Around Christmas, I put this show on hold at the library so I could watch it. So many people, including Martin, said that I really needed to see the show because of my interests in ancient Rome. I had no doubt that I would enjoy it as long as it was well done in the least. One of my favorite mini-series is I, Claudius. Well, I really, really liked it.

It is a show put on by HBO. You have probably already figured out that it is a historical show. The first season centers around Julius Caesar and the time that spans from his conquering the Gauls to his death in the Roman Senate. It is peopled by the major personalities of the time period: his niece Atia, his lover Servilia, her son Brutus, his great nephew Octavian, and his great niece Octavia the Lesser. Pompey, Cleopatra, Cato, Cassius, and many others have recurring parts.

At the same time, seeing the perpectives of the famous people of this ancient civilization is off-set by a series of characters that are the common people. Two soldiers from Caesar's army in Gaul (Pullo and Versilius) parallel what is happening. We get to see these great events of history through their eyes.

One of the extras on the DVD's has an interview with one of the producers highlights how the show leaves the audience seeing how much like our own society ancient Rome was. At the same time it was so different because they are lacking our background in tje Judeo-Christian faith. As a result, they view violence and sex so differently.

That is part of why the show is not really for kids. While I don't believe the reality of the harshest aspects of ancient Roman society, their is lots of graphic violence and scenes that present sex on an almost pornographic level. It goes right up to the edge while not quite going over it.

The show is really well done. It does mess a little bit with the real history for dramatic reasons, but that is what it makes it based on history rather than actually being history. I would definitely recommedn this one for those interested in the time period.

I can't wait to get to watch season 2!

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