Imperium Sine Fine Dedi!
by andersone
I have just finished re-watching the first season of HBO's Rome. This fantastic joint venture by the BBC and HBO is well-casted, possessing a strong script, beautiful scenery, sets and costuming, and above all, historical authenticity.
"Historically Authentic" is the term the historical consultant, Jonathan Stamp, uses to describe his efforts. Historical accuracy would be too difficult to pull off in a twelve episode season that spans the eight years from Caesar's triumph over the Gaul, Vercingetorix, to his fate on the Ides of March: too many players, too many battles, too many factions. Instead, drama and story telling are the focus with an eye to what the world should feel like right down to the wonderful and bawdy graffiti scrawled all over the city of Rome.
Unfortunately, high praise cannot be conferred upon the second season. Authenticity and the great care given to the characters slips away in the name of more action, more violence, and more sex.
Better than watching the second season, read Julius Caesar yourself. Multiple translations and editions of the Gallic Wars are on hand, and you can always get his treatment of the Civil War through MeL. His direct and simple style is high-tempo, thoughtful and revealing of a rare genius, not just on the battlefield or in the senate.
Additionally, many biographies of Caesar, modern or ancient, like this recent one or less recent or one by Seutonius or Plutarch can fill in the gaps his own writings leave. As always, one thing to remember when dealing with earlier sources, like Seutonius or Plutarch (translated or otherwise), particularly when it comes to the losers, is the agenda of the winners.
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