Empire (2005 TV Series) - Historical Notes

Historical Notes

• None of the historical chronology is included in the miniseries.

• The comical characters Hirtius and Pansa whom Cassius makes consuls and whom Brutus sends to offer a truce to Antony are based on the historical consuls appointed following Caesar's death Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus and Aulus Hirtius.

• The real life Octavius was not as clement and ethical over killing his enemies as the Octavius portrayed. Although he was not as brutal as Mark Antony in warfare, he was much more so than Caesar. Also, after he defeated Cleopatra (who does not feature in this series) and Mark Antony’s armies, he ordered Cleopatra’s son Caesarion (the son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar) put to death out of fear that he might be supported as an alternative ruler of Rome.

• The historical Octavius was renowned for being very intelligent, wise and merciless in rulership; however, in this he is portrayed as a careless, rather stupid and weak teenager who often has to rely on Tyrannus and Agrippa to help him and solve his problems.

• Historically, Marcus Brutus committed suicide following the Battle of Philippi; however, here the battle does not occur and Antony exiles Brutus, refusing to let him kill himself so he can ‘make himself a martyr for Rome'. Brutus is seen alive and back in Rome at the end of the drama.

• The miniseries ends with a battle between Antony and Octavius. This is loosely based on the post-Caesarian battle, the Battle of Mutina, after which Octavius and Antony called truce; however, historically the decisive confrontation between the armies of Antony and Octavius was at the naval Battle of Actium, which took place over ten years after Caesar’s death. Octavius did not directly lead his forces, though he was the nominal commander; the de facto opposed commanders in the battle were Antony and Agrippa.

• Cicero is portrayed in the series as a friend of Caesar, whereas in history he was in fact on the side of the Optimates and Liberatores, praising Brutus and the assassins. He was killed by the followers of Antony during the proscriptions, although Octavius argued against this.