Roman Empire: Reign of Blood
| Roman Empire: Reign of Blood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Roman Empire |
| Directed by | Richard Lopez |
| Starring |
Sean Bean Aaron Jakubenko |
| Country of origin |
United States Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Distributor | Netflix |
| Release | |
| Original network | Netflix |
| Original release | November 11 – November 11, 2016 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Roman Empire: Reign of Blood is a docuseries based on historical events. The six-part miniseries derives its origins from the historical Roman Empire and tells the story of Commodus.[1] Jeremiah Murphy and Peter Sherman collaborated on writing the miniseries, with Richard Lopez directing. It premiered on Netflix on November 11, 2016.[2]
Synopsis
Commodus was handsome and strong, the son of Rome's greatest philosopher king. And he was the fool who brought down an empire.
Historical people and events
- Commodus was Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180.
- Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his Greek-language writing, commonly known as the Meditations, is the most significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
- Faustina the Younger was a daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. She was a Roman Empress and wife to her maternal cousin Marcus Aurelius. Though Roman sources give a generally negative view of her character, she was held in high esteem by soldiers and her own husband and was given divine honors after her death.
- Lucilla was the second daughter and third child of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and an elder sister to future Roman Emperor Commodus.
- Avidius Cassius was a Roman general and usurper who briefly ruled Egypt and Syria in 175.
Cast
- Sean Bean as Narrator
- Aaron Jakubenko as Commodus
- Genevieve Aitken as Marcia
- Jared Turner as Cleander
- John Bach as Marcus Aurelius
- Tai Berdinner-Blades as Lucilla[3]
Episodes
44-48 minutes episodes, all airing on November 11, 2016
- 1. Born in the Purple
Fighting an implacable enemy in Germania, Marcus Aurelius trains his decadent son Commodus to succeed him, while rumor and intrigues brew back in Rome.
- 2. The Making of an Emperor
The Germanic tribes strike as Marcus Aurelius succumbs to disease, leaving a skeptical Emperor Commodus to prosecute a war that doesn't interest him.
- 3. Enemy of the Senate
Commodus rises to power as Rome's new emperor, but not everyone supports his ascent. Among those conspiring against him: his older sister Lucilla.
- 4. Rome is Burning
Commodus defeats his sister's coup but withdraws from governing, allowing others to amass power while he engages in an affair and banishes his wife.
- 5. Fight for Glory
A disastrous grain shortage reveals Cleander's treachery and leaves Commodus isolated, inspiring him to train as a gladiator in a bid to unite Rome.
- 6. 14 Days of Blood
Lavish imperial games at the Colosseum are highlighted by the emperor's bloody victories, but his paranoid abuses of power lead to a final betrayal.
References
- ↑ O'Keefe, Meghan (11 November 2016). "Roman Empire: Reign of Blood is an Uncensored Look at Ancient History". The Decider.
- ↑ Robinson, Joanna; Lawson, Richard (25 October 2016). "What's New on Netflix in November—and What to Watch Before It Disappears". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ↑ O'Keefe, Meghan (15 November 2016). "'Roman Empire: Reign of Blood': Who was the Real Lucilla?". The Decider. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
See also
- Gladiator, a heavily fictionalized telling of the life of Commodus.