“The Fall of the Roman Empire” quotes
(1964)
Title The Fall of the Roman Empire
Year 1964
Director Anthony Mann
Genre Drama, History, War
Year 1964
Director Anthony Mann
Genre Drama, History, War
Plot – In 180 A.D. during a war against the Barbarians in Germany, the old Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius gets poisoned by his son Commodus, who becomes the new emperor. Meanwhile, the Barbarian tribes continue to attack the borders of the Roman Empire. Soon, Commodus will have to explain to his sister Lucilla and her lover Livius the reasons behind his violent conduct. After a final confrontation, Commodus will die leaving the Empire to a grim fate, since neither Lucilla nor Livius will become emperor after him.
All actors – Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Quayle, John Ireland, Omar Sharif, Mel Ferrer, Eric Porter, Finlay Currie, Andrew Keir, Douglas Wilmer, George Murcell, Norman Wooland, Michael Gwynn, Virgilio Teixeira, Peter Damon, Rafael Calvo, Lena von Martens, Roland Carey, Margaret Fuller, Gabriella Licudi, Jeffrey O'Kelly, Robert Rietty, Guy Rolfe, Friedrich von Ledebur
show all“The Fall of the Roman Empire” Quotes 19 quotes
“I've finally understood why they have sent me this pestilence. There was famine, there were too many mouths, so the gods made less mouths.”
“- Verulus: Ceasar, you are unarmed. Even a woman with a dagger can be dangerous.
- Commodus: She has no dagger. She's my - sister.”“How does an empire die? Does it collapse in one terrible moment? No. No! But there comes a time when its people no longer believe in it. Then, then does an empire begin to die.”
“- Commodus: Father thinks too much.
- Livius: There is much for a Roman to think of these days.
- Commodus: Why Livius, for a moment that honest warrior's face of yours took on the... philosopher's look. Let's not think, let's drink.”“- Livius: You were always with me. Everywhere. I took you into battle with me. You were with me in the gold fields. But you know this.
- Lucilla: Only this. I know this. You were with me, too. Always!”“Although I've been a slave, I'm not acostumed to pain. Although a philosopher, I am weak.”
“- Marcus Aurelius: Death is in the order of things. Didn't they teach you that in school?
- Lucilla: I will not let you leave me.
- Marcus Aurelius: Is there a choice? Soon, this trickle of blood, these few bones, this net woven of nerves and arteries, will be dust. No choice.”“- Lucilla: Rome has changed. It's now crawling with gladiators.
- Commodus: Sister, I thought you'd retired as a Vestal virgin.
- Lucilla: And abandon Rome to you? And your athletes?
- Commodus: Female philosopher!”“As the dog fears the eagle, as the lamb fears the wolf, so is my heart and head with fear. Oh, mother Vesta, eternal mother of Rome, help me. Bring back the health of my father. Protect us from the danger which hangs - over the Empire. Let there be peace, over all Rome.”
“I thought, by living alone away from the world, I could find peace. Then I found there is no real peace in being alone. There is only loneliness.”
“We've had to fight long wars. Your burdens have been great. But, we come now - to the end of the road. Here, within our reach, golden centuries of peace. A true Pax Romana! Wherever you live, whatever the color of your skin, when peace is achieved, it will bring to all, all, the supreme right of Roman citizenship.”
“We were right Livius. There is no limit with what can be done with a human spirit, for good or evil.”
“- Marcus Aurelius: What is another day to offer you, Timonides?
- Timonides: Warmth, life, color, people.”“I will go alone into Rome. If I do not return by sunset, then let the army into Rome.”
“- Lucilla: He is dead.
- Livius: He does not seem dead to me. I can still feel his life. And can hear his words.”
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