Your Reviews
You sent in your comments about the last episode of Rome - read a selection below.
"An outstanding cast have taken a decent script and delivered deeply involving characters.."
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"I am delighted that the BBC is committed to another series of Rome - and disappointed that not more people appreciated it for what it is: a highly entertaining soap in a historical context. Best of all, an outstanding cast have taken a decent script and delivered deeply involving characters. I'll miss my weekly dose of Lucius Vorenus, Mark Anthony, Caesar and - most of all - Titus Pullo."
Caspar, Perthshire
"I thought the series very good. It seemed to have a real air of the ancient world about it. The final episode was both dramatic and sad. We all knew Caesar was about to be murdered but it still came as a shock to see the deed actually carried out; clever too to suggest the assassination might have been prevented if Vorenus had accompanied Caesar.
Saddest of all was seeing Vorenus made a senator and find happiness with his wife just before his life too comes crashing down. At least Pullo got to walk off with the woman he loves at the end."
Gordon Morrison, Watford
"Well, I've read all the reviews and a common thread is "Why so much sex and so few battle scenes?" At the risk of stating the obvious I would have thought that part of the answer might be that it costs a lot more to train 50 men to pretend to hack each other to bits realistically than it does to get a couple of people to jig about a bit with their kit off, while a bored slave looks on. He wouldn't really be bored would he?
Anyway I'd just like to say I thought it was great stuff and look forward to the next series."
Andy Sloggett, Biggleswade
"Having watched the series from the begining, I was thrilled with the ending. Fantastic acting on all parts, especially from Ray Stevenson. This series is one of the best I have ever seen, and I hope that series 2 is just as brilliant. "
Natalie, Doncaster
"As for Atia of the Julii - she's a bad lady, but she can mess with my toga any time!"
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"I have hugely enjoyed this series and was greatly cheered to hear that a further series was on the way. The stately unwinding of the story suited the epic feel of the piece. The performances were convincing and involving and the sets and costumes were excellent.
I found the final two episodes particularly gripping and suitably heroic and tragic in equal measure. And as for Atia of the Julii - she's a bad lady, but she can mess with my toga any time!"
Jonathan S, Salisbury
"What a fantastic series. I have been completed hooked since the first episode. The cast have been sensational and the wardrobe completly spot on. Overall a huge thumbs up for such an exciting, well written and rather sexy series. At last something I am happy to pay the licence fee for.
Roll on future series and lots more of James Purefoy."
Sarah Drew, Southampton
"Enjoyed the series and appreciated the attention to most details, but not the use of exotic bird species including Amazons and Macaws from South America and Cockatoos from Australia."
M Donald, Glasgow
"Initially I thought this was just another BBC bonking series. How wrong I was.
I love the fact that the story I most care about is the story of the plebs. At the same time the high politics is great - I love the lack of oratorical showiness in the senate, the calculations of Caesar and the psychology of Cassius. Even the death of Caesar was moving and I'm a republican - I think.
"Although these are real people with genuinely distinct voices, we are presented with a different culture."
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What I particularly admire is the real sense that although these are real people each with genuinely distinct voices, we are presented with a different culture. Not the British establishment in costume or Judaeo-Christian Hollywood."
Shelley Hall, Guildford
"Rome has been the most enjoyable thing on TV for months, if not years. The quality of the acting is superb and the scripts are witty and, occasionally, poignant. I can't wait for the next series."
Paul Buxton, Crawley
"What a good television series this has been. The episode last night was one of the best programmes I have ever watched. Fantastic!"
Mark Balcombe, Dilwyn
"Is there a valid reason that the death of Julius Caesar was depicted as happening inside the senate, when it is well established that he was murdered on the steps of Pompey's theatre? Why was Cleopatra's famous visit to Rome not depicted?
Too many historical anomalies, and the passing of time so badly portrayed at the expense of sleaze. What a pity."
Isambard Thomas, London
"I watched the last episode of Rome last night and was totally gripped from start to finish as I have been thoughout the whole series. It has been absolutely wonderful - congratulations to all involved."
Rosemary Sanderson, Scarborough
"What am I going to do now Rome has finished? It's been the best thing by far on TV and I haven't missed an episode. Titus Pullo is a babe."
Alison, Rickmansworth
"As a classicist at Cambridge, I thought I was going to hate the series - it's rare that you see ancient drama done well. But as I watched Rome, I was stunned by the depth of research that had gone into every aspect of the programme. The characters generally fitted well with my view of the great people of this period, and it was clear that the researchers had read a huge amount of primary literature - I was able to pick out references to Caesar, Cicero, Lucan, Virgil, Plutarch, Suetonius and a number of other ancient writers.
"I was stunned by the depth of research that had gone into every aspect of the programme."
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But it was the combination of all this 'high' literature with a sense of reality that impressed me. The series would not have worked without the 'normal' people juxtaposed to the greats (who were also portrayed with great sympathy - Caesar's death was truly haunting).
Well done to the makers of Rome, and I look forward to the next series."
P. Steele, Cambridge
"What a story. A good story is so rare these days on TV. Brilliant characters, especially Vorenus and Pullo.
The sex and violence in the first two episodes put my friends off. Frankly the rest of the story/plot was so good it didn't need that stuff. Good insight into how life might have been in Rome."
Michael Tate, Easingwold
"I've been following the series religiously, and loved every minute. Ray Stevenson really has captured what it is like to be an ex-soldier returning to a civilian society. The gladiatorial scene in the last episode displays exactly the camaraderie felt between men that have served together. I'm even considering rejoining!"
Alex O'Neill, Nottingham
"Rome has been the best programme I have seen for a long time - it was so realistic and the characters were wonderful. But I would like to say there were some things that didn't quite fit.
It would have been better when Mark Anthony spoke to another man saying 'How are you, my old cock' to change it to, say - 'My old fox'.
Also, when Pullo was taking about the sensual areas of a woman he said, 'It is like a little button', but Romans didn't have buttons.
I still loved every minute of this programme and can't wait for the next one to come round - wonderful!"
Sue Grantham, Sheffield
"A good story line, centred around two hardened warriors, with a thread of fact running through it all. Superb acting from a stellar British/Irish cast, giving the usual excellent and very believable performances.
The sex – well, all I can say is, yes, our ancestors did fornicate - how the hell do you think we all got here?
" Yes, our ancestors did fornicate - how the hell do you think we all got here?"
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The Romans lived in a society bereft of Victorian ideas about sex being a bad thing. We now live in modern times; we are slowly rectifying the damage that Christian moral crusaders have done to our society. We have a lot to learn from the Romans of Ceasar’s day.
The violence – yes the Romans lived in a violent age, and to not show that, would be like making the film Moby Dick, and leaving out the harpooning of the whale, on grounds of cruelty. So to all you people that are shocked by sex and violence, stick to your gameshows.
Well done HBO and BBC - keep them coming. You keep breaking new grounds, you keep redefining what will be classed as normal viewing. It will soon be the norm to see history portrayed warts and all."
Jonny, Scotland
"A brilliant series that seemed to capture the very marked different cultural values of Rome well. I enjoyed the frankness and was not offended by the sex or violence although I would have been happier with less graphic violence of the last episode.
I have one big gripe that spoilt the series for me - in several episodes we were treated to views of exotic birds from no less than three continents which were not discovered for many many centuries! Australian Cockatoos, South American Macaws - this would have been so easy to have put right."
Bo Beolens, UK
"I thought the last episode was the best by far. It had the right mix of violence, drama and emotion that made it just magical to watch.
The overindulgence in sex and nudity of the previous episodes seemed to have left this episode so that the seriousness of the political and moral struggles to be brought to the foreground.
"It was wonderful to see Pullo return to his old self - the first thing he thought of when he learned of his fame was women."
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A highlight, I found was the "attempted" execution of Pullo. I was on the edge of my seat watching it, screaming at Vorenus to do something, and when he did I couldn't stop cheering him on.
I also thought it was wonderful to see Pullo return to his old self when he got back to Rome - the first thing he could think of when he learned of his fame was women.
If this is going to be the standard of the next series I will definitely be watching."
Natalie, 18, Hull
"A wonderful series, which, if not totally historically accurate, gives us a good insight into the people and the city of Rome.
The characters are amazing as is the acting. Ciaran Hinds was fantastic. He played his part so majestically you could almost believe he was Caesar."
P Powley, Kent
"My God, what a finale! Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo) deserves a BAFTA for that fight scene alone.
The characters are finely portrayed in this amazing series, but I am amazed and saddened by all the carping from other people. C'mon guys, this is a dramatisation of actual events - we can't possibly know the exact details, so just accept that this is a visual novel.
Yes, there are detailed writings by Suetonius telling much about the era, but the BBC has bought into a series that fleshes out some of the main players of the time. So what if it's not totally factual? I was hooked every week!
Rome will inspire many people to develop a lifelong interest about this fascinating period of history, and that's fantastic."
Paul Baldwin, Harpenden
"The fight sequences in the arena were jaw dropping! I've always been interested in this particular period in history. I think this series is on a par with the great I Claudius – congratulations to all concerned. This epitomises all that is great about British television."
Dennis Swale, Leeds
"I have a Masters in Classical Archeology, and often feel as if I have seen every drama, every documentary and every drama documentary in existence. This one, however, is far and away the best. Worthy of the ultimate praise for I think successfully capturing the essence of Roman life itself, from the graffiti in the opening credits to the everyday involvement of the gods. I can even forgive the stirrups!
I loved every second - the partnership of moral Vorenus and murdering Pullo was a brainwave."
Eli, London
"A comparison to I Claudius is inevitable and the program makers show they know this, from the credits on, which are subtly disturbing and hint at a more Eastern and alien portrayal of the Romans than we are used to.
It is the actors which make this production so gripping - everyone seems to be actually wearing their clothes as if they mean something, rather than putting on costumes. The class structure is clearly depicted in clothes and body language and we get to know the characters as contemporary figures whilst they remain more alien than most characters we've seen on TV.
"The scene of Atia's household bickering about who will aid the suicide of whom is an instant classic."
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High points are everywhere, particularly in the always fascinating Vorenus/Titus exchanges, but the scene of Atia's household bickering about who will aid the suicide of whom is an instant classic.
What's to critisise about a program that expects its audience to read Latin graffiti to understand some of the plot, and encompasses the crossing of the Rubicon with a glance out the carriage and words to the effect of 'We're screwed'?"
S M Short, Rochdale
"I saw the feature-length episode last night. It was completely and utterly amazing. When Ceasar was mob-stabbed at the senate house, it was very chilling. I almost cried in desparation: feeling anger towards those who betrayed and deep sadness for Ceasar when he was murdered.
It was the best tale of loyalty, betrayal and power. BBC/HBO has done the series just right."
Tagyal, London
"I thought the whole series was absolutely wonderful in almost every respect. The only weakness I felt was in the dialogue which on occasions bordered on the ludicrous but was more than made up for by the acting.
The atmosphere created by the incredible sets was unbelievable - I could almost smell the filthy streets.
I sincerely hope that the series makes big stars out of Ray Stevenson, Kevin McKidd and Polly Walker but particularly outstanding was Ciaran Hinds, such a charismatic actor. Thank you BBC for a brilliant drama."
June McAuliffe, Croydon, Surrey
"As former professional actor, I know what goes into the making of a television drama. Rome is a triumph. The acting was some of the best I've seen anywhere. I have enormous respect for all of the cast.
The historical detail was magnificently observed and greatly added to my enjoyment of the series. The script managed to balance the needs of our modern ears, and the sense that we were listening to conversations from a culture from the distant past. The direction was tight and the pace never slackened.
"How many of us waited for "Et tu Brute?" It was there in Ciaran's eyes."
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The last episode was a life-affirming and thrilling experience that inspired me and left me wanting more. And there will be more - fantastic!
How many of us waited for "Et tu Brute?" It was there in Ciaran's eyes."
Rhodri Hugh Thomas, Cardiff
"Stunning series - superbly conceptualised, brilliantly written, wonderful stage settings, lighting and photography - excellently cast and above all deeply and finely acted. The action enhances the script and the weaving of the fictional characters with the historical ones has been masterly and believable.
You have brought that wonderful, brutal, amoral, exotic, terrifying period to life with its counterpoints of luxury, art and philosophy versus its squalor and appalling cruelty. You have fleshed out and given colour to a culture that is so alien to our own 21st century.
Praise to the cast for rounding out historical characters and rendering believable the fictional ones, particularly Ray Stevenson, for his tour de force as Titus Pullo."
Hazel Grant, West Sussex
"What a great series and fantastic ending.
In the final episode, the fight scene between Pullo and the arena gladiators was absolutely superb, and I am certain that millions of viewers were crying out at the TV screen chastising Vorenus for not helping his friend in the opening exchanges of combat. When he finally entered the arena, I'm sure there was enormous relief throughout the nation.
Great acting from a superb cast, brilliant direction and production. Money well-spent by the BBC as I'm sure the series will be a worldwide winner. Can't wait for the next series."
Alf Cook, Sunderland
"I never thought I would enjoy the series of Rome due to the blood and gore etc, but how wrong I was. I think it is the best series ever on television. Brilliant acting from all, gripping and exciting."
Lynsey, Belfast
"I would just like to take this opportunity to say just how much my husband and I enjoyed the Rome series. We both thoroughly looked forward to each episode and was left wanting more at the end. We thought the costumes, the sets and the plot lines were brilliant and we look forward to more of this type of drama from the BBC."
Mrs Helen Iceton,
"I know nothing of Roman history and so it has been easy to watch Rome as entertainment rather than as an historically accurate drama.
That said, it has been interesting to learn more of Roman life, albeit with a modern slant."
Robin Hull, London
"Salve!
Fantastic, well done everybody. Ciaran Hinds was great, as usual, and I think you did the right thing not to use the line "even you Brutus", as his look said it all."
Paul Connell, UK
"While the sets, costumes, and detailed design aspects of the series are highly commendable, I feel that the BBC have had to bow to the pressures of their American partners and make way for Americanised, simple dialogue from otherwise very good actors.
You get the feeling that the American executives thought that casting British actors would help to appeal to both markets, but made sure they overexaggerated their mannerisms, dialogue and accents to make it easier for the average American Joe to follow through to the end.
They also created too many stories within stories which in my opinion diluted the effect on the viewer and lost a bit of focus. Having said all this, I still think it is a fairly good drama and a brave step into major drama production from the BBC."
Tim Gorgulu, London
"I was utterly glued to the last episode of the season.
Vorenus is the hero throughout, and I felt his torture at every moment, and just about cried with him at the end. I thought Pullo was a goner for sure on two separate occasions!
Caesar's murder was chillingly portrayed, and it was totally believable how his horrific reduction from a machavellian intellectual to a pathetic dying animal would shock Brutus.
"Life was less certain in those days than today, and so a dramatic turn is always lurking."
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I think that one of the things that makes this series so compelling is that life was less certain in those days than today, and so a dramatic turn is always lurking.
Please do not stop with this series. The screenplay, acting, props and scenery are all wonderful and I think that the series really rivals some of the best dramas that have ever been made for television."
Gerard, London
"Edge of the seat drama. Everyone's talking about it - even viewers with a stable diet of soap operas. Even we history and literary buffs came away fully sated."
Julie Callan, Penrith
"The series started off well but degraded itself with soft porn and violence. The acting and production were fantastic and I watched it for those virtues alone but was left feeling disappointed each time. What a pity, and a waste of money.
This final episode was good as it balanced the reality insights with the historical story. If only it could have all been that good. "
Michael Hutchinson, UK - Lincoln
"I have just seen the last episode of Rome and just want to say how gripped I was by it. Very few programmes can keep me glued to the screen like this. The drama and suspense was first class."
Mark Ezart, Wetherby
"As a young person who studied classical civilisation at school, I found this drama to be some of the most compelling and engaging viewing I have seen to date. I am not usually a fan of historical drama, but I thought the production was fantastic, and it has inspired and evoked many thoughts and feelings."
Baz Murphy, Wimbledon
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Actor Biographies
Kevin McKidd
Lucius Vorenus
Ray Stevenson
Titus Pullo
Ciarán Hinds
Julius Caesar
James Purefoy
Mark Antony
Polly Walker
Atia of the Julii
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