Rome - The Complete HBO Series 1

As a student I am of course no stranger to lazing around and watching large amounts of day time television, although admittedly I am a little different to most in preferring the History channel to Judge Judy. It was on one of these massive binges – I was all out of Time Team on channel four – that I discovered at random the tail end of an episode of this critically acclaimed series. Even from this snippet I was hooked, and could not wait to see how HBO approached this popular topic and period in history.

I bought the box set. I was not disappointed.

The BBC and HBO present us with a tantalizing and beautifully original glimpse into the death throes of Republican Rome. Centering on the success of Julius Caesar in his military campaign in Gaul and his subsequent rise and fall, we see events not only through the actions of well know historical figures – such as Caesar, Brutus, Mark Anthony, Cleopatra and Cicero -  but also though the host of other  wonderful characters which offset  the grandeur with a view of day to day Rome. Wonderful writing as well as an excellent and fastidious eye for detail - the costumes, set, religious ritual, and even curse tablets are wonderfully authentic – provide us with a refreshing antidote to the 'Hollyrome' of Gladiator and similar projects. The cast offer wonderful performances which bring further flavour to a classic story of love, lust, betrayal, and power.

Rome is brutal, sexy, shocking, visually stunning, moving and at times heart breaking. In its passion to show an accurate portrayal, as well as telling a good story, we are led on a rip-roaring rollercoaster through the Republic, its politics, and its people. This is a tale which will satisfy fans of great drama and Roman history alike.