Timon (character of Rome)
Encyclopedia
Timon, is a character in the HBO
/BBC2 original television series Rome
, played by Lee Boardman
. He is a Jew, depicted as a "hired sword" – from bodyguard to assassin – for Atia of the Julii
, from whom he is quite willing to take her body in lieu of coin.
In the second season, Timon's religious older brother Levi comes to Rome, soon pointing out to the already-troubled Timon that his questionable means of earning a living have gotten out of control. Things reach a breaking point when he tortures Servilia of the Junii
mercilessly at Atia's orders; finally disgusted by Atia's cruelty, he near-chokes her, screaming "I am not a fucking animal!" He leaves a shocked Atia gasping for breath and walks out.
Timon rediscovers his Judaism under Levi's influence, soon joining his brother in his revolutionary activities. When Levi intends to assassinate Prince Herod of Judea in Death Mask
, Timon has a change of heart, realising the killing will change nothing and that he must stay alive for his family, but the only way Timon can stop Levi is with a knife in Levi's gut
.
In A Necessary Fiction
, he and his family pack up to leave Rome for Judea, lying to his family that Levi has left Rome and they might see him there. His wife, despite knowing about Timon's relations with Atia, tells him as they are leaving, "you're a good man." He is not mentioned again in the series.
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
/BBC2 original television series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
, played by Lee Boardman
Lee Boardman
Lee Boardman is an English actor and narrator.-Television:He is best known for playing Murray Priestman in Drop Dead Gorgeous as well as the drug dealer Jez Quigley in Coronation Street...
. He is a Jew, depicted as a "hired sword" – from bodyguard to assassin – for Atia of the Julii
Atia of the Julii
Atia of the Julii is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Polly Walker. The niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Octavian/Augustus and Octavia, she is depicted as a cheerfully amoral and opportunistic manipulator...
, from whom he is quite willing to take her body in lieu of coin.
Personality
Timon initially appears as little more than a cutthroat who carries out Atia's dirty work with a cheerfully mercenary attitude. However, as the series continues, his conscience and faith gradually catch up to him as guilt over his sins and lack of piety makes him more and more uncomfortable with his current lifestyle.Character history
A Jewish horse trader, Timon performs guard duties and several other "services" for Atia, often in exchange for sex.In the second season, Timon's religious older brother Levi comes to Rome, soon pointing out to the already-troubled Timon that his questionable means of earning a living have gotten out of control. Things reach a breaking point when he tortures Servilia of the Junii
Servilia of the Junii
Servilia of the Junii is a character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series, Rome, played by Lindsay Duncan. The mother of Marcus Junius Brutus, lover of the married Julius Caesar and enemy of Atia of the Julii, Servilia is depicted as a sophisticated and regal Roman matron who follows her...
mercilessly at Atia's orders; finally disgusted by Atia's cruelty, he near-chokes her, screaming "I am not a fucking animal!" He leaves a shocked Atia gasping for breath and walks out.
Timon rediscovers his Judaism under Levi's influence, soon joining his brother in his revolutionary activities. When Levi intends to assassinate Prince Herod of Judea in Death Mask
Death Mask (Rome)
"Death Mask" is the seventh episode of the second season of the television series Rome. It aired on March 4, 2007.-Plot summary:Servilia mourns the death of Brutus, killed at Phillipi. She kneels in front of Atia's door chanting repeatedly for justice. Although Atia ignores her initially, the...
, Timon has a change of heart, realising the killing will change nothing and that he must stay alive for his family, but the only way Timon can stop Levi is with a knife in Levi's gut
Fratricide
Fratricide is the act of a person killing his or her brother....
.
In A Necessary Fiction
A Necessary Fiction
"A Necessary Fiction" is the eighth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The air date is March 11, 2007.-Plot summary:...
, he and his family pack up to leave Rome for Judea, lying to his family that Levi has left Rome and they might see him there. His wife, despite knowing about Timon's relations with Atia, tells him as they are leaving, "you're a good man." He is not mentioned again in the series.