Those who know “Quo Vadis” will recognize Gaius Petronius, a confidant to Emperor Nero and the writer credited with this remarkable tale of unbelievable extravagance. This drama, fittingly over-the-top like Nero himself, centers on two companions—"Ascito" (Hiram Keller) and "Encolpio" (Martin Potter)—who become consumed by jealousy regarding their young male companion “Gitone” (Max Born). Unable to resolve the conflict, they decide to part ways. The younger man chooses to go with one of them, leaving the other so devastated that he contemplates ending his life—though fortunately an earthquake interrupts those plans. Following the disruption, the men are separated and we then follow a selection of their exploits as they stumble from one unrestrained situation to another, filled with erotic dancing, indulgence and pleasure-seeking. Eventually, the three are reunited and concoct a scheme to steal a demigod from a sacred place. This proves unwise, since he’s only part divine and quickly perishes, which results in Encolpio incurring the displeasure of the gods. Considering the nature of the film as a whole, his punishment is particularly harsh, but with a friend by his side, he hopes they might find their way to a distant land where things could potentially improve! Some of the stories do echo more familiar legends, like Theseus and the Minotaur, but mostly this showcases Fellini at his most entertainingly self-indulgent, displaying attractive people (and some less so) reveling in almost every imaginable vice. Despite that, there isn't an abundance of nudity, violence or explicit corruption shown; a good deal of it is hinted at, as the underlying seediness doesn’t really lead anywhere substantial. As the film unfolds, it effectively demonstrates what was needed to become part of myth and legend in societies where skill was valued above intellect or moral behavior. It's essentially a lighthearted journey through Roman history, but alongside jealousy and desire, it also reveals glimpses of the importance of love and faithfulness—though don’t expect any strong morals here; just appreciate the vibrant artistry of men (primarily) consumed by unrestrained excess.

Source on TMDB