Rome (TV Series)

The Stolen Eagle (2005)

Kenneth Cranham: Pompey Magnus

Quotes 

• Marcus Junius Brutus : Of course, you have to imagine, long hair down to here, huge moustasches, the most terriffic stench, they eat only raw meat and never wash. Though they do have one admirable custom, they settle their political disputes by a single combat to the death.

  Pompey Magnus : Excellent idea.

  Marcus Junius Brutus : Isn't it? Mother is always nagging me to attend politics.

  Servilia of the Junii : Well it's been our family's tradition and duty for, uhm, five hundred years?

  Marcus Junius Brutus : Oh it's such dreadfully dull stuff. Now you see, if our senate conducted business in the German style I should certainly go and watch. Yeah, no tedious laws and endless debates, just swords, and daggers...

• Marcus Tullius Cicero : When confronted by a hungry wolf, it is unwise to goad the beast, as Cato would have us do. But it is equally unwise to imagine the snarling animal a friend and offer your hand, as Pompey does.

  Pompey Magnus : Perhaps you would have us climb a tree!

• Porcius Cato : Neither we aristocrats alone nor you and your soldiers alone can crush Caesar.

  Pompey Magnus : Stop there.

  Porcius Cato : I do not say that you wish to crush Caesar, I only say that if you did wish it, you could not do it alone.

  Pompey Magnus : I have no need of you noble gentlemen. I have only to stamp my feet, and legions will spring up all over Italy. I can squash Caesar like an insect, if I wished it so. I do not wish it.

  [Pompey starts to walk away, but Cato grabs him] 

  Porcius Cato : Renounce him, Pompey! Renounce Caesar! Ally yourself with us, and his strength will wither away. It is you who has the real power. It is you the people truly love. Think you they will still shout Caesar's name when he runs out of Gallic trinkets to throw to them?

  Pompey Magnus : Think you I care what names are shouted in the streets?

  Porcius Cato : NOTHING is more important.