Rome - The Complete Second Season (DVD, 2007, 5-Disc Set)

Rome. Once the center of power for most of Europe, the coast of North Africa and portions of the Middle East for several centuries until its collapse in 476 C.E., continues to leave its mark on the modern world; but what of the people that lived there when Rome ceased being a Republic beginning in 48 B.C.E. to become, instead, the empire that ruled for over 5 centuries? Yes, we have studied their surviving writings, their surviving buildings & infrastructure, as well as their impact upon societies; but as individuals who lived their lives there from day to day, few have grasped what their lives may have been like. Yes, there have been various films, such as "Spartacus" (1960) and various films that focused more on Christian themes within the Roman Empire; but these films typically portray Romans negatively rather than focusing on the Romans themselves and their lives in the capital.

In 2005, a new television series aired on HBO with the simple name "Rome". It's second season continued in 2007. Unlike past negative portrayals of ancient Rome, this fictional series (based on factual events) focuses on the lives of various individuals, including Julius Caesar's former mistress Servilia (Lindsay Duncan); the power-hungry Atia (Polly Walker), who was related to Caesar; Atia's son Gaius Octavian (Max Pirkis as a teenager, Simon Woods as a young man); Octavian's friend & general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (Allen Leech), who falls in love with Octavian's sister Octavia (Kerry Condon); Mark Antony (James Purefoy), who is forced to marry Octavia to keep peace with Octavian; Servilia's son Marcus Junius Brutus (Tobias Menzies); Cleopatra (Lyndsey Marshal); Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero (David Bamber); and two Roman soldiers: Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Lucius Veronus, still the tragic character wanted only to provide for his wife Niobe (Indira Varma), who died in the first season, and their children, who were enslaved. Having served in the military under Mark Antony and briefly as a senator, he is given control over Rome's commercial district, but eventually rejoins the army after being rejected by his children (after rescuing them from slavery) and follows Mark Antony to Egypt. Lucius Veronus often helps his less educated friend Titus Pullo, who has a huge temper and often uses physical aggression as a means to solve disputes. Servilia, after being spurned by Julius Caesar in the first season and encouraged her son Brutus to murder him, must instead mourn Brutus' eventual death. For, it was after Caesar's death, that Octavian is declared his son and heir, which he takes rather seriously to the chagrin of Mark Antony and Atia, his lover. Atia (highly fictionalized in the series), still the egocentric and wanton manipulator, becomes very attached to Mark Antony; but that relationship is not to last, which may fulfill a curse from her bitter enemy Servilia.

With frequent sexual intrigue and nudity, "Rome" is a series that will never be seen on network television; but it did find a very good home on HBO. With its very interesting portrayal of life in ancient Rome from many perspectives, wonderful dialog, brilliant acting, beautiful cinematography and engaging characters, I rate "Rome-The Complete Second Season" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.

I bought this to watch on my laptop during business travel and found it to be simply outstanding. The cast, the sets, the dialog - everything made you hold your breath and want more. The story is set around the time of the rise of Julius Caesar and it takes you through the timeline via the lives of two friends, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, common men involved in uncommon times. What I loved most (and something HBO has a real knack for delivering) is the believability. You can really imagine life in ancient Rome was very much like what they described - gritty, grimy, visceral, intriguing - in a word "fascinating". I can see why they do not plan a season 3, but to all involved, a big "well done". They should be fantastically proud of such an iconic miniseries.

This is a great TV show for epic lovers and for history lovers. Just the explanations on the extras are worth the $50 or more dollars you will pay for the show. Rather than the glamorous ROME you are used to in the movies, the directors will show you the way regular romans lived.
You must see the first season to actually understand some plots of this season. The first season is great as well.
This season goes from the death of Julius Cesar, to the death of Marc Antony.
It tries to be as accurate as possible with history and actually has some features that explain historic facts.
You might want to avoid kids watch certain scenes, as the directors put Roman orgies and Egiptian feasts around every chapter.
The sad part of the show is that you will see that in 2000 years, humans have not evolved at all. We are still greedy little persons trying to obtain fortune by crushing our neighbors.
A MUST HAVE FOR HOME TV SERIES.
Worth every penny.

What can I say, I'm sorry that the most expensive series ever produced by HBO only made it two seasons...not because of acting or plot or effects...just that reason, far too expensive to produce.

The acting is superb, the scenes so real that you can smell the action, the plots so real and so thick... that you feel hatred, love and sorrow and triumph!

The best series ever produced, written and directed...do yourself a favor and do not watch the "extra" dvd on the making of Rome....it will take away from your envolvement and enrichment of the tremendous show..

I absolutely loved this series and am devastated that it isn't still on the air! There is something in this show for everyone - passion, revenge, war, betrayal, deceit and so much more! The acting is first class. The entire case, including Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson is top notch. James Purefoy is featured in one of his finest peformances as Marc Antony. I was addicted and could not stop watching until I had seen it all!