betinad
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Post by betinad on Nov 27, 2009 21:17:02 GMT -5
Taking advantage of the just launched Blue- Ray edition of Rome’s series and the hiatus in front of us – as if we need some excuse to - , I’m inviting you to revisit this amazing TV series or to watch it for the first time. For each episode, I will be posting summary and basic information and I invite you all to share your thoughts/ reviews about the episode, your favorite scenes, your favorite quotes, etc. Rome - The Series. Some facts:Rome is an American-British-Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius, and William J. MacDonald. The show's first season originally aired on HBO in the United States between August 28 and November 20, 2005. The second season aired on HBO in the U.S. from January 14, 2007, to March 25, 2007. Rome is set during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic to Empire, from Caesar's invasion of Gaul to the death of Mark Antony and the rise of the first Emperor Augustus. Plot overview:The series primarily chronicles the lives and deeds of the rich, powerful, and "historically significant," yet it also focuses on the lives, fortunes, families, and acquaintances of two common men: Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two Roman soldiers mentioned historically in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. The fictionalized Vorenus and Pullo manage to witness and often influence many of the historical events presented in the series. Season 1 starts with Julius Caesar's civil war of 49 BC against the traditionalist conservative faction in the Roman Senate, his subsequent rise to absolute dictatorship over Rome, and his eventual fall, spanning the time period from the end of his Gallic Wars (52 BC or 701 ab urbe condita) until his assassination on 15 March 44 BC (the infamous Ides of March). Against the backdrop of these cataclysmic events, we also see the early years of the young Octavian, who is destined to become the first Emperor of Rome, Augustus. Season 2 chronicles the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony following Caesar's assassination, spanning the period from Caesar's death in 44 BC to Octavian's final victory over Antony at Actium in 31 BC. Main Cast: Kevin McKidd ... Lucius Vorenus Ray Stevenson ... Titus Pullo Polly Walker ... Atia of the Julii Kerry Condon ... Octavia of the Julii James Purefoy ... Mark Antony Indira Varma ... Niobe Lindsay Duncan ... Servilia of the Junii Let’s get it started!!!!
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marcy
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Post by marcy on Nov 27, 2009 22:42:10 GMT -5
Wow, you put a lot of work into this one Betina, thanks! This sounds like so much fun I can hardly wait to get started!
Who's going to watch Episode 1 with me?
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Post by Leanne on Nov 28, 2009 3:16:08 GMT -5
Rome you dont have to ask twice I need to find my disc's off to search ......
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Post by kaz on Nov 28, 2009 8:18:53 GMT -5
I'm in. How much time do I have to watch each ep?
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ruralstar
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Post by ruralstar on Nov 28, 2009 16:17:54 GMT -5
Didn't find the time when we tried to do this in March. I've actually begun rewatching recently and I'm nearly to the end of s1. Oh the hardship to start over LOL. I'm in so long as the holiday prep doesn't get too far ahead of me
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Post by MarryMeOwen on Nov 28, 2009 16:28:59 GMT -5
Same here rural. I also re-watched with a friend last month. I think I am going to watch something else like North Square or something, maybe Anna Karenina
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Post by Leanne on Nov 29, 2009 3:19:26 GMT -5
I watch Rome Regularly, but I'm all systems go for once again found my disc's phew and ready, let us know when we are starting ....
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Post by kaz on Nov 29, 2009 6:23:18 GMT -5
Leanne, I'm the same. I just finished a rewatch not all that long ago but I can't get enough!
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Post by MarryMeOwen on Nov 29, 2009 10:20:00 GMT -5
I'm never tired of Rome either, I just have a lot I need to watch right now that I've borrowed from people, etc. and other shows to catch up on. North square I think I'll watch around xmas
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Nov 29, 2009 13:21:17 GMT -5
ok... here we go!! My plan is to allow 2-3 days for each episode. But we will be managing it as we go so everybody can enjoy the ride! Season 1 – Episode 1 – The Stolen EagleSome historical background: The Battle of Alesia took place in September, 52 BC around the Gallic Alesia, a major town centre and hill fort of the Mandubii tribe. It was fought by the army of the Roman Republic commanded by Julius Caesar, aided by cavalry commanders Mark Antony, Titus Labienus and Gaius Trebonius, against a confederation of Gallic tribes united under the leadership of Vercingetorix of the Averni, and was the last major engagement between Gauls and Romans, marking the turning point of the Gallic Wars in favour of Rome. The siege of Alesia is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements. At one point in the battle the Romans were outnumbered by the Gauls by five to one. The event is described by several contemporary authors, including Caesar himself in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico. After the Roman victory, Gaul was subdued and became a Roman province. The refusal of the Roman senate to allow Caesar the honor of a triumph for his victory in the Gallic Wars eventually led, in part, to the Roman Civil War of 50–45 BC. What does the Eagle mean? The Roman Eagle was one of the most important military symbols of the Roman era. It stood for the values of the Republic. Losing the Eagle in battle was considered one of the greatest shames a general could endure. Mention of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo in Commentaries on the Gallic War - Commentarii de Bello Gallico/Book 5, chapter 44. (writen by Ceasar)In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now approaching the first ranks, T. Pullo, and L. Vorenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously before the fortifications, Pullo, one of them, says, "Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? or what [better] opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest. Nor does Vorenus remain within the rampart, but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an inconsiderable space intervened, Pullo throws his javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pullo is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pullo to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the javelin. Vorenus rushes on briskly with his sword and carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pullo brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being preferred to the other. Episode summary: Eager to return to Rome after eight long years of war, Gaius Julius Caesar ends his campaign with a resounding triumph in Gaul - and news of a shattering personal loss at home. In Rome, Caesar's old friend Pompey is counseled by the Senate, who worry about Caesar's growing popularity. Two soldiers are enlisted to find the army's stolen gold standard. Atia is careful to play both sides of an escalating power struggle. (sources: TV.Com, Wikipedia, Livius.com) Happy watching!
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Post by Leanne on Nov 29, 2009 13:54:25 GMT -5
oh kewl
should we put our reviews under the episode titles that are already there ....
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Geniusmentis
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Post by Geniusmentis on Nov 29, 2009 16:46:36 GMT -5
Betinad, thanks for the "Mention of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo in Commentaries on the Gallic War - Commentarii de Bello Gallico/Book 5, chapter 44. (written by Caesar)"!!!!
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Dec 1, 2009 12:47:32 GMT -5
Betinad, thanks for the "Mention of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo in Commentaries on the Gallic War - Commentarii de Bello Gallico/Book 5, chapter 44. (written by Caesar)"!!!! you are welcome! I was curious for some time about it and get my chance to search for it this time!
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Post by Leanne on Dec 2, 2009 2:44:39 GMT -5
Right Ive managed to watch the first episode .....
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Post by kaz on Dec 2, 2009 15:50:14 GMT -5
I've watched it as well. Should I post my thoughts in here or take them to the episode thread??
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Dec 2, 2009 17:43:02 GMT -5
I just posted some comments under the Episode 1 thread.
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Dec 3, 2009 17:38:25 GMT -5
Let's keep going ....
Episode 2- Season 1
How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic
Episode Summary
After eight years away at war, Lucius Vorenus returns to an homecoming he wasn't expecting when he learns his eldest daughter has a newborn child and his wife, Niobe, is emotionally barren and distant. Titus Pullo's homecoming from the Gaul War is his care-free lifestyle of drinking and carousing for whores, and getting beat up and nearly killed by scam artists. Later, Pullo's actions soon become trouble for the Republic. Meanwhile, Mark Antony enters public office as a Tribune for the people and Caesar begins his mobilization for his return trip to Rome. Elsewhere, Caesar's niece, the scheming Atia of the Julii, welcomes Octavian home from his adventure with Pullo and Vorenus and makes her play for Antony, something that her daughter Octavia is not pleased with.
Some historical background
Roman Republican Government: The Tribune of the Plebs
Mark Anthony is elected Tribune of the Plebes, one of 10 officers of the Plebeian Assembly which was one of the two ruling bodies of Rome, given over the common people of Rome, as the Senate was given over the Patrician classes.
The Plebeian Assembly had as much power as the Senate in many areas of Roman politics - in fact part of the political destabilization of Rome leading up to the time of this series arises from the growing practice of political factions to bypass the Senate entirely and simply use the Plebeian Assembly to enact their proposed laws. The Tribune of the Plebes could convene the Senate, and propose legislation before it - as well as before the Plebeian Assembly. However, the power of the Tribune of the Plebes seems to be mostly negative in that a Tribune of the Plebes had a veto by which he could stop any proposed vote, law, trial, or proposed action, even those of a Consul! It is Anthony's power of veto that is crucial in this episode.
Sources: IMDB, TV.Com, wikipedia.
Happy watching! ;D
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Post by Leanne on Dec 4, 2009 1:15:51 GMT -5
off to watch
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Post by Leanne on Dec 8, 2009 2:14:31 GMT -5
My DVD player on my Laptop has finally given up on me so Im having a problem watching need to use the proper DVD player but please go ahead as Ive already dont my review on this board up until episode 4
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Dec 11, 2009 23:00:21 GMT -5
Episode 3 – "An Owl in a Thornbush"
Summary: With Caesar quickly advancing toward Rome, Pompey begins ordering a retreat and forces his citizens to pick sides. Timon is forced to do Atia's dirty work and Vorenus cannot understand why no one is resisting while on a scouting mission.
Historical background for the episode Caesar’s March on Rome was a triumphal progress; yet, the Senate, ignorant of Caesar’s being armed only with a single legion, feared the worst and supported Pompey, who, on grasping the Republic’s endangerment, said: “Rome cannot be defended”, and escaped to Capua — with his politicians, the aristocratic boni (Optimates) and the regnant consuls; Cicero later characterized Pompey’s “outward sign of weakness” as allowing Caesar’s politico-military consolidation to achieve Roman dictatorship. Despite having retreated, at his central-Italian bivouac, Pompey was armed with two legions, some 11,500 soldiers. Caesar progressed southwards, so Pompey retreated southwards, to Brundisium, from whence he repeatedly ordered Domitius north to combat and stop Caesar’s Roman march (then south-bound, along the eastern coast); his inaction — repeated refusal of Pompey’s combat orders — gave Caesar the initiative to attack and defeat Domitius’s Pompeian armies. In the event, Pompey escaped to Brundisium, there awaiting sea transport for his legions, to Epirus, in the Republic’s eastern Greek provinces — expecting his influence to yield money and armies for a maritime blockade. Meanwhile, the aristocrats (the Optimates) — including Metellus Scipio and Cato the Younger — joined Pompey there, whilst leaving a rear guard at Capua.
happy viewing!
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