Pompeii Reflection

I am a huge fan of movies so doing this assignment was very enjoyable and an obvious first acta for me to complete. I chose to watch Pompeii because it was one of the more recent films, had a lot of actors and actresses that I like, and I have also been to Pompeii so know a lot of information about it. For all of these reasons I decided to watch Pompeii and I’m extremely happy that I did.

Right from the start the gore and visual effects in the movie were two things that really stood out to me. From the very first scene, there are dead bodies hanging upside down from trees and this type of intensity was a constant throughout between the gladiator fights and eventual eruption of Pompeii. As far as the visual effects were, I thought the scenery and costumes were really impressive, especially during the eruption, which made me happy with my choice to watch a newer film. 

I also really enjoyed the structure of Pompeii. At the beginning of the movie, all different social classes are introduced in their separate ways between the slaves, slave owners, and senator. At first it is almost like two separate story lines which I think provided a really good base for the characters in the movie. Eventually, all of these characters were brought together in a larger conflict, and the eruption followed. I thought this was a very cool aspect of the movie for two reasons. First, it gave a look into the hierarchy of the Roman Empire through the representation of multiple social classes. Second, I think it really emphasized the magnitude and importance of the eruption. I say this because nature doesn’t care what your social status is. When an eruption like that happens every other problem becomes insignificant and no amount of money or status can save you.

In relation to what we have learned in class so far two things from this movie stood out to me. The first thing was how the slave class was treated during the Roman Empire. I remember in class we talked about how Roman slaves had more freedoms than how we might think of slavery these days. In the movie, however, this was far from the case. There was severe mistreatment of these slaves and gladiators between the fighting, living conditions, and other general restrictions on their lives. I’m not sure if this was something that was done for dramatic effect, or if this was actually an accurate representation of Roman slavery. The last thing that was similar to what we learned about in class was the idea of Romans thinking they are better than everyone else. One particular line that stood out to me was when the Roman champion is fighting Milo and says “no savage could ever compete with a Roman.” I think the quote really sheds light on the superiority that Romans felt they had over everyone else.

I watched episodes from the first season of “Roman Empire” on Netflix. The show is a historical docuseries that follows a different emperor’s story each season. This season is focused on Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus. I really enjoyed how the series used a combination of (actually really good) acting, like a historical-based TV show, and interviews with historians like a typical documentary. This helped it stay engaging as well as emphasize the fact that it is historically accurate and educational. While I did not watch other emperor’s seasons, I do think I will keep watching and I am especially excited to watch Caligula’s season since he was a very interesting person. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the costuming, but they were all gorgeously made and really added to the ambiance of the show and helped keep it more engaging. 

The show does a really good job of comparing Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. It is clear that Commodus took advantage of life as the emperor’s son by indulging a lot and not focusing on political issues or training to become a future emperor. Marcus on the other hand was always prepared, concerned with war, and was a philosopher. Ultimately, Commodus is sent to be with Marcus for him to focus on training. However, during this time, Marcus fell ill and a false rumor that he died spread across the empire. Knowing her son could not be emperor just yet, his mother aligns herself with one of her husband’s trustees in order to secure his spot as emperor and save her family. When it is discovered that Marcus did not actually die, it nearly causes a civil war, and the trustee and Marcus’s wife are killed. It takes this for Commodus to realize it is time for him to grow up and train.

One thing that they briefly touched on was the role of women in power. In order for women to have power, their husbands must have it first. This means, that they must do whatever they can to promote their husband. In this case, Commodus’s mother needs power in order to keep her family safe during the turnover of emperors, a very dangerous time for the family of ex-emperors. This is why she marries her husband’s most trusted. This also meant that many of the women whose husbands were in power were very clever and a little manipulative and had some power themselves because of the sway had and the work they put in. 

word count: 418

Pompeii follows gladiator Milo in Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The movie opens with a brutal slaughter of Milo’s parents by Senator Corvus’ troops when he was a kid. Years later, he is sold to fight in Pompeii. On his way, he encounters Cassia, who thanks him for putting a fallen horse out of misery. In Pompeii, Milo meets Atticus, a fellow gladiator, and after initial hostility, the two eventually become allies. The gladiators are shown at a dinner party attended by Cassia and her family. Milo sees Cassia again but they are unable to talk until Milo calms Cassia’s horse after rumbles from Vesuvius frightens it. The pair take a ride in the countryside but encounter Roman soldiers, who bring the pair back to Pompeii. Throughout the movie, the pair deal with the corrupt Senator Corvus, who aims to kill Milo and marry Cassia against her will. During a gladiator fight, Corvus nearly issues a kill order on Milo and Atticus, but Cassia prevents their death and is locked in a room. After this fight, the arena begins to crumble as Vesuvius erupts. While most people attempt to escape, Atticus and Milo rush to free Cassia. Atticus later kills Proculus, the second in command of Corvus and is killed by the eruption. Milo and Cassia flee, but realizing their futile attempt, dismount their horse and kiss as they are smothered in ash.  

Overall, I found the movie a bit predictable and overdramatized. As someone who does not enjoy violent movies, I did not like the vividness of the stabbings. Multiple times I turned away as people’s heads were cut off or they were stabbed in the abdomen. I liked how the characters did not like the Romans, as it was a different perspective than we look at in class. While we focus on the splendor of Rome’s military conquests, we tend to ignore the people who were killed for and resent Rome. While I thought Milo and Cassia’s connection was superficial and unrealistic, I liked the relationship between Milo and Atticus. Milo has become unemotional out of necessity. His initial hostility towards Atticus is warranted, as it is Milo’s nature to refuse connections with those he will kill. The relationship between these two appears to be the only major substantial relationship in the film. 

My roommate, who also watched the movie, did not mind the violent scenes. She found that although there were obvious historical inaccuracies and the love plot seemed unrealistic, it did add a humane aspect to the mass death. She later questioned if there actually were people found kissing after being buried, as portrayed in the movie. She is now researching Pompeii videos on Youtube to find out. 

Word Count:454

The movie begins with General Maximus defeating Germanic tribes. He then wishes to return to his family, but is told by the emperor, Marcus Aurelius, that his son Commodus is unfit to succeed him. Marcus Aurelius asks Maximus to succeed him as emperor to save Rome. Commodus finds out about this and kills his father. Commodus names himself emperor and arrests Maximus. Maximus escapes but returns to his home to find his family has already been killed. He is then captured and forced to become a gladiator. Maximus does well as a gladiator in North Africa, and is sent to Rome to fight in the Colosseum for the gladiator games that Commodus puts on to commemorate his father’s death. Maximus is dressed as a Carthaginian to re-enact the battle of Rome vs. Carthage. Using his military skill and strategy, Maximus is able to lead his team of gladiators to victory. Maximus reveals himself to Commodus and is saved by the crowd. Maximus’ next fight is against an undefeated gladiator. He wins and spares the life of his opponent, defying the orders of Commodus. Maximus then meets with an old friend from the army and devises a plot to take back control of Rome from Commodus. Commodus then challenges Maximus to a public duel. Maximus defeats Commodus in combat, but ultimately succumbs to his wounds. Before Maximus dies, he asks for political reforms, and is honored as a soldier of Rome.           

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. I thought that it did a good job of portraying Ancient Rome while also delivering as an entertaining blockbuster movie. I thought that it was really interesting to see Maximus in the role of Hannibal, as a leader who was able to use superior strategy and skill to defeat Roman soldiers. Another important part of the movie was its portrayal of pursuit of individual glory versus service to the state of Rome. Commodus is clearly portrayed as the villain due to endless pursuit of power, glory, and status for himself. He has no desire to serve Rome, he only wants to further his own agenda. Meanwhile, Maximus is the ideal Roman soldier. He is not loyal to any one man, he fights in service to Rome.

The movie begins with Spartacus biting a Roman soldier’s ankle in an act of defiance. He is sentenced to death by starvation. While he is left out to die, he is seen by a Roman named Batiatus, who owns a gladiatorial school. Batiatus is impressed with Spartacus’ spirit and purchases him to become a gladiator. While at the gladiatorial school, Spartacus is trained to become a gladiator by Marcellus and meets Varinia. Next Crassus shows up at the gladiator school, purchases Varinia, and arranges for Spartacus and three other gladiators to fight to the death. Spartacus’ opponent, Draba, refuses to kill Spartacus and is ultimately killed by Crassus. The next day Varinia is taken to go to Crassus’ house in Rome. Marcellus taunts Spartacus over Varinia, which leads to a riot, and Spartacus and the gladiators escape. Spartacus becomes their leader, and many other slaves join with them, including Varinia, who escaped, and Antoninus, an ex-servant of Crassus.

Spartacus and his men defeat the Roman garrison sent to destroy him, led by Glabrus. The Roman Senate panics and gives power to Crassus. Crassus bribes the pirates who were going to help Spartacus escape, and Spartacus is forced to turn north towards Rome. Crassus’ army meets Spartacus’ and wins. Crassus attempts to identify Spartacus among the survivors, but all the survivors refuse to help, instead shouting “I am Spartacus!” Crassus then sentences them all to death by crucifixion. Crassus also takes Varinia, who has given birth to Spartacus’ son. When Varinia rejects him, he seeks out Spartacus and forces him to fight Antoninus to the death. Spartacus kills Antoninus to spare him from crucifixion. The movie ends with Varinia escaping Rome and meeting the crucified Spartacus on the Appian Way, who dies knowing that his son is free.

One topic that we discussed in class that came up in this movie is the Roman conception of friendship. Early in the movie Spartacus attempts to befriend Draba in the gladiatorial school by getting to know him. This is a nontraditional conception of Roman friendship since there was no transactional element and neither gained anything socially from the friendship. A more traditional sense of Roman friendship is seen between Batiatus and Gracchus, Crassus’ main opponent in the Senate. Batiatus and Gracchus have a friendship because they are each able to gain something. Gracchus is able to use Batiatus’ information about Spartacus and Varinia to attempt to take down Crassus, and Batiatus is able to use Gracchus’ influence to get back at Crassus for causing the destruction of his gladiatorial school.    

“The Fall of Rome” is a 1963 Italian film that pertains to the treatment of Christianity in Rome. It features Christian tribune Marcus, who is captured after Roman soldiers begin to kill Christians. One Christian boy, Julius, sees Roman soldiers stab his father right in front of him. The Romans force Marcus to fight as a gladiator, but before the fighting starts, he escapes into the forest with some of his men. There, he fends off Roman soldiers and forms an alliance with the Barbarians that live in the mountains. After some time, the Romans convince him to return to Rome, promising that if he wins a fight as a gladiator, imprisoned Christians will be freed. He returns and wins, freeing his Christian brothers. Marcus then agrees to fight against the Barbarians alongside Roman senator Gaius. The Romans lose to the Barbarians in a hard-fought battle, and consul Junius blames the defeat on Marcus and the Christians that assisted Rome. Upon returning to Rome, Romans seize Marcus and the other Christian soldiers, imprisoning them and sentencing them to death. Suddenly, an earthquake occurs, freeing the Christians and killing many others. Julius’ mother dies in the earthquake, and Marcus and his significant other Svetla agree to parent him.

The Roman treatment of Christians in this movie resembles the Passion of Perpetua. When the Romans captured the Christians in the movie, the Christians willingly sacrificed themselves in the name of God. Similarly, Perpetua chooses to engage in gladitorial fighting and give up her life rather than to renounce her Christian faith.

The idea of being a “latro” also presents itself in this film. In the forest, when the Christians meet the barbarians, Marcus introduces his people, saying that “we are not a band of brigands.” As we have learned, “brigand” is one of the many related translations of “latro.” Marcus delivers this message to say that his people are not outsiders, but a people that are willing to coexist with the barbarians.

The film portrays the Roman perception of Christians as naive and ignorant. At various points, other characters argue to Marcus that there is no afterlife, no God, and no reason to sacrifice oneself, and no reason to forgo violence. However, Marcus holds tightly onto his faith, and he manages to make it out alive in a happier-ever-after ending for the Christians.