HBO's Rome
Finished watching the two seasons of HBO's Rome. Yes, with a delay of a couple of years, but still.
The show depicts the last years of the Republic. It starts when Caesar wants to return from Gaul to Rome, and the political/military outcome and ends when Gaius Caesar (which is more known by his later name - Augustus Caesar) becomes Princeps (First Citizen, i.e. the first emperor). Two of the lead characters are fictional (Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus), although apparently these names are mentioned in Caesar's writings Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, but the rest of the characters there can be found in the history books and Wikipedia.
I don't know much about this period. Well, I knew of Julius Caesar, and I knew that he was assassinated on the Ides of March. I knew about the "Et tu, Brute", the Rubicon and even heard of some of the other names that are shown there - like Cato the Elder (although he doesn't say anything against Carthage in the show) or Marcus Tullius Cicero (that by the time the show takes place, it's after his In Catilinam speeches. A shame, I would have liked to see that). After watching the show, I still don't think I really know a whole lot about the period, but at least I know some names and the rough order of how things took place.
After I finished watching the show, I went on line and started reading about the historical characters. The show is pretty accurate according to what I read, with some added drama (not that it really needs more drama) but all in all - both entertaining and educational.
I watched the first season with a "pop-up video" addition by the show's historical consultant. It gives brief historical or cultural background to things shown in the show, like why the guy who reads the public announcements does weird gestures with his arms while speaking, what is the significance of the wax masks in the family house etc. It also explains a bit about the structure of Rome, the different Gods and worship and much more. It certainly enriches the experience, and is really recommended.
So what's next? I guess I want to see "I, Claudius" again. If my recollections don't deceive me, I didn't really care for that show when I was young and it was on TV, but that doesn't mean much. I will also probably want to read some more about this period, but I fear that I really have no idea where to start from, and the books I've seen so far look pretty scary. I guess I will have to do some research, or just ask ijon and be done with that...
The show depicts the last years of the Republic. It starts when Caesar wants to return from Gaul to Rome, and the political/military outcome and ends when Gaius Caesar (which is more known by his later name - Augustus Caesar) becomes Princeps (First Citizen, i.e. the first emperor). Two of the lead characters are fictional (Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus), although apparently these names are mentioned in Caesar's writings Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, but the rest of the characters there can be found in the history books and Wikipedia.
I don't know much about this period. Well, I knew of Julius Caesar, and I knew that he was assassinated on the Ides of March. I knew about the "Et tu, Brute", the Rubicon and even heard of some of the other names that are shown there - like Cato the Elder (although he doesn't say anything against Carthage in the show) or Marcus Tullius Cicero (that by the time the show takes place, it's after his In Catilinam speeches. A shame, I would have liked to see that). After watching the show, I still don't think I really know a whole lot about the period, but at least I know some names and the rough order of how things took place.
After I finished watching the show, I went on line and started reading about the historical characters. The show is pretty accurate according to what I read, with some added drama (not that it really needs more drama) but all in all - both entertaining and educational.
I watched the first season with a "pop-up video" addition by the show's historical consultant. It gives brief historical or cultural background to things shown in the show, like why the guy who reads the public announcements does weird gestures with his arms while speaking, what is the significance of the wax masks in the family house etc. It also explains a bit about the structure of Rome, the different Gods and worship and much more. It certainly enriches the experience, and is really recommended.
So what's next? I guess I want to see "I, Claudius" again. If my recollections don't deceive me, I didn't really care for that show when I was young and it was on TV, but that doesn't mean much. I will also probably want to read some more about this period, but I fear that I really have no idea where to start from, and the books I've seen so far look pretty scary. I guess I will have to do some research, or just ask ijon and be done with that...