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Ancient Rome - BBC version - Anticus - 10-20-2006
The introduction to this programme says that it is based on the writings of contemporary Roman writers and is produced with advice from historians.
I noticed that Constantine's legions were using oval shields when I thought that the rectangular scutum was in use at that time. Also I saw that the horsemen were all using brass stirrups. Am I right in thing that these were both anachronisms?
Also the script had it that the Roman gods included Apollo, one of the Greek pantheon, and made no mention of Mithras, who was surely the soldiers' god worshiped by most of the Roman army, especially in the East.
Can anybody tell me whether I have got this right? If I am perhaps the BBC should consult with some of the re-enactment lot before doing another series?
I think that the other BBC series "Rome" was more accurate.
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Matthew - 10-20-2006
Try this link for discussion of this series:
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 9&start=40
Matthew James Stanham
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Kate Gilliver - 10-20-2006
Welcome to the forum, fellow Welshperson!!
To address a couple of your questions directly: Apollo was a perfectly respectable Roman god and was the tutelary deity of Augustus, there's nothing wrong with him being worshipped at all! And Mithras was probably not worshipped by 'most' of the Roman army; some, but not most. Soldiers worshipped as many gods and versions of gods as civilians, including the Christian god.
If you have a search through this web-site and the various links members have provided, you'll discover that the BBC 'docudrama' on Constantine wasn't that bad, for both 'look' and events. It was certainly more historically accurate than HBO's 'Rome'!
As Matthew says, you'll find more discussion of all the programmes in that series on the other thread. Happy reading!
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Caratacus - 10-22-2006
This series has been quite a refreshing difference from the usual fare that we are offered by the Beeb on the subject of Rome. The previous series on the 'history' (if that is the word for it) was so riddled with errors as to come under the Trades Description Act, I would have thought.
What impressed me about the current series is that someone has obviously taken a great deal of trouble to do some actual research for it. Punic Wars period Roman soldiers were wearing Montefortino helmets and small pectoral breastplates, while for the Flavian period we saw Imperial Gallic and Italic helmets with mail and lorica segmentata armour and then for Constantine we saw the Intercisa helms, little armour (perhaps too much mail in evidence) and the large oval shields. This represents such a sea-change in research that one wonders if the programmers at the Beeb have finally listened to all the criticisms that have been heaped on their heads.
One other thing I found of interest was the general dullness of the clothing. There were no bright colours evident, even for the officers and there wasn't a single red tunic in sight for the soldiery. The troops were also much less uniform than one is used to seeing.
As for the stirrups - yes, too early for their use but we might be coming up against the Health and Safety Act here. Despite the fact that Roman cavalry went into battle using the horned saddle, this is apparently insufficient for the modern-day actor!
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Dan Howard - 10-22-2006
In the movie Troy, I was pleasantly surprised to see a lack of stirrups. Though the effect was lost since they shouldn't have had cavalry either
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Kate Gilliver - 10-22-2006
Quote:What impressed me about the current series is that someone has obviously taken a great deal of trouble to do some actual research for it.
Well, someone from the BBC rang up for a very quick chat about the Caesar one and got a brief bibliography.
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - claudia crisis - 10-25-2006
Quote:In the movie Troy, I was pleasantly surprised to see a lack of stirrups. Though the effect was lost since they shouldn't have had cavalry either
In the movie Troy, I was also pleasantly surprised to see a couple of cute little llamas too - go to the bit where the aerial shot pans over the walls into the market below.
Laugh? I fell off the chair!
Shame to go to all of that trouble, set, CG, etc and then stick a couple of llamas in the middle of it all.
Hilary
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - Robert Vermaat - 10-28-2006
Quote:The introduction to this programme says that it is based on the writings of contemporary Roman writers and is produced with advice from historians.I noticed that this question was not answered yet.
I noticed that Constantine's legions were using oval shields when I thought that the rectangular scutum was in use at that time. ?
No, they got it right - oval shields are very OK for the period. I'm not so sure about the very bright blue color though.
I'm sure that the Beeb was advised by historians, but I'm also perfectly convinced that they ignored such advice several times. :?
Re: Ancient Rome - BBC version - MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS - 11-02-2006
in the film: ..........................
which was utter cack............
i saw: .................................
which was not even worth mentioning,
as well as the (if you can call it a film at all) :.....................
and the:.......................
:lol:
DAMNATIO MEMORIAE!!!!!!!!!!!
M.VIB.M.