Rome (TV Series)

The Ram Has Touched the Wall (2005)

Karl Johnson: Porcius Cato

Quotes 

• [Pompey dictates a response to Caesar's peace terms] 

  Pompey Magnus : "My dear friend Gaius, how are we come to this absurd position? In the interests of peace and equity, I accept - "

  Marcus Tullius Cicero : "The Senate and People of Rome have authorized me to accept."

  Pompey Magnus : "... the Senate and People of Rome have authorized me to accept a truce - "

  Scipio : No, not "truce." That would imply that he is a sovereign rather than a criminal entity.

  Porcius Cato : Quite right. A criminal.

  Pompey Magnus : "... have authorized me to accept a cessation of hostilities on the terms offered in your last letter. I await your answer."

  Marcus Tullius Cicero : Good enough.

  Porcius Cato : Good enough? This abject humiliation is good enough? We're not men, we're worms.

  Marcus Tullius Cicero : "Worms" is harsh. Worms cannot run away as speedily as we do. Caesar has not even left Rome - gods know why not - yet his legions chase us from town to town with great ease. We're more like sheep than worms.