How does Lysia sabotage her mission to kill Caligula?

Lysia, sent to assassinate Caligula, develops genuine feelings for him and chooses to protect him instead, undermining the plot against his life.

Drama Cult Classic

Scheming, seduction, and survival in the decadent twilight of Caligula's Rome.

CALIGULA'S SLAVES

Q: What is Caligula's Slaves about?

Caligula's Slaves follows the infamous Roman emperor as he becomes infatuated with a slave girl, unaware she has been sent to assassinate him. The drama unfolds as her feelings for him complicate a deadly conspiracy.

1984 · 1h 24m · NR · Drama / History / Romance / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Young, sadistic and uncharacteristically introspective Caligula falls for a black slave girl who serves as exotic dancer at his court. However, she's secretly working for his cousin who plans to overthrow him. Will love conquer all?

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Quick Answer

What is Caligula's Slaves about?

Caligula's Slaves is a 1984 Italian drama, history, romance, and thriller film directed by Lorenzo Onorati about the infamous emperor Caligula, his dangerous obsessions, and a slave girl sent to assassinate him who becomes torn between her mission and unexpected feelings.

Programmer's Pick

Rome’s most infamous emperor gets the full exploitation treatment, with mud wrestling, gladiator showdowns, and enough scheming to fill a Colosseum. Lorenzo Onorati’s take leans into both the sleaze and the surreal, making this a feverish blend of sex, betrayal, and historical delirium.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the waning days of Rome’s notorious emperor, Caligula's Slaves plunges viewers into an era of excess, intrigue, and betrayal. The film opens with Caligula indulging in lavish feasts and erotic spectacles, particularly captivated by Lysia, a striking slave girl and dancer. Unbeknownst to him, Lysia is a pawn in a deadly scheme: she has been placed by Caligula’s treacherous cousin and ordered to kill the emperor. However, as Lysia finds herself drawn to Caligula’s complex nature—equal parts cruelty and vulnerability—her loyalties begin to waver. Against a backdrop of decadence and danger, drama simmers as passion, power, and conspiracy collide.

Details & Specs

Director: Lorenzo Onorati
Writers: Gianfranco Parolini, Dan Kelly
Release: 1984
Runtime: 1h 24m
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Genres: Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Also Known As: Orgies of Caligula, Caligula III, Les orgies de Caligula, Caligula - Imperator des Schreckens, Caligula 3 - Imperator des Schreckens, Original title: Roma. L'antica chiave dei sensi

Cast & Crew

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Director: Lorenzo Onorati Writers: Gianfranco Parolini +1 more

Robert Gligorov Caligula / Gemellus SV Sandra Venturini Lysia

Aldo Ralli Midas

Francesco Romei Lucius' cousin

Maurice Poli Ptolomeus

Rodolfo Licari LC Laura Colucci Krisias

Gianfranco Parolini Senator Lucius (as John Francis Littlewords)

Edmondo Tieghi LK Louise Kamsteeg (as Loïs Kamma) MA Maria Ann Levine

Aldo Sambrell MF Mauro Ferri RF Roberto Furlanetto CB Cristy Brandao AM Alicia Mora SL Sydney Lyn

Stefania D'Amario Roman lady (uncredited)

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Sexploitation Exploitation Erotic Female Nudity Violence Exploitation Exploitation Film Sexploitation Stabbed To Death Love Surrealism Girl Sexploitation Film Sadist Massacre Catfight Conspiracy Animal Attack Cunnilingus

Why Cult

Roman Decadence Unleashed

Caligula's court is a carnival of excess, from orgiastic banquets to gladiator spectacles and mud wrestling—no toga required.

Villain Protagonist Intrigue

The film centers on a sadistic yet introspective Caligula, offering a twisty perspective on the notorious emperor as both tyrant and object of desire.

Sexploitation and Surrealism

Expect a heady mix of erotic spectacle and bizarre set-pieces—catfights, nudity, and surreal decadence abound.

Deadly Court Conspiracies

Schemes, betrayals, and hidden agendas drive the action as a slave girl’s secret mission upends the balance of power.