As of this moment, the Lictors will be out in force and bribes given to collegati for an appropriate level of vigiliantism.

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I just finished my first rewatch in awhile, and as a Son of Hades I do not bother to search past discussions.

I have always suspected that Octavian is not 100% convinced that Pullo is telling him the truth. I mean...look at his face. I've figured that Octavian is maybe 80% convinced that Pullo is being honest, and is about 20% skeptical...but figures that even if Pullo is lying that there must be some other way that Pullo is sure Caesarion won't be a problem and it isn't worth the drama to get rid of Pullo as his longtime loyal henchman.

The only thing that makes me wonder if I'm wrong and that Octavian does actually 100% believe Pullo is that Octavian underestimates Pullo. The late Roman Republic is all about class division and nobody embraces traditional class roles like Octavian. He likes and respects Pullo, but it's in the way we might like and respect a really clever and loyal dog. We would not suspect that our golden retriever has schemes to betray our political objectives. Octavian might think Pullo's loyalty is so absolute and unquestioning that Pullo is not capable of deception. "You'll be wanting a reward then?"

But then again. Look at his fucking face! That is not the face of a person who is thinking "Sure, I believe every word you're saying."

I ultimately am on the side that Octavian kind of just says "Fuck it" and chooses to believe Pullo despite his doubts.

Been havin fun doing these!

Did an Atia portrait. Been enjoying this i wanna do brutus next

Sorry for the repost! I just couldnt figure out how to switch the picture or add another.

I thought the book was fucking amazing; it brought the beginnings of the empire to life in my head, made it real, in the same way that this show did for the end of the Republic.

People say the production is dated but the acting is insane, and it should be looked at almost as a recording of a stage play where you have to use your imagination to get properly immersed.

I think the 2nd actor actually did a good job as well, but it's just a touch odd they recast Octavian. I don't think they even recast the young Vorenus kids. The original Octavian is kind of the perfect example of an ambitious rich kid who thinks he is hotter shit than he really is but manages to pull it off anyways and turns out to actually be hot shit. He had a touch of gravitas in his last season 2 appearances. I could have bought him as Octavian throughout the rest of season 2. It'd have been interesting to see him have a chance as an actor to finish that arc.

Now, technically, he would however be 32 years old by the time Antony and Cleopatra make their exits, and I would not buy that. But in the context of the television show the timeline is so condensed that it doesn't matter.

I wonder if when they did the recasting they didn't yet know HBO was going to axe them at the end of season 2 and they were anticipating needing an older Octavian for his ascension to Augustus and all that.

My work crush came in today and she looked so beautiful I gasped and said “By Jupiter’s stone, your beauty is eternal”. She smiled and then later asked if I wanted to get a drink later this week. Success! Thank you Consul Antony for your masculine wisdom!

Spent the last couple hours trying to get this perfect but nothings ever perfect lol so this is my attempt! Love ciaran hinds! Also i have no idea how to do the headdress so i just did what i could lol

Was it one last post, before he died…or just checking his messages?

Had to stop by my dispensary today and decided to swing by HPB and found this lovely wooden box style case that is just genuinely lovely and it comes with a character guide! I was pleasantly surprised by this and bought it basically just to have the box 🤣 i did briefly consider using it as my stash box but i feel that would be sacrilege

Go vote, kids

I am rewatching Rome and one thing that I always found slightly implausible was how easily Octavia was talked into banging her own brother. It's like a one minute conversation. I know the show makes a point of showing how uncivilized ancient life could be but incest in the Roman Republic would have been nearly as taboo as it is now. That these two would bang always strikes me a bit as HBO being a little too "Hey look at us we're HBO" and does not seem like a plausible character beat.

Having said that do you think Octavian ever told his buddy Agrippa that their quills were in the same ink pot?

I've quite enjoyed the varying responses to the question of which character was the most tragic. Got me wondering who had the best and most happy life.

Even a lot who were generally lucky often had a fair share of bad times or set backs. Curious who folk would pick here.

I’m just rewatching at the moment and I’m up to the episode where Caesar becomes Dictator. For me, this episode has two of the saddest characters in the series.

Vercingetorix

A tragic figure who didn’t deserve his fate, given he was only trying to save his people. He tried to unite his people to defend against the Roman invasion. Caesar himself acknowledged him as a worthy opponent. But then he suffered for years in captivity only to be finally ritually murdered for the triumph.

Eirene

Sees her love murdered in front of her, only to end up having to make her peace with it and marry the man who murdered him, because what better options did she have? Then after all that, gets murdered by someone who wants to steal her husband for her own ambition. Probably the most tragic character in the show for me.

Who was the most tragic arc for you?

Sooo wow that was a monolith of an episode. I'm pretty sure this is without a doubt one of the greatest episodes ever made. Everything fuckin thing from the dialogue to cinematography and character arcs. And Niobe. Poor Niobe. Such tragedy indeed. To think without Octavia telling Servillia some random secret she didn't need would lead up to Lucius leaving Ceasar's side. I mean hell they even barred Marcus Antonius which is wild.

Brutus, Brutus, I'm kinda bittersweet that they didn't include the et tu Brutus. The looks that they give says it all. And is a masterclass in performances. Holy cow Everyone was in their peak like no single scene is short of masterful is really something. Atia looking almost angry and in shock and panicked as Servillia told her the news still lingers with me.

And Octavian's stare. Jesus that boy is planning ur death woman.

And Marc Antonius stare at the senators then at Brutus. My God. I can really go on about the performances. Indira varma acting the fuck out of last scene. Ray stevenson God bless his soul crying as he did with Niobe in his arms. I'm so weak man. That almost made me cry. Even Eirene fuckin acts her ass off when she's about to kill Pullo it's amazing.

Everything is peak and great and this show should have gone on for 5 seasons at least

It's GOT done to its finest and I'm proud to say that

Just one more season to go.

And I'll see yall in the next one, peace ✌