If you’ve binged the blood-soaked spectacle that is the Peacock series, you know it isn’t just about gladiators hacking each other to pieces. It’s about the grease in the gears of the Roman Empire. And honestly, nobody represents that messy, tragic reality quite like Hermes. In Those About to Die, Hermes isn't some high-ranking general or a muscle-bound fighter. He’s a Greek slave. He’s also the lover of Domitian Flavianus, the younger son of Emperor Vespasian.
His story is one of the most heartbreaking arcs in the first season. It’s a classic case of a guy trying to play a high-stakes game without having any of the cards.
Most people watch the show for the chariot races or the lions. But if you look closer, the relationship between Domitian and Hermes is where the real political rot shows through. Played with a Sort of desperate vulnerability by actor Alessandro Bedetti, Hermes is a character who lives in the shadows of the Flavian dynasty. He’s constantly trying to prove he’s more than just a body to his master.
Why Hermes in Those About to Die Matters More Than You Think
In a show filled with people dying for "glory," Hermes dies for something much smaller and more human: a mistake.
He isn't just a background extra. He acts as Domitian’s eyes and ears. Basically, he’s the one who uncovers the Jewish plot against Queen Berenice, Titus’s mistress. He brings this info to Domitian, hoping it’ll earn him some respect. Instead, Domitian uses the info to cause a massive rift between his brother Titus and the Queen. It’s a power move, and Hermes is just the tool used to make it happen.
You've probably noticed that Domitian isn't exactly a "stable" boyfriend.
He treats Hermes with a mix of possessiveness and total disdain. One minute they’re intimate, and the next, Domitian is reminding him that he’s property. It’s a toxic dynamic that highlights the brutal social hierarchy of Rome. There’s no equality here.
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The Turning Point and the Ultimate Betrayal
Things go south for Hermes when he tries to find a little bit of agency—or maybe just a little bit of actual affection. He ends up having an affair with another man. When Domitian finds out, he doesn't just get jealous; he goes full psychopath.
Domitian kills the other man right in front of Hermes. It’s a brutal scene.
Locked away and desperate, Hermes finally snaps. He threatens to tell Titus about Domitian’s various treasons. Big mistake. Huge. Domitian, played by Jojo Macari with that specific brand of "unhinged rich kid" energy, realizes Hermes is now a liability.
The punishment is gruesome even by Roman standards.
- Silencing: Domitian orders Hermes' tongue to be cut out. This is symbolic—the messenger can no longer speak the truth.
- The Naumachia: During the flooded games in the Colosseum, Hermes is tied to the prow of a ship.
- The Crocodiles: He is left to be eaten by crocodiles while the crowd cheers.
Historical Truth vs. TV Fiction
Is this what actually happened? Well, yes and no.
The show is based on the 1958 book by Daniel P. Mannix, which is more of a deep-dive into the "vibe" of Roman cruelty than a strict history book. In reality, the historical Domitian did have a famous eunuch lover named Flavius Earinus. Unlike Hermes, Earinus was actually quite powerful and well-regarded by court poets like Martial and Statius. He didn't end up as crocodile food.
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The show creators likely used the "Hermes" character to consolidate several historical rumors about Domitian’s sexuality and his penchant for cruelty.
By naming him Hermes, they’re leaning into the Greek mythology of the "Messenger God." But in Those About to Die, the messenger doesn't just deliver the news—he gets destroyed by it. It’s a bleak irony that fits the show’s tone perfectly.
Alessandro Bedetti’s Performance
We have to talk about Bedetti for a second. He brings a lot of nuance to a role that could have been very one-dimensional. You can see the fear in his eyes every time Domitian looks at him. It’s not just the fear of a slave for a master; it’s the fear of someone who actually cares about a monster and realizes too late that the monster doesn't care back.
His chemistry with Jojo Macari is electric and deeply uncomfortable.
That discomfort is intentional. It forces the audience to confront the fact that in Rome, "love" was often just another form of ownership.
What Hermes’ Fate Says About the Show's Future
The death of Hermes is a massive turning point for Domitian’s character arc. By killing the one person who was "his," Domitian effectively burns away the last of his humanity. If we get a Season 2, we’re likely going to see a much colder, more isolated version of the future Emperor.
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He’s learned that people are disposable.
He’s learned that silence can be bought with a blade.
For the viewers, Hermes serves as a warning. In the world of Tenax and the Flavians, loyalty is a death sentence if you don't have the power to back it up.
Lessons From the Life and Death of Hermes
If you're looking for "actionable insights" from a fictional Roman slave's life, here’s the reality check:
- Understand the Power Dynamic: Hermes thought his intimacy with Domitian gave him a seat at the table. It didn't. In any high-stakes environment, know whether you’re a partner or a tool.
- Information is a Weapon: Hermes used his knowledge of the Jewish plot to try and climb the ladder. It worked temporarily, but it also made him a target. If you’re going to leak info, have an exit strategy.
- Don't Threaten a Sociopath: This sounds obvious, but when Hermes threatened to expose Domitian, he signed his own death warrant. If someone has already shown they are willing to kill for less, your leverage is zero.
Honestly, the tragedy of Hermes in Those About to Die is that he was too human for the world he lived in. He wanted love, he wanted to be useful, and he wanted a bit of revenge. In the Colosseum, those things just get you fed to the reptiles.
To get the most out of the series, re-watch the early scenes between Domitian and Hermes. Notice the way Hermes tries to give advice on gambling debts. He’s trying to be a partner. The coldness with which Domitian shuts him down is the first clue that this story was never going to have a happy ending.
If you're interested in more, look up the real history of the Flavian dynasty and the building of the Colosseum. The show gets the "vibe" right, but the real history of Domitian's reign is even more complex and weird than the show lets on. Check out Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars if you want the original "gossip" that inspired these characters.
Keep an eye on Domitian in the final episodes. The way he treats the senators after Hermes is gone shows exactly who he has become. He’s no longer the kid trying to impress his dad; he’s the man who killed his only friend to keep a secret. That’s the real legacy of Hermes.