Discussion:
ROME = The West Wing in 60 B.C. Re: Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
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e***@gmail.com
2005-09-04 13:57:19 UTC
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subject - Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
Maybe less. But I stuck it out that long. NEXT!
.

Well *I* liked it. The closest parallel I can think of:

The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the West Wing in
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players struggling for
dominance to push forward their own policies.

troy
Don Weinman
2005-09-04 14:25:05 UTC
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Post by e***@gmail.com
The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the West Wing in
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players struggling forI
dominance to push forward their own policies.
I did as well! A superior film.

The Roman empire (pardon the simile) was something I will see each Sunday.
e***@gmail.com
2005-09-04 16:32:41 UTC
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Post by Don Weinman
Well *I* liked it. The West Wing in the Roman Republic.
I did as well! A superior film.
The Roman empire (pardon the simile) was something I will see each Sunday.
.

Minor correction - Republic. It's still a nation ruled by law (as with
our American Republic) and a representative Senate.

It doesn't become an empire until later, when the Senate loses its
power & the Diktator takes over as Emperor.

troy
Sparky Spartacus
2005-09-05 23:27:16 UTC
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Post by e***@gmail.com
Post by Don Weinman
Well *I* liked it. The West Wing in the Roman Republic.
I did as well! A superior film.
The Roman empire (pardon the simile) was something I will see each Sunday.
.
Minor correction - Republic. It's still a nation ruled by law (as with
our American Republic) and a representative Senate.
It doesn't become an empire until later, when the Senate loses its
power & the Diktator takes over as Emperor.
Is your native language German (or do you live ina German speaking country)?

Also, wouldn't the emperor takeover as emperor?
e***@gmail.com
2005-09-07 15:16:30 UTC
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Post by Sparky Spartacus
Post by e***@gmail.com
Minor correction - Republic. It's still a nation ruled by law (as with
our American Republic) and a representative Senate.
It doesn't become an empire until later, when the Senate loses its
power & the Diktator takes over as Emperor.
Is your native language German (or do you live ina German speaking country)?
Also, wouldn't the emperor takeover as emperor?
.

No. American. And Rome didn't have Emperors until a certain military
general (augustus?) declared himself one circa 25 b.c. Prior to that,
power lay with the elected Senate.

They also had Dik-tat-ors, who assumed temporary one-year reign during
emergencies (like when Carthage attacked Italy).

So Augustus was elected temporary Diktator by the Senate.

.

And then, instead of stepping down when his term was over, he declared
himself "imperateur" aka emperor, and that was the end of the
democratic Roman Republic.

In modern terms, it would be roughly equivalent to a President refusing
to leave office, and taking over the job of making laws (i.e. Congress
would do nothing), thereby ending the democratic Republic.

.

Getting back to the HBO TV series -

It takes place *not* in the Roman Empire, but in the Roman Republic,
when the Senate still ruled, and the city was still semi-democratic.
That's why the producers have likened the show to the America
government.

troy
Sparky Spartacus
2005-09-08 01:45:41 UTC
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Post by e***@gmail.com
Post by Sparky Spartacus
Post by e***@gmail.com
Minor correction - Republic. It's still a nation ruled by law (as with
our American Republic) and a representative Senate.
It doesn't become an empire until later, when the Senate loses its
power & the Diktator takes over as Emperor.
Is your native language German (or do you live ina German speaking country)?
Also, wouldn't the emperor takeover as emperor?
No. American. And Rome didn't have Emperors until a certain military
general (augustus?) declared himself one circa 25 b.c. Prior to that,
power lay with the elected Senate.
They also had Dik-tat-ors, who assumed temporary one-year reign during
emergencies (like when Carthage attacked Italy).
So Augustus was elected temporary Diktator by the Senate.
And then, instead of stepping down when his term was over, he declared
himself "imperateur" aka emperor, and that was the end of the
democratic Roman Republic.
In modern terms, it would be roughly equivalent to a President refusing
to leave office, and taking over the job of making laws (i.e. Congress
would do nothing), thereby ending the democratic Republic.
Getting back to the HBO TV series -
It takes place *not* in the Roman Empire, but in the Roman Republic,
when the Senate still ruled, and the city was still semi-democratic.
That's why the producers have likened the show to the America
government.
Actually, I would say it takes place in Rome and I believe the show is
going to depict the transition from the Republic to Empire. (I was not
familiar with the term "diktator", BTW)
e***@gmail.com
2005-09-08 12:33:36 UTC
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Post by Sparky Spartacus
Post by e***@gmail.com
It takes place *not* in the Roman Empire, but in the Roman Republic,
when the Senate still ruled, and the city was still semi-democratic.
That's why the producers have likened the show to the America
government.
Actually, I would say it takes place in Rome and I believe the show is
going to depict the transition from the Republic to Empire. (I was not
familiar with the term "diktator", BTW)
.

Well I have no idea where the show is headed, but I doubt it will cover
~40 years of history (between the show's present & when the first
Emperor arises). The purpose of the show is to focus on Ceasar's time
period, which puts it firmly in the Roman Republic.

troy

tomcervo
2005-09-04 15:08:00 UTC
Permalink
Except someone--probably Milius--had the genius idea of including a
couple of squadies in the mix; Vorenus as straight man and Pullo as
comic. The dirty work of empire, seen first hand.
Amazingly "The Sopranos" never got the idea to include a street hood or
two in the mix to give us a worm's eye view of life in the
mob--probably take away too much time from Carmen's angst and
decorating. (I have a feeling that Chase et al. simply don't know
anyone who lives at that level any more. Ditto for Sorkin, even his
connection probably went to Brown.)
"Deadwood" did, so we get the joys of people like Dan Dority and Johnny
Burns' take on life.
Rich
2005-09-04 19:03:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by e***@gmail.com
subject - Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
Maybe less. But I stuck it out that long. NEXT!
.
The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the West Wing in
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players struggling for
dominance to push forward their own policies.
troy
Lets face it; It's soap, but so was Grave's "I, Claudius." Just very
well written soap. It is a good show (Rome). I hope they make their
money back. But there are differences. I never saw Ainsley Hayes
fully nude, something that would have REALLY perked up "West Wing"
ratings!
-Rich
ANIM8Rfsk
2005-09-04 21:34:19 UTC
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Post by Rich
Post by e***@gmail.com
subject - Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
Maybe less. But I stuck it out that long. NEXT!
.
The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the West Wing in
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players struggling for
dominance to push forward their own policies.
troy
Lets face it; It's soap, but so was Grave's "I, Claudius." Just very
well written soap. It is a good show (Rome). I hope they make their
money back. But there are differences. I never saw Ainsley Hayes
fully nude, something that would have REALLY perked up "West Wing"
ratings!
-Rich
You didn't?

google search commences .. .

here ya go

http://www.celebritymoviearchive.com/tour/movie.php/6346
--
You Can't Stop the Signal
Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
2005-09-04 22:14:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by e***@gmail.com
subject - Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
Maybe less. But I stuck it out that long. NEXT!
.
The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the West Wing in
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players struggling for
dominance to push forward their own policies.
troy
I hate politics so perhaps that was the problem. I did watch it again last
night but other than the costumes, make-up and hair-dos, I can't say I'm
impressed with it. BUT I will watch again tonight since there just isn't
any alternatives. If it doesn't get me tonight, back to The Simpsons I go.
Anthony Cerrato
2005-09-05 02:48:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
Post by e***@gmail.com
subject - Okay, Rome bored me in 38 minutes.
Maybe less. But I stuck it out that long. NEXT!
.
The West Wing - but not the American Republic - It's the
West Wing in
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
Post by e***@gmail.com
the Roman Republic. Lots of politics & power-players
struggling for
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
Post by e***@gmail.com
dominance to push forward their own policies.
troy
I hate politics so perhaps that was the problem. I did
watch it again last
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
night but other than the costumes, make-up and hair-dos, I
can't say I'm
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
impressed with it. BUT I will watch again tonight since
there just isn't
Post by Fragile Warrior Sports Supplies
any alternatives. If it doesn't get me tonight, back to
The Simpsons I go.

You had to love tonites ep--I did! Fabulous! And Ep 2 showed
just how much the Roman Republic then resembled the USA
today! In fact those events may be happening tomarrow! Stay
tuned; news at 11! ...tonyC
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