Family dysfunction. Treachery. Betrayal. Coarse profanity. Brutal violence. Graphic (and sometimes brutal) sex. No, it's not The Sopranos, it's Rome, HBO's madly ambitious series that bloodily splatters the glory of Rome just as savagely as Monty Python and the Holy Grail soiled the good name of Camelot (but with far fewer laughs; very few funny things happen on the way to this forum). Set in 52 B.C. (Before Cable), Rome charts the dramatic shifts in the balance of power between former friends Pompey Magnus (Kenneth Cranham), leader of the Senate, and Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), whose imminent return after eight years to Rome after conquering the Gauls, has the ruling class up in arms. At the heart of Rome is the odd couple friendship between two soldiers who fortuitously become heroes of the people. Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) is married, honorable, and steadfast. Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) is an amoral rogue whose philosophy is best summed up, "I kill my enemies, take their gold, and enjoy their women." Among Rome's most compelling subplots is Lucius's strained relationship with his wife, Niobe (Indira Varma), who is surprised to see her husband alive (but not as surprised as he is to find her upon his homecoming with a newborn baby in her arms!) Any viewer befuddlement over Rome's intrigues and machinations, and determining who is hero and who is foe, disappears the minute Golden Globe-nominee Polly Walker appears as Atia, Caesar's formidable niece and a villainess for the ages. In the first hour alone, she offers her already married daughter as a bride to the recently widowed Pompey. One eagerly awaits to see what (or who) she'll do next as much as we anticipate her comeuppance in the final episode.

Rome is a painstakingly mounted production that earned eight well-deserved Emmy nominations in such categories as costumes, set design, and art direction. Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter) was honored with a Director's Guild Award for the first episode, "The Stolen Eagle." But artistic considerations aside, instantly addicted viewers will agree with Atia, who notes at one point, "I adore the secrecy, the intrigue. It's most thrilling." --Donald Liebenson

Beyond the Series

The Roman Empire in film and television

The Roman Empire in documentaries

More HBO DVDs

Stills from Rome (click for larger image)

Garbage

Crappy acting. Cheesey fighting scenes. Not what I expected, it was a major disappointment.

So Real You Can Almost Smell It!!!

This series provides an incredible and realistic view into ancient Roman life. Extremely high production values combined with great writing and acting make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

They do as the Romans do.

FOR ADULTS ONLY! NOT FOR CHILDREN TO SEE!
Contains male frontal nudity and female nudity, sexual content, violence.
When you first put in Disc One, you are treated to an HBO commercial with the tune, "Change" by Tracy Chapman ("Fast Car"), then the main menu begins. But wait! Who put on that song that is similar to Disney's Aladdin video game? No, it's the theme music to "ROME". Belly-dancing music.
This HBO cable series is set in Rome beginning 52BC (Before Christ) and Season One ends on March 44BC after caesar is killed. Every account from costumes to location set and props have been researched and copied for accuracy.
One Special features is "All Roads Lead To Rome", that is when you choose "Continue", it will give you a Rome box of historical facts and in-depth information about "ROME" as each episode plays.
The fictional story is mostly about "Lucius Vorenus" (Kevin McKidd) and "Titus Pullo" (Ray Stevenson), Roman soldiers who fight for Julius Caesar's army who finally get to go home after being away for 8 years. We see Timon (Lee Boardman) walking through the street with a white horse. His intention is to visit the evil tyrant vixen Atia of the Julii (Polly Walker). They make love wildly as the servants must watch and wait to give Atia her cup of refreshment while still mounted upon Timon.
Gaius Octavian (Max Pirkis) unfortunatly is the son of Atia. He is a virgin and still very intimadated and ordered by his mother. She wants him to become a man "her way", not naturally. She even commands hersopn to lose his virginity right now. His mother Atia is way too wordly and even instructs Titus to teach Octavium how to be a man by fighting, killing and having sex with a prostitute. Octavian is still very innocent at heart, a gentleman, but he is learning to kill so brutally to be the wrong kind of man, like a Roman.
Lucius has a wife, Niobe (Indira Varma) who he hasn't seen in nearly 8 years. Upon arrival back home, at first look, he is quickly filled with anger whern he sees his wife with a baby. He demands to know who the father is. He is told the baby belongs to his 13-year old daughter. He disapproves. His wife really thought he was dead.
Titus Pullo would rather do as the Romans do and visit the brothel.
Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds) uses his arrogance, rudeness and violent powrr to eventually overtake Rome and be the King. Clepoatra is rescued by Titus Pullo. She will have Julius Caesar or she will die.
Stu Rosen plays "Numa" in episodes "An Owl in a Thornbush" and "Egeria". You may remember him from the children's program "Dusty's Treehouse" (1968-1980).
The theme song of "ROME" is by Jeff Beal.
The story continues in Season Two.