 Having subdued the Goths, warrior Titus Andronicus returns to Rome to bury his sons, with Gothic Queen Tamora and her retinue as captives. The newly-dead Roman Emperor s two sons, Saturninus and Bassianus, are competing for their father s title. According to Roman custom, Titus sacrifices Tamora s eldest son to the Gods; having the deciding vote, he also chooses Saturninus as Emperor. Both acts have tragic consequences.