The Wonders Of The Etruscan People
The revived Roman Empire
Two millenniums have now passed since the time when the Roman Empire reached its peak, but its success has been replicated in dozens of television programmes. Many people (mainly foreign) have tried to imitate the glory of Rome through televsion.
Here are some interplanetary sitcoms that in many ways incorporate aspects of the Roman empire.
Star Trek is probably the most famous of all. In the episode named “Bread and Circuses” the Enterprise visits a planet based on the model of ancient Rome, (Rome without television and machine guns). They do not mention why this world has developed a society which is exactly like how ancient Rome was on Earth, but it’s like that and is so incredible.
Doctor Who uses a story with an alien in the Roman empire comic series “The Legion of Iron”, taken from a story by Dave Gibbons. This version of Rome uses mechanical soldiers, but has a dark secret: the flesh-eating demons act secretly behind the scenes of the empire.
Tales Of The Trigan Empire was a series of cartoons made from 1965 to 1982, with a version of the Roman Empire in space. Wikipedia says: This similarity also extends to Trigan City, the capital city built on five hills, similar to the Seven Hills of Rome. The clothing of the Trigan is similar to that of the Roman, the people wear the Toga as a garment and in the case of the soldiers, Roman armour.
The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov has a Galactic Empire that is very clearly modelled on Gibbons’ “decline and fall of the Roman Empire”.
Empire dell’Atomo of AE Van Vogt recounts the story of the distant future of Earth, in 12,000 years AD, when an atomic war has destroyed the Earth. The people retain the capacity to build ships, but lose other basic skills, including simple communication. They build a futuristic Roman Empire.
The novels of Nova Roma by R.M. Meluch take place in the Palatine Empire and are located around the planet known as New Rome. Ruled by Caesar Magnus, the Empire is defended by the Draconis Legion, in addition to this is the USS Merrimack, led by Captain John Farragut and his second in command, the cyborg Augusto.
Even Futurama wanted to show us a Roman world. In the episode “The Problem with Popplers,” on DVD with the commentary of the writers, you will find that they wanted Fry to go back to a planet where there was the Roman Empire, and where all were centaurs. The Emperor of the planet would be named Incitato which was also the name of a horse that Caligula made Senator. Unfortunately, in the final episode there is not even the slightest reference to this story.
Planet Hulk, the biggest story about Hulk in recent years, refers to a landing on the planet Sakar, which is clearly dominated by an empire and Roman civilization. Hulk here is enslaved and forced to participate in gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the Emperor.
These are just some of the stories taken from modern and contemporary fiction that show people still remain fascinated by the great empire that was Rome.
If you want to discover what remains of what was probably the greatest civilization of all time, you can book an appartmento a Roma that will meet your needs. In appartamenti a Roma you will find yourself situated in the centre or even in the immediate periphery you will find a valid solution for housing and may save some money on the price of a hotel.
Posted on: Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 10:24 am 
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