Vorenus and Pullo set off in search of the eagle , encountering and rescuing Octavian from his captors . Octavian thanks them and promise that they will be rewarded . Vorenus and Pullo discover Pompey 's slave with the eagle hiding in the bandit cart and kill him , realizing the bandits was hired by Pompey . A politically astute Octavian explain that their mission is only a gesture , since the theft of the eagle is actually a blessing in disguise to Caesar . Civil war between Caesar and Pompey is inevitable , but Caesar need Pompey to make the first move so as not to appear the aggressor ; Pompey is likely to do that if he believe Caesar 's soldiers are on the verge of desertion . The trio return in triumph to camp , where a surprised yet grateful Caesar take the eagle back and more than adequate proof of Pompey 's hostility . He send Pompey the head of his slave and inform him of his next move , to winter the 13th Legion at Ravenna on the Italian border , in preparation for pressing his rights to the Consulship . Pompey break all ties with Caesar and take Cornelia as his wife . Octavia , humiliated at being used by Pompey and heartbroken over her pointless divorce , say she want him dead .