The book that Jack finds is Lays of Ancient Rome by Thomas Babington Macaulay. The poem that he begins to read is Horatius. Based on Roman history, the inadequately defended city is under attack by the Etruscans. Horatius is in charge of a detachment assigned the impossible task of defending a bridge into the city. Horatius and two companions cross it and fight off the invaders while the rest of the detachment work to destroy the bridge. Horatius orders his two companions to cross back into Rome while he stays to fight the enemy on his own. Then, with the bridge destroyed and with no hope for his own survival, Horatio jumps into the river wearing his full armor and dies rather than surrender.A key theme in the verse he reads is that of dying, "for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods." As shall be seen, the identity of Jack's "gods" becomes a determining factor in this film.

Film

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