[juliej]

Vini, vidi, vomit. The series Rome on HBO is no I Claudius. The producers spent a fortune "recreating ancient Rome" but could not get most of the history correct. This series is little more than Dynasty (or Die Nasty as we used to call it) with togas. Among some of the anachronisms: Attia, Octavian's mother and Marc Anthony's lover (which she wasn't) saying "good stuff" after smoking the ancient version of weed; having Agrippa - who was NOT the lover of Octavia - ask her if she knew the identity of her baby's father (I was hoping the actress would answer "As soon as I get the DNA results back"); Attia is actually Fulvia, one of Anthony's wives. This week we are subjected to Anthony's affair with Cleopatra and he will be wearing eyeliner to show how he has "gone native" and offended Roman sensibilities. In the coming attractions, he resembles Michaelus Jacksonus of the group the Jacksonus Quintus (that's Jackson Five to you!). Other inaccuracies: Livia, the wife of the future August, was pregnant with Drusus (the father of the future Emperor Claudius) when she married Octavian - yet she is not with child in this series. Octavian, who was a prude, also tells her that he will on occasion "whip her" for "sexual pleasure" - which is probably the writer's fantasy. As Emperor, Augustus banished Ovid for writing ribald verse and banished his own daughter Julia because of her lifestyle. There was also no mention of Portia, Brutus's loyal wife. The series also has Serivilia, the mother of Brutus, offing herself when in reality, she retired to her country estate after his defeat at Philippi. The writers must have been smoking that Roman weed! I can only imagine how bad the Sopranos will be.

[dljordan]

So don't watch it.

[Dead Dog]

"ROMAN RED!.....People Just Don't Know the Value!"

[N. Theknow]

Among some of the anachronisms: Attia, Octavian's mother and Marc Anthony's lover (which she wasn't) saying "good stuff" after smoking the ancient version of weed;

Perhaps "bono fesces" would have been better?

[lormand]

Cassius and Brutus were said to have committed suicide. In the series, they are killed by sword at the hands of Octavian and Antony's infantry.

Since Octavian's reign was so long, I'm curious to see how they will treat this historical fact.

[Pukin Dog]

What is it about 'DRAMA' that you dont understand?

Rome is brilliantly acted, wonderfully written, and after Deadwood, the best show HBO has ever produced.

I agree with the other poster, if you don't like it, don't watch it. Almost everyone who does watch it, is in disagreement with you.

[Mikey_1962]

Rome: Its not historically accurate like Shakespeare's Anthony & Cleopatra or Julius Caesar. /s

[SmithL]

My son and I both love Roman history, and we both understand that the series is TV, and not history. Nevertheless, we wouldn't miss it.

[SmithL]

And we can at least count on the Sopranos to be historically accurate.

; )
And I wouldn't miss it, either

[CrAZyFreeper]

You're right, because when has any writer ever taken liberties with the history of Rome?

You know, you *might* want to skip "300" as well.

[Rummyfan]

Oversexed? Yes it is. But I like the way they play power politics. Also find the Pullo and Vorenus characters very engaging. Didn't watch it when it was first on but now I'm hooked.

[dead]

Being largely ignorant of Roman history (as are the writers, apparently) I find the show immensly enjoyable.

It's The Sopranos or The Shield in togas. I don't tune in for history, but for entertainment - and it's come through week after week for me.

I could watch Pullo chop heads off all day. He kicks ass.

My complaints - the actor playing Brutus was a horrible actor and a totally wuss. And the kid playing Octavian was much much much better actor than the new guy playing Octavian.

[Rummyfan]

What Would Lucius Vorenus Do?

[JohnSheppard]

You espect historical accuracy from a drama on HBO? I expect a little 'whip' action on HBO.

[carolinalivin]

Me thinkst thou doest protest too much!

One tip, don't watch fictionalized dramas for your history research.

The show is very appealing to me. They clearly took great pains to display roman villas and some low rent neighborhoods accurately.

The cast is terrific.

I don't remember any roman movie which portrayed the daily lives of roman soldiers and then as civilians as well as this does

I suggest if, you can't enjoy this fiction, you may want to read another history book.

I think I Claudius is one of the best things I have ever seen, but it does not distract me from enjoying Rome. I hope it goes on for years.

[teenyelliott]

It's on HBO, not the History channel. I love it, and take it for what it is; a television show.

Good Lord, perhaps we should all start threads about every single show we hate. Wouldn't that be fun???!!!!!

[Cyclopean Squid]

So you are complaining that Rome is historically inaccurate, yet in the same breath are praising I, Claudius? Okay. I've never seen the miniseries of I, Claudius, but the book is hardly accurate--the very definition of postmodern historical fiction.

[martin_fierro]

"Let us not go to Camelot Rome. It is a silly place."

[qam1]

1st season was great

This 2nd season leaves something to be desired. Vorenus and Pullo as crime lords, give me a break.

[veronica]

I have to disagree with you. I thought it was fabulous. A perfect blend of history and poetic license/drama. Second only to the Sopranos.