There's something particularly resonant about that particular point in Roman history. Maybe particularly here in the United States.

There's something particularly resonant about that particular point in Roman history, maybe particularly in the United States. [Rome] is wrestling with all the problems of whether or not it should expand, have an empire. If it does have an empire, how it should run that empire...?

It's not a documentary. It's a historical fiction. But we have attempted to make the world, the background, the detail of that world as authentic as possible.

A distinction between being accurate and being authentic. There's no such thing as 100-percent historical accuracy.

Bruno (Heller) deliberately picked out stuff which is shocking, arresting, surprising.

The Romans perfected the acquisition of power. But they fought for survival. ... It was never written that they would rule the roost. They had to fight to get there.

They would be pleased, flattered, thrilled. They were very conscious of making their mark forever.

We find out more about that great voiceless mass — the poor, women, slaves — from the tomb inscriptions.