Summary
Those About To Die’sbloody take on Ancient Rome got mixed reviews, butits historical look at certain character deaths gave it weight and importance. Legendary actor Anthony Hopkins starred as the historically confirmed Roman Emperor Vespasian, whose grim end set the tone for a show that wouldn’t flinch away from major character deaths. This was an important strategy for a show with a narrative that leaned so heavily on ancient history. TheThose About To Dieseason 1 endingnow segues into an even bloodier season 2.
WithThose About To Diecharactersranging from historically accurate to completely fabricated,the series' tie to actual classics is not clear-cut. The show is based on a 1958 nonfiction book by Daniel P. Mannix calledThose About To Die, which detailed the cruelty of Roman games. The show took its cue from the book’s vivid descriptions of racing, fighting, and betting, but threw in important figures from history before killing them off.
What Happened To Those About To Die’s Vespasian In Real Life
The Peacock historical swords-and-sandals show stars Anthony Hopkins as the Roman emperor Vespasian, but what happened to the ruler in real life?
9Vespasian
Vespasian’s Death Was Historically Documented
Anthony Hopkins' characterVespasian was responsible for some of the biggest story beats inThose About To Dieseason 1, so his death was a hugely consequential moment. The character in the show is based on the real-life Roman Emperor who founded the Flavian dynasty and was the last to rule in the Year of the Four Emperors. Vespasian’s arc in the show was reasonably true to history, until his death. Although the show accurately depicted his last words and death standing up, it could have gone into more detail.
Those About To Diehasn’t yet been renewed for a second season, but is expected to be.
Vespasian died of an illness involving severe stomach problemsand diarrhea, a reality that the show surprisingly sugarcoated. The show didn’t go into too much detail about Vespasian’s illness, although it would have been in keeping with the show’s savage atmosphere. Anthony Hopkins was in his mid-80s when he was filmingThose About To Die, but Vespasian died at 69 - this was very old by Roman standards. Overall, the show probably got the look of Vespasian’s age at death roughly right.
8Andria
This Corsi Brother Met An Untimely Death
Basque actorEneko Sagardoy played the eldest Corsi Brother, Andria, who died chariot racing. In the show, Andria traveled to Rome with his brothers from the Andalusian region of Spain, seeking his fortune with his family business. Unfortunately for Andria, it was his expertise with horses that led to his death. Andria’s death in the show was a fair representation of how dangerous it was to ride chariots for sport in Roman times.
Andria was run over by horses, a sad fate in the show that had a lot to do with famous chariot racer, Scorpus. Scorpus mercilessly plowed Andria into the ground in episode 8, providing the catalyst for his own death, later in the show. Bloody sport, revenge, and politics were depicted as linked inThose About To Die, which was true of the Roman Empire. Many athletes, such as Andria, were caught in the web of intrigue created by bloodthirst, betting, and organized crime.
7Fonsoa
The next Corsi brother to meet his end was the doomed Fonsoa. This didn’t botherThose About To Die’shistorical accuracyas the show made up the Corsi brothers for its narrative. As original characters,Fonsoa, Elia, and Andria were facing difficult odds to survive the first season. These three characters had no historical reality to imitate, so showrunner Robert Rodat was free to use their deaths as plot devices whenever he wanted to.
Fonsoa actor Pepe Barroso starred in Gran Turismo opposite Orlando Bloom and brought his experience in sport and action cinema toThose About To Die.The show depicted a violent death for Fonsoa, who passed away after a chariot racing accident, like his brother. The second Corsi brother to fall to chariot racing after Andria, Fonsoa’s death inspired Elia to leave the city at the end of season 1, leaving his arc open for season 2.
Those About To Die’s Charioteers & Gladiators Explained
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6Scorpus
Scorpus really was a sports star in ancient Rome, andThose About To Dietold a history-inspired story of his life and death.Iwan Rheon’s Tenax featured inThose About To Dieas the unscrupulous crime boss who rigged games for certain wins, and often worked closely with Scorpus to ensure the right results of chariot races for key parties. Although Scorpus' death felt somewhat abrupt, it was always foreshadowed by his disreputable dealings with Tenax.
Scorpus was a drunk but a champion of a charioteer, so Tenax controlled him with relative ease. Unfortunately for him, Scorpus' winning streak wasn’t to last. Scorpus was killed by a Corsi brother - Elia saw him off during a chariot race to avenge his brother, Andria, whose death had been caused by Scorpus.Scorpus' exact cause of death is unconfirmed in history books, but he is said to have died during a racing accident, as he does in the show.
5Viggo
Viggo Died A Hero’s Death
Viggo represented one of ancient Rome’s main games inThose About To Dieasa champion gladiator who lived and died in Emperor Vespasian’s Colosseum. Played by Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Viggo had a strong storyline with his fellow gladiator, Kwame. These two were a good emotional centerpoint forPeacock’s $140 million TV show, playing often sympathetic characters in a sea of corruption.
Daniel P Mannix’sThose About To Diewas a graphic retelling of Roman history that did well at its time of publishing.
Viggo failed to beat Kwame in his final fight in the Colosseum, despite strong skills with a sword and shield throughout season 1. Being forced to kill his own friend after beating him in combat was a low point for Kwame, who acted to save his sister in the show. Viggo’s death is surely a device forThose About To Dieseason 2, to set up Kwame’s loyalties and choices.
4Consul Marsus
Marsus Didn’t Survive Season 1
Although far from the main character inThose About To Die, ConsulMarsus stuck around for long enough to become dinnerfor a hungry crocodile in the Colosseum. Rupert Penry-Jones' turn as the scheming ancient Roman politician covered his attempt to displace Emperor Vespasian, and Domitian’s subsequent punishment. Marsus ended up playing a game in the Colosseum, for Domitian’s amusement, that ended in his gruesome death.
The Colosseum, which can still be visited in Rome today, actually was filled with water for a Naval battle staged at the arena’s opening ceremony - like it was in the show. The complex system of pools, canals, and sluice gates has been suggested as confirmation that this happened, along with historical accounts, but the logistics of putting on such a show would have been difficult.Domitian was said to have staged a water-battle in real life, making Marsus' death an interesting history reference.
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3Hermes
Hermes Died Horribly
Hermes was Domitian’s lover inThose About To Die, sohis betrayal of the Flavian dynasty that Domitian spearheaded was repaid with a torturous deathin the Colosseum. Along with Consul Marsus, Hermes was arrested for his treason and punished by being forced to fight in a staged battle on water in the Colosseum. Hermes ended his life in a crocodile’s jaws, which is something that could’ve befallen real Roman subjects at the time.
Domitian’s treatment of Hermes foreshadows a gory season 2 forThose About To Die.
Although it’s unknown if crocodiles were at the Naval battles staged in the Colosseum on water, the Colosseum was the subject of multiple dark tales of humans fighting wild animals within its walls.History doesn’t confirm that Domitian ever had a relationship with someone called Hermes, but in the show, it was this relationship that doomed Hermes. Domitian’s treatment of Hermes foreshadows a gory season 2 forThose About To Die.
2Berenice
Berenice Met Her End Late In The Show
Berenice and Antonia were looking for proof of the conspiracy against Titus, which led to Berenice’s murder inThose About To Die. Berenice is a historical figure, along with Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, and Scorpus. The Judean queen was a prominent member of the Roman court, butthe death sketched out for her in the show isn’t necessarily how she really died. In the show, Berenice was caught on her way to giving evidence to Titus of Domitian’s coup and killed, which there’s no historical record of.
Berenice was engaged in a love affair with Roman emperor Titus, but records of Berenice start to fall away at the point of Titus’s death. It is unknown whether Berenice was killed, or managed to find some peace with Titus before his death. Berenice was a popular figure in historical stories over the ages, and her dramatic life and death in the show paid homage to this strong legacy.
Those About To Die’s Vestal Virgins Explained
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1Titus
The Emperor Was Usurped By His Brother
Emperor Titus was the second Roman Emperor to die inThose About To Dieseason 1,assassinated by the show’s protagonist,Tenax. Although reluctant to earn the status of Emperor-killer, Tenax saw no choice inThose About To Die -being forced to kill had become a theme over the course of the show’s ten episodes. In line with his limitations, Tenax continued down the path that he had helped lay out with Domitian, ending in smothering Titus to death.
It was never confirmed that Titus was killed by a scheme led by his brother, but it was rumored.Titus was confirmed to have died by natural causesor illness, so it’s unknown what the talk of his brother’s treason actually points towards. The historical records that mention Domitian’s plot against Titus provide little clear detail on what scheme may or may not have been laid.
Those About To Die
Cast
Set in the year 79 AD in Rome, “Those About to Die” dives into the brutal and complex world of gladiatorial combat. The series explores the dark underbelly of Roman entertainment, where the promise of free food and blood-soaked spectacles keep the restless population in check. The narrative focuses on various characters from all corners of the Roman Empire, whose lives intersect in the grand arena.
