Have you ever wondered what it was like back in ancient Rome? The new Peacock series “Those About to Die” takes us back over 2,000 years to experience all the excitement of the Roman Empire. At the center of the action is a famous charioteer named Scorpus, played by actor Dimitri Leonidas.
Scorpus was a real guy who lived around 2000 years ago. He was like a superstar athlete – one of the best chariot racers of all time. The show says he won over 90 races, which is crazy impressive. But get this – historians say the real Scorpus actually won a mind-blowing 2,048 races! Can you believe that? Dude must have been one skilled driver.
While the show takes some creative freedoms, it really captures how famous guys like Scorpus would’ve been back then. Chariot racing was one of the most popular sports in Rome. Thousands of people would pack the Circus Maximus stadium to cheer on their favorite teams. But it was also incredibly dangerous. Many drivers were killed in crashes. So the fact that Scorpus survived over 2,000 races is unbelievable!
Along with exciting chariot races, the show gives us a look at the powerful leaders of ancient Rome. Emperor Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian are featured, blending actual historical figures with fictional storylines. There’s also lots of political intrigue as Vespasian struggles to keep control of the empire.
Even though “Those About to Die” isn’t a step-by-step history lesson, it transports viewers back in time. We get to experience what life was like during the Roman Empire through the adventures of people like Scorpus. Their world of gladiators, politicians and chariot racing still fascinates us today. So check it out if you want to learn about some real gladiators of ancient Rome!
