Take this Rome Series Quiz to find out. We update the quiz regularly and it’s the most accurate among the other quizzes.
Rome was maybe too wonderful to be true, existing as the zenith of what HBO is capable of achieving in terms of superb entertainment. It was extremely expensive for its day, with an estimated total budget of $100,000,000. The show’s attention to detail was evident throughout its two seasons, and while it was short-lived, it remains one of the best shows HBO has ever created.
The show’s quality dipped dramatically during the second season, which can be attributed entirely to the fact that it was cut short. Originally intended to be five seasons long (the second concluding with Brutus’ death, the third and fourth in Egypt, and the fifth depicting the rise of the Messiah), Rome was allotted only one shorter season to fulfill the original tale after the costly success of its first season.
There have been several speculations over the years after the show ended about a prospective movie being developed to wrap things up. Unfortunately, this never happened, and it is unlikely that it will ever happen. More information regarding the show’s creation and eventual fate may be found on our page, Remembering Rome. Also, you must try to play this Rome Series Quiz.
Rome Series Quiz
For the time being, though, we must make do with what we have. The two seasons last 21 years, beginning with Caesar’s triumph in the Gallic Wars in 52 BC and ending with Octavian Caesar’s win over Mark Antony at Actium in 31 BC. Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, both members of the legendary Roman 13th Legion; Vorenus is a First Spear Centurion, and Pullo is a legionary.
While these figures aren’t historically significant (apart from being modeled on two briefly mentioned troops in Caesar’s notes), they serve a twofold purpose. Vorenus and Pullo are intriguing characters in their own right, and their escapades provide us with a wealth of information about plebeian life in Rome. At the same time, their characters are utilized to respond to and benefit or suffer from key historical events and are sometimes even used to directly affect such events.
The fact that Vorenus and Pullo succeed in rising far beyond the “plot device” label and becoming superbly portrayed characters in their own right throughout the series is a testimony to Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson, as well the show’s authors. Their interactions with events considerably larger than themselves are significant.
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In terms of casting, Rome boasts a vast ensemble cast, with only one (small) weak link in my opinion. In no particular order, my three favorite depictions are: David Bamber as Marcus Tullius Cicero, James Purefoy as Mark Antony, and the aforementioned Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo. Bamber is absolutely amazing to see, and attempting to explain his work would be a disrespect to his dramatic talent.
Michael Stuhlbarg’s Arnold Rothstein in Boardwalk Empire is the only recent portrayal of a character that I would rate among his. Purefoy masterfully depicts Antony’s chilly, simmering menace, as well as his complete commitment to Caesar and loyalty to his cause. Stevenson’s style is tough to describe because he is one-of-a-kind in that he appears so genuine – it’s as if he isn’t acting at all! Polly Walker as Atia, Ciarán Hinds as Caesar, Tobias Menzies as Brutus, and Lyndsey Marshal as Cleopatra are all excellent choices.
Marshal’s casting as Cleopatra sparked debate at the time because she wasn’t regarded typically “pretty” enough for the part. However, I thought she nailed the job well, relying on her words and body movement to entice rather than her beautiful features alone. Camilla Rutherford as Jocasta is the one weak link I noted. Her performance was over-the-top and unconvincing, and she stood out from the other characters for all the wrong reasons.
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