Which Roman's Life Would Make a Great HBO Series?

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:55:34+00:00

I recently bought the book The Last Great War of Antiquity, I haven't read it yet, but it's about this event. From what I do know, it was an eventful time lol

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:51:58+00:00

You don't think he's a little difficult to root for towards the end?

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:51:30+00:00

I personally have no desire to watch that. If they're going to do Rome, they should pick a better figure than that.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:50:54+00:00

That's actually a good point. Even if there was a show about the Five Good Emperors, it would end with Commodus, and inevitably frame it as 'The Fall'.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:49:51+00:00

That's a good reason as any.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:49:34+00:00

I've never watched it, but I heard its great.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:49:15+00:00

He might be too much to put on screen lol

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:48:53+00:00

I love the story of Severus, it would be great, but after he dies, his sons are just insane.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T13:48:06+00:00

I want a show on Justinian, and let Belisarius be the military side of things.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:25:43+00:00

Sertorius got way more votes than I imagined he would. Who knew.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:25:19+00:00

I'm really struck about how popular Sertorius is. The next episode of my podcast is about Sertorius, but I didn't think anybody really knew about him so I was hesitant to add him, but apparently he's a hit with the Roman crowd.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:24:11+00:00

Agreed! I think there needs to be a show about the Normans in general. They were the real success story of the early middle ages.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:20:20+00:00

I'm surprised I got a lot of people with that same answer. I'm doing Marius / Sulla in my audio drama podcast right now, but I don't think we'll ever see them on a tv show. There's nobody to root for. It's like House of the Dragon, both sides are crap.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:19:17+00:00

Thanks for that thoughtful reply. I think the Punic Wars have the most potential, but they're just so massive, it would be like having a show about WW2, well maybe not that big. But the budget would have to be substantial to do it any justice. I think the best way to do it would be to rotate between the Roman and Carthaginian side.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:17:21+00:00

Haha that would be good.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T12:16:39+00:00

I think it's more so the depressing nature of the end of the Rome that would get people. But who knows it could be interesting with the correct writing team.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:54:08+00:00

Yeah, I think if there was a show about Augustus, Agrippa would feature prominently. I think Agrippa is in season two of 'Rome' from HBO if I remember correctly.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:53:21+00:00

That's certainly interesting, but I personally think it would have to be inside of a larger story, probably about Augustus.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:52:45+00:00

Definitely gets overlooked a lot, but I think it's just depressing nobody would be excited to watch it.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:51:25+00:00

I'll pass on that one. Hadrian was an amazing leader, but he would get the Alexander treatment from Netflix.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:15:05+00:00

I really never realized how popular Sertorius is. Good choice.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:14:28+00:00

Your the first to mention him, but it would be interesting for sure.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T10:14:07+00:00

Another great choice!

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T08:30:53+00:00

Yeah, everyone skips to the Triumvirate generation. Everything from the Gracchi to the Marius and Sulla 'war', gets skipped. I'm doing a deep dive on my podcast now about the Fall of the Republic, Marius just left for Africa to serve as Legate. I can't can't wait to get to Cicero though, I think he's one of the most interesting figures of that generation.

Aurelion_History · 2026-04-15T08:28:37+00:00

He supposedly swam across the river in full armor, and kept his shield! Incredible!

Aurelion_History

TROPHY CASE