Augustus: The First Emperor (2003 TV Movie)

Russell Barr: Gaius Maecenas

Quotes 

• Octavius : [to Agrippa]  The Egyptian relgion declares that to die of a snake bite will secure immortality. Did you know that, Agrippa?

  Maecenas : Never mind that! History... History will never forget this moment. At last, every legion in Rome listens to the command of a single man. The peace of Rome is assured, to the one, absolute ruler of the Roman Empire.

  Agrippa : [In disgust]  So, that was you plan all along, Octavius? To wear a crown on your head!

  Maecenas : In order to keep the nobles from tearing Rome apart he must be king. He will be declared..."Augustus"!

• [to Octavius] 

  Agrippa : If you send your legions against Antony, you'll start another civil war.

  Maecenas : Do you want him to ignore the betrayal of his sister? Ignore this?

  Agrippa : Do you want him to be the one who bring Roman against Roman again?

  Maecenas : Don't go in there without a plan, country boy!

• Maecenas : Declare war against Cleopatra...

  Agrippa : Of course, and Mark Antony will lead his armies against us to protect her.

  Maecenas : Clever boy! Is a politician born?

• [to Octavius, weeping] 

  Maecenas : But without a crown, they will destroy you... I am sorry, my friend... I love you... But I... I will not watch them destroy you.

• [Octavius has broken his ribs] 

  Agrippa : Lie down! If you take a direct hit, you're dead!

  Maecenas : He can't stay in the tent.

  Agrippa : What would you know? You never leave this tent!

  Maecenas : *I* am not Caesar's nephew - he just has to make an appearance, appearance is everything.

  Agrippa : You're right.

  Maecenas : [sarcastically]  Am I really? Oh, high praise from the great warrior!

• Maecenas : Dear soldiers! I have prepared us all drinks and space to rest after our long weary day of fighting...

  Agrippa : We? What did you do all day? Sleep?

• [Climbing out of a fish cart] 

  Agrippa : Hurry up, before we're seen!

  Maecenas : Dressed like this? I'll never live it down!

• Maecenas : We are three kings. Octavius, the leader. Agrippa, the soldier, and Maecenas, the...

  Agrippa : Mouth?

  Maecenas : - Maecenas, the politician.

  [Indicates a rise to Octavius and Agrippa] 

  Maecenas : A rise. Let us all promise now: that we will let nothing never destroy this friendship!

  Maecenas , Agrippa , Octavius : Never!

• [about Agrippa's aqueducts] 

  Agrippa : This spring will quench the thirst of 50,000 or more Romans everyday and water the fields streching for miles around Rome.

  [Hands cups of water to Octavius. Maecenas refuses his cup] 

  Maecenas : No, thanks. I prefer to have something a little more lively.

  Octavius : [Toasts]  To furture harvests.

  Agrippa : Now no one can bribe Rome again by cutting off it's food supply.

  Maecenas : It's all very lovely, Agrippa. At least we'll be able to get some lovely fountains out of it.

• [after giving a speech to the plebs of Rome] 

  Maecenas : Brilliant speech!

  Octavius : You wrote it.

  Maecenas : Of course!

• [Of Agrippa] 

  Maecenas : This soldier's tongue cuts deeper then his sword could ever wound me.

• Agrippa : Politicians are run by swords, legions - that is the only language Rome understands!

  Maecenas : You know nothing of Rome, country boy.

  Agrippa : And you know nothing of life.