“The Fall of the Roman Empire” 1964

“The Fall of the Roman Empire” is one of the best 1960 big budget historical movies ever made. It is not entirely historically accurate, but they do make an effort. The sets alone are well worth watching. The movie is just over 3 hours, so plan accordingly. There is a good deal of information after the YouTube link below.

The Cast of “The Fall of the Roman Empire”:

Directed by Anthony Mann

Writing by Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina, Philip Yordan

Sophia Loren plays Lucilla
Stephen Boyd plays Livius
Alec Guinness plays Marcus Aurelius
James Mason plays Timonides
Christopher Plummer plays Commodus
Anthony Quayle plays Verulus
John Ireland plays Ballomar
Omar Sharif plays Sohamus
Mel Ferrer plays Cleander
Eric Porter plays Julianus
Finlay Currie plays Senator
Andrew Keir plays Polybius
Douglas Wilmer plays Niger
George Murcell plays Victorinus
Norman Wooland plays Virgilianus
Michael Gwynn plays Cornelius
Virgilio Teixeira plays Marcellus (as Virgilio Texera)
Peter Damon plays Claudius
Rafael Calvo plays Lentulus
Lena von Martens plays Helva (as Lena Von Martens)

“Rome Armenia” Uploaded by ArmeniaBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv6YwLpy6G4

Plot Summary for “The Fall of the Roman Empire”:

“The Fall of the Roman Empire” (1964) at IMDB:

Action-packed look at the beginnings of the fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the glory, the greed and grandeur that was Rome. Here is the story of personal lust for power, and the shattering effects of that power’s loss. Here is the tale of the plight of a people living on the brink of a political abyss. Written by filmfactsman

Marcus Aurelius Antonius, philosopher-emperor of Rome, summons his empire’s governors and princes to German war headquarters for a Pax Romanus. He confides to his daughter, Lucilla, that his adopted son, Livius, will succeed him instead of his more unstable heir, Commodus. Overhearing this, Cleander, a blind prophet loyal to Commodus, presents Marcus with a poisoned apple. After the funeral, Livius, who does not share Lucilla’s ambition for himself or Rome, allows Commodus to proclaim himself emperor. Lucilla marries Sohamus of Armenia. While pestilence ravages Rome, Commodus continues his vain, licentious behavior, neglecting all symptoms of unrest while banishing anyone reminding him of his responsibilities: Livius, Lucilla, Timonides the Greek. Written by alfiehitchie

* ** *** **** ***** ****** ******* ****** ***** **** *** ** *

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“The Fall of the Roman Empire” is a 1964 epic film starring Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, Mel Ferrer and Omar Sharif. It was directed by Anthony Mann and produced by Samuel Bronston, with a screenplay by Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina and Philip Yordan.

The film was a financial failure at the box-office. However, it is considered unusually intelligent and thoughtful for a film of the contemporary sword and sandal genre and also enjoys a 100% “Fresh” rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

* ** *** **** ***** ****** ******* ****** ***** **** *** ** *

Uploaded on Jan 11, 2012

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the year 180 AD. Gaius Julius Sohaemus, also known as Sohaemus of Armenia and Sohaemo (Greek: Γάϊος Ἰούλιος Σόαιμος, Sohaemus is Arabic for little dagger, flourished 2nd century) was an Emesene Aristocrat from Syria who served as a Roman Client King of Armenia.

Sohaemus was a prominent person in the Roman Empire in the 2nd century from the Syrian Roman Client Emesene Dynasty. He was an aristocrat of Assyrian, Greek, Armenian, Medes and possibly of Berber, Roman ancestry. The novelist of the 2nd century, his contemporary Iamblichus claims Sohaemus has his fellow-countryman. Iamblichus calls Sohaemus as an Arsacid and Achaemenid, in his lineage and was a descendant of the Median Princess Iotapa, who was once betrothed to the Ptolemaic Prince Alexander Helios. Little is known on Sohaemus’ family and early life prior to becoming King of Armenia. Before becoming King, Sohaemus had been a Roman Senator and served as a Consul in Rome at an unknown date.

In the year 144, Sohaemus succeeded Aurelius Pacorus as King of Armenia. The circumstances leading to his appointment to the Armenian throne is unknown. Sohaemus was a contemporary to the rule of the Roman Emperors: Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus and Commodus of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. In the first reign, he ruled from the years from 144 until 161. Not much is known of about his first reign. The novelist Iamblichus living in Armenia at the time of his rule describes his reign as ‘in succession to his ancestors’. This statement can also refer to his former ancestor Sohaemus of Emesa who lived in the 1st century.

In 161 Vologases IV of Parthia, son of the legitimate King Mithridates IV of Parthia, dispatched his troops to seize Armenia and eradicated the Roman legions stationed in the country under the legatus Gaius Severianus. Encouraged by the Spahbod Osroes, Parthian troops marched further West into Roman Syria. After Armenia was seized by the Parthians, Sohaemus became a former ruling monarch living in political exile, possibly living in Rome. Sohaemus was well known in Rome and there were rumors in some quarters that he was not the right man in the right place.

On Roman terms, Parthia had made peace with Rome, Sohaemus was installed as King of Armenia by Lucius Verus in either 163 or 164. The ceremony for Sohaemus in becoming Armenian King for the second time, may have took place in Antioch or Ephesus. In 164, Latin coinage were struck in Armenia with the inscription L. Verus. Aug. Armeniacus and on the reverse Rex Armen(ii)s datus. The time of his second reign is unknown. Sohaemus reigned from 163 perhaps up to 186. Sometime during his reign, Sohaemus was expelled by elements favorable to Parthia. Sohaemus was expelled because a man called Tiridates stirred up trouble in Armenia who had murdered the King of the Osroenes and had thrust his sword in the face of Publius Martius Verus, the Roman Governor of Cappadocia when he rebuked for it. Tiridates only punishment for his crimes was to be exiled to Roman Britain, by Marcus Aurelius.

As a result of Sohaemus’ second expulsion from Armenia; Roman forces went to war with Parthian soldiers. Parthia retook most of their lost territory in 166, as Sohaemus from his expulsion retreated to Syria. After Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus and the Parthian rulers intervened in the conflict, the son of Vologases I of Armenia, Vologases II assumed the Armenian throne in 186.

It has been suggested that the Garni Temple in Armenia, may have been the tomb probably belonging to Sohaemus, based on the construction date as the temple was probably built in 175. Sohaemus is played by Omar Sharif in the 1964 film The Fall of the Roman Empire.