In ancient Rome, at about 96 AD, Emperor Domitian has become a highly paranoid and tyrannical Despotism who keeps the people oppressed in constant fear of a revolt. He has only a few retainers left whom he perceives as loyal: his lover Artamne, a scheming Ancient Egyptian priestess of Isis; his Dwarfism jester, Elpidion; his gladiator bodyguards under the command of Soteros; his palace guards; and his Imperial Praetorian Guard under the command of their centurion, Valerius Rufus. Anyone who dares speak up against the Emperor - and may it be only a minor complaint - or is suspected of treason is either imprisoned or summarily executed.