Those About to Die

Episode 1

Rise or Die

Thu, Jul 18, 2024

Old general Vespasian ended the civil wars after hated Nero's fall and established his family as new, Flavian dynasty, .which allows other commoners to grow unlimited ambition. Firstborn prince Titus expects to succeeds, being a successful general himself, who suppressed the Iudean rebellion, but took their queen as lover even in Rome. Titus is warned if he fails to prove himself, his scheming brother Domitian may be chosen- a storm preventing the crucial grain import discredits Titus, while shrewd Domitian stars, having suggested to appease the masses, about to revolt in the streets, by an early start of the immensely popular, free chariot races between four color-identified factions. The leading white faction is managed by ambitious Tenax, who manipulates his star race Scorpus, so as to make the 'imperial butt boy', gambling-indebted consul Marsus, lose his big wager, for his wife's shares in the green faction, having bribed the augur to give him a wrong 'divine tip'. Meanwhile construction of the Flavian amphitheater (now Colosseum) is nearing completion, so trade in wild animals and gladiator training becomes even more profitable. African lion catcher Kwame must volunteer a gladiator career, being captured, like his mother, failing to free his sisters, one of which killed a legionnaire sex client.