This week we return to the ancient city to find Vorenus has sunk even deeper into his world of self pity. In a dream in which he relives the final moments before Niobe throws herself off the balcony he remembers her final words. “The boy is blameless”. Vorenus awakens to the sounds of a fight in the tavern and finds two prostitutes going at it, the taverns drunkards cheering them on, until Gaia steps in and breaks up the cat fight. Is this what Vorenus, the once proud and honorable Centurion of the 13th Roman Legion has become? We’ll find out.

Vorenus is a proud man and he is having a hard time coming to terms with the fact his life is spinning wildly out of his control. Bereft over the loss of his wife and children he sinks further and further into a black pit of despair that not even Pullo seems to be able to pull him out of. As head of the Aventine he is met by rivals Memmio and Carbo. It’s explained to Vorenus that a 12 year old nephew of Carbo’s was “defiled” by a man of the Aventine and Carbo seeks permission to kill the man known as Quintus Bubo. Vorenus inquires about the boys’ part and learns that he was paid for his services and therefore no crime had been committed and as such, Carbo had no right to claim revenge. This is obviously displeasing to both Memmio and Carbo, but Vorenus is steadfast, saying he was given to strict orders from Consul Mark Anthony to keep the peace on the Aventine. Pullo steps in to try and cool the rising tempers but Vorenus cuts him off stating his decision is final. Vorenus tells Pullo to never question his authority again.

Meanwhile, in the house of Atia we find Octavia having her first dose of hemp with a friend, Jocasta, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, whose recently returned from Macedonia. Atia demands that next time they take it outside, then takes a hit of the weed herself. Preparing for Anthony’s eventually governorship in Macedonia, Atia inquires about Macedonia. The girl tells her that it’s a dreadful place, “ghastly” with a “filthy” climate, vile food and beastly people. Atia snipes at Jocasta, suggesting that maybe she didn’t mix with the best of the people there. Jocasta tells Atia that her father is “hideously rich” but there is no “society” in Macedonia. “It’s truly the end of the world”.

Atia, who’s not amused, says to Octavia, “I am no snob, my dear”. She quips that she doesn’t mind if Octavia brings home a tradesman’s daughter but to not bring home any actors or gladiators or that sort of thing. Octavia defends her mother to her friend saying she’s been an eternal grump since Octavian left. As Atia retires to her chambers, Timon stops by, looking for an afternoon romp. Atia summons him in, but quickly changes her mind, much to Timon’s displeasure. Timon returns home to find his brother Levi teaching Timon’s children Hebrew, angering him even more.

Stop. We get a quick look at the slave camps, where Lyde watches over the children. Yep, they’re still alive. Woe be it for whoever their captors are when Vorenus finds out.

Back to Atia, who’s now whining to Mark Anthony about the prospect of having to move to Macedonia and chastising him for coming home late drunk and puking. Anthony tells her there are dressmakers and jewel merchants in capital but she wishes him to stay in Rome. Anthony refuses, saying his plan is to live a more “peaceful” life away from Rome. But being the sly siren she is, Atia convinces Anthony that if he leaves Rome and goes all the way to Macedonia he leaves the door wide open for his enemies to come back and suggests they will follow him until he is dead. Anthony seems to consider this.

Meanwhile, Vorenus is confronted with one castrated Quintus Bubo, Memmio having exacted justice of his own. Vorenus is outraged, and orders Pullo to carry out punishment. Pullo, being the saner of the two at the moment tries to reason with Vorenus, who gives the task to another henchman. As Pullo continues to try and reason with Vorenus, he lets slip that he killed Evander. This gets Vorenus’s attention, and he demands Pullo tell him the truth. Realizing he has no choice, Pullo tells his friend that he’d known what Niobe had done but because he knew she still loved Vorenus he didn’t say anything, instead choosing to dispatch that snake Evander. Vorenus is furious and demands Pullo leave him. Dejected, Pullo does.

Mark Anthony is meeting with Cicero to discuss matters of grave importance to Anthony’s future. Cicero believes Anthony would be more interested in the army young Octavian is amassing, but Anthony considers the boy inconsequential who will quickly run through Caesar’s money and return home to mother. Instead, he tells Cicero that instead of Macedonia he wishes to take governorship of Gaul and suggest Cicero make the proposal at the next meeting of the Senate. Cicero protests, saying the Senate would know that he was doing so under threat of death. Anthony smugly tells him to tell the senators that he was bribed. Cicero believes the other members of the Senate will interpret Anthony’s actions as strong armed, like Caesar camping on the borders of Rome amassing an army, threatening Rome to do his bidding.

Realizing that he can’t bribe Cicero into doing his bidding, Anthony instead chose to threaten him. Telling Cicero that he is the senate and the other member will do as he suggests. Cicero takes Anthony’s persuading to heart and agrees that Macedonia isn’t the greatest of places in the world.

Back at the Aventine, while henchmen are carrying out the order of Vorenus and giving Carbo a good working over, Pullo tries apologize and reason with a stubborn Vorenus. He accuses his friend of trying to intentionally start a war in an attempt get himself killed.

While all this is going on we get some insight into what other parties are conspiring. Octavian has sent a messenger to visit his mother and sister, delivering the message that he has amassed an army of 10,000 men and suggests his mother keep an open mind about her future prospects. Infuriated at her sons betrayal she threatens to tell Anthony of the messengers presence, claiming they are all traitors because Octavian is directly challenging Anthony. Later Atia discusses the matter with Anthony who says he already knows the messenger is in Rome and meeting in secret with Cicero trying to secure an alliance against him, but since he’s already secured Cicero’s allegiance it’s not a problem. Atia makes Anthony swear not to harm Octavian.

There’s a few other plot lines afoot, Atia’s newest slave Duro is conspiring with Servilia who has hired him to kill Atia. Duro is looking for more money but Servilia isn’t happy it’s taking so long but gives order that Octavia is not be harmed.

Cassius is in Bithynian making a plea for support to raise an army against Anthony and Rome, while Brutus festers a growing displeasure in him own misfortunes, nearly causing his own small war with the locals.

Lyde also manages to escape the slave camp where she and the children are being held.

Back at the Aventine, Eirene finds the body of Appius who was hanged upside down in retribution for Carbo. Vorenus is furious and Pullo’s attempts to calm him down on enrage him further. The two come to blows and Pullo, with Eirene in tow leave the Aventine and Rome.

Brutus, apparently having sunk as far as he wishes to go, rides out to a river and wading into the water says a prayer to Janus, the God of new beginnings, symbolically immersing himself in the water, he begs for a new life.

On the floor of the Senate, Anthony arrives late and finding Cicero is not present becomes concerned. The clerk claims Cicero is ill and cannot attend but has left instructions that his words be read into the rolls. Anthony, looking pleased and expecting the announcement of his governorship of Gaul is being introduced sits back and smirks confidently. As the clerk reads Cicero’s speech and realizes what it says he becomes increasingly alarmed. “When I was a young man, I defended our state,” Cicero says. “As an old man I shall not abandon it. Please listen as if you were sober and intelligent, and a not a drink-sodden, sex-addled wreck. You have brought upon us war, pestilence and destruction. You are Rome’s…Helen of Troy.” The clerk stops reading as the senators begin leaving the building, knowing that Anthony is only moments from exploding. He demands the clerk continue reading. “But then a woman’s role has always suited you best.” As these words are read, Anthony becomes enraged and kills the clerk on the senate floor.

On the road to Tyro, Cicero is dictating a note to young Octavian who has now taken the name “Caesar”. Cicero instructs his scribe to tell “Caesar” that he has exposed Anthony for the debauched wreck that he is and the Republic would be most grateful to accept Caesar’s offer of assistance, requesting Octavian send his army at once.

We jump ahead a few months we find Pullo and Eirene returning to Rome having traveled to Massilia and back. Pullo feels the gods command him to try and reconcile with his friend. Only, when they arrive in the Aventine it’s nothing but a bunch of burned out buildings. They stumble upon Mascius, who begs Pullo to stay, saying ever since the Caelians have been hounding them like Belgians. Pullo asks about Vorenus and Mascius tells him Vorenus went north with Anthony. Perplexed, Pullo declines to stay and ponders why the gods would have him return when his friend wasn’t there. Deciding, nothing can be done, he and Eirene decide to leave the city again. On their way out they run into a beggar lady, who recognizes them right away. She clutches at Pullo and calls his name. Pullo recognizes the old lady as Lyde, but she’s supposed to be dead. As Lyde collapses she tells Pullo that the children are still alive.

As the episode closes, we find Atia alone at the dinner table being served a stew that Duro has just poisoned and Pullo, finally having an answer to what the gods intend of him, races across the countryside in search of his friend.