There are so many historical errors and niggling little details points that are simply wrong in "Empire" that anyone with even a slight knowledge of the history of the period will be left shaking their heads in amazement. And while those without a grounding in the history might think they're getting an accurate view of the period, the fact is that the real story would probably have been even better than the fiction. This is unfortunate, since there are some good performances notably from Colm Feore as Julius Caesar and Michael Byrne as Cicero.
Far from being a pampered rich kid, sheltered from the realities of Roman politics depicted in the miniseries, at 19 the real Octavius was a veteran of a battle in Spain where his ability in command of the 10th Legion led to victory in the Battle of Munda. He was Caesar's great nephew (grandson of Caesar's eldest sister)as well as his adoptive son - Roman adoption was a complex affair to say the least - and wasn't even in Rome at the time of the assassination. Instead he was in what is now Albania preparing for the coming campaign in Parthia (now Syria) that Caesar was intending to lead. On learning of his adoptive father's death he returned to Italy and gained the support of Caesar's veteran troops by virtue of his name and status which put him on an equal footing with Mark Anthony. But of course telling this story wouldn't allow us to sympathize with Octavian nearly as much as the concocted version that this miniseries is serving up. It's a pity really.
Far from being a pampered rich kid, sheltered from the realities of Roman politics depicted in the miniseries, at 19 the real Octavius was a veteran of a battle in Spain where his ability in command of the 10th Legion led to victory in the Battle of Munda. He was Caesar's great nephew (grandson of Caesar's eldest sister)as well as his adoptive son - Roman adoption was a complex affair to say the least - and wasn't even in Rome at the time of the assassination. Instead he was in what is now Albania preparing for the coming campaign in Parthia (now Syria) that Caesar was intending to lead. On learning of his adoptive father's death he returned to Italy and gained the support of Caesar's veteran troops by virtue of his name and status which put him on an equal footing with Mark Anthony. But of course telling this story wouldn't allow us to sympathize with Octavian nearly as much as the concocted version that this miniseries is serving up. It's a pity really.