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In a synagogue in the city, Levi and Timon are side by side, deep in ritual prayer. Far north of Rome, in the woods of Cisalpine Gaul, a bearded Mark Antony brings a slaughtered deer to his starving soldiers.
Closer to the city, Vorenus and Pullo steer a horse-drawn wagon with the three rescued children sleeping in the back. Pullo suggests Vorenus might want to avoid the collegium when they get back, since Mark Antony's orders no longer stand and it's a dangerous place. But Vorenus insists it's the only place where they can live honestly.
They're interrupted by a roadblock of soldiers from Octavian's army who inform Vorenus and Pullo that 15,000 of them have headed back to Rome with the triumphant new Caesar. While the men are distracted, Vorena the Younger nudges her sister awake. The older one tells her they can't run off until they get some money.
Back in Rome, Octavian meets with Cicero, who salutes him as a "hero of the Republic" for his victory over Mark Antony. However, Cicero cannot give Octavian the triumph he requests. Cicero states that the victory is not quite complete since Antony is still alive. In fact, he had to send General Lepidus and two legions to finish the job. The Senate leader further warns that the people will not look kindly on such a celebration with Octavian's army at the city walls.
Not to be dissuaded, Octavian suggests another way to celebrate his glory — giving him the Consul's chair. "It's a vanity, I know, but I think I deserve it, and it will please my men." Cicero scoffs — he's too young to be a Senator, much less Consul; he lacks the experience and connections. Agrippa interjects with a reminder about his army, and Cicero reconsiders — on condition that the boy takes his counsel. "I will not utter a word without your advice, your consent," Octavian promises.
On her way to meet her brother after his long absence, Octavia tries to convince her mother to come along, but Atia insists the "ingrate" must come to her.
Back at the Aventine, Vorenus introduces his children to the tavern crowd, informing them that his oldest was prostituted and the boy was fathered by another man. "You will treat them with respect and kindness," he demands. Taking the kids to their new room, he tells them things will be awkward between them at first, but family should be together. "We will not speak of the past," he adds. "Yes, father," Vorena the Elder says coldly.
When Octavia tries to get her brother to make peace with their mother, he's wounded that she's taken her side. "You know what kind of mother she is... She put her lover to beating me!" Octavia chastises him for being "pious" and throwing the family into terrible debt. He tells her he's now Consul of Rome, but she's not impressed. "Why would you invite such trouble?" she asks.
Now back in charge of the Aventine, Vorenus tells Mascius that he is third in line behind Pullo. The news doesn't sit so well. They're interrupted by Lyde, dressed in the nun-like garments of a temple acolyte, eager to see the children again. Vorenus warns her she won't be taking the children away from him.
