The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

Sophia Loren: Lucilla

Photos 

Quotes 

• Livius : [standing over the body of Timonides]  What happened, gentle Greek? Did you try to tell them there were three possibilities? Did you not know that there was a fourth possibility? This!

  [picks up and throws spear away] 

  Lucilla : This is the way they answer to reason - and now even you must see, this is the only way to answer them.

  Livius : Look at his face. Tell me what I must do in his name. March the army into Rome and drench the city with blood!

  Lucilla : He is dead.

  Livius : He does not seem dead to me. I can still feel his life. And can hear his words.

  Lucilla : He was my father's friend.

  [uncovering the Christian cross Timonides wore around his neck] 

  Livius : I will go alone into Rome. If I do not return by sunset, then let the army into Rome.

• Lucilla : 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.

• Lucilla : 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.

• 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!

• Lucilla : Livius. Livius.

  Livius : Lucilla. Lucilla!

• Livius : Known, yet not known.

  Lucilla : Known and not known? How can that be?

  Livius : I'm not sure how it was. But I know now.

• 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!

• Lucilla : In these buildings, you store all the writings of the great men of Rome. I am leaving - with my husband - and soon I'll be far from this city. Now I ask that you guard these, the "Meditations" of my father, Marcus Aurelius. Whatever else happens, in the days to come, let not these be destroyed. For this - is Rome.

• Commodus : Sister!

  Verulus : If he'd not been Caesar, he'd be the greatest gladiator in Rome!

  Lucilla : Yes, you do belong in the arena.

  Commodus : You mean to say you came all this way to sharpen your wits? Everything you do - has a purpose. Hmm?

• Lucilla : Gods of Rome. Your empire has died! The light of the world has gone out!

• Lucilla : People of Rome! People of Rome! Quickly! Quickly, run to your Livius. Tell them the night is full of thieves. They have robbed us of our most precious treasures, of our pride, of our glory, of our wisdom, of our honor.

• Lucilla : People of Rome! Cry out! Death it is near! They do not see. They do not hear. Only the jackals who are waiting in darkness know. Only the vultures who are wheeling the black skies know. Mourn! Mourn for the land that is no more!

• Livius : Lucilla. You're beautiful.

  Lucilla : "You're beautiful." - what does *that* mean?