Ancient Rome's elite plot against the rioting citizens; a cunning Plebeian schemes to change his fate; Spanish brothers arrive to sell horses for the Roman Games; three African siblings are forcibly taken to Rome, followed by their vengeful mother.
In 79 AD, Rome is under the leadership of the elderly Emperor Vespasian, along with his sons, Titus and Domitianus. They are working on building the Colosseum to give to the people of Rome. Elsewhere in the city, the criminal Tenax seeks to raise himself to higher status by building a team for the races at the Circus Maximus, aided by the famed racer Scorpus. A woman, Cala, goes to Rome to free her daughters, Aura and Jula, from slavery and her son, Kwame, from certain passing as a gladiator. After Vespasian dies and Titus is appointed his successor, Domitianus recruits Tenax to help scheme his way to power.
Those About to Die - Rise or Die Synopsis and Schedule