Ok the scene between Servilia and Atia was prices- even if not historically accurate. Here Atia thinks she is going to hear some rambling nonsense and she is cursed instead. Then any future revenge is taken away when Servilia kills herself. Priceless.

I too extremely disappointed in Pullo's behavior with Gaia. Tsk Tsk Tsk. That's all I have to say.

I knew the straw dolls were a lure.

As for Christian subtext? Well there wouldn't be any as this was before Christ unless I misunderstood. Still some of very graphic stuff was not needed to tell the story.