This is a reasonably entertaining series that is a little like those History Channel re-enactments spiced up with a touch of HBO's "Rome".
Although other reviewers have highlighted the dumb stuff, the whole thing seems researched to a point, but wisely covered with a disclaimer that states where there are gaps in the historical record they have simply made it up.
It looks like New Zealand is the latest land to erect the papier-mache Forum and put on the crested helmets for a walk among the Ancient Romans. However these days it must be hard to find suitably ripped extras that aren't covered in tats - male or female.
So far there are three seasons featuring Julius Caesar bracketed by Commodus and Caligula.
The trouble with all this is that we have seen some pretty arresting interpretations of these guys over the years and Aaron Jakubenko as Commodus seems just a little too normal compared to the edgier shadings of Joaquin Phoenix and Christopher Plummer - not to mention Ido Drent up against Jay Robinson's high camp turn as Caligula in "Demetrius and the Gladiators". Maybe Aaron and Ido just needed to chew a little more scenery
The dialogue fluctuates between too-modern sounding jargon and some surprisingly literate passages. Much of it is built around the work of ancient writers who could show today's tabloids a thing or two about spilling the goss on the Royals.
Although we learn of Commodus stacking the odds in his favour when he became a gladiator, "Roman Empire" baulks at presenting the really gross things he did in the arena.
The high point in Season One comes when Marcia, the slave girl played by Kiwi actress Genevieve Aitken, causes Commodus plenty of toga turbulence leading to treachery and his demise at the hands of an uber-jock gladiator.
By comparison, Julius Caesar's story is more familiar featuring Vercingetorix and Cleopatra, but with the imaginative inclusion of Spartacus and Crassus - more gaps in the historical record I suppose.
Season Three could almost be called "All in the Family" as Caligula has affairs with his three sisters, but it's fairly sedate compared to Malcolm McDowell's cover version in 1979's "Caligula".
All in all, I enjoyed this series and I think there's room for another season or two. However, if they tackle Nero, remember that Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov have plucked the lyre with gusto and whoever plays the part shouldn't hold back. With a bit of luck, they'll also find another spot for Genevieve.
Although other reviewers have highlighted the dumb stuff, the whole thing seems researched to a point, but wisely covered with a disclaimer that states where there are gaps in the historical record they have simply made it up.
It looks like New Zealand is the latest land to erect the papier-mache Forum and put on the crested helmets for a walk among the Ancient Romans. However these days it must be hard to find suitably ripped extras that aren't covered in tats - male or female.
So far there are three seasons featuring Julius Caesar bracketed by Commodus and Caligula.
The trouble with all this is that we have seen some pretty arresting interpretations of these guys over the years and Aaron Jakubenko as Commodus seems just a little too normal compared to the edgier shadings of Joaquin Phoenix and Christopher Plummer - not to mention Ido Drent up against Jay Robinson's high camp turn as Caligula in "Demetrius and the Gladiators". Maybe Aaron and Ido just needed to chew a little more scenery
The dialogue fluctuates between too-modern sounding jargon and some surprisingly literate passages. Much of it is built around the work of ancient writers who could show today's tabloids a thing or two about spilling the goss on the Royals.
Although we learn of Commodus stacking the odds in his favour when he became a gladiator, "Roman Empire" baulks at presenting the really gross things he did in the arena.
The high point in Season One comes when Marcia, the slave girl played by Kiwi actress Genevieve Aitken, causes Commodus plenty of toga turbulence leading to treachery and his demise at the hands of an uber-jock gladiator.
By comparison, Julius Caesar's story is more familiar featuring Vercingetorix and Cleopatra, but with the imaginative inclusion of Spartacus and Crassus - more gaps in the historical record I suppose.
Season Three could almost be called "All in the Family" as Caligula has affairs with his three sisters, but it's fairly sedate compared to Malcolm McDowell's cover version in 1979's "Caligula".
All in all, I enjoyed this series and I think there's room for another season or two. However, if they tackle Nero, remember that Charles Laughton and Peter Ustinov have plucked the lyre with gusto and whoever plays the part shouldn't hold back. With a bit of luck, they'll also find another spot for Genevieve.