julius Caesar speaks.
CAESAR
(V.O., CONT’D)
I quickly assembled my army
that would pursue Ambiorix. It was
comprised of my legion, Silanus’ legion, Labienus’ legion, and Gaius Fabius’
legion. We swiftly marched east towards
the territory of the Eburones, leaving Marcus Crassus in command of three
legions, two of them the new ones from Gaul.
With the instability caused by Ambiorix’s short-lived revolt, I thought
it wise to keep Crassus and a sizeable Roman force stationed in Gaul.
CUT TO: EAST
GAUL, DIRT PATH – DAY
AN AERIAL VIEW shows the four Roman legions
marching, the dirt path too small for the 20,000 strong Roman force.
CAESAR
(V.O., CONT’D)
We swiftly force marched
east. I pushed the legions hard, as I
wanted to give Ambiorix as little time as possible to prepare for an assault or
to flee. After a day we entered the
land of the Nervii, one of the tribes who sent warriors to help Ambiorix’s
attack. The Nervii border with the
Eburones and were in our path. At first
they were reluctant to comply with my demands that they stand aside and disarm. But they changed their tune when they
noticed four legions had surrounded them.
After the legionnaires had collected the Nevrii’s weapons and taken five
hundred of them as hostages, we resumed our march east. I had the troops slow their pace, now going
for stealth. If Ambiorix was still in
his camp, I did not want him to become aware of our presence and flee across
the Rhine.
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, DIRT PATH – DUSK
The camera moves alongside the marching Roman
legions until it comes across the five hundred Nevrii hostages. They are in the center of the marching
Romans and are not bound. It was not
necessary, with twenty thousand Romans ready to respond if they attempted to
escape.
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, EBURONES CAMP – NIGHT
The camera PANS AROUND THE EBURONES CAMP, showing a
rather inferior encampment compared to that of Cicero. While its size is impressive and greater
than Cicero, its walls and gates are much smaller and weaker. The camp is full of farmland and thatch
huts, the only stone being used for the walls that stand at an unimpressive
fifteen feet. Despite its lack of structural
defenses, there are still enough armed Eburones patrolling the camp to
discourage most from attacking.
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, EBURONES CAMP, OUTSIDE OF
AMBIORIX’S HUT – NIGHT
The camera follows Ambiorix as he walks towards one
of the largest huts in the camp, when a large imposing figure blocks his
way. It is CATUVOLCUS, Ambiorix’s
second-in-command. He is an older man,
but still impressive.
CATUVOLCUS
You failed, Ambiorix. You are one of the few survivors of your
battle with the Romans out of thousands of Eburones and many more from other
tribes of Gaul.
Ambiorix pays him little heed as he shoves past him
and walks into his hut.
AMBIORIX
Do not test my patience, old man. Not
tonight.
Catuvolcus watches Ambiorix walk out of sight and
HEAVILY SIGHS, following him into the hut.
CUT TO:
INT. EAST GAUL, EBURONES CAMP, AMBIORIX’S HUT -
NIGHT
Ambiorix has a sack and appears to be packing his
possessions into it.
CATUVOLCUS
You will not ignore me,
Ambiorix. You will speak to me.
AMBIORIX
There is nothing to discuss,
old man.
CATUVOLCUS
Nothing to discuss? I warned you of going against Rome! But you didn’t listen to me, the old man.
AMBIORIX
(irritated)
I don’t want to hear it.
CATUVOLCUS
(growing
angry)
It doesn’t matter what you want to hear, Ambiorix. How many sons of the Eburones did you take only to be slaughtered
by the Romans or made into slaves? You
cannot just return here with so many of our brethren slain because of the very
thing I protested as if you did nothing wrong!
Ambiorix remains with his back turned, but stops
what he is doing. One of his hands
clenches into a tight fist.
AMBIORIX
I am aware of the loss we have
suffered, Catuvolcus. I saw it
firsthand on the battlefield, as you were busy here, milking goats with the
women!
CATUVOLCUS
I was hardly milking
goats! And I find it rather curious
that for someone who claims to have been at the heart of the combat, you
managed to escape relatively unharmed.
Ambiorix turns sharply and steps up in front of
Catuvolcus despite the size difference between the two that is in Catuvolcus’
favor.
AMBIORIX
(enraged)
Do not lecture me on how to lead my own tribe!
You are not the chieftain anymore, Catuvolcus! I cut your rule short, and I will not think
twice about cutting your life short if you persist! Perhaps we did lose the battle, but dying for the cause of
freedom is better than sitting down and letting the Romans wrap a chain around
our necks as if we were some kind of dog, as you would let them! So be silent, or be silenced!
Ambiorix waits a moment, as if daring Catuvolcus to
speak of the matter further. When the
older man does not, Ambiorix collects his sack and pushes past him and leaves
the hut.
CATUVOLCUS
(muttering)
That’s it, Ambiorix. Run like the coward you truly are while I
once again save our tribe from your blunders.
Catuvolcus
walks out of the hut…
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, EBURONES CAMP, OUTSIDE OF
AMBIORIX’S HUT – NIGHT
…and the camera is outside of Ambiorix’s hut. The elder walks a little ways with the
camera following him until he reaches a dark steed. He pats the horse on the head affectionately before climbing on
top of it and riding out of the Eburones camp.
CUT TO:
INT. EAST GAUL, ROMAN CAMP – NIGHT
Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus sit around a strong
fire, both men wrapped in animal skins to help keep the chill of the night off.
VORENUS
We are close to the Eburones
camp, less than a day’s march.
Pullo nods.
PULLO
Sometime tomorrow we shall be
in the heat of battle, avenging those at Cicero.
VORENUS
Reginus…Sextius…
A beat.
PULLO
They were good friends and
trustworthy comrades in battle. I will
miss them dearly.
VORENUS
I will kill many of the Gauls
before I am satisfied that Reginus and Sextius are truly avenged.
Pullo lies down, moving closer to the fire and
drawing his skins closer to his body.
PULLO
Of that, I have no doubt my
friend. Of course, it won’t be as many
as I kill. But it will be impressive nonetheless…
CUT TO:
INT. EAST
GAUL, ROMAN CAMP, CAESAR’S TENT – NIGHT
Julius Caesar stands before a table, a large map of
Gaul spread out upon it. Next to Caesar
is Legate Marcus Silanus and both of them seem to be studying the map intently,
paying close attention to the river Rhine that separates Gaul from German
land. Their planning is interrupted,
however, when Catuvolcus steps into the tent.
TWO LEGIONNAIRES and Cassius flank him as he enters.
CASSIUS
Pardon me, mighty Caesar. This man claims to be part of the Eburones
tribe and wishes to speak to you.
Therefore I thought it best to bring him to you.
CAESAR
Do not worry, Cassius. You did the
right thing.
(re:
legionnaires)
You may go.
The two legionnaires salute before taking positions
outside of the tent.
CAESAR
So,
why should I speak to you, Eburones?
CATUVOLCUS
Caesar, I have not come here as
an enemy but as a possible ally, if you’ll hear me out.
CAESAR
Then you may speak.
CATUVOLCUS
Thank you. I am Catuvolcus, and was once the chieftain
of the Eburones, and my nephew would’ve been my heir when my time came. But my nephew grew impatient and disagreed
with my views on how the tribe should be led.
Ambiorix forced me to relinquish the position without internal fighting,
and as compensation he made me his second.
I and quite a few other Eburones disagree with my nephew’s hostility
against Rome. He took many of the sons
of the Eburones into a battle that we had no business being involved with and
he got them slain. If the Republic
could find itself able to forgive the Eburones for the horrible sins of
Ambiorix, we would gladly aid you Romans in removing him.
A beat as
Caesar ponders the elder Eburones’ words.
CAESAR
So, in exchange for helping in
defeating Ambiorix you wish to be appointed chieftain once again and have the
crimes of the Eburones erased?
CATUVOLCUS
You understand perfectly, noble Caesar.
The Eburones do not support resisting Rome and wish to have good
relations with your people.
CAESAR
Ambiorix made comments about
only wanting peace, and those who believed him are now dead. I shall not take a risk based on the words
of one man I do not know. If you tell
me the weakest side of your camp, and do your best to undermine its strength
further, I shall lead my forces there and attack the camp, defeating any who
stands against us with a weapon. This
way I ensure anyone dense enough to stand against Rome will be buried and the
weapons of the Eburones will be collected.
This is not negotiable, Catuvolcus.
You either accept, and we follow through with my plan, or you deny my
offer and the Eburones will be wiped out.
It is your choice, assuming you can make good on your promise.
A beat as Catuvolcus considers the agreement, his
hesitation showing he disagrees with it on some levels. But he has little
choice.
CATUVOLCUS
Agreed, noble Caesar. The north side of our camp is the
weakest. I shall do as you demand and
weaken it as best I can, and make sure all loyal to Rome are unarmed.
CAESAR
Good. Now be off, Eburones. I
have much to do.
CATUVOLCUS
Of course, gracious Caesar.
With a small bow, Catuvolcus leaves Caesar’s tent,
the two legionnaires escorting him away from the Roman camp. Caesar turns his attention to Cassius.
CAESAR
Cassius, send word to the nearest tribes.
Inform them that tomorrow if they attack the Eburones from the north all
booty that they take from the Eburones Rome shall allow them to keep.
SILANUS
Caesar?
CASSIUS
At once, sir.
Cassius
leaves the tent to fulfill the order.
SILANUS
But, Caesar, what
about Catuvolcus?
CAESAR
Silanus… the Eburones committed a terrible crime. Whether the entire population was for it or not does not
matter. What is of importance is the
fact that the Eburones were the beacon of revolt against us. They must be made into an example for the
rest of Gaul to look upon. When the
Eburones are completely wiped out tomorrow, the rest of Gaul will tremble at
the thought of defying the will of Rome.
For, while the Gauls love battle almost as much as the Germans, they
lack what it takes to continue a war for a long period of time if their victory
is not guaranteed. And when they see
what has happened to the Eburones, they will see any chance of “freeing”
themselves from Rome will be a long, harsh, and bloody conflict that they do
not have the resolve to follow through with.
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, NORTHERN EDGE OF EBURONES CAMP -
MORNING
The camera shows SEVERAL EBURONES standing outside
of the gates with their weapons. The
camera PULLS IN CLOSER to the Gauls so their faces can be seen reflecting
slight boredom. They also do not seem
to be too alert, perhaps thanks to Catuvolcus.
There is a SMALL RUCKUS among them as they notice a
large of force heading for their camp.
THE LARGE FORCE of the REMI TRIBE alarms them, but they relax quickly
when they realize the army is not a Roman force, but that of fellow Gauls. A few of the Eburones have the gates opened
and run to inform their comrades that reinforcements have arrived.
When the Gallic army is close enough to the camp,
the Eburones wave and call out to them, not noticing that several dozen of
their “allies” have their bows and arrows at the ready. By the time the Eburones realize something
is amiss, as the Remi do not respond to their greetings, it is too late and a
hail of arrows kills them instantly.
Archers and spearmen along the catwalks of the Eburones camp try to slow
down the charge enough so the gates can be sealed, but they don’t have enough
time as great numbers of the Remi make it into the camp.
The camera CUTS TO an AERIAL VIEW of the Eburones
camp. It ZOOMS OUT for several seconds,
showing not too far away two more Gallic tribes are heading for the Eburones
encampment to take Caesar up on his offer.
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, NORTHERN EDGE OF EBURONES CAMP –
DUSK
The four
Roman legions march towards the Eburones camp.
There are dead from the attacking tribes, the Remi, Sugambri, and Ubii
and the dead of the Eburones defenders.
Great plumes of smoke rise into the sky from the Gallic encampment. At the head of the Roman forces is Julius
Caesar on horseback. His horse moves at
a moderate pace, slow enough for its master to survey the former battlegrounds.
CUT TO:
INT. EBURONES CAMP, GATES – DUSK
Caesar and his horse pass through the wide-open
gates of the northern entrance. It is a
sorry sight to behold within, almost every hut is in flames and there are great
deals of dead Gauls littering the ground.
Caesar brings his horse to a halt as a familiar figure approaches him.
CATUVOLCUS
(furious)
Caesar! You did this! You lied to me and caused all of this to happen to my
people! There are barely any of us left
and anything of value those traitors have stolen! We have nothing because of you!
A beat as Catuvolcus’ breathes heavily in anger,
Caesar letting him seethe for a moment before speaking.
CAESAR
Wrong, Catuvolcus. The only one responsible for this…
misfortune… that has befallen the Eburones is Ambiorix. Now, you will tell me where he is.
CATUVOLCUS
I will tell you
nothing!
CAESAR
Wrong, Catuvolcus. If you value the lives of what is left of
your tribe, you will tell me where your nephew is or the Eburones’
history will end right here, right now.
Now, where is Ambiorix?
Catuvolcus
lets out a reluctant sigh.
CATUVOLCUS
(tired)
Ambiorix stayed for most of the
battle, but when he saw all was lost he took a mass of cavalry and fled across
the Rhine not even ten minutes ago. I
don’t know how far he made it; a force of Ubii followed him.
CAESAR
Thank
you, Catuvolcus.
Caesar turns to Cassius.
CAESAR
(CONT’D)
Cassius…
Cassius nods and raises his bow, lining an arrow
from his quiver along the twine.
Catuvolcus’ eyes go wide and he moves fairly fast for an old man,
drawing a menacing battle-axe.
CATUVOLCUS
Traitors!
Before Catuvolcus can even take a step Cassius’
arrow punctures his right pectoral and finds its way into his lung, causing the
old man to fall back lifeless on the ground.
CAESAR
Pullo…
Vorenus… come forth!
On horseback the centurions ride up next to Caesar.
CAESAR
Cross the Rhine and pursue
Ambiorix. Do not return until he no
longer breathes.
PULLO AND VORENUS
(in unison)
Yes, mighty Caesar!
CUT TO:
EXT. EAST GAUL, NORTHERN EDGE OF EBURONES CAMP –
DUSK
The camera focuses on hundreds of Roman cavalrymen
ride out of the destroyed gates of the Eburones encampment, Roman legionnaires
visible in the background finishing off the remnants of the Eburones.
In the lead of the Roman cavalry are Titus Pullo
and Lucius Vorenus. They ride hard,
moving at incredible speed northward, pushing their steeds as far as they are
able to go.
CUT TO:
EXT. NORTHEASTERN GAUL, BANKS OF THE RIVER RHINE –
DUSK
Followed by their small army, Pullo and Vorenus
lead their horses into the fierce Rhine, crossing it as quickly as they can
while still being out of harm's way.
The camera focuses in on two cavalrymen who reach an unsafe speed, and
their horse falls, sending both the horses and the riders downstream as they
call out for assistance their comrades can’t give.
CUT TO:
EXT. NORTHWESTERN GERMANY, BANKS OF THE RHINE –
DUSK
On the German side of the Rhine, Pullo and Vorenus
survey the area as they wait for the last of their force to catch up.
PULLO
Look, Vorenus, in the
forest. Several fallen Ubii and a slain
Eburones.
VORENUS
Good, we can just follow the trail of dead to Ambioirx.
CUT TO:
EXT. NORTHWESTERN GERMANY, FOREST CLEARING – DUSK
BATTLE CRIES are loud in the forest as Ubii and
Eburones fight to the death. The
cavalry battle was fairly even and the results impossible to tell earlier on,
but by now it is obvious the Remi forces will not make it out of the German
forests alive. Ambiorix brings his
horse up behind a mounted Ubii who does not know of the chieftain’s presence
until a blade pierces his back.
Ambiorix wrenches the blade out and shoves the dead Gaul off his horse. Another Remi charges Ambioirx, but the
chieftain throws his sword at the man, catching him in the torso and knocking
him off his ride. Ambiorix bends as his
horse continues; stretching down far to scoop up a sword someone had dropped
and he rejoins the fight.
On the other side of the clearing a storm of arrows
rise into the air and descend upon unsuspecting Ubii and Eburones alike. As the Gauls look for the source in
confusion, Pullo and Vorenus charge them with hundreds of Roman cavaliers
following.
The superior numbers of the Romans swarm over the
Gauls like a wave and begin to dispatch Gauls, whether they are Ubii or
Eburones not making a difference.
Pullo throws his javelin with great accuracy,
catching a Gaul in the chest and knocking him off his horse. Pullo and a Gaul ride up to each other just
as Titus gets his sword drawn. Pullo
deflects a stab from the Gaul with his shield and slashes his exposed
side. Pullo moves on as the Gaul slumps
over his horse.
A Gaul’s horse is hit in the heart with a wayward
arrow and the beast collapses, throwing the Gaul off his ride. As he climbs to his feet in great pain, he
immediately falls back down as Vorenus rides past him, slashing open his
chest. A group of Gallic horsemen rush
Vorenus and Pullo, but a barrage of arrows kill many of them and scatter the
rest.
CUT TO:
Ambiorix throws a dagger that catches in the throat
of a Roman archer before he turns his full attention to the combat. It doesn’t take him long to realize that his
Eburones are outclassed and outnumbered.
He brings his horse about and rides away from the battle, retreating
further into the German forest.
CUT TO:
Pullo watches as Ambiorix rides into the forest,
and brings his horse galloping to Vorenus.
PULLO
Vorenus! Ambiorix has fled into the forest!
Vorenus bangs his shield against the skull of an
Ubii, making the final strike as the Gaul’s senses are temporarily gone.
VORENUS
Well, we won’t let him get very
far. Come on, Pullo!
The two centurions of the Tenth Legion ride through
the battle in pursuit of Ambiorix, bringing their horses into the German forest
that Ambiorix had entered only moments ago.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN FOREST – DUSK
Ambiorix watches from in the woods, cursing as he
sees Pullo and Vorenus are clearly heading towards him. He turns his horse and makes it break out
into a fast gallop, digging his heels into its sides to persuade it to increase
its speed.
AMBIORIX
Faster you
sluggish beast! Faster!
The horse manages to gallop quicker, yet it is
still not enough speed for the Eburones chieftain who continues to disparage
the horse in some desperate attempt to make it move more swiftly. Ambiorix turns backwards to see if he can
spot anyone pursuing him, but he is somewhat relieved to find no one chasing
him. After watching behind himself for
a few moments with still no Romans visibly in pursuit, he is satisfied and
turns around, his eyes going wide as his horse stops near a steep crag, sending
the surprised Gaul over its head and falling.
Ambiorix’s back is sliced up by the jagged edges of the crag, but he is
just glad he has managed to grab the horse’s reins, therefore keeping himself
from plunging to a rather painful death.
After a brief struggle he manages to find a
foothold and with help of the horse’s reins, pull himself up over the
edge. He is met with a sight that sends
his already racing heart into overdrive.
Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.
PULLO
Greetings,
Ambiorix.
VORENUS
Hope you enjoyed
your run, because it’ll be your last.
Ambiorix gets to his knees and reaches for his
sword, but Vorenus’ javelin stabs through his hand and pins it into the
ground. Ambiorix lets out a SHARP CRY
of pain.
CUT TO:
Ambiorix’s POINT OF VIEW: He tears the javelin out
of the ground and his hand, causing another SHARP CRY of pain. He holds his injured hand for a moment,
looking up to see Pullo and Vorenus with their swords at the ready. They flank his sides and bring their swords
up, slashing them downward at his neck.
Ambiorix lets out a QUICK GASP that is cut short.
The camera and Ambiorix’s POINT OF VIEW spins
wildly, settling with a GENTLE THUD with an upside down view. Ambiorix’s decapitated head gives the
audience the opportunity to watch as Ambiorix’s kneeling, headless body
collapses at the feet of the Roman centurions.
FADE OUT.