spittle 2 Report post Posted September 16, 2006 A brand new, 6 part series for British television viewers starts Thurs 21st on BBC1. Episode 1 is dedicated to Nero. In later episodes Sean Pertwee (son of Wurzel Gummidge) plays Gaius Julius Caesar and David Threllwell portrays Constantine the Great. From the tiny excerpts I have seen it all looks like the BBC at its best and I look forward to discussing them on a weekly basis with the more educated forum members. A date for DVD release has already been set and it is available to pre-order on Amazon or Play.com. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ursus 6 Report post Posted September 16, 2006 Let us know if it is any good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaius Paulinus Maximus 2 Report post Posted September 16, 2006 Sounds pretty good I'll definately be tuning in for that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DecimusCaesar 1 Report post Posted September 17, 2006 Read an article about it yesterday, sounds very good. If I won't have a chance to see it on Thursday, I will probably buy the DVD when it's released. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Augusta 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Read an article about it yesterday, sounds very good. If I won't have a chance to see it on Thursday, I will probably buy the DVD when it's released. Salvete - quick greeting, as I'm new. I will be recording this new helping of togas on TV, but I have to say, from the trailer shown - the usual portrayal of Nero wandering in diaphanous draperies, plucking his lyre - I am not holding out too great a hope. However, I should not judge before I've seen it. The voiceover commentary did say it was going to be 'the true story of Nero'. Fingers crossed. BTW: There have been some fascinating posts on this thread and I have enjoyed reading all your discussions, especially the ones about Augustus. I'll look forward to joining you all very shortly and putting in my two asses worth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WotWotius 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Yes, I have also been looking into this new dose of Rome. It seems a little bit strange that they are showing the life of Nero before the life of Caesar. Maybe this will be for dramatic effect; the eccentricities of Nero would probably do a better job of captivating the masses than GJC ever could. Does anybody know of any more notable Romans in the series? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longbow 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Alex Ferns of eastenders fame is to play Mark Anthony! oh my... All Tantrums and Toga's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WotWotius 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Alex Ferns as in Trevor... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinax 3 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Ill be interested to see a screen portrayal of Vespasian.Will he be the "bluff old cove" shacked up with an old freedwoman? or mad tyrant? About time we had some more disquisition on the Flavians. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaius Octavius 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 Ill be interested to see a screen portrayal of Vespasian.Will he be the "bluff old cove" shacked up with an old freedwoman? or mad tyrant? About time we had some more disquisition on the Flavians. A subject for 'Academia'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M. Porcius Cato 2 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 The series will also depict Ti. Gracchus. Wonder if they'll mention his oft-forgotten political adversary, the great Scipio Aemilianus, who not only beat the Macedonians at Pydna, sacked Carthage, and subdued Spain, but also won the Corona Muralis and Corona Graminea--before being murdered by assassins? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinax 3 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 The series will also depict Ti. Gracchus. Wonder if they'll mention his oft-forgotten political adversary, the great Scipio Aemilianus, who not only beat the Macedonians at Pydna, sacked Carthage, and subdued Spain, but also won the Corona Muralis and Corona Graminea--before being murdered by assassins? Carbo was , I think ,explicitly named as his assasin by Cicero? Certainly S Aemilianus' "justly slain" remark (as regards Gracchus ) made the Populares howl . The subjugation of Numantia alone would have been a remarkable feat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DecimusCaesar 1 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 On a slightly unrelated matter, did anyone remember the 'Ancient Egyptians' Tv series from a few years back? Here was a similar series to 'Ancient Rome' in that instead of having historians talk us through events, they had actors, sets (both real and CGI) and a whole hoard of props to try and recreate Egypt in ancient times. Each episode would follow a true story, The Battle of Kadesh for instance, and they would have the actors speaking in Egyptian (with subtitles) supposedly with the actual words of the people (the Pharaoh, the Generals etc). The latter episodes were rather interesting as they delved into real events that were not so famous, such as the prosecution and execution of a Tomb raider, the lives of twin sisters that were kicked out of their mother's home and who later asked the Ptolemaic Pharaoh for assistance. It's my guess that the series will be similair to this in style (I wonder if the characters speak latin?) or perhaps the Gladiator documentary the BBC showed a few years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P.Clodius 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 (edited) The series will also depict Ti. Gracchus. Wonder if they'll mention his oft-forgotten political adversary, the great Scipio Aemilianus, who not only beat the Macedonians at Pydna, sacked Carthage, and subdued Spain, but also won the Corona Muralis and Corona Graminea--before being murdered by assassins? Wasn't he found dead in bed and the question as to whether he was killed wasn't clear and was perhaps some of the usual slander/intrigue? And it was Lucius Aemilius Paulus Macedonicus who was in command at Pydna. Scipio was a teenager, but present all the same. Edited September 18, 2006 by P.Clodius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Princeps 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2006 I'm very much looking forward to this series also. Here's hoping it's enjoyable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites