When Pompey learns that Caesar is heading straight for Rome, he decides to leave the city and gather his legions (who were stationed elsewhere) before returning to eliminate his old friend. Pompey’s wife is no dummy and she reminds him to bring some gold along to pay the legions. He sends his best man, Durio, along with some men to retrieve as much gold as possible, but Pompey’s departure sends the city into chaos and the men decide to kill Durio and run off with the gold themselves.
When there’s chaos, throw a party. Like any good socialite, Atia (a.k.a. Julie Cooper) decides to do just that and is surprised when Pompey loyalists try to break into her home. During the commotion, Julie tells everyone who should stab whom if the invaders gain entry. The only one keeping a level head is the young Octavian, who I suspect is destined for great things. Meanwhile, Lucius and Titus are leading a small band of Caesar’s men ahead of the legion to post their commander’s intention on the Senate’s door. Lucius is troubled by his last visit with his wife and goes to Titus for advice. Titus instructs Lucius to tell her that she is beautiful every time he sees her – even when she’s not – and to bring her the heart of an enemy, a gesture that he claims makes the women “as wet as October.” On their journey, they run across the gold-stealing soldiers, who had picked up a pretty young lass on the way. Lucius realizes something is amiss and after a brief battle, the thieves are killed. Ponderously, Lucius fails to check the wagon (even though he was curious about its contents when he first ran into the thieves) and as they get closer to Rome, Titus nags him to go back. Lucius ignores him and finishes his mission by posting Caesar’s intentions on the Senate door. Feeling as if he is a traitor to the Republic, he quits the army and heads home to his wife, who (sort of) fesses up and the two agree to start anew.
Finally, Titus heads back to the wagon and discovers the gold – lots and lots of gold. When he hears the marching drums of Caesar’s legion growing near, he’s faced with a decision – turn the gold over to his leader or take it (and the pretty young lass) for his own. Not wanting to disappoint his growing number of fans, he moves the wagon up a hill and far away from Caesar’s path
