In 75 B.C., a young JULIUS CAESAR was on his way to study in Rhodes when his ship was captured by pirates. Caesar was brought back to their island base and held for ransom - he asked how much it was to be, and was told twenty talents of gold, a considerable sum. He laughed, and said a Patrician nobleman such as he was worth FIFTY. While they waited to see if the ransom would be paid, Caesar entertained and charmed the pirates, who seemed to enjoy his company immensely - as did their women. When the ransom was finally paid, ALL FIFTY TALENTS (much to the pirates' amazement) they were as good as their word and released him. But Caesar promised that he would return and crucify everyone single one of them. Thinking he was joking (and believing he would never be able to find his way back to their secluded base in any case), the pirates laughed, never dreaming that Caesar would be as good as his word...