The two series of Rome tell the story of the rise of Julius Cesar (series 1) and battle for power following his death (series 2). The story follows Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two soliders in Cesar’s army. Interesting, these two characters are based on real people, in that the only two soliders mentioned in Cesar’s book, Commentarii de Bello Gallico, were Pullo and Vorenus. Although the major historical events are portrayed fairly accurately, the story behind them is pretty much fiction.

I really like Rome. Series 2 felt a little rushed, with a lot happening in a short period of time; but this is due to HBO cancelling subsequent series part way through. Series 1 is the better of the two, exploring the development of Pullo and Vorenus’ friendship. In episode 1, Vorenus has Pullo flogged for disobeying orders, but they become closer over the course of their adventures.

Polly Walker plays the manipulative Attia, mother of Octavian and her machinations and plotting  ar enjoyable to watch. She will do pretty much anything to preserve her position in society and to get ahead. James Purefoy puts in a good performance as Mark Anthony, starting off a Cesar’s trusted friend, and eventually descending into a drug addled laughing stock.

The program cost a fortune to make (one of the reasons it was cancelled), but it is shot really well. As a series, it has everything: sex, violence, scheming and moments of pure comedy.

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