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From: Romanstandrd
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  • If only someone could do this to Congress.

  • @Evenflowist314

    Vladimir Putin

  • @Evenflowist314 Then we would have a dictator.

  • @KenMacMillan

    Sometimes it takes an individual to sort out the clutter of politics. Sad but true. Octavian proved this and as a result you had the Pax Romana.

  • @Evenflowist314 You also had about 600 years of consecutive war. The clutter of politics is what saves lives. The more it's sorted out, the more people suffer.

  • @KenMacMillan

    Clutter of politics is what holds progress back, hence this whole thing we call partisan Congress. Just more corruption and stagnation. Damned if we do and damned if we don't.

  • @Evenflowist314 Our current system is progress at work. It was started by people who felt wholeheartedly that the age of the founders was a quaint, simpler time and we needed to move beyond that into the modern era. The result was the great depression, monetary inflation, the modern eugenics movement, Japanese internment camps, and continuous war. Not to mention corruption & stagnation.

  • @KenMacMillan

    I see plenty of corruption already, without a dictator behind the wheel. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

  • @Evenflowist314 With a single Leader in control nothing can hold back a nation or people from achieveing utter glory and honor. As has been the case Numerous times in history. Unfortunately, current day politics and people forget the greatest achievements of mankind and history were commited by Dictatorships/Monarchies/Empir­es. Sad isn't it?

  • @KingE20

    Very much so. One man can transform an entire society only if he is selfless and isn't tempted by power or is at least not an idiot about it. That's how all empires fall. Octavian would laugh at the U.S. today.

  • @Evenflowist314 Indeed he would mock the US. A new Octavian wil arrive somewhere again one day. Let us hope so.

  • @KenMacMillan You forget that Dictatorships are also a work in progress, all you need is the natural evolution for the Dictatorship, that even though he has almost unlimited power but he is severely limited to commit acts of utter depravity. Like in Octavian (Augustus) and with the Great Napoleon I , The People lived normal lives in relative peace and order was in place. Chaos in any form is a hinderance and the Propaganda of Certain People / Politcial movements forget that Rome existed.

  • wow absolute and complete power(drawing swords)who we speak against my comment?.........

  • Such a great TV series. My only real complaint is the one-dimensional portrayal of Octavius. Historically, he's probably the most important figure in Roman history, so he deserved better. It is simply not believable that the adult Octavius seen in 'Rome' would become Augustus and rule Rome in an era of peace, prosperity and blossoming culture.

  • @rigstula In real life, Octavian had difficulty expressing himself and was known for his cold gaze and emotionless manner in speaking and posture.

  • @Killzoneguy117 In real life, he was neither a stereotypical villain. The historical sources differ greatly in their opinion. Therefore, the portrayal should have been more ambiguous.

  • @rigstula I don't see how he's being shown as a stereotypical villain. Because he used the threat of force to get his point across? If you think about it, he had perfectly good reasons to do so. His father was murdered by the senate for trying to pass new motions and because of his influence. Octavian isn't trying to make the same mistake and is making sure that this time, the Senators learn their place and not try to kill him as well. Those troops can be seen as a bodyguard.

  • @Killzoneguy117 I am not really referring to this scene in particular. It is true that he had no choice here. It was either this or being Cicero's puppet. My point: despite being well acted, the Octavius in 'Rome' just doesn't seem believeable to me as a human being. I think they went too far, and to me it seems almost cartoonish. I once again point to Shakespeare's Octavius as a more nuanced portrayal: cold and cynical, but still manages to mourn Antony's fate and have a deep sense of morality.

  • @rigstula Ahh fair enough. I agree though that Octavian seems a little too cold. I wouldn't mind at least a little emotion in his voice. I mean he was one of the greatest politicians in human history and one of the most badass Military Leaders ever. I think it would be nice to show him have at least a little bit more emotion. Not too much but enough that he still has some charisma.

  • @rigstula Octavian had a brilliant mind but he was known for being quite aloof in personal relationships. Because of this and other things it has been suggested he might have been autistic or at least he was somewhere in the autistic spectrum. His intellect was not affected by this though.

  • @mrsotter19 Autistic? Out of interest, what are the sources for this? The ones I have read indicate that he was capable of being sociable and display a humourous side in private life.

    The historical sources indicate that Octavius was a complex man, and 'Rome' presents a very one-sided view of him. Projecting him as nothing more than a tyrant is to ignore many of the positive aspects of the society he built. The portrayal should be more ambiguous, like the one of Julius Caesar in season 1.

  • @rigstula I believe I read it somewhere. However, today I googled it and I couldn't find a proper reference! So I take it back unless I find a good source. I don't think Rome presented him as a tyrant. He is often portrayed as a caring brother (even if he had weird feelings towards her). I think he was shown as being ruthless and ambitious, but then this is well known.

  • @mrsotter19 Yes, it is well known that Octavius was a ruthless and ambitious man before he became Augustus. I am sure the creators of the series in a hypothetical third season would have also changed the character at this turning point and made him more 'likeable'.

    Tyrant is perhaps a term that is too strong. I would more say that I feel that his character was static, one-sided and underdeveloped compared to the excellent portrayal of Julius Caesar in the first season.

  • @rigstula It is a shame there was never a third season. Octavian felt deeply for his daughter Julia so I think he was capable of love. I think he did want a republic at first but things got complicated -don't they always? Julius Caesar is more of a "heart" man and a better soldier of course so it is easier to portray more aspects of him. Not to mention no comtemporary historians would have dared to describe Octavian as other than a "God".

  • @Killzoneguy117 Besides, there are various degrees of 'coldness'. Shakespeare did it right, 'Rome' did not. Besides this, I did enjoy the second season.

  • 2:49 "my father died on this floor. right there. stabbed 27 times, butchered, by men he called his friends. you will tell me that is not murder. you will tell my legions, who love caesar as i do, that this is not murder."

    epic line :)

  • Octavian's reference to Caesar being killed on the Senate floor is interesting. The Senate building was closed for updating during the time. The Senate was temporally meeting at the Theater of Pompey. Julius was killed on the portico behind the theater. He died beneath the statue of Pompey

  • Comment removed

  • my name is Octavian

  • in my opinion it is the best moment of the movie.

  • Senate and people of Rome. Rome! Rome! Rome!

  • Goodness gracious. That actor is gorgeous.

  • @DuchessRococoPuff Yes, he is!

  • I, Claudius > Rome

  • @tabber87 Congrats, you've just proven that you've got no sense of quality whatsoever :)

  • @Kathrinoyo You've proven you have no sense of taste. You're probably one of those people who believe Caesar lived in Vegas.

  • @tabber87 AHAHAHA - really? I, Claudius ist the worst rendering of this historical period ever, my boy. It's packed with prejudices and false records and I'm not even talking about the bad acting. Try to study half my knowledge and we talk again ;D

  • he owned all of them

  • Mark Antony suspected there was a plot in motion the night before the attack based on information he received from Servilius Casca. He went to warn Caesar of the impending attack which forced the conspirators to hasten their actions. They confronted him as he was passing the Theatre of Pompey on his way to the Forum. Please go and read Plutarch and Suetonius.

  • 2:26 OWNED!!!

  • @Takua38000 2:35 "... well, fuck."

  • @Takua38000 Blam bitch

  • Julius Caesar died on the steps of Pompey's theatre... not on the floor

  • Comment removed

  • @ezekielkinkade44 It was a multi-purpose structure and considered to be the largest complex of its type not only in Roman times, but also in modern times. He was murdered at the entrance of the curia - it was not the senate house.

  • @iseevvv ah semantics

  • @iseevvv debatable. Its most likely he died INSIDE the senate house, considering the reaction of the people at that time.

    It's highly unlikely that, if there were a trap to be sprung, which we now know there was, that it would be premature. Julius Caesar had the support of the majority of the people, the conspirators wouldn't risk killing him on the steps of the forum.

    A spider doesn't strike until the fly is caught in the web. Why would it be different then than it is now?

  • 2 optimates still want to restore the republic of corruption.

  • Octavian wasn't a hero. no emperor was good, they all did good and bad things

  • @tekkendevilwithin

    He still ruled Rome for over 60 years... Pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?

  • No hero? History will disagree with you. All men both great and poor do both good and bad things. Octavian is a hero for this reason ; The Senate was destroying the plebian class at this point in history. Due to their greed, the plebs had no jobs, no food and no stability. Kato and the other Senators cared nothing for them & their rights aside from taking advantage of them(Like America now). If Caesar & Octavian had not appeared, the corrupt Senators would've driven Rome into the ground.

  • I don't see why all the talk about Octavian being a soldier or not. He had brains for crying aloud! Let the brawny types do the fighting and let the clever ones rule I say.

  • "The unity of a republic--" YEAH right! I doubt Cisero really cared about the unity of the republic! xD

  • Without Augustus we would not have our current civilization. He is the God father of Europe.

  • CAll him what you will my people but under his leadership rome had peace for45 years. Some of you would call that a dictatorship. I say 'IF IT WORKS'

  • 3:12 Those centurions look so badass with the crest on the helms.. pure authority right there!

  • Master of politics and father of our modern age...you just gotta love him!

  • Greatest politician of all time

  • Octavian has snake eyes... >.> piew piew piew piew

  • Octavian was arguably one of Rome's finest ruler. regardless of his political methods, he did what was needed to restore Rome to a prosperous nation. Had it not been for the lazy and gluttonous Marcus Antony, Ocyavian would have had a much easier job of dealing with threats to Rome, such as the famin and shortage of grain in italia due to pirates and sextus pompey. Octavian is awesome, antony is a nob head

  • ''Who will speak against the motion?''

  • Havelock Vetinari reminds me of him. 

  • "It is not. But nevertheless here we are." Classic! My favorite line!

  • It is not...yet here we are

    epic :D

  • jaw drop!

  • Great scene

  • he kicked butt &took lives!!!!!

  • A truly awesome and factually historical scene..portrayed to brilliantly.

  • is this what was proven in history?

  • lol only 1 dislike

  • "Many gave their lives that we might stand here once again..."

    One did. The one real man in the Senate. You bastard.

    

  • Augustus was one of Romes greatest...yet this show picked a fag to play him.

  • @NJRocks281 lmfao

  • Yeah, I'd agree that Octavian was one of the most politically brilliant leaders of Rome. Cruel and cunning baby.

  • Badass.

  • 'An era of moral virtue' that was one promise he sure did keep, but there were many more that he also kept. Shame his family didn't think like Octavian.

  • un imperium sine fine dedi

  • such a badass scene

    

  • Octavian was the son of Caesar's niece Atia of the Julii. For reasons we will never Caesar chose Octavian as his heir for a reason. If there was no Octavian Rome wouldn't have lasted as long as it did. What you views are on Caesarion being the rigthful heir of Caesar doesn't matter - Octavian became a Caesar and the son Caesar had with Cleopatra became co-ruler of Egypt. Whether or not you like him, or what your views are on history, Octavian stablizied the Rome. Everything happens for a reason.

  • I think, Octavian has no right to be a Caesar, he's not even a Julian, but an adopted boy. Ptolemy Caesar (Caesarion), he is Caesar's son and should BE a caesar!

  • @josefburker ptolemy ceasarion wasn't a Ceasar son but a bastard (according to this drama that is)

  • @avalanche170 what is a bastard anyway? According to Egyptian custom, Caesarion was Caesar's biological son!

  • @josefburker Augustus was at the very least an able politician and statesman, though the eventual removal of the republic for something akin to a monarchy was a terrible idea.

  • Nice vid

  • I heard HBO and the BBC have on and off talked about a third season, but have mixed feelings because of the cost. I think it would be better to do a made for TV movie, but instead of setting it right after the second season, have it be a prequel about Sulla and the first Roman Civil War. It would be especially fun to see who they pick to play the younger versions of Pompei, Ceaser, and others.

  • Octavian ftw !!!!

  • Who will speak against the motion?

  • This is how Obama should address Congress.. "Wall Street bankers, Goldman Sach CEO's, Health Insurance Cartels, and crooked politicians have now been declared enemies of the state'. (soldiers walk into the Capitol) 'who will vote against the motion" (lobbyists and all the Washington assholes go silent). lol, if only..

  • @NuJoiseyMAN So you'd have Obama usher in a line of tyrants just as Augustus did?

    No thanks!

  • @LeCreuset05 I rather be ruled by a fair Tyrants than a common thief.

  • @LeCreuset05, yea I'd prefer a president who stands up to the people who constantly fuck society, instead of one who hands the millionaires/billionaires our tax money in bailouts.

    Yes, an Augustus-type is better then our fake puppet leaders who bend over for corporations. But to each their own

  • @NuJoiseyMAN Augustus also sent tens of thousands of soldiers to their death into pointless wars, tried to change public morals and failed, and while he was greatly competent, almost all of his successors were lesser imitations and gradually frittered away Roman power until they were destroyed by decadence and the Visigoths.

  • @NuJoiseyMAN A person doing that would be great and would not only have the respeact of the people but there love as well. 

  • @TheIcelandicPatriot, INDEED!

  • @NuJoiseyMAN Obama have not legions)))

  • great scene, great series.

    Brutus and Cassius were some of my favorite characters in this show. so deep, so multidimensional. i really was rooting for Brutus at the end, knowing full well he would not succeed :)

  • This was such a fantastic series. I wish they had kept it going.

  • Caesar Augustus was a hard man, coercing the Senate with military force as this scene depicts. But it's hard to argue with results, The Pax Romana started with him.

  • It's easy to argue the results, the reign of tyrants started with him. The Pax Romana was when the Romans made their desert and called it peace. There was never any "pax." The Romans continued their destructive conquests for centuries.

  • sorry chaps but sulla and pompey were dictators so it was still a republic. Ceaser was also a dictator all sworn in to be so be the senate.

    octavian however was a smart chappy and made his uncle a god, therefore himself royal and created himself as a emporer not a dictator.

  • the position was a temporary but totally all powerful emergency position that the republic felt totally confident in giving

  • What a Blooded mess with there throts cut 900 money lenders look like with a gladius where the son dont shine but the amour of the lord gleams

  • crucify them all, scheming bastards..

  • I like the guy who plays Gaius Maecenas. He always has a sly grin.

  • he was smarter than the great cicero

  • He was a monster and the most dangerous of politicians but I somehow envy him.And what a great acting.

  • I agree, I also envy most of the male actors on this show, usually in every episode someone fucking or having a epic battle scene

  • Monster? I will say an elitist.

  • haha, ethnic cleansin... smart kiddo...

  • Actually at the seige of Metulum in Illyricum Octavian ran into the city on a gangplank during the battle and was injured. So, he's still awesome.

  • @Romanstandrd We don't actually know if that's true. Octavian was a master of propaganda so it's possible he used the story to address people's idea that he was a coward (he had a chronicle illness that often prevented him from appearing on the battlefield).

  • @GMorganis good point. But generally historians in this area of study will take what primary sources say as "factual" until given evidence to refute them. Otherwise, we have very little to go off of.

  • @Romanstandrd I'm a history major with a concentration in ancient & medieval history. One of the most important things I've learned in my studies so far is that everyone has a bias - primary sources are not always true. Take Tacitus's Annals, for example. Tacitus cleverly makes an argument against the emperors by carefully crafting assumptions that the reader will make without hesitation, unless reading it carefully. Primary sources are useful, but not always true.

  • but because he did not lead his troops, witch makes him a good leader, he new what he chould not do.

  • @lflr4lnco I agree Antony was a better general, but Octavian was a better politician.

  • @lflr4lnco Are you kidding? He was so ruthlessly clever that he mind-fucked the government into giving him complete governing and military authority. The dude was so intimidating that all his major opponents (i.e., Marc Antony, Brutus, Cleopatra, and Cassius) fucking killed themselves before he even got to them! He was even deified after his death after bringing Rome into the Pax Romana (200 years of unprecedented peace, mind you). A BAMF if I ever saw one.

  • @lflr4lnco Octavian was too smart to concern himself with trivial things like honor and bravery, he was a dirty politician, and a masterful one at that. Marcus Antonius didn't stand a chance against him. Antony was over rated, even when with Caesar Antony was constantly out shined by Labienus.

  • @lflr4lnco Excuse me? I'm sorry I seem to remember the Pax Romana a result of Caesar Augustus rather than Antony, whom I believe was dead by that time. Had it not been for Octavians rise to power and subsequent dismantling of Antony, you might very well have been right however history it seems has proven you to be incorrect.

  • @lflr4lnco but he didn't did he? he bested Anthony who ran like the little girl he his back to Egypt

  • @lflr4lnco He was a very dirty politician but you cant deny his results and he was probably the longest lasting Emperor because everyone knew better then to cross him

  • @lflr4lnco I also like how he keeps saying father, as to the best of our knowledge it's rightly so by the times.

    Also, dirty politician? Is there any other such type? Octavian didn't fall ass backwards into power. You say dirty, I say prudent.

  • @lflr4lnco he was by far the best emperor rome had. And know that ruling is not solved by war but by politics. War is the last option and most unbalanced option. Octavian understood that and because of this he became emperor while Antony became a dead man

  • @mrspartan32 Right, he was a sociopath with the power over absolute propaganda. In fact, his propaganda was so effective, that people fall for it two thousand years after his death. And yet, others like Caligula did the same thing (murder their enemies, supress the republic, outhandle the senate, glorify themselves and their family) and are recepted as lunatics because we only read the stories of their enemies. History is funny, isn't it.

  • @Kathrinoyo He wasn't like Caligula and you have to understand that they were living in totally different times. Rome was not a place for kings or dictators or anyone with power, just imagine that Gracchus, fighter of the roman people was murdered for having too many supporters and a big mouth. Octavian not only gained the respect and the love of true Rome but it's absolute obedience also, in fact the Senate "named" him August Caesar when he was pretending that he were about to walk

  • @mrspartan32 Yes he did many bud things but they were all against idiotic "civilized" barbarians and those who were supporting them but on the other hand he helped the roman people and empire it self, don't forget that Pax Romana, was something......

  • @mrspartan32 Alright, you watched some "historical documentations" - congrats. Let me get you some facts straight: Caligula lived merely a few decades after the death of Augustus so you can't really say "totally different times". Secondly, Gracchus' status is known throughout science studies as a fraud. He tried to upraise and maintain the power of his family and used the plebs to get his goals. Same for Ceasar. Same for Augustus. The Senate named Augustus because they had no other choice.

  • @Kathrinoyo I don't know anything about Caligula and when I was telling about different times I meant compered to the modern days so that you 'd understand that what you call propaganda was not also for them. About Gracchus I have only read Plutarch nothing more and I speak based on this book. And why exactly you thing that the senate had no choice....?

  • @mrspartan32 Well, it was propaganda. Critics of that time (Ovid for example) paid for telling the truth with their banning from rome. For Gracchus I recommend some new science standard - Plutarch isn't that accurate in my opinion (and in a way biased). Any University-Literature about this, that was released in the last years, should give a more critical view on the Gracchus-Brothers. About the senate: Augustus already got the people on his side, the senators were merely puppets and forced under

  • @mrspartan32 his will. Augustus already forced the senate to give him political power through the consulate and some other priorities and permissions. Yes, he restored peace by defeating antonius and cleopatra - who Augustus used to raise war against egypt and to annect it to the roman state. But he was way too powerfull to be controlled by the public or the senate. So they gave him all they could and praised / glorified him.

  • @mrspartan32 If you watched this series closely - which is more accurate to historical studies than any other I've watched so far - you can see how manipluative Augustus was. He praised virtues and married someone elses wife, he enforced the prosprictions with antonius and killed several thousands wealthy romans to get money. He is portrayed absolutely correct: a sociopathical genius but certainly not your "lovely peacekeeper". The plebs loved him, because he encaged the senate

  • @mrspartan32 and he paid the people. As I said, his propganda worked extremely effective. But if it wasn't for his companion and military genius Agrippa, none of his plans would've succeeded because he would've been ripped apart by Antonius on the battlefield. Don't glorify him too much. And for Caligula: read some real history books about him, reflect on the "records" about him, written by his enemies and you will see, that he and Augustus have a lot in common. Good day.

  • @Kathrinoyo you too

  • Octavian is the greatest hero of all.. He will be never forgotten Hail Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus

  • who's the actor octavian ceasar????

  • Simon Woods

  • Ave Caesar Augustus, Princeps Maximus!

  • i agree. Augustus Ceaser was quite influential within the european continent, and the extending provinces it dominated. His first citizenship along with the Pax Romana's inception are his lasting legacies, and rightfuly so. He is the reason I named my first born son August!!

  • Well, he's got my vote!

    When the world comes to this pass, it is time to tend to your garden and pray for the best.

  • lol, yes. I like how people marked your comment as spam.

    Obama will make himself a god, hell the media have done so already.

  • snakemiss you are most welcome and its a great pleasure

  • the greatest man that's ever lived...a hundred years of peace during his Pax Romana...how long has Europe been at peace today, with our modern rulers? Well, around 10 years, since kosovo! so 90 more years....not a chance if you ask me!

  • I just have to say. do you think Rome and Pax Romana inclueded the whole europe? i think not, so there sure was wars behind the borders of Roma in europe....sry :D

  • There were occasional flare ups that occurred among conquered people.

  • I think he made a wrong decision. He lost his legitimacy when he threatened the Senate, and it was through his legitimacy that Cicero lend him the funds to raise his army. But oh well, Octavian was never motivated by maintaining the Republic, just by gaining power. Great series though!

  • No roman "ruler" was "legitimate" after this, Augustus had what many people call a "Secret Monarchy." The Republic of Rome ended before he was born, the form of government changed forever.

  • legitimate assumes there actually are Gods or whatever that deem certain individuals or families, etc. to be power holders.

  • checkmate

  • i totally agree with snakemiss he was the greatest leader of all time .a brillant man

  • I am happy that you agree...:) facts are facts...:) LOL

  • Octavian was a Genius Politician and I believe was the only true Great Roman it out matches Scipio, Marius, The Gracchi brothers,Cicero, and Caesar of pure Genius

  • Yes he was.

  • Again, so f#@king BA

  • Is that Cicero who introduces Octavian?

  • Yes

  • that was so awesome!

  • Fuck yes. Augustus was one of the greatest rulers who ever lived.

  • Not ONE of the greatests....he WAS the greatest..:) Even though many people disagree, there will never in the future be such a leader as Augustus Caesar was....

  • absolutely snakemiss. greatest human ever.

  • Yaya...:) I am glad you share my opinion...:) it is a pity though that many people just dont see "behind the scenes" of his life and judge him just according to his cruelty when he was young....seems some people need to study more and then they will see he deserves to be called the GREATEST...:) LOL

  • @snakeMISS He was a scary person. A very clever politician and not without ideals but cold and ruthless, though not unbalanced like many of the later Caesars. I think those aspects of his character come across well in this series, and the actor who plays him is really good.

  • @heliotropezzz333 Well, scary person? I would not say so... look at the times in which he lived - in order to be successful, you just had to be tough.. he is not described as "cold and ruthless" in chronicles. Ambitious, vigorous, yeah. .. all a matter of individual opinion. I do not deny he naturally had negative traits (we all do), but nevertheless, I admire him. And I have to agree the actor portrayed him well in the series (even though the script is not too authentic in some points) :)

  • @snakeMISS. I can't help admiring the political astuteness and ruthlessness, and he had to overcome asthma, but Iwould not have wanted to "cross swords" with him. No one was a match for him and certainly not Mark Anthony the vainglorious drunkard .

  • step away from my chair. priceless.

  • @redheadrenata Octavian's look at Cicero, "I'm proscribing Brutus and Cassius which my father should have done. Don't think I'm not considering you as well."

  • sure, in 27 BC when he was presented with the title.

  • Nope. He was presented January 16th with the honorary title "Augustus".

    He took the name of C.IULIUS CAESAR after the death, as a sign of confirmation regarding his diputed adoption by testament.

    And after Caesar was deified in 42BC the addition of DIVI FILIUS became the official affilation suffix, instead just "f.Caesar".

    I hope this cleared things up a little.

  • january 16 , 27BC of course.

  • the lesson of Rome is that although it was a republic, the republic served only a privileged few..It thus fell because the "other" JC was able to appeal to the downtrodden peasants who had nothing to gain from the virtues of republican govt. Modern republicans would be wise to learn from history...oops,,they never do that., now do they?

  • right lol

  • By the time Julius Ceaser was around it was no longer a republic. private armies made sure of that, and people like Gaius Marius or Lucius Sulla are prime examples.

  • @Vincentsdream Marius and Sulla came well before Julius Caesar.