Historical and Cultural Background
- The title of the episode is a phrase used by Mark Antony advocating "no mercy" toward Pompey and the Optimates. The phrase is English translation of the Latin "Murum aries attigit" (see De Bello Gallico, Book II, Chapter XXXII). It refers to the policy of not allowing any mercy or surrender to the occupants of a fortification once the battering ram begins the assault on the gates. This policy was to act as a deterrent against resistance to those about to be besieged. It was an incentive for anyone who was not absolutely sure that they could withstand the assault to surrender immediately, rather than face the possibility of total destruction.
- Posca mentions that Caesar cannot allow his wife to divorce him—her family's influence is critical. Calpurnia was Calpurnia Pisonis, daughter of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus. That would make her father an ex-consul of Rome, as well as an ex-proconsul of Macedonia—clearly a man of political experience and influence. It is also interesting to note that Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus was instrumental in having Marcus Tullius Cicero exiled from Rome for a period in 58 BC and 57 BC. This fact may explain part of the animosity Marcus Tullius Cicero bears towards Caesar and his family.
- Towards the end of the episode, Lucius Vorenus re-enlists with the 13th Legion, and is inducted into the ranks of the evocati, who were "career" soldiers who had re-enlisted in the legions after their original "term of service" was up—usually at the request of their commander. The evocati tended to occupy the higher-ranking positions within the Legion, were released from some of the more menial duties, and were awarded a certain level of respect.
- A displeased Mark Antony reduces Lucius Vorenus's signing bonus to 9,000 sestertii—or 2,250 denarii—when Vorenus returns to him. The value of the Denarius is discussed in How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic, but 2,250 denarii would be roughly equal to USD $225,000. (The significance of the reduction may be that this is Antony's final offer—Vorenus's last chance.)
- Mark Antony promotes Lucius Vorenus to the rank of "Prefect, of the first grade". It is not clear what rank is being awarded here. The rank of Prefect within the legion was roughly that of a Lieutenant Colonel—they occupied positions of authority over a particular aspect of the entire Legion (Praefectus castrorum = camp commandant, Praefectus fabrum = officer in charge of engineers and artisans, Praefectus legionis = equestrian legionary commander, etc.). Regardless of his specific area of responsibility upon re-enlisting in the 13th, Vorenus's new rank is a three-grade promotion.
- As part of his induction into the evocati, Vorenus—in full dress armor—sits a vigil in the temple of Mars, Roman god of War.
Read more about this topic: The Ram Has Touched The Wall
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