Tensions are high at Pompey's camp as he dictates a letter to Caesar, accepting the terms of the truce proposed by the latter, much to Cicero and Cato's displeasure. The general still refuses to face his enemy, biding time to gather more legions under his banner, while others are defecting to the rival side.
At Atia's household Octavian learns the art of painting fingernails while his mother mentions a peculiar rumor relayed to her by the scullery maid— that last evening the boy and Caesar were in the cupboard and were making suspicious sounds. Assuming that he's seduced his great-uncle, Atia tries to use her son in order to further her goals, but the news of Caesar's refusal to come to her party disappoint her.
Vorenus is preparing for his daughter's wedding, planning to use the money he gains from selling his Gallic slaves as dowry, while Niobe is somewhat saddened by the thought of Vorena leaving. Pullo shows up at the house with symptoms of food poisoning, but quickly rushes out to look for Eirene, with Vorenus accompanying him. They find her at the tavern where the bartender asks Pullo to pay his tab and attacks him when he refuses. The centurion pays for Eirene, and Pullo gifts the girl to him as a slave to keep her safe while he's fighting in the south. Niobe is not pleased with it, thinking that her husband's friend has intentionally brought them the girl to spy on her and Evander.
Caesar and Antony discuss their further plans, with Posca insisting on making peace while Antony is against the plan. In his letter Pompey refuses to talk in person, and Caesar decides to spin it as his opponent being a coward. He plans to attack when the time is right, while his advisor is incensed at the inaction.
Vorenus arrives at the slave market and learns that most of his slaves have died from illnesses, except for a little boy. He takes the boy home, making his wife worry about their finances, and decides to keep him until he's fit for sale.
Caesar once again visits Servilia at night, promising her to never leave her again, while Antony stays with Atia once again, complaning to her about her uncle's decisions and criticizing his softness. In the morning, Atia tells her son about her frustration with Caesar's infatuation with her rival and brings in Pullo as a tutor for Octavian to make him a man and a warrior. The training is disappointing for him, but he still tolerates his new mentor. Pullo tells the boy about his suspicions regarding Niobe and gets an advice to gather evidence before telling anyone. Later he sees Lydia and Evander arguing with each other and decides to investigate further.
Vorenus meets Erastes Fulmen at the terms and asks him to help look for a moneylender, but he gets a counteroffer to work as a bodyguard which he accepts. During his first job he is ordered to break an Indian trader's arm and complies, but when asked to cut his throat, he refuses and walks away.
Caesar gets ridiculed on the streets for his affair with Servilia, and Calpurnia gets him an ultimatum: either he breaks up with her or gets a divorce. During the next night visit, he tells his lover that they'll never see each other again, and in the morning, Atia is triumphant. Afterwards Servilia learns that Timon hired the street artists to drew indecent pictures on walls and curses Caesar and Atia.
Caesar leaves with the army while Antony remains in Rome to keep peace. Vorenus comes to Antony and takes an offer to become a prefect. He's somewhat ashamed of serving a "tyrant", but still goes through his duties.
Cicero offers Brutus to come with him to his villa and leave Pompey, but the younger man refuses. After a few days, Caesar arrives at the campsite only to find out that the legions are gone.
At night, Pullo and Octavian kidnap Evander and question him about his affair with Niobe, but after he lies, the teenager makes Pullo torture him so that he would confess that the little Lucius is his son with Niobe. Afterwards Pullo kills him and dumps his body into Tiber.
- Dirty Coward: Cicero attempts to convince Brutus to leave Pompey's camp together, but after the refusal, he's forced to stay.
- Fingore: Octavian tells Pullo to cut off Evander's thumbs so that he would confess.
- Mistaken for Gay: Atia thinks that Octavian has seduced Caesar and tries to use him in her own plans, but the boy vehemently denies it. Unfortunately his pride makes him reveal Caesar's 'affliction' rather than remain silent.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Vorenus is appalled at the thought of killing another man at someone's command and leaves Fulmen.
- Title Drop: Antony says the title's episode in his conversation with Caesar regarding peace talks with Pompey.Mark Antony: (to Posca) Snivelling prick! The ram has touched the wall, no mercy!
- Woman Scorned: Furious at Caesar breaking up with her, Servilia asks the gods of the Underworld to curse him, as well as Atia.
- Would Hit a Girl: Caesar slaps Servilia several times after she takes the break-up badly.
