As far as ancient civilizations and superpowers go, the Roman Empire is one of the vastest and most well-documented. Their contributions to Europe and the Mediterranean are readily apparent and still present up to this day. Artists, to this day, seek inspiration from ancient Rome, despite its history of imperialistic aggression.
The Roman Empire, for that matter, has always been a fascinating grand subject in film. It's an inexhaustible pool of ideas, both for action and period pieces. For those who just can't get enough of Rome's romanticization, whether in classics or modern action flicks, these movies ought to present a more dramatic perspective than documentaries.
10 Pompeii (2014) - 28%
Pompeii is one of Kit Harrington's big splashes in Hollywood, fresh from his popularity in Game of Thrones. It might not have been well-received by the critics, but there's no doubt that Pompeii is an entertaining sword-and-sandal action flick.
As the title implies, Pompeii is about the titular city within the Roman Empire that perished after Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 62 AD. As such, this film transcends many genres, being a drama, action, and a disaster movie, because it had to stay true and accurate to the end result of the calamity. Everything else is just an appetizer, including the gladiator journey.
9 The Eagle (2011) - 39%
Despite mixed reviews surrounding Channing Tatum as lead actor in the film, The Eagle is actually an enjoyable film that touches a locale not usually featured in films about ancient Rome, which is Britannia or the British Isles when a big part of the said islands was under the Roman Empire's rule.
The plot is quite unconventional, as Tatum's character, Marcus Aquila, only wanted to restore his father's honor by finding the lost golden eagle emblem of their legion. Marcus eventually finds something more valuable than the Roman eagle, such as the friendship and loyalty of a local who used to be an enemy.
8 Agora (2009) - 53%
When it comes to tackling Roman history, it's not just the combat and the military aspect that's important, but also the social structures. In the Roman Empire's case, democracy was still a crucial element, as well as religion. This is what the film Agora explored.
Agora takes place in Alexandria, where a violent feud between Christians and pagans is about to come to a boiling point. At the heart of it all is the female astronomer and philosopher Hypatia, who challenges tradition and even faith with science. To make things more conflicted and interesting, Hypatia is also stuck in a love triangle with other authoritative Romans.
7 Centurion (2010) - 61%
Much like The Eagle, Centurion is also another peek at the foray of the Roman Empire into the untamed lands of Britain. It also depicts the Picts, one of the native tribes on the island, as they defeated and slaughtered a hapless legion roaming around their ancestral lands.
The Picts also happened to capture a Roman general and it's now up to a surviving centurion to rescue him in a bid for survival and liberation. Michael Fassbender provides another intense performance as the aforementioned centurion and the film is worth watching alone because of this.
6 Attila - 67% (Audience)
When it comes to the fall of the Roman Empire, few historical contributors were as notorious as the Huns. Among them, one name stands out above all, Attila. He's one of the scourges that brought the Roman Empire on a faster course to collapse.
The Attila miniseries/TV movie is where Gerard Butler assumes the role of the iconic leader of the Huns. The story is told in a parallel narrative that follows Attila's antagonist, Roman General Flavius Aetius, as their paths gradually converge in an epic climax.
5 Gladiator (2000) - 76%
One can't go wrong with Ridley Scott when it comes to historical epics, even though he does tend to take some liberties in them. One of the best films he made that he has yet to top with his other period pieces is none other than Gladiator. As it is, Gladiator is probably among the most popular films set in ancient Rome, thanks to its stellar cast and originality.
It depicts the struggle of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who was betrayed by his emperor's successor and was reduced to a mere gladiator. Gladiator, for that matter, is a revenge tale that's told differently, thanks to the dynamics of the Roman blood sport, as well as its politics.
4 Ben Hur (1959) - 86%
Ben Hur is a similar story to Gladiator but it existed several decades before, though it did have a rather critically disappointing remake. In any case, it is an undeniable must-watch classic about ancient Rome and its abusive tribunes and officials.
It's about a drama between an aristocratic Jew and his former childhood friend who is angry at him. It just so happens that the same childhood friend grew up to be a Roman tribune and so forced the Jew protagonist into a life of slavery, all culminating in an exhilarating and award-winning chariot race.
3 Spartacus (1963) - 93%
There's no doubt that Rome's torture methods and tolerance for slavery put them in a bad light. But one legendary slave and gladiator rose to the challenge and took the eagle by its beak. That man is Spartacus and he became one of the most impressive icons of rebellion in history.
That's why a proper tribute to him in the form of the Spartacus movie from 1963 should be a mandated watch for anyone looking for a grand ancient Rome story. As usual, it follows the exploits of Spartacus as he goes up against the tyrant of Italy with nothing but a rag-tag band of slaves. It's a tale worth seeing unfold visually, due to its epicness.
2 Julius Caesar (1953) - 95%
Not many films successfully capture the essence of Julius Caesar because his tenure in Rome was so successful and filled with achievements that one film probably wouldn't be enough. Still, Julius Caesar from 1953 takes the highest (and also lowest) point of Caesar's life and turns it into a beautiful motion picture.
This point in time is Caesar at the height of his power as emperor of Rome. It was also around this time when most of his allies planned to betray him in what would be a turning point in Rome's history and its establishment as a fully-fledged empire.
1 The Fall Of The Roman Empire (1964) - 100%
By far the highest-rated among all the films about ancient Rome, The Fall of the Roman Empire is another solid classic that also works well as a dramatic retelling of the turning point of Rome's golden period streak. It's one of the primary inspirations for Ridley Scott's Gladiator movie.
This is because The Fall of the Roman Empire's main plot is the background story of the Gladiator - the coronation of Commodus as the Roman Emperor as Marcus Aurelius inches closer toward the end of his reign. It's a power struggle and cutthroat Machiavellian politics at its most visceral and something that changed the course of European history.
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