It's September 46 BCE and the field of Mars, a parade ground in the heart of the city of Rome.

On the back of a magnificent white horse, 17-year-old Roman nobleman, Octavian,

rides past ranks of soldiers in gleaming armor

to salute the day's guest of honor

the 54-year-old Roman general

and Octavian's great-uncle, Julius Caesar.

With a blast of a horn,

thousands of soldiers begin marching away

from the parade ground and onto the streets of Rome.

Octavian nudges his horse forward to follow. Three years ago, after conquering Gaul, Julius Caesar ordered his army

south. Crossing the Rubicon River, he entered Italy with his army and plunged the Roman

Republic into civil war. Since then, Caesar has defeated almost all his rivals and had

himself appointed dictator by the Senate. It seems that the old Roman Republic is dying and giving

way to the rule of a single man. And now Caesar's arranged for a triumphant procession through

Rome to demonstrate his power and his great-nephew Octavian is part of the festivities.

Octavian guides his horse along the side of the marching column,

but it's not easy to maneuver in the packed streets.

Thousands of Romans have turned out to cheer their leader.

Octavian passes a group of soldiers, carrying chests, bursting ornate jewels and coins.

This loot will fund free food and entertainment for the people of Rome.

Next, Octavian encounters monkeys in cages from the far-off lands that Roman armies have conquered.

And finally, Octavian catches up with a filthy barefoot man walking with his hands chained together.

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