Real-life brothers Marcello Mastroianni and Ruggero Mastroianni play, respectively, the historical figures of Scipio Africanus and Scipio Asiaticus, who were also brothers. While Marcello is one of the most famous actors in the history of Italian cinema, this movie is the only acting credit of his younger brother Ruggero. Ruggero was, however, a prolific and respected movie editor, who worked with directors like Federico Fellini and Mario Monicelli.