Commercial with Modern Romans?

January 6, 2007 12:21 AM

I'm trying to get my hands on a TV commercial from a few years ago for some financial or business company, with a vision of a modern Roman Empire. What I remember: Caesar steps out of an SPQR limousine, illuminated by flashbulbs and surrounded by black-suited, earpieced Praetorian guard, then an image of a Roman New York, with a statue of Caesar instead of Liberty. Any pointers on finding this commercial? Also, are there any fictional works that deal with the what-if subject of the Modern Roman Empire? Thanks!
posted by nervestaple to media & arts (11 comments total)

You may be thinking of Titus. It's a movie version of "Titus Andronicus" with a modern-Roman-Empire setting.

(In case you're not familiar with the play, it's not for the faint of stomach).
posted by -harlequin- at 2:09 AM on January 6, 2007

If you want a "modern Roman" take on things then I highly recommend "Romanitas" by Sophia McDougal. It's an entertaining, dense and only slightly hokey look at what would happen if the Roman Empire hadn't fallen.
posted by ninazer0 at 4:19 AM on January 6, 2007

Robert Silverberg's "Roma Eterna" is a collection of short stories about a Roman empire that never fell.
posted by yesno at 5:04 AM on January 6, 2007

And of course Star Trek's Bread and Circuses episode.
posted by A189Nut at 6:33 AM on January 6, 2007

I remember the ad you're talking about, but sadly, not the company it advertised.
posted by Doohickie at 8:13 AM on January 6, 2007

I think the ad was for a show on the History channel.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 9:39 AM on January 6, 2007

I too remember the ad, and would like to view it once again. Alas, I do not recall the company. I guess great minds forget alike.
posted by strangelove at 10:38 AM on January 6, 2007

I'm another one who remembers the ad, but not what it was for. Somebody here has to know.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:41 AM on January 6, 2007

I'm absolutely sure it was for a business-services company of some sort. The voiceover was something like "With corporate management like these, any business can grow and prosper into the future..."
posted by nervestaple at 2:14 PM on January 6, 2007

try searching: http://commercial-archive.com/

you have to donate to see a commercial.
posted by paulinsanjuan at 8:30 PM on January 6, 2007

Mystery solved! I recieved this last night:

=====================
I think you are thinking of the Computer Associates 'Caesar'
http://www.advertisementave.com/tv/ad.asp?adid=242

Unfortunately I can't post to askme right now, but if this turns out
to be the right one, do drop a note in the thread for future reference
and what-not.

--
lazy
=====================
posted by nervestaple at 10:10 AM on January 7, 2007