Timon (character of Rome)

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Rome character
Timon
Name	Timon
Portrayed by	Lee Boardman
Class	Plebeian
Family	Laura (wife) Levi (brother) Yesh (son) 2 daughters
Allies	Atia of the Julii (1.1-2.4) Gaius Octavian
Enemies	None
Appearances	1-1 "The Stolen Eagle" 1-11 "The Spoils" 1-12 "Kalends of February"

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.

[edit] 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 mercilessly at Atia's orders; finally disgusted by Atia's cruelty, he chokes her, screaming "I am not an 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, the only way Timon can stop the senseless crime is with a knife in Levi's gut.

Shortly afterwards, he and his family packs up to leave Rome for Judea. His wife, despite knowing about Timon's relations with Atia, tells him as they are leaving, "you're a good man." That is the last scene they are ever seen again.

[edit] Observations

Timon is referred to by Leva by his Hebraic name, "Tevye", which appears to be a "Romanization" of the name. Such alterations of non-Roman names were common during the time period, with arguably the best example being the change of "Yoshuah" to "Joshua".