Posted on 09/03/2005 7:52:54 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Are you speaking of the decline of the Republic or the decline of the Western Imperial Empire. I can see our republic declining unless a Classical Liberal rejuviation is taken place. Its got to start in a state and spread outward, the Federal Government is hopeless. IMHO
Beside the downfall of the Roman Republic had lot to do with the constant political swings from one extreme to the other leading up to Caesar. I really feel Caesar would of restored the Republic after his retirement from dictator like his Uncle Sulla. But the motion was already set on it course before Caesar was born.
It would be easier for such a series to portray the ancient Romans and Greeks who weren't swallowing the sword (as it were).
There are different kinds of jaded audiences. :')
Bump
It's an awesome show. Seen two weeks of it so far and I'm very impressed. I'm a history student, and a Roman history buff in particular and I can say its very true to history.
The acting is good, the production values are great and its one of the best new series I've seen in years.
When it comes to HBO, I'll stick with "Deadwood" and "The Wire". Though Kenneth Brannagh has done two exceptional fims for HBO. "Conspiracy": An english language re-make of the far superior German language/subtitled "Wanasee Conference" and "Warm Springs" about FDR's coping with being a polio.
Jack.
There were stories at the time that Caesar was gay. Read Suetonius. Most likely they were made up by his political opponents in order to discredit him (like some nowadays claim that Hillary was a big lesbian) but still, it's not something just invented yesterday.
Hhhmm thank you for the referrence. I know contemporary authors have put forth Caesar and King Nicomedes of Bithnyia, but I hadn't read anything having to do with his nephew.
I like the images of Roman plebian and military life.
Thanks Seamole for that additional info (I plan to try it, hadn't yet) and Alexander for the firsthand experience of the show.
I was in Germany when "Wansee Conference" was shown on German television. Watching it and listening to it in German gave me a chilly feeling, like I had been transported back in time and was in the room when the "Final Solution" was being discussed.
No problem. ;)
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned that "Rome" is being produced by "zen fascist" John Milius of Magnum Force, Jaws, Conan the Barbarian and Red Dawn fame. I hope he writes/directs a few episodes in the future. I love that guy.
A+ 3 Episodes in an I'm hooked
Yeah, Yeah I know HBO is a liberal outfit
But dam, when they put their mind to it, they do make a hell of some great shows.
It's almost enough to wish I still took cable. :')
Three episodes down now and it keeps getting better. Gotta love HBO - their series alone keep me subscribed, and since On Demand came out for digital cable I'm particularly happy with them.
Garbage on Television (a vanity thread)
any network you can name | Sunday, September 18, 2005 | me and everyone else
Posted on 09/18/2005 5:21:27 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1487031/posts
You're right that the stories were probably made up. And I don't want to nitpick, but the use of the word 'gay' is not appropriate in that it brings to mind the current connotations of a certain lifestyle. The ancient Greeks and Romans had no such understanding of it. And of course Caesar's heterosexual desires are a thing of historical fact, not conjecture.
A certain kind of homosexual behavior was seen as acceptable under certain conditions, but at the same time there were laws against homosexuality in ancient Greece and Rome. The fact that the rumors about Caesar's alleged homosexual behavior as a boy or young man were used as a negative by his enemies seems to be lost on those who point to it as evidence of ancient support for homosexuality.
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