Empire is a six part miniseries filmed in 2005. It is a historical drama set in 44 B.C. Rome, and covers the struggle of a young Octavius (Santiago Cabrera), the rightful heir of Julius Caesar, to become the emperor of Rome. The young nephew of Caesar is helped throughout by a fictitious gladiator called Tyrannus (Jonathan Cake), who plays a key role in the story. A miniseries (sometimes mini-series), in a serial storytelling medium, is a production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC (mythical), early 1st millennium BC (archaeological) Region Latium Area  - City Proper  1285 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,553,873 almost 4,300,000 1. ... Augustus (Latin: IMPERATOR CAESAR DIVI FILIVS AVGVSTVS[1]; September 23, 63 BC – August 19, AD 14), known to modern English speaking historians as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus for the period of his life prior to 27 BC, was the first and among the most important of the Roman Emperors, though... Gaius Julius Caesar (IPA: ; in inscriptions after his death: IMP•C•IVLIVS•CAESAR•DIVVS[1]), July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. ...

The series, filmed entirely in Rome and South Central Italy, was directed by John Gray and Kim Manners, and produced by Carrie Henderson and Nick Gillott (episodes 4 & 6). It was written by Sara B. Cooper, Chip Johannessen, Tom Wheeler and William Wheeler.

Plot

Upon returning to the Senate, Julius Caesar is murdered by his fellow senators, who fear his increasing power and popularity amongst the citizens of Rome. However they are not able to gain the support of Marc Antony, who is appalled at their treachery. The Roman Senate (Latin, Senatus) was a deliberative body which was important in the government of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. ... Bust of Marcus Antonius Marcus Antonius (Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N¹) (c. ...

Meanwhile, Tyrannus, Caesar’s bodyguard, and a former gladiator undefeated in battle, is distracted by the senate with the kidnapping of his son Piso. He manages to rescue Piso, but meanwhile Caesar is assassinated, and he cannot get back in time. However, Caesar remains alive long enough to tell him that his nephew Gaius Octavius is to be his successor. Pollice Verso, an 1872 painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, is a well known history painters researched conception of a gladiatorial combat. ...

Trusted to protect Octavius, the pair seek alliances to overthrow the Senate. Octavius believes he can win the support of Mark Antony. Antony agrees to join him, and even signs a document to say Octavius has the support of his troops if he should die. However, Octavius makes the naïve mistake of offering Antony leadership if he himself should perish. Antony then has Octavius killed, or so it seems, but when he is being disposed of, Marcus Agrippa finds he is still alive, and joins Octavius, helping him to escape. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 BC-12 BC) was a Roman statesman and general, son-in-law and minister of the emperor Caesar Augustus. ...

With the help of Agrippa and others, Octavius sets out for Gaul, where he aims to enlist the help of the Third Legion. According to the story, the third legion was disgraced in battle, and Julius Caesar had one in every ten men killed (decimation). They have remained in Gaul ever since, and are known as the ‘Lost Legion’. They at first want to kill Octavius, who they see in the same light as Caesar, but Octavius is able to win their support, with the help of Cicero. Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (Latin Gallia, Greek Galatia) was the region of Western Europe occupied by present day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... Decimation was a form of extreme military discipline imposed by officers in the Roman Army. ... Marcus Tullius Cicero (IPA: ;) (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was an orator and statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin orator and prose stylist. ...

Meanwhile Tyrannus joins Mark Antony as a centurion, thinking Octavius dead, and in exchange his son will be free and he may join the nobility. He saves one of his men from being killed, which nearly costs him his own life, but earns him the respect of his men. Modern reenactment including a centurion of 70 AD A centurion (Latin: centurio; Greek: hekatontarchos) was a professional officer of the Roman army. ...

Mark Antony, having now allied with the Senate, hears of Octavius, and moves quickly to intercept him, before he can gain too large a following. He brings an army with him, including the men under command of Tyrannus.

Octavius rallies his troops, despite being heavily outnumbered in battle. They begin to lose men, and Antony appears to have won, but Tyrannus changes sides. The tide of the battle turns, and Mark Antony is left at the mercy of Octavius in battle, unable to defend himself. He gives him mercy, allowing him to live.

The ending focuses on Tyrannus, who having saved Octavius, becomes a free man, and sees his son again.

Reception

The series has received a mixed response, with many film critics giving negative reviews. The drama has been criticized for its lack of historical accuracy and tendency to portray the characters in a simplistic way as either "good guys" or "bad guys". It was also thought to be heavily imitative of the film Gladiator. Others found the series entertaining, and enjoyed the action and drama, while learning a little at the same time. Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films. ... Gladiator is a 2000 movie directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. ...

Cast

• Jonathan Cake as Tyrannus
• Santiago Cabrera as Octavius
• Vincent Regan as Marc Antony
• Emily Blunt as Camane
• Chris Egan as Marcus Agrippa
• Colm Feore as Julius Caesar
• James Frain as Brutus
• Michael Maloney as Cassius
• Fiona Shaw as Fulvia
• Orla Brady as Atia
• Trudie Styler as Servilia
• Michael Bryne as Cicero
• N'Deaye Ba as Nila
• Dennis Haysbert as Magonius
• Roger Ashton Griffiths as Panza
• Graham McTavish as General Rapax

British actor Jonathan Cake (b. ... Species See text. ... Augustus (Latin: IMPERATOR CAESAR DIVI FILIVS AVGVSTVS[1]; September 23, 63 BC – August 19, AD 14), known to modern English speaking historians as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus for the period of his life prior to 27 BC, was the first and among the most important of the Roman Emperors, though... Bust of Marcus Antonius Marcus Antonius (Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N¹) (c. ... Emily Blunt is a British actress. ... Chris Egan is an actor, born on 29 June 1984 in Sydney, Australia. ... Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 BC-12 BC) was a Roman statesman and general, son-in-law and minister of the emperor Caesar Augustus. ... Colm Feore (born August 22, 1958 at Boston, Massachusetts) is an American/Canadian actor raised in Canada of Irish and Italian extraction. ... Gaius Julius Caesar (IPA: ; in inscriptions after his death: IMP•C•IVLIVS•CAESAR•DIVVS[1]), July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. ... James Frain (born March 14, 1968) is a leading British stage and screen actor. ... Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus (died 43 BC) was a Roman politician and general of the 1st century BC, one of Julius Caesars assassins. ... Michael Maloney (born June 19, 1957), is a British actor. ... Gaius Cassius Longinus (Before 85 BC – October, 42 BC) was a Roman senator and the prime mover in the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. ... Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. ... Fulvia (died 40 BC) was a Roman matron remembered by her ambition and political activity, in a time when women were expected to stay home and live with virtue and modesty, according to Roman morals. ... Orla Brady (b. ... Julia Caesaris and her husband, the praetor and commissioner Marcus Atius Balbus, had 3 daughters, all named Atia Balba. ... Sting circa 1987 Gordon Matthew Sumner, CBE (born October 2, 1951), best known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician and formerly bassist and lead singer of The Police. ... Servilia Caepionis (1st century BC) is one of the few Roman women cited by ancient sources. ... Marcus Tullius Cicero (IPA: ;) (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was an orator and statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin orator and prose stylist. ... As David Palmer on 24 Dennis Dexter Haysbert (born June 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California) is an African-American film and television actor perhaps best known for his role as David Palmer from the American television show 24. ...

Trivia

• When shooting started, the series was supposed to be eight hours long. When it was clear that the show was going to excessively run over budget, it was cut down to six hours.

• Victor Garber was the original casting choice for the role of Julius Caesar, but had to bow out, shortly before the show went into production.

• During the final battle between Antony's and Octavius's armies, Tyranus removes two silver emblems from his chest to denounce Antony and fight for Octavius. In the next shot, they are there again. Later, they disappear once more.

Victor Joseph Garber, born March 16, 1949, in London, Ontario, Canada, is a film, stage, and television actor of Russian Jewish descent. ...

External links

• Official site at ABC
• Empire at The Internet Movie Database
• Some opinions on the drama at Mercury News