- Marcus Aquila: [about Esca to Placidus and other elevated Romans] He's not a slave. And he knows more about honor and freedom than you ever will.
- 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!
- 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.
- Esca: [to Marcus] I hate everything you stand for, everything you are, but you saved me, and for that I must serve you.
- [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!
- Aquila: [to Marcus as the doctor works on him] I hope the medicine he's gonna give you does you some good. It smells repellant - like one of his farts.
- [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.
- [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: 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?
- Marcus Aquila: [from trailer] Who has the eagle?
- Guern: [pointing to Esca] He knows. He's one of them.
- 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.
- Marcus Aquila: [praying] Mithras, lord of light, please help me, father of our fathers. Help me lead my men well. Do not let me dishonor my legion. Please help me regain my family's honor.