David Scarpa

Viggo, a seasoned gladiator trainer, addresses a group of new prisoners to instill the brutal philosophy of the games. He frames the violent spectacle of the arena as a spiritual path toward freedom and glory, testing the resolve of the captives.

In a tense encounter at a lavish banquet, Fortuna tests the resolve of the gladiator Lucius. She challenges his courage and reveals she has placed a wager on his survival, while probing the hidden fear that drives him.

General Acacius stands bloodied but defiant before the twin Emperors Geta and Caracalla after his failed insurrection is revealed. He mocks the fleeting nature of their power and the inevitability of their downfall, even as the Emperors sentence him and Lucilla to a brutal public execution.

Lucilla and General Acacius discuss a dangerous plot to depose the twin emperors Caracalla and Geta. Acacius expresses his exhaustion with senseless war, while Lucilla pushes him to use his loyal troops to reclaim Rome for its people. The scene highlights the high-stakes tension between their romantic bond and their shared political ambition.

In the quiet of the night, Ravi tends to Lucius's wounds and frees him from his shackles. They discuss the concept of freedom and the fading ideal of Rome, as Lucius recounts his grandfather's vision of a just and hopeful empire before facing the trials of the arena.

In the undercroft of the Colosseum, Lucilla reunites with her long-lost son, Lucius, who is now a bitter gladiator. Lucius rejects his mother's affection and reveals the death of his wife, while Lucilla shocks him with the truth of his true lineage as the son of Maximus.

Macrinus confronts Thraex in his own home to collect a massive debt, using the leverage to seize control of Thraex's property. He forces Thraex into a corner, demanding high-level political secrets and loyalty in exchange for his life. Thraex eventually breaks, revealing a clandestine plot to rescue a gladiator and overthrow the Emperors.