Rome Episode 8: Caesarion

[Jeff]

The best drama on TV--right now the competition isn't terribly fierce--airs again, tonight. Pompey Magnus is dead, and Caesar must go to Egypt to deal with those pesky Ptolemies. Among their ranks is an 21 year old princess groomed for command (and destined to pen a treatise on ancient cosmetics, oddly enough). There are only 5 episodes left of the series.

The melodramic elements of the series center on two characters that are actually mentioned in Caesar's History of The Gallic Wars, Pullo and Vorenus. Here is his description of the pair from Book V chapter 44 of that work:

"In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now approaching the first ranks, T. Pulfio, and L. Varenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously before the fortifications, Pulfio, one of them, says, "Why do you hesitate, Varenus? or what [better] opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest. Nor does Varenus remain within the rampart, but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an inconsiderable space intervened, Pulfio throws his javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pulfio is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pulfio to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the javelin. Varenus rushes on briskly with his sword and carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pulfio brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being preferred to the other."


Here are some links to reviews and such:

1. HBO’s official site: www.hbo.com/rome/

2. A review: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/14/DDGEOF7FSK1.DTL

3. Another review: ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005d/101405/101405s.php

4. An older review: www.cornellsun.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/21/4330bc920109d

5. Roman history primer with lots of nice links: www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/j/ju/julius_caesar.htm

[Betterout]

I'd say it was a really fun episode (especially for Pullo), but probably the weakest of the series so far. It did something to advance the plot as far as Caesar, Antony, Cicero, and Brutus were concerned, but this could probably have been done in other ways. I must also say, this was a very boob-intensive episode. Not complaining, just saying...

[Jeff]

Pretty weak, though Pullo cracked me up.

I like the basic idea of every episode: Pick some crucial event from Roman history, then show how Vorenus and Pullo might have been covertly involved in it. An interesting gimmick...for a while. But it does create problems. For instance, I was really looking forward to seeing the Battle of Pharsalus, but it was only shown as a quick blurry montage. The battle was treated as a story told to Vorenus by a defeated Pompey. And though this may increase the pathos, I was looking forward to a Henry V type moment. Alas.

No new episode next week. If anyone wants to see the series from its beginning, episodes 5-8 will air all next week.

Jeff

[chris]

I too was greatly disappointed by the non-battle. I guess with all the cash they spend on sets and costumes and digital effects, the battle scenes are sacrificed. Alas.

I don't remember the boobs from this episode... am I getting old?

I personally want to know what happened to Pompey's wife, Capurnia, and her kids. They were just left on that ship, but where did they go after? Not that I need every loose end tied up, but...

[Jeff]

I certainly didn't know this myself. Gotta love the internet:

Cornelia Metella

"...Together, they fled to Egypt where Pompey was murdered. On his arrival, Caesar punished the traitors that had Pompey murdered and gave Cornelia his ashes and signet ring. She returned to Rome and spent the rest of her life in Pompey's estates in Italy."

Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelia_Metella

[chris]

Well, Jeez, that's not exciting. I was hoping they'd be sold into slavery or offered up as sacrifice to Ra or some such. Leave it to history to be a disappointment.

thanks for the info, though!

[chris]

Can I just add that Cleopatra is appropriately fucking HOT.