Ep 4. Rome is Burning

In the fourth episode of Roman Empire: Reign of Blood season 1, titled "Rome is Burning," tensions rise in Rome as Emperor Commodus takes the throne. As the son of Marcus Aurelius, there are high expectations for him to rule justly and lead with honor. However, his ego and desire for power quickly overtakes him and he becomes increasingly tyrannical.

Commodus becomes obsessed with gladiatorial games and spends exorbitant amounts of money on building an arena to rival the Colosseum. He also imposes heavy taxes on the people to fund his lavish lifestyle and military campaigns. As a result, the citizens of Rome become resentful of his rule and protests break out in the streets.

Meanwhile, Commodus's sister Lucilla begins to plot against him. She fears for her own safety and the safety of her son, who she believes would be a better ruler than her brother. Lucilla turns to the Senate for support, hoping they will help her overthrow Commodus.

The episode also explores the relationship between Commodus and his advisor, Cleander. Cleander is portrayed as a corrupt figure who uses his influence to enrich himself at the expense of the empire. Despite this, Commodus remains loyal to him and relies heavily on his advice.

Throughout the episode, tensions continue to escalate as Rome becomes engulfed in flames. The source of the fire is unknown, but it is believed to have been started intentionally by someone seeking to destabilize Commodus's rule. As the city burns, Commodus becomes increasingly paranoid and violent, ordering the execution of anyone suspected of involvement in the plot.

Overall, "Rome is Burning" is a tense and dramatic episode that highlights the instability and corruption that plagued the Roman Empire during Commodus's reign. It also sets the stage for future conflicts and power struggles that will shape the rest of the season.