Your Reviews
You sent in your comments about Episode 4, read a selection below.
"I must go back to Rome, it will never be the same."
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"This series is, for me, the first 3D, multi-coloured, depiction of Rome at the transition from republic to virtual monarchy. One of the pivotal episodes in European history is brought back into the human domain, soiled as it may be, from the dusty shelves of academic history.
As far as I can see the history is only embellished where essential for dramatic solidity and continuity. The casting is excellent, especially Max Pirkis* as Octavian, who gives the air of someone quietly determined to do better than those around him. The set is fabulous. I must go back to Rome, it will never be the same."
Steve Batty, Manchester
"I think the critics have it all wrong. They want a Shakespearean Caesar which would be the wrong approach. They've grown up with the clean cut approach to ancient story telling like Ben Hur and simply miss the point. This is meant to be 'Pop' not 'Classical'. It is also in tune with a truer vision of Roman life. The approach is akin to Sergio Leone* reinventing the Western genre."
Del Baynes, London
"Rome is the best thing that the BBC has done in years. The attention to detail, sets and acting are fantastic. It is brave and bold - simply the best programme on TV just now. Long may it continue."
Maureen Munro, Edinburgh
"A superb, impressive, well written and acted production."
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"I've written two accounts about the legions invading Wales under Suetonius Paulinus and, later, Agricola which were condensed for the BBC North Wales site. So you could say I am a fan of the Romans!
The TV series is absolutely fantastic. I watch each eagerly, always fascinated and always very impressed by the production and the acting, the attention to detail and the general air of life in the period.
I would defintely say this is a superb, impressive, well written and acted production, on a par with Gladiator - and that is saying something."
John Griffiths, Kidlington
"Rome is pretty amazing. I must admit, I did have my doubts about how a US production company would perceive BC-time Rome to be. But, I think that Ciaran Hinds has certainly played a maginificent, hard-faced Caesar and Ray Stevenson's character has definitely outperformed his on-screen partner, Kevin McKidd. The set is astonishing, acting brilliant, direction great and the script is also relatively strong. Now: when are we going to see some fighting?"
John Edwards, Totnes, Devon
"I have been waiting for this series to start for some time, with genuine excitement. Unfortunately I have been let down by a poor story with no central character. Whoever decided to edit this programme should be sacked, because only they could follow such a story."
Eugene Culley, Northampton
"The actors and screenplay are consistently excellent."
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"This series is capturing the essence of a truly great story - a story so powerful that we still use such phrases as 'crossing the Rubicon' and 'the die is cast' today. The actors and screenplay are consistently excellent, and the most telling support for this is that few of Rome's critics complain that the characters are hard to sympathise with. Given that the show's about a genocidal megalomaniac, his nymphomaniac niece, his sadistic and narcissistic sidekick, and a pair of 'average' blokes who kill strangers as soon as look at them, this is a huge compliment to the cast and director."
Gus, London
"An amazing series. I never want an episode to end. The portrayal of the lack of 21st century morals and humanity gives the series a whole different slant to other similar programmes. Power is everything. I cannot wait for next week, in fact I may watch it again on Sunday."
Jane Davies, Cardiff
"Some inaccuracies:
1) Pompeius and Marcus Tullius Cicero were the same age.
2) Marcus Antonius was from a consular family, despite Cato's coments that he had no background. His father (also Marcus Antonius) and his uncle (Gaius Antonius) were both consuls.
3) Cato was younger than Cicero and Pompey, but of a similar age to Gaius Julius Caesar, not an old man.
4) Cato did not hang around Pompey. He had a habit of opposing anything that Caesar or Pompey did.
5) Caesar and Pompey were not friends, as was implied in the first episode.
6) I'm not sure about Caesar's niece being such a 'free' woman. Nor am I sure if Marcus Antonius followed his genitals around.
7) Come On! I want to see Cicero destroy someone with his rhetorical ability.
BUT fantastic scene in the senate and outside the senate in episode two. Apart from episode one the series has been very good. Well Done."
Bohemond, Lincoln
*Please note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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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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