This weekend, I watched the end of season 1 of Rome along with a brief extra on Roman life and I watched 300.

300

Netflix finally sent me a copy of 300 on blueray. After hearing so much hype I was curious about this movie.

Visually, it is pretty interesting: definitely captures the comic-book visual feel. I also liked the absence of famous stars who would distract from the already shallow plot (Troy anyone?).

The script is another matter. The description says it all: "A faithful adaptation of ... a graphic novel." Not an adaptation of history; this is pure comic book stuff. This is a story for 12 to 17 year old boys who still dream of being the toughest soldier, ever!

Im no historian but I am fairly certain there weren't trolls or ogres in the Persian Army. I seriously doubt Xerxes was 8 feet tall. He might have been effeminate but I doubt he had the voice of a Goa'uld from Stargate. The Immortals looked pretty cool with those silver masks but were they really all disfigured freaks? And where did they get those Japanese swords?

Something just bothers me about completely ridiculous retellings of historical events. If you want to tell a big fantasy, be a real author and make it up like Tolkein. Don't distort history.

After 4 years of war in Iraq, I also wonder about a movie where the enemy is a Persian Empire (that would be Iran these days). And I wondered why the heroes were white but so many of the enemies were blacks or arabic. Am I reading too much into it? It would seem that I wasnt the only one.

This story about uncompromising principles, the corruption of a foreign empire, death and glory is total Marine-corp recruitment material. Too bad it isn't real life.

If you haven't seen 300 yet -- read a book.

Rome: Season 1

Much better was Rome. I liked this series enough to buy it but we never finished it. This weekend, we watched the last 2 episodes of Season 1 and I was immediately sucked back in. The characters are great and the story is just so compelling. And in complete contrast to 300, I feel like I am learning something about Roman history by watching.

Beyond the drama, I particularly enjoyed the featurette on Roman history. I found a comment by one of the actors most intriguing. She pointed out that ancient Rome was truly foreign to us because of two things:

• Romans were totally steeped in religion but religion had no ethical component to it. Their culture predates the Judaeo-Christian doctrines that are inseparable from our culture.

• Slavery was omnipresent but not based on race. Slavery in our culture is still a touchy issue and was completely race-based such that it is hard to imagine any other system of slavery.

Rome also touches on political issues such is the conflict between "tyrants" and the republic and class issues. The "republic" was nothing like we think of democracy (although we seem to be becoming more like the republic every day), but rather is was an oligarchy where only the rich (who are born rich) rule. This theme is just starting at the end of season one and is another interesting thread for contemplation.

When you tire of reading that middle school history book on Sparta, pop in this DVD and treat yourself to a few episode of high drama in Rome. All roads lead to Rome.