HBO's "Rome" and Ruminations on Roman Erotic Art; Pensive Guys - Clive Owen

I'd stopped writing earlier to watch the first episode of the second season of HBO's mini-series "Rome."

Although it premiered in the fall of 2005, I'd only seen the last few episodes. HBO has been re-showing the first season for the last week as an intro to tonight's program.

Last week, I only saw bits and pieces. One scene that that certainly caught my attention was a frontal shot of a nude slave with an a very large flaccid penis encircled by several gold chains. Certainly not you everyday TV image.

I'd had to look through the episode guide to discover it was from #6 ""Egeria." Caesar is chasing Pompey in Greece, while at home the citizenry are attempting to guess who will win and pledge allegiance accordingly. Atia of the Julii is seeking to made amends with Servilia of the Junii. "...who she will need 'when Caesar is defeated.' She enlists her daughter Octavia to bring the noble woman a naked man with a large penis, carrying a gold and jewel-encrusted tortoise. Servilia greets the gifts coldly, but assures Octavia that despite "what others might do," she knows that the girl has a good soul, and encourages her to visit again.

Before dispatching her daughter, Atia of the Julii has what must be of the most memorable lines in TV history, "A large penis is always welcome!"

My initial thought was for its natural function. But then I remembered that the Romans considered the penis, especially the erect penis, as a symbol of abundance and fecundity. And, no doubt, sending one to another household was a sign of wishing the household the same virtues.

(More info at Wikipedia - Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum. My absolute favorites are the wind chimes which can be found at Apollonius.Net - Greco-Roman Erotic Art - Erotic Home Decorations in Pompeii.There's something about these that speaks of extreme cleverness and joyous merriment. But there's also the unabashedly naturalness of the symbols. It is such a taboo topic in the US, yet it is the instrument that creates life.)

(HBO's "Rome" Logo: from: HBO Store - Rome: Rome: The Complete First Season DVD)

Work continues on the "pensive guys." Clive Owen is the newest and was the most difficult so far. There are literally dozens of photos of the same images. Clive appears to be "on camera" far more than anyone else I've encountered. There were also many that were too small. The minimum images needs to be roughly 200 pixels in height by 150 pixels in width.

But I'm please with those that I finally discovered. His is certainly a rugged, craggy visage. A face contoured and wind swept by the elements. But one that speaks of a "knowing" spirit.

As I worked through the many images, I kept sensing a ghost-like resemblance to someone else. And it finally dawned on me: Richard Burton.

I'm uncertain who the next subject will be. I'd like to do another musician as Thom Yorke. Sting? Bono? Dylan??? A thought just hit me: America's newest super football (soccer) star - Beckham.

(Clive Owen image from: Source not recorded)

PAX!