Donna Richardson Travel Journalist

Behind the Scenes with the historian who helped advise the makers of the summer’s biggest blockbuster series about Rome and the Gladiators available now on Amazon Prime.

By Donna Richardson

Ancient Rome is en vogue this year with the long-awaited release of ‘Gladiator 2′ to the big screen in November. But if you can’t wait that long, fear not for there is a mega-production starring Anthony Hopkins called ‘Those About To Die’ about to air on Amazon Prime.

The latest sword and sandal drama depicting the Roman Empire is directed by Roland Emmerich (‘Independence Day’, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’), Those About to Die depicting the brutal gladiatorial world of the Roman Empire.

Starring Sir Anthony Hopkins plays Emperor Vespasian – the popular leader who founded the Flavian dynasty and helped stabilise Rome. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones and Wolf star Iwan Rheon is an ambitious crime boss Tenax, Death in Paradise star Sara Martins plays ruthless trader Cala and Rupert Penry-Jones stars as retired general Marsus.

Welcome to the bloodthirsty world of the Roman Empire which bridges the world between sport, politics, and dynasties.” The year is 79 AD in Rome, the wealthiest city in the world built on the back of slaves. Chariot racing, animal combat and gladiator fights are controlled by four corporations, the Blue, Red, White and Green factions, and shares in these companies are lucrative. As the Colosseum is built, the thirst for blood increases as a thriving underworld where betting is the key to wealth and fortune.

The show is written by Robert Rodat, an Academy Award nominee for Steven Spielberg’s, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and based on the book by Daniel P. Mannix.

Historian Alexander Mariotti is an expert in Gladiatorial combat. He was the Amazon show’s historical advisor and can tell us about what went on behind the scenes and how important the show is. He bridges the gap between the historical world and film, recently appearing as a historian on Pompeii – The New Dig aired on BBC1. He also has provided historical advice to the makers of both Gladiator films. He said:

“It’s been 20 years since Gladiator aired and this is the first TV series since the series Rome. So we don’t just have a major blockbuster coming out but a major series. It will give people a view of Rome they’ve never seen. Technology has advanced since I worked on Rome. Back then we had a physical set where we got to rebuild ancient Rome as authentically as possible, but this time around they have built the set using Disney technology used on the Mandalorian. They have more scope to build Rome than ever before -not even the first Gladiator showed you the Colossus, a ginormous 40-metre-tall bronze statue that stood next to the Colosseum that was pulled down 1000 years ago – in 1024 to be precise. The show also depicts the Circus Maximus that held 297,000 people where chariot races will be brought to life.”

The Games in the Colosseum weren’t real representations of life, they were put on for entertainment. This series will showcase the glory and spectacle of Gladiatorial combat, as well as tell the stories behind the sport and offer viewers the chance to travel back through time.

“Twenty years ago we saw the Colosseum come to life through Gladiator, and it has been almost 80 years since Ben Hur. Emmerich will show chariot races, naval battles and all the intrigue and politics. These TV shows are like cultural lightning rods because they get people interested in history,” Alexander said.

“I think now it’s more important than ever given all the political events going on in the world, people want a distraction. “The programme looks at the dark side of Gladiatorial combat. It is no different from the worlds of boxing world or horse racing. Wherever there’s money involved there is also a nefarious side.

“The Gladiator sport was state-run and it was booming as they built the Colosseum. The programme touches on a very difficult period of Roman history where we had civil war and along came Emperor Vespasian who wasn’t from the political elites.

“He was more a man of the people and understood what people wanted and they wanted to be distracted. So he gave them sport.

“Punters lost themselves from the moment they walked into the Colosseum to see the beast hunters, gladiators or charioteers. Today, we get to go to football games and for a brief moment we forget our everyday lives and live vicariously in the moment through our sports stars. Whether we win or we lose, we hope and we pray. We celebrate and we mourn. “We go through all the range of human emotions. Any sports stadium is one of the most important aspects and central to many people’s lives. Many people live their life around sports. Everyone in the UK tonight knows exactly what it felt like for Roman the night before the big rematch. You have two great Gladiatorial teams clashing it out again hoping for victory. They’ll be thinking about history. The team that beat us before, the time we came close and when we won. There is going to be so much pressure.

“Sport links us to the past and our ancestors we may not know them by name but we do have a shared experience through the arena of sport.”

Talking about the cast and crew, he said. Anthony is a legend but as the historical guy, I just worked in the shadows behind the scenes, although I got to hang out with Game of Thrones and Wolf star Iwan Rheon who is a big history buff.

“Keep a keen eye out eye out though, you may find me somewhere in the show.

“Emmerich has made incredible movies like Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and Stargate. He is about to give us a vision of Rome people will fall in love with. Gladiators were the UFC fighters of their time. The actor playing Domitian, the youngest of the three Flavians is Jojo Macari. From the moment I saw him I knew he was the perfect historical choice as he matched all the attributes I told him – I’ve studied the character all my life and you’ve embodied him perfectly – viewers are in for a real treat.”

Those About to Die is set to be the year’s blockbuster, which will reignite our passion for Roman history. Alexander is an expert on Rome. He takes VIPs on tours around the Eternal City as the historian to the stars, including Tom Cruise and Bill Gates.

He also has some more shows in the pipeline which will be shown on the BBC, Channel 5 and National Geographic. Watch this space for further details.

Those About to Die will stream on Amazon Prime tonight.