Rome

[jof]

Did anybody else like this series? I watched most of the episodes on BBC2 and have just bought the DVD's (FORTY QUID!!!!) and am currently watchig through them again. I liked them and was wondering if anybody else did and if they knew how much of it was actually realistic, i mean after reading Conn Igguldens 'Emporer Series' (despite it being a work of fiction) i was under the impression the Octavian was a comrade in Gaul perhaps with the extrodanarii, but just there as possibly a low ranking officer at least, optio etc. I didnt think he was an incestuous teenager...

[Foxbat]

This series started off in a promising way but I got bored with it pretty quickly. It rapidly degenerated into a soap opera with togas. It just seemed to be lacking something.

It's just my opinion and I know loads of folk that really liked it but I definitely won't be buying this.

[The Ace]

Octavian grew up to be the Emperor Augustus, and this portrayal was fairly accurate. I sort of liked it, but I can't understand my Centurion's 2YOU MUST SEE THIS,"attitude. A determined attempt to tell an old story in a new way but nothing special.

[Roboripper]

I really enjoyed it when it was aired and I'm going to buy the DVD's soon.

[Jaggy Jai]

I liked Rome alot, was a refreshing change to other Rome based material, like the sex and violence in it.....after all its meant to show the decadence of the society. Hope to see more of the same soon.

[aarti]

I liked Rome a lot, too. I also own the DVD set and as I don't have HBO, I hope that the next season comes onto DVD quicker than the first one did! It will be interesting to see Augustus as emperor.

[Jaggy Jai]

It will, but it'll take ages to see it in the UK!

[Hawkshaw_245]

I love the series. Titus Pullo is THE MAN!!!

"I'm a man of simple tastes. I like to kill my enemies, spend their money, and enjoy their women."

Who can argue with that logic?

I've always had a thing for ancient Rome. And a weekly fix of the lust, greed, and conquest is a nice way to finish a hard week.

[carrie221]

WAIT...WAIT... was this shown in the US. How could I have missed a program like this. Is it about actual ancient rome? Is it any good?

[Winters_Sorrow]

Carrie, it was an HBO/BBC collaboration about the rise & fall of Caesar, basically starting from the defeat of Vercingetorix at Alesia until his betrayal in the Senate.
There was a bit of dramatic licence taken (basically putting the two protaganists in all the major events of the time) but at least there was some attempt at historical accuracy.
I take Foxbat's point about it being a bit 'soap opera' as it did seem to use a lot of modern swearwords and gratuitous nudity but I enjoyed it despite that. The actors weren't bad and supposedly series two is in the works (covering the immediate followup of Mark Antony, the rise of Octavian/Augustus).

[I, Brian]

I quite enjoyed the series and wouldn't mind watching it again - but the DVD set does seem quite expensive.

[carrie221]

Originally Posted by Winters_Sorrow

Carrie, it was an HBO/BBC collaboration about the rise & fall of Caesar, basically starting from the defeat of Vercingetorix at Alesia until his betrayal in the Senate.
There was a bit of dramatic licence taken (basically putting the two protaganists in all the major events of the time) but at least there was some attempt at historical accuracy.
I take Foxbat's point about it being a bit 'soap opera' as it did seem to use a lot of modern swearwords and gratuitous nudity but I enjoyed it despite that. The actors weren't bad and supposedly series two is in the works (covering the immediate followup of Mark Antony, the rise of Octavian/Augustus).

Thanks for the info... I will have to be on the look out for this

[Jaggy Jai]

I'm glad HBO had a part in this project can you imagine the result if the dreaded BBC would have been left to its own devices with it.......but they didnt, I'd rather my TV licence money go on this than Strictly Come Dancing!!!!! I hate UK tv!!!!!!!!! Had to get that in!!!!!

[manephelien]

I really like it, especially the seedy side of life. There's quite a lot of swearing and violence, not to mention sex with both female and male full frontal nudity, so I can imagine that it won't necessarily be easy to get hold of in some parts of the US...

It does give an interesting view into a society with rather different values from our own. I'm not normally easily shocked, but I do admit it was rather shocking to see two nobles enjoying sex in full view of two or three slaves, who were there to literally wipe their brow and serve water or wine...

[ScottSF]

great show, took a few episodes for me to really get hooked but I can't wait for another season. There will be another, right? The show was just on my mind because they are filming in downtown San Francisco and I walked right by Kevin McKidd (Lucious Vorenus) on my lunch break. Wasn't sure it was him until I heard him talk. Of course he was in a suit, not dressed like a Roman soldier. This is my second downtown celeb sighting. Last one was Dave Chapelle.