SO who is watching Rome?

**King Ragnar** · 11-02-2005, 21:07

The show is on soon and i for one am looking forward to it, i have seen numerous previews and it is lokking very very good.

**Geoffrey S** · 11-02-2005, 21:31

I'm watching it tonight, and recording it for my Latin teacher. It'd better be good.

**econ21** · 11-02-2005, 23:02

Just saw it and was very impressed. I did not realise how much of a historical drama it would be. I can't speak for its accuracy - I'd be interested in what others can comment on in that regard. But at least it focussed on the central political drama (Caesar vs Pompeii) rather than some secondary soap opera stuff. That said, I did also enjoy the sideplots around the two soldiers. The plot was interesting and twisting, with excellent acting and production values. The sex was totally gratuitous and pointless, but that does not really bother me (except that it means I can't let my young son watch what seems otherwise an excellent and educational series).

It seems a worth successor to "I, Claudius", which I remember made a great impression on me in my teenage years.

**Geoffrey S** · 11-02-2005, 23:12

'twas messily edited, but enjoyable. Probably more so for people with some knowledge of the events. The syncronising of voices and images was pretty shoddy though. The acting was rather good, and the set design really evoked the feel of Rome. I loved seeing places I recognized around the Forum in full glory.

The sex scenes were a bit too much. A few less would have gotten the point across just fine, and would have allowed for a bit more clarification of events.

**TonkaToys** · 11-03-2005, 09:52

I enjoyed it; I was expecting more of a historical documentary, so the fact it was a drama made it more enjoyable for that sort of late evening slot. Also means that my g/f might watch it, so I won't get banished to the spare room when I want to watch it.
Bit gratuitous on the sex scences, but if it is historically relevant then fair enough... at least that is what I kept telling my g/f!

**Sigurd** · 11-03-2005, 13:51

I am...

(thank you Internet)

**Kaiser of Arabia** · 11-04-2005, 21:36

ITs awesome.

**Red Peasant** · 11-06-2005, 14:04

Poor script (someone here compared it to I Claudius, shame on you

), wooden acting, big budget but looks cheap, ham-fisted direction, and the Romans come across as animals with virtually no redeeming characteristics or features at all.

Terrible.

Also note that the Taurobolium ceremony was only introduced to Rome/Italy in C2 AD and originally had to be performed by a male priest who represented the god Attis being re-born in a kind of fertility rite. By C3 and C4 AD it is thought that women could also take part. The site of Rome's venue for the rite was St Peter's!

**lancelot** · 11-03-2005, 14:16

Originally Posted by Simon Appleton

Just saw it and was very impressed. I did not realise how much of a historical drama it would be. I can't speak for its accuracy - I'd be interested in what others can comment on in that regard. But at least it focussed on the central political drama (Caesar vs Pompeii) rather than some secondary soap opera stuff. That said, I did also enjoy the sideplots around the two soldiers. The plot was interesting and twisting, with excellent acting and production values. The sex was totally gratuitous and pointless, but that does not really bother me (except that it means I can't let my young son watch what seems otherwise an excellent and educational series).

It seems a worth successor to "I, Claudius", which I remember made a great impression on me in my teenage years.

The sex is part of it, is it not? At the heart of 'civilisation' lies rampant over-indulgence and decadence...

And anyway, if you dont mind kids watching people getting stabbed in the head, Im sure some boobies aint gonna be that traumatic.

**econ21** · 11-03-2005, 14:28

Originally Posted by lancelot

The sex is part of it, is it not? At the heart of 'civilisation' lies rampant over-indulgence and decadence...

Is it? I am not sufficiently expert on the period to comment, but some discussion has said that Rome gets the sex part wrong and that the Romans were great prudes. The scene with Mark Antony having sex in front of an army column and Octavian certainly felt phoney to me.

And anyway, if you dont mind kids watching people getting stabbed in the head, Im sure some boobies aint gonna be that traumatic.

Touche. But young kids are innocent about sex but sadly familiar with violence.

**TinCow** · 11-03-2005, 14:43

As the series goes on, the frequency of sexual acts continues but they become briefer and less graphic. They are often important because they signify political 'alliances' and other such maneuvering amongst the patricians. There are some particularly important 'couplings' plot-wise later on, but again it mainly turns into people getting into bed and then them being naked afterwards. I think the first couple episodes were more graphic for the shock value on American TV.