Agreed! James Purefoy is hugely charismatic. He can take a volatile, deeply flawed character and make him not only likable but downright sympathetic. Even when Mark Antony was being a bully, I still found myself taking his side.
+Bütes Mark Antony was a kind of prophet defining the superiority of ROME over GoT even if it had not existed yet. Despite winter is coming .... winter doesn't last forever. Spring comes, snows melt. Snows always melt. (Jon Snow and his fans shall not take it personal;)
Loved Purefoy's version of Marc Anthony. So badass, vulgar, and loveable. I love when he said, "now that is a real soldier for you. Most men would just slip away, but this one, he asks for permission before he deserts me." Delicious sarcasm.
@@carolinelynch2823 Sometimes he was. Sometimes he definitely was not. In general he was very generous to those loyal to him, but wouldn't bat an eye to have anyone who had crossed him murdered. In that sense he never learned from Caesar (a man who in plenty of times forgave and spared his enemies' lifes, and earned a lot of respect for doing so).
@@andrewwaldock Only because Caesar got overconfident. In his last months he wasn't even pretending anymore, probably he thought he was untouchable by that stage. Had he tried to at least dissimulate a bit, not be such "in your face" about the way he was grabbing power for himself, and had he been more attentive to the true results his actions were having (essentially, had he been a bit more "octavian-esque"), he'd not been assassinated. So I say it'd worked very well for him in the end because what got him killed wasn't his mercy, but his overconfidence.
@@TylerD288a line not going down in history doesnt mean it's not good. then again, i wouldnt expect someone who walked away from Fight Club thinking that the point was "Tyler Durden is epic and cool and awesome and should be your role model" to get that
@@beedubree2550 did I say the Durden character was "epic and cool"? Did I say anyone should emulate him? You assume a heck of a lot, and you're wrong about your assumptions. One day, when it burns you bad enough in real life, you'll learn to stop assuming.
“ ahh general Posca speaks” the dialogue & casting in this show it’s some of the best I’ve ever seen. So much chemistry between actors it all feels natural.
I just love, how in one scene they managed convey so much information, historical facts humor and still stick to the storyline. How it is possible this show did not have enough viewers?
Isabella H I don't think the viewers were the problem. It was very popular ( for its genre ) But 9-12 million per episode was just too expensive. Even Game of Thrones is only at 6 million per episode.
TOTCD Every second was worth every single penny spent. This kind of shows was not so popular 10 years ago. GOt was easier to produce, beceause it is a fiction. The producers do not need to meet any demands as far as historical accuracy.
Too cliche, methinks. One of the things that made Mark Antony famous was his speech for Caesar's funeral, and I think HBO wanted to divert from that stereotype Mark Antony, and focus on his military, and political endeavors instead
@@marvinamor1330 What's expensive about having him make a speech though...? They already have the sets and they included scenes with large amounts of extras all time, I don't understand.
@@StrawberryLegacy You still have to pay the actors, the prop guys, set creators, secondary characters, and other such people. That money that can be diverted into other parts of the show to help it along.
If he didn't let him go, Antony knew that Vorenus would have left on his own. If he deserted, he would not come back. By letting him go, this gave both of them a reason to maintain a relationship.
@@immortaljanus Perhaps but still, he didn't know if Vorenus would have came back ansd what's more Mark Antony had lost so many soldiers than losing one as good and loyal as Vorenus must have been hard, that's why I'm sorprised of his reaction
Pullo's loyalty was to Lucius first and fuck the rest of them "Will do Chief" is a form of saying, "yep, no problem,boss" Let's get the fuck out of here before that prick, Mark Anthony changes his mind
I think he did more good for Antony's forces than even Antony at that moment. Marc Antony is trying to keep morale up. If you're an ordinary soldier, you didn't hear what was said. You just see a high-ranking soldier leaving with Antony's permission. Probably on some kind of mission; why else would Antony permit such a thing? So then, Antony gives a defiant speech about how he's not beaten yet. Lots of losing generals make defiant speeches. It's usually empty threats and empty promises. But then Titus Pullo gives him a vote of confidence. It doesn't matter that he's not a soldier anymore, or even if none of the legionnaires know who he is (so much the better if they know his reputation). It's in Pullo's voice. He sounds strong, fierce, upbeat. He doesn't sound tired or defeated, he sounds positive. A soldier not knowing anything but Anthony's speech and Pullo's response is going to take heart.
I have to admire Posca. He's got the guts and the sharp wit to handle Marc Anthony. I think Anthony and Caesar respected him even though he was a slave .
@@MCshadr217 While Posca wasn't a real person, the slaves of the generals and emperors were very powerful. Augustus' slaves for instance were given important administrative jobs and even command of provinces, they were so powerful that they even talked down to senators. It's likely that there was a few slaves like Posca around Antony, Caesar and Octavian.
Technically speaking Octavian didn't win, Aulus Hirtius and Pansa won the battle but were killed in combat at Mutina and Forum Gallorum, that is why later on in the show Antony said "he never even left his tent" which is true. Even then Antony inflicted more casualties on them and managed to retreat in good order without routing, and he did all that even though he only had half their number.
Octavian was the one directing his forces from his tent or what not he was still calling the shots on strategy as the imperator.Besides Augustus Octavian would go on to humiliate Antony and the Egyptian slut Cleopatra Navy at the battle of actium.So what's your point
@@taskforceknight9336 Wasnt Octavian either, that was Agrippa. Its actually pretty well documented that Octavian did very little military commanding, but he just absolutely dominated economics, personal wealth and the political game.
@@taskforceknight9336 Dude Octavian didn't know and cared shit about military and battle tactics. Read a book. Agrippa was his go to guy when it comes to war. Octavian just funded Agrippa and Agrippa won the battles for him. That's why later in Octavian's rule Agrippa was in such a powerful position, Octavian feared that he will defy him because he didn't have another general as great as Agrippa. He averted the civil war with a diplomatic marriage. If you make a list of greatest generals of Rome, Agrippa would be in top 3 and Octavian wouldn't even make it to the top 100. Agrippa was badass. Shame this show portrayed him as a young foolish guy. They did the same to Lepidus as well.
@@taskforceknight9336 octavian didnt have any official power at that point in time. Hirtius and Pansa were the appointed consuls Octavian also was maybe the worst military leader of romes leaders. He couldnt handle his nerves, had a well documented panic attack vs Brutus in Greece. Only help was that Brutus & Cassius equalled him in incompetence. His strenghts lied elsewhere. In short Octavian sucked bigtime regarding anything tactical on the battlefield. The absolute opposite to Caesar in that regard.
@@randomuser6175 They never really portray Octavian as a military leader in the show either. Even when Octavian was out in the field, he was basically just delegating the task to others who were more qualified, which is actually smart. A lot of military leaders have made huge mistakes precisely because they took it upon themselves to make big decisions, rather than to rely on more experienced subordinates to make those decisions. Octavian was like a much more modern political leader in this respect. They're able to make strategic decisions about when to go to war, and they make managerial decisions regarding the hierarchy and composition of the military, but they leave the specifics of field command up to their generals and admirals.
This whole scene, is both humorous and great for Purefoy's version of Antony. From asking to desert, to the stitching, and his talk with Posca. I loved this show and laughed while having to take him seriously. You also never see many soldiers or men portrayed like this much or very often anymore.
If you are going to look at it, the Tribune is the same soldier who reports under Ceasar about battle reports and soldier numbers/casualties. Along with Posca, Anthony still has the loyalty of Ceasars men.
Not sure which Tribunus it is here. Military tribunes of the Legions after Marian reform has a broad stripe tribune, who are usually young senatorial class members who's there to learn, as part of the cursus honorum, and the thin stripe, who are from equestrian class. They are 2nd in command to the Legatus. In the past, Tribunus had more responsibilities, such as Publius Scipio taking command after Cannae. But after the reform, Legatus essentially replaced Tribunus, with Caesar Legatus includes Labienus, Antonius to name a few. It would have been more appropriate for the soldier to have been a Legates. But, it's unnecessary.
I think I have a condition. I have a small middle aged Greek in my ear. It won't go away and is most persistent with it's assurances of fiscal solvency and inevitable world dominion. Have tried rinsing with saline. No success.
@@michaellejeune7715 I was going to suggest banishing him to the island of Bankruptos, where real Greek values are still practised, but in the end I went for this instead.
@@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants I know this is a reply to a comment made 3 year ago, but that's one of the points. When he was a slave, he was super subservient. But when he became free, he became more and more lazy and arrogant. The transition would've been more smooth if they had more seasons but the second season was so rushed that his character development was too rough
Marc Antony had a point. Any terms that put Octavian on top would inevitably lead to Marc Antony's death. Even if Antony couldn't win, his choice is still to die in battle, or kill himself, or be taken captive, humiliated, tortured, and _then_ killed. So he had no reason not to fight to the bitter end... and things change. Maybe he could still win somehow. Other than perhaps as a heroic sacrifice to spare his men.
@@theprogram863 Anthony was between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, he hated politics, on the other hand, he did not want to serve under a little boy (Octavian).
@@donnymoney4222 It is a known bug of the vanilla Rome experience, factions offering protectorate/"please do not attack" and doing it next turn (attacking), the Rome Remastered apparently fixes this.
@@DutchGuyMike I hope they even fixed the constant rebellions of cities reaching a certain population level. no matter if you are playing with the German and manage your German-culture cities or you are going with one of the Roman factions and managing Latin-cities, or any other culture can be mentioned, they always fucking rebel. when any of the Roman cities reach 25k pop, you can have a fucking Hippodrome, Grand Coloseum, biggest freaking temples, nothing helps. just leaving the city with the garrison, recapturing it and fucking massacre them to make them stand in line again, at least for a certain amount of time
@@bronxgroyper6568 Well to be fair Posca was free by this point. He was no longer a slave but a freeman because Caesar gave him his freedom in his will.
I lie to compare him to murat or ney under napoleon they were great commanders as long as they served under someone else leading a part of an army is a whole different thing than leading an army no matter how large it is and of course antony was great at both but he was better at serving
Sebastian Schwärzel First off, I already like you for knowing who Ney and Murat are. They were great subordinates but not very good supreme commanders; Mark Antony on the other hand was a great subordinate and almost as good in overall command. He just wasn't nearly as good of a politician as he was a soldier where the reverse is true of Octavian, but he had Agrippa to handle all of his military affairs. However Antony did not have a "political Agrippa".
+Badjoke Maker Better General than Republic leader, I'll say. Never heard much in the way of complaints of him as a General or military soldier. Just as a politician and handling money.
Antony was an excellent "general" or may be military commander. It is not commonly known, but he supressed rebel in Judea when he was 26, he took part in Egyptian civil war between Ptolemy Aulet and his eldest daughter Berenice. Later he came straight to Caesar in Gaul. In Caesar's commentaries are excellent descrptions of ambushes prepared by Antony fighting pompeians in civil war. Philippi was his idea as Octavian didn't have any military experinece.
Badjoke Maker ..Mark Antony was not defeated by that fucking boy,when Caesar was murdered by some members of the senate,Octavion knew about the plan to kill Caesar,why that fucking boy did not face alone with his 4 legions to Brutos? when Antony took charge of Egipt and all Asia,he was fighting 2 wars,one with the fucking called himself caesar ant the other war was when he tried to fight THE PERSIAN ARMY he wanted to conquest the persian as ALEXADER DID IT.50.000 romans soldier died with trying to take control.for Antony,Brutos were the though guys after caesar died.
Purefoy's performance really made this show. Sarcastic, crude, just over the top enough to be awesome. At this stage, one doesn't see how he could EVER lose to Octavian but....well...along came CLEO.
HBO Rome's version of Marc was not a good political leader, but damn he knew how to lead and inspire fighting men. I cannot praise the writing and acting highly enough.
This show really is stuck in my brain. Whenever I read about the actual historical figures, I can only picture the actors from this show. ESPECIALLY James Purefoy as Mark Antony.
Nice to see Gracus standing in the back, he was marching with Caesar in the first season and Caesar asked him to change the marching music, this show paid so much attention to these small details
I love how they showed no one was really Caesar's equal. Marc Antony had his war skill and charisma, Octavian had his PR and manipulation, and Brutus had his prestige and family connections. But none of them had them all, and eventually Octavian came out on top. Idk if it was like that in real life, but it's an interesting one in this story.
It was to an extent, Octavian relied a lot on Marcus Agrippa who was a brilliant general, they were a match made in heaven because Octavian DID have the charisma, political skills, and family prestige of Caesar, however he was sickly and physically weak and not as martially brilliant as Caesar, but he had Agrippa to back him up so he was just as unstoppable as Caesar
It’s funny that you say that. The one thing I’m really sorry about in any product that talks about Caesar is that they always forget about Caesar’s equal. There was this guy, Labienus. Same age as Caesar, long time friends. On Caesars first run as Consul he put Labienus as Praetor (the second most prestigious office in Rome) and when he left for Gaul he took Labienus with him as his second in command. Had things gone in Ceasar’s way, we wouldn’t be talking about Mark Anthony because most of the things Caesar put him to do were things he normally would’ve sent Labienus to do. But Labienus sided with Pompey at the beginning of the Civil War and the he died at a battle in what today is Spain, so Caesar needs someone to replace him. In comes Anthony. Who messes up big time when Caesar left him in charge of Rome. Caesar then replaces him with Lepidus, who does a decent job, I guess, but not outstanding and not particularly popular. The in comes Octavian, who has the name, a bit of the charisma and a bit of the money, but is a complete mess in military subjects and is a bit careless in political issues. But, he has an advantage. The guy makes friends wherever he goes. Caesar’s about to kill a Pompeyan supporter, Octavian pops up with the man’s son and convinces Caesar to spare his life. The son’s name is Marcus Agripa by the way. Caesar sends Octavian to a school out of Italy, he comes back with a friend who turns out to be the best propagandists guy of his generation. I can imagine Caesar’s mental process while writing his will being something like: “Well, I couldn’t make out half a Labienus out of those 3 childs even if I combine them. But at least the brat Octavian has no problem learning from those around him and has enough common sense to not mess with stuff he doesn’t understand and let the pros work. Yep, to glory you go kid.”
I feel like a fool for not buying the Rome DVD before, because I already have seen many versions of this history, from the Italian TV to the some U. S. versions, never the less, all of them have in common that had a very idealistic view of Octavian, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, even Cleopatra, but this TV Show, show how really were the Roman politics were, and I only see that briefly in the Italian miniseries about Octavio Augusto.
Considering how Hollywood is these days, I am not too sure about that. Something about replacing Anthony with a black strong gay female just doesn't work.
I am fascinated about Ancient Rome,all the opulence and intrigues.This show was so good..the characters,the script and the decors.Mark Antony had an unique irony,brilliant🤩
"I do hope so, if this is the afterlife it is extremely disappointing!" LOL Posca. XD I loved Posca. "ARE YOU STITCHING ME UP OR MAKING A DRESS?!?!?!?!" Antony, once more a lovable jackass. "And after that?" "...I'll think of something. GODDAMMIT MAN!!!!!!" Classic anyone/Antony banter.
"A true soldier. Most men just slip away into the night, he asks for permission before he deserts me." If that doesn't describe me to a T I don't know what does.
The writing is extraordinarily good, just read the comments. A bad writer will just show the two leaving. But here, we see how Antony is soldier-like, how Posca is sarcastic and realistic, as well as how Pollo is playful and carefree. All in a single scene.
This was the best show about Rome that I have ever watched. They literally put the best actors, story line, the environmentm music and potentially the portrayal of life between the nobles and roman citizens to slavery. I feel that if all forms of government collapsed and a new one emerges in infancy, I feel as though we would all go back to the same form of how Rome was structured. As long as there is a ruler, there is a government.
A couple of errors here: Antony's time was decades after the military reforms of Gaius Marius, which eliminated the maniple as a military unit in favor of the cohort. Each legion was comprised of 10 cohorts. We the viewer hear the damage done to the 8th, 9th, and 10th cohorts of what is most likely Anthony's third legion, followed up by a preview of the damage done to his fourth legion (even though Antony did not command a Legio III or Legio IV at Mutina). Antony then orders the disbandment of the 4th cohort to reinforce the 3rd, but the question remains - what of the other mauled cohorts? This leaves one logical conclusion: he meant to say "disband the 4th LEGION and use the survivors to reinforce the Third."
So many wonderful performances in this, but I love Posca so much. I liked his relationship with Caesar in other scenes as more of a confidant and advisor than just a slave
