Alice Henley

After his defeat at Actium, Mark Antony returns to Egypt and settles into a world of debauchery with Cleopatra. Octavian tries to gain access to the palace but Vorenus stays loyal. To save her own life, Cleopatra dupes Mark Antony and Ceasar Octavian triumphs in Rome.

Rome is facing a dire shortage of grain, forcing Octavian to turn to Mark Antony to get new shipments from Egypt, but Antony refuses his terms. Fleeing Egypt, Posca gives Octavian the means to turn the people against Mark Antony, setting in motion the wheels of war.

Octavian's campaign for a more virtuous society hits hardest in his inner circle. Vorenus' efforts to discover who hijacked the gold en route to the Roman treasury leave a bitter taste of betrayal. Pullo turns his grief about a personal loss into anger at a new enemy.