8.7/10
155,261
269 user 29 critic

Rome 

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1:22 | Trailer
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
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Popularity
422 ( 21)

Episodes

Seasons


Years



2   1  
2007   2005  
Top Rated TV #75 | Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 19 wins & 34 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Series cast summary:
Kevin McKidd ...  Lucius Vorenus 22 episodes, 2005-2007
Ray Stevenson ...  Titus Pullo 22 episodes, 2005-2007
Polly Walker ...  Atia of the Julii 22 episodes, 2005-2007
Kerry Condon ...  Octavia of the Julii 22 episodes, 2005-2007
James Purefoy ...  Mark Antony 22 episodes, 2005-2007
Ian McNeice ...  Newsreader 20 episodes, 2005-2007
Coral Amiga ...  Vorena the Elder 19 episodes, 2005-2007
Lindsay Duncan ...  Servilia of the Junii 18 episodes, 2005-2007
Lidia Biondi ...  Merula 18 episodes, 2005-2007
Tobias Menzies ...  Marcus Junius Brutus 17 episodes, 2005-2007
Nicholas Woodeson ...  Posca 17 episodes, 2005-2007
David Bamber ...  Marcus Tullius Cicero 15 episodes, 2005-2007
Chiara Mastalli ...  Eirene 15 episodes, 2005-2007
Manfredi Aliquo ...  Castor 15 episodes, 2005-2007
Indira Varma ...  Niobe 15 episodes, 2005-2007
Suzanne Bertish ...  Eleni 14 episodes, 2005-2007
Max Pirkis ...  Gaius Octavian 13 episodes, 2005-2007
Lee Boardman ...  Timon 13 episodes, 2005-2007
Esther Hall ...  Lyde 13 episodes, 2005-2007
Ciarán Hinds ...  Gaius Julius Caesar 13 episodes, 2005-2007
Anna Fausta Primiano ...  Vorena the Younger 12 episodes, 2005-2007
Michael Nardone ...  Mascius 10 episodes, 2005-2007
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Storyline

In this British historical drama, the turbulent transition from Roman republic to autocratic empire, which changed world history through civil war and wars of conquest, is sketched both from the aristocratic viewpoint of Julius Caesar, his family, his adopted successor Octavian Augustus, and their political allies and adversaries, and from the politically naive viewpoint of a few ordinary Romans, notably the soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo and their families. Written by KGF Vissers

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

What would You do for Power? See more »


Certificate:

14A | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Caesar's Triumph" scene included 750 actors and extras. See more »

Goofs

The series left out or changed details of actual history in many instances. Pompey was only 6 years older than Caesar. Octavian was called Octavius until after his posthumous adoption by Caesar. At the start of the series (52 BCE), Octavius is living in his mother's household. However, Octavius was raised by his grandmother until her death in 51 BCE. Atia was married to Lucius Marcus Philippus from 56 BCE until her death in 43 BCE. Brutus committed suicide after his and Cassius's defeat at Philippi. As a show of great respect, Mark Antony ordered Brutus' body to be wrapped in Antony's most expensive purple mantle. When Octavia married Mark Antony, she already had 2 (possibly 3) children; her first husband died in 40 BCE. Although left out entirely from the story, Porcia, Brutus's wife, is rumored to have played a much larger role than Servilia in planning Caesar's assassination. Porcia committed suicide after Brutus died. See more »

Quotes

Titus Pullo: [wakes up during the night; sees Eirene approaching]
Titus Pullo: [smiles]
Titus Pullo: Eirene. It's good to see you.
[she puts a knife to his throat]
Titus Pullo: [gasps, but doesn't fight her] Fair enough.
Titus Pullo: [closes eyes]
[she presses in the knife, but hesitates]
Titus Pullo: [peeks]
Titus Pullo: Erm... i-if-if... If you can't do it... th-that's all right too.
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Alternate Versions

Because episode three is 37 minutes long, it was hard for BBC2 to schedule in the UK, and it was also felt that the short running time would make the episode feel curiously light. The first three episodes were therefore edited down into episodes one and two for the UK. This was mostly achieved by trimming within existing scenes; few scenes were actually lost. The final two episodes of the first series were also edited into a single double-length episode, possibly because it was around the Christmas period and was easier to fit into the holiday schedule than two regular-length slots. See more »

User Reviews

a feast for the eyes!
21 September 2005 | by J5iftY5iveXtremeSee all my reviews

HBO's "Rome" is perhaps one of the best historical TV shows there ever was and one of the best HBO has ever produced.

Set during the first century B.C., this TV show tells the tale of two Romans serving in the army, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pollo. Vorenus in a strict, humorless and hard-working centurion, expecting his troops to obey him and is a loyal citizen of Rome. Pollo is muscular, carefree, party-loving, and womanizing, yet he is also a faithful, trustworthy friend, loyal companion, and overall lovable character. These two military men serve in Julius Caesar's army and live during a time of turmoil in Rome.

Originally planned as a TV miniseries, "Rome" has become an actual TV show. This TV show is mostly fictional, but it incorporates historical characters like Caesar, Pompey, Cato, Mark Anthony, and Atia, the most of Octavian, soon to become Rome's first emperor, Augustus. It is a time when the Roman Republic is corrupt, and high-ranking Romans like Julius Caesar and Pompey fight for power. The historical events in Rome are told thru the eyes of Vorenus and Pollo.

The script is intelligent and realistic, with some profanity, violence, and decadence. Unlike most portrayals of Rome, which tend to be clean and sanitize things, this is a graphic portrayal of Ancient Rome, complete with drunkards, brawlers, womanizers, prostitutes, adulterers, fornication, and loads of sexual acts. This TV series do not attempt to hide the dirty aspects of the Roman Empire. Rather, it is a honest depiction of the Empire, portraying its decadence and wickedness.

As for the production, one word - great! The sets are huge and realistic, with the viewer feeling as if he/she is in the middle of the scene. The costumes, too, are realistic and accurate. The sets, props, and costumes, etc. show signs of research. The actors and actresses did a great job, too, portraying their characters realistically.

Overall, this is a great series. I will be expecting more seasons of this.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK] | HBO GO® [USA]

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 2005 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Rome See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

(22 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
See full technical specs »

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