Maximus, the Roman provincial governor of Hispania takes especial heed of a prophecy foretelling a new emperor. The ailing Domitian is on his deathbed and Maximus (the governor, well played by Massimo Girotti) is one of the two major contenders for the imperial purple, the other being Trajan. He will stop at nothing to attain his ends. Desperately in need of finance, he seals a pact with the Spanish Celts in order to plunder their mountains of the gold found there. This gold will help him to compete in buying votes in Rome. This is bad news for his slave architect Lacer (Jeffrey Hunter) who after just completing a four year bridge-building project is saddled with the onerous task of launching the mine project. His freedom is the price for success, death is the price of failure.
An interesting glimpse of Roman construction projects, the film is well-mounted, with good photography, acting, and enough action to hold viewer interest. To this day, there is still a Roman bridge across the Tagus river and a functioning Roman aqueduct in the town of Segovia both in excellent condition. (Not to mention the race track and vestiges of the Roman forum in Merida, the "Italica" of Roman empire days.
An interesting glimpse of Roman construction projects, the film is well-mounted, with good photography, acting, and enough action to hold viewer interest. To this day, there is still a Roman bridge across the Tagus river and a functioning Roman aqueduct in the town of Segovia both in excellent condition. (Not to mention the race track and vestiges of the Roman forum in Merida, the "Italica" of Roman empire days.