Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Octavian presents himself as a defender of respectable family life while arranging to marry Livia. His own household becomes a problem when Maecenas reveals that Antony is still sleeping with Atia and Octavia with Agrippa. The disclosure follows the theft of Herod's gold, which has left Antony, Octavian and their advisers accusing one another. Octavian confines his mother and sister and forces Antony to leave for Egypt. Agrippa breaks with Octavia to preserve his place beside Octavian, despite her wish to escape with him. Antony promises Atia that he will send for her before departing to join Cleopatra.
The stolen shipment has also shattered Vorenus's household. He originally chose Pullo to guard it, but Gaia poisons Eirene, whose miscarriage and death leave Pullo unable to work. Mascius takes over and is nearly killed in the ambush. Vorenus suspects him until a straw figure points towards the man courting Vorena. She admits passing information to Memmio and tells her father that she has never forgiven him for Niobe's death or the children's enslavement. Their confrontation becomes violent before Pullo intervenes. Vorenus leaves the Aventine and his children in Pullo's care, choosing to accompany Antony. When the rival gangs attack, Pullo refuses Memmio's offer of peace, bites out his tongue and leads the fight to recover control.