Catullus in Rome (HBO version)

Latin Learning Latin
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Just a quick note to say that Ivy and I enjoyed watching the HBO series “Rome” over the weekend. I’d never seen it before, so I’m probably 'way late in these comments. However, I did wonder if anyone else noticed that Caesar recites Catullus 101 at the bier of Pompey Magnus (IIRC). Octavian also recites a Catullan verse, #2, to his sister, but he passes it off as his own.

I liked the series and intend to purchase the box set. The DVDs include a nice feature that pops up informative boxes that define terms or describe the implications and significance of various elements and scenes.

I thought the characterizations were quite good. Dialog was well-written, and the production was first-rate (what I’d expect from the testosterone-boosted John Milius).

I’m sure that many of you also noticed the priest setting the Fasti at the beginning of each episode. According to Wikipedia, he’s actually setting it to the correct date (i.e. from the end of the previous episode). I’ve been reading Ovid’s Fasti, it was neat to see what the great calendar looked like.

All in all, a cool series. Alas, it seems that only one season is available. Does anyone know if there’s more available or more on the way ?

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Cantator-I missed this completely. Was it available everywhere or just where you are-do you know? Caesar quoting Catullus is a really nice touch. Paige.

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Apparently it was shown world-wide. We don’t have a television, so we missed the original broadcast. Fortunately the entire first series is available now on DVD. A second series is planned for 2007.

It’s an HBO production, definitely not for kids, btw. The language and situations are explicit at times.

Caesar quoting Catullus is a really nice touch.

Both Caesars quoting him is a curious touch. Catullus was indifferent to Julius, and I doubt he would have been morally appropriate for the later Augustus. Given what we know about their characters, the scenarios are credible (to me, at least). I can easily believe that Julius would have appreciated the poetry in spite of the poet, and the young Octavian had not yet completely formulated his moral prescriptions.