Rome: HBO's Forgotten Epic

[@Mad-Duk_Machine_Werkes]

Titus Pullo was and always will be one of the greatest characters of all time! RIP Ray

[@graceskerp]

"I was just following orders, bloody good orders."

[@dejablue5746]

Amen!

[@Tld0026]

Thirteen!!

[@mikepette4422]

rarely get sentimental when i hear of some actor dying but Ray's passing really got to me and still does

[@amcclay415]

“Suck my cawk! I’m Titus Pullo!”

[@km-my4un]

The characters Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo were great. They had a real heartfelt friendship that made them brothers.

[@toby099]

The actor for Titus pullus died not long ago, very sad

[@jackwalsh6758]

​@@toby099Thirteen!

[@jtgd]

@@jackwalsh6758thirteen!

[@richardscanlan3419]

Both were actually real centurions in Caesar's army.

[@SpaceTravel1776]

“Heartfelt” is not the term for their friendship. More like “born from spilt blood.”

[@JEMRocker]

Forgotten? Brother, I just binged this show like 2 months ago. Amazing show.

[@EJK2099]

I think 'Forgotten by the masses' is what he meant

[@rysclark]

did the same thing for the 4th time

[@tedbed1389]

Yeah I binge it roughly every 6 months

[@SilverSoulxd]

There are 2 shows which I always come back eventually, Rome by HBO and The Tudors. Timeless classics to me.

[@tedbed1389]

@@SilverSoulxd Wolfs hall is pretty good to , albiet a bit slower

[@Kbo513]

HE WAS A CONSUL OF ROME!!

[@tedbed1389]

Titus Pullo is with me! Are you?! Are you with me?!

[@Uhtred-the-bold]

A consul of Rome

[@tudorinbogdan240]

The consul of Rome, whatever happened there

[@gaz9957]

Shame. Shame on the house of Ptolemies for such barbarity. Shame.

[@TiberiusGracchusII]

Vassel ? I am no Vassel ....

[@latviandragon2718]

the ultimate prequel to the sopranos

[@alswearengine4867]

Finally someone says it!

[@tomz5704]

They even had a scene in there with the donkey cart in Avalinium

[@gabagool_and_psychiatry4856]

i thought they were naboli doboly or something.

[@toby099]

What happened to the Roman’s? Your looking at am pal

[@nickjohnson6368]

Excellent!

[@sgillespie964]

Forgotten?!?! I will never forget. Thirteen ✊

[@jackwalsh6758]

Thirteen!

[@iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd1053]

I'm not crying. You're crying.

[@RaysNewLife]

13!!!

[@realtvw]

XIII

[@realkingofantarctica]

"Shame on the house of Lupertazzi." "But, he was a fanook--" "HE WAS A CAPO OF JERSEY!"

[@TheZakanater]

XD

[@luciusv5765]

fucking brilliant!

[@tudorinbogdan240]

"He discovered another man's prostate is what he did! He was a brave man among men! And in this family, Vito Spatafore was the best earner! END OF STORY!"

[@DiviAugusti]

That Pygmy thing in Carthago Nova. They’re a glorified legion.

[@user-uy1rg8td1v]

I always said they should do a Death of Stalin style movie about the death of Julius Caesar but with American Italian mafia characters.

[@cubaj8723]

Fun fact, Lucius Verenus and Titus Pullo are (in the most technical sense) historical characters. They were mentioned by Caesar in his memoirs, the only common soldiers he ever discussed, thought they were both centurions unlike in the show. Of course their exploits in the show are all fiction, but the reuse of their names is a nice touch.

[@guidokreeuseler9566]

Their first scene is not much unlike the historical account of Pullo and Vorenus. In effect, Pullo might have been a demoted centurion in the TV-show, which may have been the motivation for him breaking ranks in that first battle scene (to regain a promotion or die with honour).

[@marchess286]

Indeed

[@guywilletts2804]

I just made the same point, but not as well as you did.

[@thetexasliberal283]

The acting in that show was spectacular. Especially Marc Anthony

[@kevlark3184]

Mark Anthony Julius Caesar and Cleopatra were what I imagined in this show.

[@aldringregorio7171]

James Purefoy's Antony is exactly how I imagined him (Antony) to be. What a masterful performance

[@SunflowerRae]

@@aldringregorio7171 💯

[@TheNascimento]

When he arrives at Egypt and sees Cleopatra. Man that scene was awesome, the music and all.

[@kobal6525]

Rome was fucking great man, first season is definitely like a 9/10. I liked the music, the acting and the decors.

[@jtgd]

The triumph music Is my favorite

[@borysvengerov3398]

@@jtgd the intro is amazing!

[@DriantX]

@@jtgd Gracchus, something more cheerful!

[@niccoarcadia4179]

If the 1st S was a 9/10 then the 2nd S was 8.5/10

[@WoefulPie]

Guy jumped outta the Forum and came at Pullo with a chainsaw! He's got a right to defend himself, Tone

[@Sammydx1]

Tone ! He was an interior decorator !!

[@Dave_L913]

"Attia of the Julii, I call for justice" weirdest earworm I've ever heard. Awesome exit scene

[@Shimmy8]

Easily one of the best shows ever. It’s too bad it was cut short by HBO’s short sighted execs.

[@lanzknecht2752]

There were several reasons for HBO to end Rome. Their italian partners were upset that all major roles were given to british or irish actors. There were tensions, how the money for the production should be used and a large fire in the Cinecitta in Italy destroyed most of the set.

[@mikepette4422]

@@lanzknecht2752 sounds like money issues that could have been overcome...that is overcome by giving us 2 more season :P

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

The Romans, where are they now? You’re looking at em…on HBO

[@notsocrates9529]

Titus: [laughing] how is that temple doing??

[@TiberiusGracchusII]

"you're nothing but a golem" .... Tony - "what the @#$% you call me" ??

[@manco828]

Oy vey

[@DarrenMoore-le6pg]

“Nah, you’re the watered down clearance rack version.” Wild hand gestures and Italian expletives intensify. If you cant beat em, outlast em.

[@uamsnof]

@@DarrenMoore-le6pg ... same for the guy who said that line though? no offense! lol

[@DaveSCameron]

Shame on anyone who has forgotten this extraordinary series. 🙏📚

[@steroidbaggins2936]

I’m a history major and I think their portrayal of Cicero is a little more accurate than it might first seem. While the conventional narrative is that Cicero was a great and influential statesman, the source we get most of that information from is actually Cicero himself. Like all the other men who took part in the cursus honorum, the Roman political ladder, Cicero had a vested interest in making himself seem as great as possible, so that he would have more influence and power. To do this, many Roman politicians would publish all their speeches and writings for the public. Cicero was very profilic with this, more than the average senator, so not only do more of his writings survive, his writings were more widespread amongst the people of his day and onward, so he was well known. As I said, most of his writing had the purpose of making himself look good, so his accomplishments are played up immensely. The Catalina conspiracy, for example, was not nearly the threat to the established political order Cicero made it out to be, but rather an attempt by one senator to use the support of the plebs to gain more influence and shoot through the political ladder, which was relatively common in the late Republic, with examples such as the Gracchae brothers and Marius. The use of mob violence and back door deals to achieve this power was part and parcel for the time, and not unique to Cataline. While Cicero was a great orator it’s obvious both by the way he comes across in his writings and his ultimate mutilation at the hands of Marc Anthony that he was less a spokesperson for the republic and more a fiery orator who would push buttons and get on the nerves of his peers. In fact, he was notorious for being extremely annoying at camp with the other senators after Pompey’s initial flight to Greece. He was a lawyer after all, and I’m sure we have all had a violent thought towards a particular lawyer or two in our own lives. So yea I think the shows portrayal of him is pretty accurate for what we have. The guy had his accomplishments, but he was also a bit of a snob who wouldn’t shut up about how he “saved the republic”.

[@steroidbaggins2936]

@@akina4126 that’s a fair point however I believe that ranting about the decay around them was a common trope for the senatorial class at the time and afterwards.

[@alaypatel6050]

Nobody ever played antony better than purefoy. This show is pure gold.

[@PeaceDragon9]

Brandon was close.😉✌️

[@doublep1980]

RIP Ray Stevenson May Mars look favorable upon you!

[@elingrome5853]

eh? hes dead? didnt hear about that :(

[@RaysNewLife]

Dude I didn't know either I just looked it up 😢😢. RIP he was a cool dude 😇

[@wellreadmonarchist]

True Roman television for true Roman fans

[@Elephantnegotiationsociety]

so sayeth the monarchist. you're a disgrace to the senate and roman democratic values! just kidding.

[@PhillipMuchiri]

Historia Civilis is my favorite KZbin channel.. It's my primary source for Roman history, and now 19th century European diplomacy history, something that i never thought i would ever be interested in,,

[@pirlouit9334]

Yeah great channel

[@RZakelis]

Rome isn't forgotten.

[@BowHunter87]

I haven’t forgotten it. I rewatch both seasons probably every 18 months.

[@CsnvLsRnst]

9:58 Given the magnitude of its scope, the insane (and well spent) budget, the ambition, and the fact that, even with the pressure to condense many seasons into a few episodes, they still came up with a second season that, while a bit rushed, is magnificent (esentially the opposite of 'Game of Thrones' in its final seasons)... I would say that 'Rome' actually ran and sprinted, so that future epic series could comfortably walk in the path it had created with its trail.

[@GottaSmoke.]

This show is a masterpiece.

[@licmir3663]

There’s still time to make a revival of Rome, during Augustus’ later reign. Simon Woods’ portrayal is excellent. He was the son that Tywin Lannister always wanted.

[@LucLB01]

Not without Ray Stevenson. He was the heart of the show.

[@kjetilhansen5363]

There were rumours of a Rome movie for some time after the show ended. Too bad it never happened.

[@monkeytrousers8562]

I dream that HBO/BBC bought the rights to 'I,Claudius' and did a re-make. By the Gods, that would have been magnificent!

[@tadasdovii8262]

Lets not make historical movies in holywood. Its ocupied by barbarians.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

I assure you, no one's ever forgotten this masterpiece.

[@williamwallace3780]

Speaking for myself: Rome would be easy to re-watch and Game of Thrones would be very difficult.

[@snippids]

I’d agree, I’ve rewatched Rome every couple of years all the way through but I’ve never been able to rewatch GoT past a couple of episodes.

[@claytonberg721]

If Rome had came out ten years later it would have been better than GoT. Digital technology being cheaper would have made Rome a lot more viable, and it would allowed us to see some of those battles, instead of just getting them in exposition.

[@Shad0wack]

@@claytonberg721 I dont know. With the way the industry has been forcing political and social opinion into their work, maybe it was for the best that it was early.

[@claytonberg721]

@@Shad0wack I can't think of anything more brainless than art without political and social opinions.

[@Shad0wack]

@@claytonberg721 Oh yeah? I bet youre the type to whine if those political and social opinions dont align with yours

[@hollingsworth_hound]

Forgotten? Not many people remember? It's one of HBO's best-remembered series. Source of countless memes.

[@talknight2]

Really? Don't think I've ever seen a meme of this show

[@kelechirichard54]

@@talknight2 True Roman bread for true Romans HE WAS A CONSUL OF ROME! "It didn't seem like it was possible to lose, that's always a bad sign"

[@talknight2]

@@kelechirichard54 highly memeable, but I don't think I've seen them out in the wild

[@kelechirichard54]

@@talknight2 My feed might be biased lol

[@Kbo513]

I’ve rewatched this show four times. Amazing show and it’s a shame they cancelled it. Roman history has so much potential for stories to be told in this medium.

[@borysvengerov3398]

yeah, I also think that they managed to balance authenticity, history and fun in a way no other historical show ever could.

[@nils4279]

historia civilis is the best history media thats out there, the tragedy he portrays through little red blocks is masterful and the music is fantastic

[@laisphinto6372]

Sadly He skipped the First civil war and IT wasnt the one with caesar and pompey

[@MikeGill87]

@@laisphinto6372 Well, he skipped most of Roman (or world) history too. That's how storytelling goes. You pick your topic. HC is easily my favourite YT channel, even though he usually puts out only one or two videos a year these days.

[@alswearengine4867]

The scene where you see the envoy from Marc Antony’s drug-addled perspective always makes me laugh.

[@Boric78]

Mark Anthony always makes me laugh. Purefoy nailed that performance.

[@eyepatchpirate7726]

I like his implicit threat. "My wife has a very expensive taste... she eats oysters for breakfast". Antony: "People often choke one oysters".

[@adeepdive77]

I think their portrayal of Cicero pulls a lot from Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series.

[@miguelalmeida1134]

Still my favourite HBO show

[@gayrambo4529]

Pullo and Vorenus were also real people mentioned in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. And the best part of the series the progression of the millers that the newsreader always mentioned. They were the real winners of the show.

[@majorsynthqed7374]

True Roman bread for true Romans!

[@gayrambo4529]

@@majorsynthqed7374 When I was a kid, they had a brand of bread called Roman Meal. Reminded me of that.

[@majorsynthqed7374]

@@gayrambo4529 I ate that bread. It was my go to bread for years.

[@ingridjfyfjffjjh9217]

I watched it last year and it became my second favorite series. It's so lovable.

[@Lovreone]

This is hands down my favorite TV series, I've watched it at least 4 times, and even visited the set which still exists in Rome (CInecitta). It definitely is a masterpiece.

[@takaetono6773]

Underrated is the word you were looking for. not forgotten.

[@lauraapostol346]

Forgotten? Not a chance. I rewatch it yearly. BIG FAN! And they have the best Mark Anthony in my opinion.

[@PeaceDragon9]

One of my faves is"Stealing from Saturn". ✌️

[@jimslade2050]

I watch Rome yearly, every year for the past almost 20 years. I can't get enough of it. So good.

[@dinkalicious]

I fell in love with Polly Walker when this show ran. I’ve rewatched the whole series at least three times since it aired.

[@thx1138thecrane]

A true patrician woman.

[@alexroselle]

She’s also in “Bridgerton” but because that show is ahistorical fanfic, she doesn’t get as much to work with

[@philiparonson8315]

⁠@@alexroselleSort of agree, I think of Bridgerton more as a parallel universe. However, Polly Walker is still one of the best actors in the show.

[@airborngrmp1]

This was such an amazing show, and the casting for season 1 was just outstanding in every way. Ciaran Hinds, James Purefoy and young Max Pirkis were all perfect, and stood alone even when McKidd and Stevenson (RIP) were the absolute dynamic duo of Vorenus and Pullo. That's before we even get to the female cast that spends the entire show in Rome scheming and backstabbing between Polly Walker, Kerry Condon and Lindsay Duncan - and the incomparable Indira Varma, who's now appeared in 3 of my favorite show universes. Just excellent. I loved them all.

[@TiberiusGracchusII]

Salve. And forgotten you say ?? Cack ..... !!! I'll never forget lol. I watch this show every year as if its a holiday in my household. And to those who have not yet seent this masterpiece of television .....Sons of Dis !!! what are you waiting for ??? I swear by Jupiter's Stone it's one of the GOATs. Period.

[@MisterGolda]

Polly Walker was so freaking hot in that series. Also a reason the serie ended after 2 seasons. Apparently after big fire which destroyed much of the set they called of the next season of Rome. I wondered if they used Corky Ianucci for that fire. What conspiracy theories now?

[@alswearengine4867]

I always think of her as “Murder MILF.”

[@johnmurdoch8534]

Ive watched historia civilis for years, great channel! Never thought id be so sad when one square got murdered by 10 other squares.

[@roxroxroxgrace]

Rome was very good, the first season especially. So many amazing actors.

[@Divio18]

Rome is one of my favorite serie ever, I rewatch it at least once every 2 years.

[@user-pf4sk8im4b]

Historia Civilis is incredible, I was never interested in Roman history until I watched it. Huge props for the shout out.

[@zalibecquerel3463]

The thing stopping me from watching this is it's sudden end. However, on my list is "I Claudius", BBC, 1976, starring (amongst others) Patrick Stewart (with hair), Brian Blessed, John Hurt. Apparently it's available at low-res potato quality on KZbin, but I'm holding out for a better version. Anyone here familiar with it?

[@borysvengerov3398]

yeah, it's marvelous! Entertaining and serious at the same time, with great acting and directing. Thanks for reminding of it, worth a re-watch!

[@Lewis-jn8ry]

This is my all time favorite HBO production. It's a shame we never got more seasons.

[@jmatches01]

I have never forgotten it. Still watch it to this day.

[@shaggycan]

I always thought they didn't get Cicero right, Like David Bamber did a great job with what he got, but Cicero wasn't quite a wilting flower. He saved Rome from a civil war during the Cataline conspiracy when he was consul. Lol I wrote this before you got to it in the video. If Cicero were an American President he would right next to Lincoln, he was that great of a leader. That's the irony of the last days of the Roman Republic, it was full of great people that all lived at the same time and Caesar outshines them all.

[@laisphinto6372]

I think His First lawyer appearance was way more impressive Dude defended a man WHO was ON the hitlist of one of sullas men

[@benlincoln7358]

@PureKino Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo are based on real Roman soldiers who were well known at the time. They are both mentioned by Caesar in his writings. I also think they were friends irl, but don't recall.

[@Danny_Boel]

The real Vorenus and Pullo weren't soldiers but centurions

[@jackwalsh6758]

They were rival centurions that once saved each other's lives in a battle.

[@chadd3383]

I was a big fan of ROME. Great video bro

[@WiredDigitalCreative]

One of the very best series to ever be produced - RIP Ray Stevenson

[@celticredhead]

My favourite HBO series. The scenes between Tobias Menzies and Ciaran Hinds are particularly brilliant.

[@vito9674]

Thank you for this video ! In many ways Groundbreaking and Authentic series ! Ive binged this EPIC series more than once ! Great Acting, production and writing !

[@vanessadebrino7231]

The most underrated TV series of all time. For only 2 seasons 10/10

[@John-d7p]

Best Roman epic I have ever seen. I think I'll re-watch it now.

[@SunbeamGiant]

I watched Rome as a kid. And still love it today.

[@AI-hx3fx]

I adored this series! Made me want to learn more about history.

[@eyepatchpirate7726]

Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo are actual historical characters from the Bello Gallico. Fun fact: Pullo actually fought at the side of Pompey during the battle of Pharsalus. He's mentioned by Dio Cassius and Caesar.

[@edwinalvarez1619]

So true, without Rome the other fantasy shows would not have been possible. I loved Rome.

[@ShogunZIlla]

Super underrated show

[@badbrothers8221]

I once finished rewatching rome, and immediately started rewatching Rome. Last season moves so fast you get nostalgia for the first.

[@lemontec]

This show was not forgotten. I think of Rome every day.

[@luisa.melendezalbizu4459]

ROME WAS AN EXCELLENT SERIES. TRULY MEMORABLE.

[@thomassenbart]

Rome's early demise was very unfortunate. The history taking up with Augustus is fascinating, with more drama than can be imagined.

[@grampsskateboarding4814]

Need a kino log of these 2 seasons, loved this series

[@Pedro-tt2wo]

Historia Civilis its awesome, and its series on the fall of the republic its the most fun ive seen

[@plicketyplunk]

I could watch Rome forever. Perfection in the scripts, actors, sets, and costumes. I also love Deadwood, Sopranos, and The Wire but nothing comes close to Rome.❤❤

[@poisonoak2719]

Love the Historia Civilis shoutout, he’s one of my favorites too

[@d.c.8828]

I **absolutely** cannot concur with that recommendation of *Historia Civilis* enough! Absolute gem of a channel!

[@micheldesjardins8813]

One of the best TV shows ever on ancient Rome.

[@maaagicman]

I love this show. One of my favs. Very underrated

[@AlexNovakim]

Good video! And a nice shoutout, historia civilis is a truly great channel

[@AndréVilaFranca]

I love this series so much. One of my favorites. Another criminally cancalled series...for fuck sake...I wish we had so many more seasons.

[@johnrobinson4445]

Really?? I have never been able to forget it. It is highly rewatchable, a quality GOT will never have.

[@Hrafnskald]

Good point on the lessons learned. I'd also point out that Martin is/was a big fan of Rome, promoting and discussing it frequently on his blog, and this success was part of why he agreed to let ASOIAF be adapted into a tv show.

[@cerdic6586]

I assure you that it is not 'forgotten'. It always remains in my heart.

[@vincentpolly5752]

Rome walked so other epic series could run. Fuck that. I am tired of purely fictional fantasy stories getting huge funding over historical ones. If HBO gave it time it would have brought in a huge audience and huge profits.

[@lesliewatson-cq8mb]

We LOVED this series - our absolute favorite! Thanks for making this video. BTW, we agree with your analysis of the various characters; this was my favorite portrayal of Marc Anthony.

[@bretparker8533]

Glad u doing this series was one of my favorites

[@language.wanderer]

Best portrait of the Roman Empire ever made in tv and films.

[@sodog44]

"I am not rising from this bed, until I Fu#k something!" Probably the funniest line in the entire series.

[@lyledeyounges1276]

I rewatch this show often, I still haven’t gotten over it’s premature cancellation. Great writing and stellar cast.

[@niccoarcadia4179]

I have NOT forgotten it. I watch the complete series on Blu-ray at least once a year. One of my favorite series of all time. Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo) RIP!

[@suspenceful7426]

i watched this show years ago, loved it, and then kinda forgot about it. so glad i stumbled on this video.

[@timrogers2638]

I LOVED this HBO series. HBO should've continued it. It's not like there wasn't enough source material to continue the series.

[@marc-antoinerave2572]

One of the best tv show ever done

[@MercF14]

I have watched the series twice and will watch again, it is that good.

[@BrandonSaez-p4r]

This show was a Masterpiece!

[@samtemdo8]

Closet to a continuation of Rome we can watch is the old 1970s show I'Claudius which is about the history of the Julio-Claudian Dynesty. Rome was envisioned as a "spiritual prequel" to I'Claudius.

[@MrJasonbushey]

Best series at the time! Loved it!

[@kcosminhz7988]

@HistoriaCivilis‬ Wherever he is, I hope he's ok. ive seen every single episode, i love them all. you're a legend Kino, i knew you were by your taste in entertainment/art. thank you!

[@Ali_Ali509]

Best historical depiction of Roman empire! I was sad that it didn't continue. Augustus era was also very interesting.

[@djdksf1]

I actually just started rewatching Rome and it still holds up pretty well. It's a soap opera, to be sure, but a well done one that's beautiful to look at. Great set pieces, palpable atmosphere, and really solid acting across the board.

[@machete27]

The thing that I most admire of the show is how engaging it was even without showing the fighting of the historical battles that occurred.

[@worldfacts5298]

Definetly not forgotten, I binged it a week ago

[@shmuelg3873]

Definitely not forgotten. I LOVED Rome and was heartbroken that they didn't continue it.

[@DWPastorBarry]

Watched it back in the day and NEVER forgot it.