Roman Empire: Reign of Blood is a docuseries based on historical events. The six-part miniseries derives its origins from the Roman Empire and tells the story ofCommodus . [1] Jeremiah Murphy and Peter Sherman collaborated on writing miniseries, with Richard Lopez directing. It premiered on Netflix on November 11, 2016. [2]
Synopsis
Commodus was handsome and strong, the sound 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 a 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 important source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
- Faustina the Younger was a daughter of Roman Emperor Antonius 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 Romanus 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 his 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 does not 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 affair and withdraw from his government.
- 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.
See also
- Gladiator , a fictionalized telling of the life of Commodus.
References
- Jump up^ O’Keefe, Meghan (11 November 2016). “Roman Empire: Reign of Blood is an Uncensored Look at Ancient History” . The Decider .
- Jump up^ 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 .
- Jump up^ O’Keefe, Meghan (15 November 2016). ” ‘ Roman Empire: Reign of Blood’: Who was the Real Lucilla?” . The Decider . Retrieved 20 November 2016 .