Have our lookouts been given Octavian's insignia ?
A golden eagle. We've had it in sight since sunrise--
By sunset we'll have those gold feathers.
Let Octavian know we are coming !
Let the enemy hear the voice of Antony's legions !
He's on his way. Signal my Lord Caesar's ship. Does it fly his insignia ?
My orders are to be followed exactly as issued.
And may the gods grant that Antony has not changed his plan of battle.
There he goes,
as he's done a hundred times on land-- straight for the center.
If only it were on land, and we were there to protect his flanks.
But we're not.
This and all other dispositions are to be signaled to Admiral Euphranor...
aboard Queen Cleopatra's barge.
Euphranor ! But surely he's in command of--
In command of moving toy ships on a painted ocean...
so that Egypt's queen can more clearly follow her war upon water...
to which she has committed Marc Antony and 20,000 Romans.
Just as he said he would.
Lord Antony and his escorts have moved out by themselves after Octavian.
- He's already broken through their center. - They let him through.
The Roman line will close behind him.
Not if we engage and hold them, as Antony said.
They won't engage. Agrippa will pull them back and back, behind Antony,
as Antony chases Octavian.
What reports do you have ?
Lord Antony is already through the center of the Roman line, Your Majesty.
He is now deep within the Roman fleet, in pursuit of Octavian.
Faster ! Faster !
They've increased their own speed, my lord. We're too heavy to catch them.
Then we'll slow them down.
Start the ballistas. Javelin throwers.
Aim high. Overshoot rather than under.
Ballistas. Javelins.
Ballistas !
Octavian's ships are so much faster than our Egyptian tubs.
Why doesn't Agrippa keep him away from Antony's ballistas ?
Ballistas !
My lord ! My lord !
A direct hit on the enemy. One bank of oars has been destroyed.
He's coming around broadside.
We've got him. Collision course.
We'll ram him, board and destroy him.
Octavian !
Octavian! No wis your time to be a Caesar.
- Where is he hiding ? - My Lord Octavian is not on board.
And now we close the trap.
Now we hit my Lord Antony with everything we have.
No word of Lord Antony ? By now he must have Octavian.
You, yourself, said he rammed Octavian's ship.
It may be Lord Antony rammed a ship flying Octavian's insignia, huh ?
But if it is Octavian's ship-- If Octavian is on board--
And if Lord Antony finds and kills Octavian,
he is still surrounded by half the Roman fleet.
- Then send him help. - I've none to send.
They're pulling our ships apart now.
They've got Antony alone and cut off,
closing in on him like a pack of dogs on a wounded bear.
- Lord Antony's ship ? - Gone.
- And Octavian's ship ? - Burning, helpless.
Would you say, Admiral,
that Lord Antony is dead ?
How is the wind for Egypt ?
Fair.
We'll sail at once.
Man the oar-banks. Hoist anchor.
We sail for Egypt !
My Lord Canidius !
Remember always, that after the battle of Actium,
with Octavian dead and Antony dead,
you saw the victor...
sail away on her golden barge.
She's going. Cleopatra's going !
- Leaving me ! - My lord.
My lord, our casualties are heavy. We have little armor left.
Our men need regrouping, someone to give them courage.
My lord, the dying are calling for you. The living need your help.
You can't leave them.
Listen to me !
Caesar, news ! Great news !
Cleopatra is leaving the battle. Antony is following her.
We have won a great victory.
Weigh oars !
Her Majesty is most anxious to see you. Will you come below ?
Perhaps if you wish to remain here, she will come to you.
Shall I send you food ? Wine ?
Her Majesty's orders.
She's afraid you might... harm yourself.
Please.
Octavian has crossed from Syria into Egypt.
He can be here in a matter of weeks.
There are two full legions here in Alexandria...
who have remained loyal to you.
They and their officers...
are waiting for you to command them.
If not to me,
won't you speak to Rufio at least...
or to anyone you choose ?
Antony, just say what you want done and it will be.
It's been so long since you've looked at me. Don't turn away,
even like this,
with your eyes filled with hate.
How they burn with hate.
Why, Antony ? Why ?
Because Iran away ?
They told me you were dead!
What... could I do ?
Where could I go... in a world suddenly without you,
except to my son and my country,
Caesarion and Egypt ?
I wanted to save them from Octavian.
You would have wanted me to go.
You would have commanded me to go.
Tell me you would have !
They told me you were dead.
You were quite right.
I am dead.
The armies of my Lord Caius Julius Caesar are advancing even now,
without opposition, upon Alexandria.
Caius Julius Caesar ?
So now Octavian has stolen all of the name.
My Lord Caesar wishes it to be known...
that he no longer has a quarrel with Cleopatra of Egypt.
Then let him take his armies out of here and go home.
He has charged me to say that the choice of war or peace now rests with Egypt.
And that for himself, he desires only peace.
And what are his terms for this unconditional peace ?
A small token. A demonstration.
A gesture. An indication of Queen Cleopatra's good will and good faith.
What does Octavian want ?
Marc Antony.
The, uh, head of Marc Antony ?
Take this to him as my answer.
Egyptian generosity.
Octavian may have two heads for the price of one.
Either two... or none.
I've been told you come here to sleep.
- Not to sleep. - To pass the night then.
I'm not alone.
The, uh-- The old boy and I exchange memories of life.
It's like having a roommate, or should I say... tomb-mate ?
If he were in your place, would I find Caesar here, do you think, hidden away,
wrapped in moonlight and end less self-pity ?
Self-pity again ! You repeat yourself! Find new reproaches for me.
Until now it has just been a part of your being drunk.
Singing sad songs for Antony.
Your time would be better spent, it seems to me, negotiating with Octavian.
Why did you not give my head to Agrippa ? It would be no great loss to me.
Dying the second time is painless, they say,
and possibly a great advantage to you,
the basis, perhaps, of a great new alliance with Rome.
- I do not want a great new alliance with Rome. - Then what do you want ?
I have come for Marc Antony.
What is left of his army, Rufio, my son and I,
all of Egypt are waiting for him.
There is little time.
Marc Antony ?
There is no one here by that name... alive.
Time for what ?
For Marc Antony to appear in shiny armor,
swords flashing in both hands ?
Pfft, Agrippa. Pfft, Octavian.
Stand back ! Rejoice ! Marc Antony will save the day !
Antony, you say ?
He died at Actium, running away.
He tried to run on the water, the story goes, but you were not there to hold his hand.
Rufio, my legions, waiting.
For what ?
To ask of me what they carry in their eyes, in their hearts, in their sleep at night...
as I have in mine.
Why are you not dead ?
Why do you live ? How can you live ?
Why do you not lie in the deepest hole of the sea,
bloodless and bloated and at peace with honorable death ?
You... begged forgiveness from me for running away.
You wept and gave your reason. A mother to her child, a queen to her country.
Where and how can I weep and beg ? From whom ?
The thousands and thousands who can no longer hear me ?
Shall I give my reason ?
Shall I say simply... I loved ?
When I saw you go, I saw nothing -- felt, heard, thought nothing except your going.
Not the dying and dead, not Rome, not Egypt,
not victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, friend, enemy, future or past,
only that my love was going and that I must be with her.
That my love, my master called.
And I followed.
And that only then,
I looked back...
and I saw.
How right you were.
" Have as your master anyone, anything...
but never love."
How wrong--
How wrong I was.
Antony, the love you followed is here.
To be had upon payment of an empire.
Without you, Antony,
this is not a world I want to live in,
much less conquer.
Because for me...
there would be no love anywhere.
Do you want me to die with you ? I will.
Or do you want me to live with you ?
What ever you choose.
Are we too late, do you think, if we choose to live ?
Better too late...
than never.
My lady, there is disturbing news from the city.
The people are frightened. Some are beginning to leave their homes.
During the night, hundreds of notices were secretly posted everywhere.
They were found this morning stuck up in the marketplace,
even painted on the walls of temples and other holy places.
Signed by Octavian Caius Julius Caesar Augustus,
promising the Egyptian people peace if they surrender to him...
and destruction if they do not.
I've had all of the notices removed...
and I've ordered the death penalty for anyone who spreads the false rumors...
that Lord Antony's men might desert him.
And what penalty if the rumors might come true ?
How do you know ?
I know the Romans.
There is only one commander they will never desert.
His name... is Victory.
But yet,just now, you let Lord Antony go as if--
If you could have seen him, how proud he was,
unafraid,
as he used to be.
All of my attendants--
Have they been given their freedom ? Have they gone ?
Yes. They wanted once more to tidy up.
Octavian can do his own house cleaning.
The captain of the guards and three of his best men are to report to me at once,
disguised as merchants.
They are to escort Caesarion out of Egypt,
for the time being.
And you ? Your Majesty, please reconsider.
There are two of Euphranor's ships, very fast, in the East Harbor.
And would you roll me on board in a carpet ?
No.
There are no more Caesars to go to, at least not for me.
- Then it is still your intention to-- - To remain in Alexandria.
In the last possible place anyone would look.
Literally, the last possible place.
- Your Majesty, I have never questioned your decisions. - This is not the time to begin.
- Let me stay with you. - Charmian and Eiras will look after me.
If Lord Antony should--
When Lord Antony returns,
you will be here to tell him where to find me...
waiting for him.
Together, we will then do... what he thinks best.
Is that clear ?
- Yes, my lady. - Was there anything more ?
I have always loved you.
And I have always known.
Rome has never known such an army.
We should be taking on the combined powers of Asia.
It seems almost a waste of time to slaughter what's left of Antony's army...
- and what's left of Antony. - There will be no slaughter.
I doubt there will be even bloodshed.
Has a battle ever been won without a blow being struck ? I wonder.
At any rate, let me make it clear once more.
I want Antony alive, and I want her alive.
She must be taken alive.
Queen Cleopatra's second procession into Rome will surpass her first.
The ring your father gave you,
it is yours now... to keep.
Wear it with pride and with honor.
I'm afraid. I know I shouldn't be.
Who told you that ?
All kings and especially queens are afraid.
They just manage not to show it,
something ordinary people cannot do.
Hail... Antony !
- How near is Octavian ? - Very near. Over that low ridge.
As it grows darker, the glow from his campfires will light up the sky.
Our troops must find it attractive to watch.
Inviting, even.
Antony's legions warm themselves at their own fires.
Yes. I could feel the warmth as I rode by.
- How many legions has he ? - Twenty.
- And we ? - Two. The 1 2th and one made up from--
Made up from what was left of the others.
As I remember it, Caesar held Alexandria with two.
How are they deployed ? Rufio.
Cavalry to the left, cavalry to the right, infantry to the center.
Three elephants deployed to stamp out a fly.
My lords Octavian and Agrippa have all the strategic brilliance...
of two vestal virgins.
We can draw back here to softer ground, too soft for cavalry,
and make our stand against their infantry.
Stand ? And let them stamp on us ? No. Let the elephants stand.
We flies will bite and buzz and tickle.
At the first light of day...
while Octavian's glow still lights up the sky,
we will attack.
By sunset both our loyal legions will have grown larger...
and even more loyal, I promise you.
Good night.
Rufio, tell the guards, please,
- I am to be awakened just before dawn. - Of course.
And, Rufio,
if, for whatever reason, the guards should forget or misjudge the time,
will you, yourself, wake me ?
The guards will wake you.
- But if they don't ? - Then I will. Never fear.
I never fear.
Not anymore.
Rufio !
Rufio.
Ha !
Fight !
Fight!
Fight ! Fight !
Why don't you fight ?
Is there no one who would grant Antony an honorable way to die ?
Before me,
this was carried by another Roman killed by Rome.
Another...
Caesar.
No.
We will have him.
We will have them both together.
Where is she ?
Her Majesty said to tell you...
she can be found in the last possible place anyone would look.
Literally, the last possible place.
She might have waited.
Once more, it seems,
Cleopatra is out of reach...
and I must hurry after.
Throughout life...
and now beyond.
One woman, one love !
Nothing changes,
except life into death.
Will you help me ?
- Help me to die, Apollodorus ! - I want to ! But I can't.
I've always envied Rufio his...
long arms.
The ultimate desertion--
I from myself.
Else how could I have missed what I must have aimed for all my life ?
Will you finish me now ?
Where is my sword ? I beg you to finish me.
I lied to you. I let you think the queen is dead.
But she's alive in her tomb, waiting for you.
Cleopatra waiting ?
There will be...
just enough time...
if you'll help me.
Perhaps, my lady, if we were to bind his wounds tightly--
It would only give him pain. Let him sleep.
Sleep.
Will you come tonight...
so that I can sleep...
the dark sleep ?
They did meet, after all,
the lovers.
They will always meet.
Be lonely for me.
But not for very long, I promise.
I thought always I would die...
so well...
as becomes a soldier--
a soldier's death.
I lived always as I saw fit.
Unfittingly.
I would make it up, I thought, in death.
I expected--
I expected too much of me in death,
as in life.
Are you holding me ?
Never so closely.
Even closer.
You and I will prove death...
so much less than love.
You and I, we will--
we'll make of dying...
nothing more than one...
last...
embrace.
A kiss...
to take my breath away.
There has never been...
such a silence.
Turn him over.
Strange people. Poisons that smell like perfume.
See if you can find more. Have it analyzed. Test it on one of the badly wounded.
My lord, they have found Queen Cleopatra.
She is locked in a building, that is to say, a tomb.
Hurry.
Oh, Marc Antony is with her, they say. He's dead.
- What ? - Lord Antony is dead.
Is that how one says it ?
As simply as that.
"Marc Antony is dead."
"Lord Antony is dead."
"The soup is hot. The soup is cold."
"Antony is living. Antony is dead."
Shake with terror when such words pass your lips,
for fear they be untrue and Antony cut out your tongue for the lie.
And if true,
for your lifetime boast...
that you were honored to speak his name even in death.
The dying of such a man...
must be shouted,
screamed.
It must echo back from the corners of the universe.
Antony is dead !
Marc Antony of Rome...
lives no more !
You needn't lower your head before Caesar.
I never did.
But if he were here, I'd be happy to.
I am Caesar.
I fit pleases you, Octavian.
- Look at me. - If it pleases you.
After all this time and all that has happened,
I suppose you are still beautiful, in a way.
You flatter me.
My interest is impersonal. Should you have any intention--
Now you flatter yourself.
The fighting is over.
Your country, your possessions and you are mine by right of conquest.
I will permit you to rule Egypt as a Roman province and return your possessions.
There is one condition. You will first accompany me to Rome.
- Behind your chariot ? - Look at me !
Would the proud citizens of Rome wait for hours in the hot sun...
to see my dead body dragged through the Forum ?
I will have you closely watched.
Octavian,
when I am ready to die,
I will die.
And what if I promised no harm will come to you,
that you will be returned safely to Alexandria ?
Look at me !
What more could you ask ?
You have not spoken of my son.
Your son ?
I'd forgotten him. Where is he ?
Safe.
If I go with you to Rome,
would you permit my son to rule Egypt ?
And his sons ? And theirs ?
I will do everything I can.
Do I have your word as a Roman emperor and god ?
Yes.
- When will you require me to go ? - As soon as possible.
At the moment I am very tired and would like to rest. If you will leave me now.
Do I have your word...
that you will not harm yourself in anyway ?
I swear it...
on the life of my son.
Must the guards remain inside ?
I have sworn, after all,
on the life of my son.
- And now I must make ready to go. - There's little to do.
First I shall want something to eat.
Something to sustain me on my way.
- Some fruit perhaps ? - Bring it to me.
Charmian.
You then, Eiras.
You have never been without us. You cannot leave us behind.
Perhaps...
there may be enough for us all.
Bring me a tablet to write on.
I shall want a message brought to Octavian.
Words are wasted on such a man.
I've wasted so many on so many men.
A few more, one last request.
Will he grant it, do you think ?
I may never know.
But in this case,
I think I shall.
I will serve Her Majesty as always.
It is I who have always served her.
You will both wait...
to dress me for my travels.
I will wear--
I want to be as Antony first saw me.
- The dress of gold. - He must know at once,
even from a great distance,
that it is I.
This will be the last thing you do.
Drop this to one of the guards outside for Octavian.
But be sure to wait.
Now let me see if the figs are as they should be.
The taste of these, they say, is sharp...
and swiftly over.
How strangely awake I feel,
as if living had been just a long dream.
Someone else's dream,
now finished at last.
But now...
will begin...
a dream of my own...
which will never end.
Antony.
Antony, wait.
From the Egyptian queen, my lord. A message for Caesar.
Read it, Agrippa. Whatever she wants will be granted upon her arrival in Rome.
We will discuss it as she walks beside my chariot.
What is it ?
"My one wish, which I implore you to grant,
is to be buried at the side of Antony...
and to remain there until all things end."
Was this well done of your lady ?
Extremely well,
as be fitting...
the last of so many noble...
rulers.
And the Roman asked,
"Was this well done of your lady?"
And the servant answered,
"Extremely well,
as be fitting the last of so many noble...
rulers."