The Eagle Quotes

Aquila: No Roman can survive north of the wall alone. You can't.

Marcus Aquila: Then I'll take Esca. I can use his knowledge. He speaks the language.

Aquila: Esca?

Marcus Aquila: Why not?

Aquila: 'Cause he's a Briton. He may not be from the north of the wall, but he's a Briton, and he will slit your throat the minute you're alone.

Esca: How can a piece of metal mean so much to you?

Marcus Aquila: The eagle is not a piece of metal. The eagle is Rome.

Marcus Aquila: [from trailer] Who has the eagle?

Guern: [pointing to Esca] He knows. He's one of them.

[from trailer]

Esca: [coldly] You're my slave. Do as I did for you, and you'll survive.

[last lines]

Esca: So what now?

Marcus Aquila: You decide.

[Marcus regains consciousness after his surgery]

Marcus Aquila: Did I shame myself?

[Esca shakes his head]

Marcus Aquila: Thank you.

[first lines]

Marcus Aquila: Marcus Flavius Aquila, Fourth Cohort of Gaul, Second Legion, come to relieve the command.

Lutorius: Lutorius Drusillus Salinator, acting senior officer.

Marcus Aquila: Where's the garrison commander?

Lutorius: He left this morning, sir. Couldn't wait to get away.

[preparing to lead a sortie from the fort]

Marcus Aquila: [whispering] Mithras, lord of light, father of our fathers, let me not bring misfortune to my legion. Mithras, lord of light, father of our fathers, accept whatever sacrifice that I may not bring misfortune to my legion.

Marcus Aquila: [shouts] On my command, we form testudo! Ready... open the gates!

Guern: My shame would not allow me to tell you this before... but I watched your father die. Whatever anyone tells you, he was *not* a coward. He stood his ground to the very end. I saw it. The last Roman to hold the eagle was your father. The order, sir.

Marcus Aquila: You've honored my father's memory enough. You don't have to do this.

Guern: No. When I ran from your father... I ran from myself. Give the order, sir.

Marcus Aquila: Prepare to defend the eagle!

Roman Soldier: Where's our newly-minted commander?

Lutorius: Probably unpacking his rule book.

[after being told he has been discharged from the army, Marcus asks to be left alone. Walking away from the room, Stephanos hears a scream of pain, and turns back in alarm]

Aquila: Stephanos, leave him. There's no medicine for that.

Marcus Aquila: Who has the eagle?

Guern: They say the Seal People have it.

Marcus Aquila: How do I find them?

Guern: [pointing to Esca] He knows. He's Brigantes.

Aquila: What would Rome say?

Claudius: Eagle lost; honor lost. Honor lost; all lost.

Marcus Aquila: How many days to the wall?

Esca: If we ride hard, four... maybe five.

Marcus Aquila: They'll never catch us on foot.

Esca: Have you seen them run?