This article appears in the new issue ofDEN OF GEEK magazine.
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Its a painting of men in horse-drawn chariots racing across a dusty track.
Circus Maximus, Rodat says.
I bought that thing for like five bucksI cant even guess how many decades agoat a yard sale.
Ive had a super-longstanding interest in the late [Roman] Republic.
If I told you how many books Ive read about it, youd say Im insane or a liar.
Peacockgladiator seriesThose About to Dieisnt exactly about the late Roman Republic but its close enough for Rodats tastes.
The 10-episode series takes place amid the beginnings of the Roman Empire and the establishment of the Flavian dynasty.
Anthony Hopkins stars as notable Roman Emperor Vespasian.
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Vespasian had the same challenges that Caesar had, Rodat says.
He had to make a choice between being a soldier and being a politician.
The stakes are indeed high onThose About to Die.
It was important to the people in the room that we not be anachronistic.
Circus Maximus sat 250,000 people.
And 35,000 people lived and worked in the underbelly underneath the stands, Rodat says.
Fenway Park in Boston holds 35,000 people.
Thats how many people worked in the betting parlors and the brothels and the stables.
Everybody nods and says, Yeah, bullshit.
But the early empire period really does have so many allegorical connections to today, its incredible.
Those connections ring out and they did for all of us.
