Half a century before the dawn of Christianity, Rome has become the wealthiest city in the world, a cosmopolitan metropolis of one million people — epicenter of a sprawling empire. Founded on principles of shared power and fierce personal competition, the Republic was created to prevent any one man from seizing absolute control. It is a society where soldiers can rise up from provincial commoners to become national heroes, even leaders of the Republic.
But as the ruling class became extravagantly wealthy, the foundations have crumbled, eaten away by corruption and excess, and the old values of Spartan discipline and social unity have given way to a great chasm between the classes.
This is Rome, the dramatic, brutal and always gripping series from HBO. Set sometime around 49 B.C. the show centers around Julius Caesar, his civil war, his murder and the events that followed his death.
Sound boring, you say?
You'd be ever so wrong.
Rome is brilliant, brutal, beautiful and bold (did I get enough B's in there?) and gives you an in-depth, albeit sometimes gruesome look at ancient roman life. The series is fiction to be sure but its built around Caesar history, giving faces and personalities to those old dates and places we remember from high school.
Cast members include James Purefoy (Mark Antony), Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus), Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo and Polly Walker (Atia of the Julii). The acting is superb and the sets are more than believable.
Do I like it? Does it show?
But be warned... Rome is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. The series is violent, sexual and graphic to say the least, as was the culture and time period it covers, so parental guidance is strongly suggested. But if you're old enough and you're looking for something you can really sink your teeth into, I promise you won't be disappointed with Rome.
