While looking for something to watch on Netflix, we (Kai-Ling Su and Kate Scully) encountered a documentary series called Roman Empire. Each season follows a different famous Roman figure: the first tracks Commodus, the second, Julius Caesar, and the last, Caligula. As Julius Caesar has been featured in our recent class readings and in our Catiline Crisis game, we chose to watch the first episode of his season, which chronicles his time as a youth in the army and the beginning of his alliance with Pompey and Crassus.

We were interested in which aspects of his early life were included and which were left out. For example, his time as a curule aedile is completely omitted, as is his capture by pirates. While these episodes of his life are not crucial to understanding how he came to power, his execution of the pirates demonstrates his meticulousness and ruthlessness, and his fame as an aedile helps explain his popularity with Rome’s people. Leaving these out helps the documentary-makers tell a more streamlined story, but also omits events that would have helped reveal more about Caesar’s character and Roman society.

Similarly, we were intrigued by the differing degrees of sympathy the various figures were presented with. Caesar is very much the protagonist of the documentary, and is presented as  sympathetic in a number of ways. Chief among these is a focus on his care for his first wife Cornelia and his daughter Julia, as well as the inclusion of a scene in which he questions Crassus’ decision to crucify all of Spartacus’ followers (even if only because he believes it to be an economic waste). Pompey, on the other hand, is portrayed quite negatively, both in the way his actions are framed and in his mannerisms. This distinction occurs also on a visual level- while Caesar’s armor is close to the traditionally depicted red/silver, Pompey’s armor is all black. We found these characterizations especially interesting in light of the game. There’s an interesting contrast between the feeling of being a character, and having in-the-moment opinions about the rightness or wrongness of other characters actions, and this retroactive presentation of heroes and villains. Our own feelings about the characters of the game are shaped partially by our character’s relationship to them, and partially from our own understanding of who that person was, influenced in part by media such as Roman Empire.

We were thinking about the game particularly because one of us (Kate) plays Julius Caesar. In playing the game, we have reflected on how taking on the persona of a specific Roman has helped us more deeply understand and sympathize with that person, to the point where it can bias us in their favor. In portraying Caesar as the just and righteous protagonist, this documentary series does the same. We believe that it is crucial to engage with representations of the past critically: rather than take for granted that Caesar was in the right just because a documentary portrays him that way, we should think carefully about his actions, and come to our own conclusions about whether they were moral or just.

Word Count: 521

#Rome On the Screen

With all the turmoil throughout Rome, its leaving many Romans fearful for their home
Not only their home, they fear for the Republic, however, the optimates don’t seem to love it
Piling on the debt, they will regret
For the common folk will become broke
The heart of the Republic is under attack, if only there was a way to take it back
While Cicero was once a noble man, now he wants the Republic to kick the can
For bringing the SCU in effect, its caused many Romans to seem perplexed
How dare the optimates pass the SCU, now every time I see them, I think “screw you”
Now they want the populates on trial, but with them fleeing, it might be a while
Hopefully they display some clementia, for if not, it will be the last of Catalina
While tensions keep seeming to boil, all I want is the Republic to have less turmoil
For long lasting peace is the recipe, as the preservation of the Republic is the only necessity
I wonder what will happen in next class, all I hope is that the populates’ might will surpass

Wake up in the mornin’ feelin’ like Catiline (hey, what up bro?)
Grab my wine, I’m out the door, I’m gonna hit this city (let’s go)
Before I leave, grab my army with promises of land
‘Cause when I leave for the night, I ain’t comin’ back
I’m talkin’ taking over Rome, Rome
Tryin’ on all our hopes, hopes
Cicero needs to go, go
Drop-toppin’, playin’ our favorite music
Pullin’ up to the city
Tryna restore the Republic

Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surrender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surrender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh

Ain’t got a care in the world, but got plenty of wine
Got plenty of money in my pocket, because I’m Catiline
And now the soldiers are linin’ up ’cause they hear we are coming
But we kick ’em to the curb unless they start running
I’m talkin’ ’bout everybody gettin’ freed, freed
Cicero piles on his greed, greed
Gonna smack him if he doesn’t recede, recede
Now, now, we go until they kick us out, out
Or the optimates shut us down, down
Optimates shut us down, down
Optimates shut us down

Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surrender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh

Cicero, you failed the Republic
You break it down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got it
With the SCU
You got it now
You got that auctoritas
Yeah, you got it
Cicero, you failed the Republic
You break it down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got it
With the SCU
We had to flee
To preserve the Republic, don’t you see?

Now, the libertas don’t start ’til I walk in
Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surrender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Don’t stop, make it pop
Cicero, surrender now because
Tonight, I’ma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the war don’t stop, no
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh
Oh, whoa, whoa-oh

Last evening I sat down to watch the 2000 film Gladiator with Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe. I was encapsulated by this film from the get go, with the amazing cinematography in the opening scenes really cementing my interest. The sword is dragging slowly along the wheat (?) plants in the field, setting quite a dramatic tone to the film. I personally loved all aspects of the movie, and felt it provided a good contrast to my perceptions of Rome (especially while acting as a Roman senator). It showed the grit of conflict in Rome, different from the glorious leaders that many know off the top of their heads.

The plot kicked off in an enormous battle scene between the Roman Empire and their fierce opponents (presumably the Gauls). This battle is striking both in scale and appearance, particularly the gore. After the Romans reign victorious, Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus that he wishes Maximus be his successor, clearly saying how his son Commudus is unfit to rule. Word travels quickly, and Commodus soon finds out of this wish, and murders his father Marcus Aurelius in a fit of rage. Commudus seizes control, and quickly has Maximus arrested. Maximus escapes his captivity, and goes to find his family, who are dead before he can get there. He passes out, and is taken to the far reaches of the Roman Empire. 

While Maximus is gone, he slowly but impressively builds a strong career as a gladiator (hence the name of the movie). He utters the iconic line (which I didn’t realize came from this movie) “Are you not entertained?” In coherence with his growing fame, Commudus decides to host games in Rome, which as one would expect, fate finds Maximus competing in. After Maximus’s side proves themselves victorious unexpectedly, Commudus comes down to meet Maximus. Upon discovering who he is, Maximus promises to seek vengeance against Commudus. Maximus is then staged to fight Tigris, along with several actual tigers. Yet again, against the odds, Maximus is victorious. Amidst all of this, the crowd’s love for Maximus is swelling, making it harder for Commodus to get rid of him. Many behind-the-scenes political conversations and plans ensue on either side of the conflict, with the end result being a duel between Maximus and Commudus to settle things once and for all. In order to better his chances, Commudus stabs Maximus before the duel to weaken him. Despite all this, Maximus kills Commudus in the duel, but dies from his wounds shortly after the fight ends. He reinstates Gracchus before he dies, and expresses the will for Rome to be a Republic once again.

I recently rewatched the mini-series “Cleopatra” made in 1999.  This dramatic rendition of Cleopatra’s life and career as ruler of Egypt was very interesting in how it portrayed the queen and her power.  I took a class about Cleopatra in the fall and it was an overwhelmingly common theme in both historical texts and modern renditions of Cleopatra’s life to oversexualize her as a woman in power and underplay her accomplishments. 

To start, the cover image of the first season shows Cleopatra laying on her side, surrounded by flowers, half-naked and only covering herself by her own hands.  This image is seen before you even begin to watch the mini-series, and already it gives the impression that Cleopatra is highly-sexual and provocative rather than a powerful and respected queen.  It was interesting to me that this was the cover photo given that in the show she actually knows nothing about sex and has to seek advice from a sex counselor to learn information. 

The actress who plays Cleopatra, Leonor Varela, is from South America, specifically Chile.  This is not historically accurate as Cleopatra was of African descent.  However, in comparison to other films about her, where she is played by white actresses, the choice to cast a person of color was definitely purposeful and an attempt to correct the past portrayals of her appearance and background.  Many historical authors have tried to paint the narrative that Cleopatra had “no egyptian blood” to discredit her as the ruler of Egypt, however, her actual ancestry shows that she was Egyptian and rightfully ruled there.

When the series starts and we are first introduced to Cleopatra, she is shown as an innocent child, dependent on others, and immature.  As the series goes on, we see her grow into the powerful leader we know her as.  She learns how to use her beauty and charm to her advantage politically.  We see her gain strength and confidence as a ruler, challenging the powerful men who underestimate her.

The relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra has always been a controversial topic.  Historians disagree on many things: Did they love each other?  Did Cleopatra manipulate Caesar, using him as a way to gain power and for the protection he was able to provide her with?  Many have portrayed Cleopatra in the context of her relationship with Caesar as a master manipulator, seducing him as a means to benefit her politically.  This series, however, depicted Cleopatra as having genuine feelings for Caesar.  There were moments where we could see that Cleopatra was using her sexuality as a tool for survival and as a way to gain influence, but it became clear in the series that she did genuinely love Caesar.  When she first seduces him, it seems as though she is doing it as a survival technique, securing her position in power and benefitting from his protection.  However, as the series progresses, it is clear that she loved him and that, if anything, his feelings for her were not genuine.  His wife is played by a much older actress, giving us the impression that he was just having meaningless affair with a younger woman.  In the series, after their affair began, he did not write to her or visit her for 9 months until he sent for her claiming her gifts were “spoils of war.”  It seems he felt he had an obligation to her and their child, but that he did not have a genuine love for her.  This was especially interesting to me as it counters many of the other interpretations I have seen of their relationship.

I watched the show Thermae Romae. The show follows a struggling Roman Architect, Lucius Modestes, who has hit the equivalent of writer’s block, but for Architects. The first episode has Lucius struggling to come up with new architectural ideas. To relax, he and his friends go to a bathhouse. While in the bath, Lucius puts his head under water to which he then discovers a drainage system which surprisingly leads him to a bathhouse in modern Japan. He is amazed by the design and the modern luxuries they have. As he takes a swig of sweetened milk he is magically taken back to Rome. With him he also takes the ideas of the Modern Japan bath back to Rome and incorporates them into the Roman bathhouse. This bathhouse is a great success. He is then summoned by the Consul, Lepidus, to build a bathhouse outside of the Lepidus’ home. While he searches for the source of a hot spring nearby he is once again teleported to a modern Japanese bathhouse, this one a hot spring bath house. Once again he takes these modern innovations back to Rome in which he incorporates them back into the bath house again. He continues his buildings after coming upon these new discoveries. 

Reflection:

Watching an anime for Roman Revs was really fun. It was also really interesting seeing the mashing of modern Japan, my home, and Rome. I liked how Lucius incorporated a lot of what he got from his time in Modern Japan. The little elements such as Sake or flavored milk really brought another level of Japanese back to Rome. An unexpected crossover, but it provided an interesting viewing experience to say the least. I have always been a fan of anime so seeing media that combines both things I am learning in class and a style of media that I enjoy was really fun.