Having made an improbable escape from prison in Rome, Antigonus finds passage to the Parthian Empire. There he makes an enemy of prince Pacorus I, heir to the throne of his father Orodes II, by defiling a Zoroastrian fire ceremony. Later, Antigonus convinces the Parthian king to invade Judea, and restore the Hasmoneans to power. Antony returns to Cleopatra, but sends her to Egypt when he discovers she is pregnant with his child. 

Malichus obtains poison from an alchemist in Jerusalem. He passes it to Hyrcanus’ butler, to place in Antipater’s wine. Herod and his father are attacked outside the city gates by hired thugs. They survive, amazingly. Herod is reunited with his wife & child, and Tero – his father’s main security guard. Herod and his mother & sister want to keep Malichus alive, Phasael and Tero want him murdered.

SYNOPSIS:

• Antigonus arrives at Issus aboard a merchant vessel; speaks with an apparition of his beheaded brother Alexander; the city is packed for a major Zoroastrian fire holiday

• In Jerusalem – Herod and Nicolaus recap a long week; Antipater takes Herod for a walk, so they can discuss strategy relating to Malichus and the tribute to Cassius

• At the Jaffa Gate they discuss Malichus at Golgotha quarry; are attackedby group of men

• In Antioch, Cleopatra is pregnant; Antony sends her back to Egypt, keeps gold

• Malichus and Sour-faced Man visit Jewish Alchemist for poison

• Antigonus crashes the fire ceremony during the sacrifice of a bull (an act worthy of immediate death), but he appeals to Zarathustra for mercy; is hauled off by Pacorus to face his father Orodes

• Herod greets Doris & son, and Tero, his family guardian – he is updated on the attack

• At Gaza, Cleopatra refusesto allow her ship to stop for supplies and fresh water

• Pacorus and Antigonus ride camels to Hatra, discuss meaning of ‘freedom’

• Tero and Phasael discuss Malichus & what has happened; Tero is concerned of a set-up

• Salome, Cypros, Doris, and Herod discuss Malichus, but from a different perspective

• Malichus meets Hyrcanus’ butler at Siloam Pool, gives him the poison

• Antigonus and Pacorus arrive at Hatra, Parthian Empire

• Cleopatra arrives at mouth of Nile, is reunited with her son Caesarion; her brother’s mummy is on a ship following – they head south towards Memphis & Giza

• In Parthia, Pacorus is received by Orodes and Phraates; Antigonus is spared execution • Cleopatra has encounter with ghostly figure of her dead mummified brother Theos on banks of Nile as they slowly move upriver.