HBO Rome episode 1 The Coming of the Civil War

HBO Rome episode 1 The Coming of the Civil War

1. (Note the calendar at end of opening credits) Why is the calendar posted publicly in Ancient Rome?

2. opening explanation What 3rd member of the triumvirate, dead in 52, has the show omitted from mention?

3. 3 minutes What battle is this supposed to be, in which Gaul falls, after which (at 5 minutes) Vercingetorix surrenders?

4. 7 minutes Pompey’s letter somehow reaches Julius only in 52 to tell him Julia died in childbirth. When did Julia really die (see Plut. Pompey 53 or Dio 39.64 or App. BC 2.19) and what really happened to the daughter (the show has it wrong)?

5. 9 minutes and later Why does Julius show so little emotion when he reads Pompey’s letter or when Antony or Brutus expresses condolences for Julia’s death?

6. 10 minutes Cato the Younger is dressed in black (mourning) prematurely in this episode. Why does he wear no tunic under his toga like the other senators do?

7. 12 minutes Ancient Romans saw nothing wrong with women enjoying sex (that is a Judeo-Christian hang-up), but HBO may try to make what statement with Atia on top?

8. 14 minutes Cato makes what dreadful historical error when he asks Pompey “why does your fellow consul Julius not return from Gaul?” P repeats the error.

9. 18 minutes What is Scipio’s full name, and why does his daughter Cornelia not like mime? Everyone else loves mime.

10. What is the relationship between Cato, Servilia, Brutus, and Caesar?

11. What was Augustus called back in 52? HBO calls him Octavian to simplify.

12. 36 minutes Why does Atia bathe in blood?

13. 37 minutes HBO pretends Octavia is married to an unknown guy named Flavius. In fact she is really married to what consular and chief high optimatis?

EpisodeII questions all info should be found in first 10-15 minutes of episode

14. Why does Atia not wish to eat with Paullo and Berranius?

15. In the fictous meeting between Marc Antony, Kato and Pompey, when exactly do the two sides claim Julius' govonorship will end?

16. A motion in the Senate mirrors a real lift bill proposed in Jan 49. On HBO Antony flees Rome after violence in the forum. What really happened?