5/5 excellent
  by Vladimir Kornea (New York, NY)
Though based on historic people and events, this series is unabashedly fictional in the particulars. The most impressive thing about the series is the integrity and plausibility with which the culture of fictional Rome is depicted. The characters are without exception motivated by selfish, this-worldly values, be it power, wealth, pleasure, love, or personal integrity. Human life as such is valued no more highly than animal life. The differences between people are extreme, from willful nobility who dictate the actions of legions based entirely on personal motives, to slaves completely devoid of willpower. Excellent writing, characters, acting, direction, and production value.

5/5 Sellar!
  by Tim Lasiuta (Red Deer, Alberta)

To paraphrase the United States recording industry mega hit, Superlatives are not enough.

Roman history, while always fascinating, has always seemed cool and static in North America. HBO, in "Rome", has breathed life into well documented time period. Those who not historically minded, will merely see this as a very well produced HBO drama. Being hstorically minded, I am thrilled that this period of history can see life.

In two seasons, viewers across North America thrilled to the power struggles within the Roman senate played out in venues from Gaul to Rome. Caesar and his men, in battle and out, realized that the power of plebian popularity. The death of Pompeys' wife, Julia, leads to a struggle for wifery, and eventually his death. The power play between Mark Anthony, Casesar, Vorenus, Pompey, Cato, and Brutus is fascinating. Social standing is valued, to the extent of sacrificing personal happiness. Integrity is merely the price of success. Ambition is the currency of Senate success.

The episodes included in the set are:

Stolen Eagle
How Titus Pullo brought down the republic
An Owl in A Thornbush
The Ram Has Touched the Wall
Egeria
Pharsalus
Utica Triumph
The Spoils
Kallends of February
Passover
Son of Hades
These Being the Words
Tortoise and the Hare
Heroes
Phillipi
Death Mask
Necessary Fiction
No God Can Stop A Hungry Man
About Your Father

Dramatically speaking, this is a stellar production with outstanding performances. In reading about Rome, I was fascinated that full size sets were constructed for the series accurate to the period. Full scale models of actual artifacts were used in the production, and that is ambitious. I can imagine that once season 2 was finished, a museum is now well stocked, and even a Roman style theme park is now fully functional.

The bonus features just add more integrity to the series that was overdue, and will be missed.

I cannot say enough about this series. It is unfortunate that more episodes were not produced, but I can imagine that the production cost was prohibitive. Perhaps a Medici period drama might be next...

Tim Lasiuta

Hail Caesar

5/5 Shoulda Ben More!
  by Holman D. Hunt, Jr. (Ocean Springs, MS United States)
This was such a great series! They should have gone on and filmed the entire Roman Empire!

5/5 Best HBO series of them all
  by mydogsnameisgunsmoke (So California)
Such a pity that it only lasted for 2 seasons. It did end nicely wrapped up, but I wanted a little more.