I’m not a historian, but I have studied some linguistics; specifically, history of language.

I know for instance that the Romans spoke Latin and carried that language to almost all of the surrounding areas they conquered. I guess it’s possible my linguistics professor left out the part where the romans adopted the accent of Old English speakers. But I doubt it.

I’m watching HBO’s Rome for the first time and I call out to anyone else in the house who’ll listen “Why are these Romans speaking with a british accent?”

Is this part of some suspension of disbelief? Is it supposed to give more credibility to the show? If so, then why didn’t the people on Six Feet Under have a surfer accent? If I remember correctly, the producers of that show made Rachel Griffith lose her Aussy accent to make her – and hence the show – more credible.

When Mel Gibson did The Passion of the Christ he made Jesus speak Aramaic. I guess maybe the guys from Rome decided that “British” was the accenta franca of ancient Rome. (Wait. Did I just use latin?)

So I guess it best the question; why can’t the producers of Rome trust that the show will be compelling without the all the limeyness?

I will say this, they got a couple things right about ancient Rome, copious sex and “copious puss.” Now THAT’S authentic.