Ancient Rome and the Roman Empire in Literature and Film: "The Odyssey"

Btw, I don't think Atila is that worse compared to Atia so far .

 

I know. I was just joking .

 

You give 'er Vorenus.

He knew he had it in him, er, her, as the case may be.

And shouldn't every boy have a mother like Atia?

Good show all around

 

Yea, I liked tonight's episode, too. I thought that there were some interesting developments with Antony's character tonight and I like that Octavian is continuing with Pullo's tutelage.

Next week's episode looks pretty good, too, and if the previews are any indication it looks like we may finally see a confrontation between Caesar and Pompey.

 

I got to see it but I can't talk right now. WIll post a review later. I did get to watch the show in peace though.

 

It was interesting. Kind of slow in some ways.

However, I can't wait for the battle in the next episode!

 

Anyone else think that Octavian may not have had sex with the whore after all ? That's the feeling that I got after watching that scene.

 

Why did you had this feeling?

I thought he did, because it show him putting his clothing back, after the sex and the girl saying he was "like a bull".

 

I dont know, just a feeling I have. Yea, it seemed like he may have done it, but I get this nagging feeling that he didnt, you know ?

 

Meh, just forget that I even brought it up !

 

I'm impressed with how this show can keep its fictional elements strong while still remaining quite historically accurate. Many shows try it but leave a lot to be desired. On the other hand, HBO doesn't produce crap. Deadwood is much the same in its historical yet fictional approach.

I do have some doubts about the accuracy of some of the language. To wit: "She better **** him like Helen of Troy with her *** on fire," or "If Triton can't keep me drier than this he can suck my ****!" While the lines are greatly entertaining and made me laugh, I think the profanity in those particular lines didn't emerge until the Middle Ages. At least I think I remember that from doing some kind of research several years ago. I could be wrong. Regardless, I don't think it is a surprise that these lines popped up in an episode Milius helped write.

 

Yea, that's interesting about the language. While it's highly unlikely that they used the same kind of curse words that we do today the producers probably decided to use the ones we're familiar with since very few (if any) viewers would be knowledgable of the Roman equivalents.

 

Atia pushes her son into sex clearly before he is ready...

Mark Anthony forces slaves to swordfight practically naked...

It makes me wonder...

Man, what the **** was wrong with Roman people?

 

This show is amazing. The authenticity of the sets, costumes, and behaviors of the characters is simply enthralling and compelling.

I don't hesitate in saying that it's my favorite show that HBO has put forward.

The actors really do an exceptional job.

 

I do have some doubts about the accuracy of some of the language. To wit: "She better **** him like Helen of Troy with her *** on fire," or "If Triton can't keep me drier than this he can suck my ****!" While the lines are greatly entertaining and made me laugh, I think the profanity in those particular lines didn't emerge until the Middle Ages. At least I think I remember that from doing some kind of research several years ago. I could be wrong.

You're wrong. Every culture ever has had profanity, and most of it revolves around sex, excretion, and the body parts involved in same.

 

Pay attention to what the post actually says. I don't doubt there was profanity. I do doubt it was exactly the same as we would use today.

 

Pay attention to what the post actually says. I don't doubt there was profanity. I do doubt it was exactly the same as we would use today.

They're not using the same profanity we'd use today. They're using Latin profanity, which is helpfully translated into the equivalent profanity in English, just like the rest of the dialogue. Nothing else in the show is in Latin, why should the cursing be?

 

From HBO.com :

Episode 07 : 'Pharsalus '

Marooned in the Adriatic Sea, Vorenus and Pullo look to survive. In Greece, Pompey decides to attack Caesar's depleted forces, whose lack of options turns into their greatest strength. The result finds Pompey seeking reinforcements. In Rome, Octavia is enlisted by Atia to ask another favor of Servilia.

 

Sounds good. I have been wanting to see some actual battles like in ep1.

Man that was great last week when Pullo told Niboe while telling her sister to forget the past.

ED: Off subject but I just thought I would share since I was so happy about it. I got to order Ep III two days ago on the pay per movie here in this hotel. One thing is for sure it was WAY different watching it on a little 27 inch screen. Still great as hell none the less!

 

They're not using the same profanity we'd use today. They're using Latin profanity, which is helpfully translated into the equivalent profanity in English, just like the rest of the dialogue. Nothing else in the show is in Latin, why should the cursing be?

I don't see how the relevance of cursing in Latin got into this. Undoubtedly they had similar words and descriptions, but using our language with the same context and connotations as we would use it isn't quite the same and a modern projection on the past. Regardless, it was a minor quibble to begin with and does not harm the impressive overall standing of the show.