Because it's just too much fun!
Even in the first ten minutes of the series, there is a witty exchange that, as a theater person, I much appreciated:
The Emperor Caesar Augustus (C.) has invited the Athenian orator Aristarchus (A.) to address a festival at his palace, and recite a new oration celebrating the 7th anniversary of the Battle of Actium. The palace is noisy, however, and C. asks his house slave Pallas (P.) to call for silence:
C.: Ah, Aristarchus, welcome!
A.: Hail, Caesar!
C.: I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long. Come, we're ready now. (noisy bustle) Give us your piece!
A.: Give me YOUR peace, Caesar, and I shall gladly give you mine!
C.: Yes, of course, I'm sorry. Pallas!
P.: (three heavy knocks on the floor with his staff) Caesar calls for silence!
A.: What a voice! Perhaps we should change places? Only the Romans can afford ushers with a voice like that! Did you have training?
P.: I was an actor, sir.
A.: Oh, that explains it. Resting, are you?
P.: No, sir, I've given it up. Everyone's an actor in Rome. There just isn't enough work to go around.
A.: And what there is goes to friends and relatives. It's the same everywhere.
P.: The theater isn't what it was.
A.: No, and I'll tell you something else. It never was what it was!
A helpful family tree.
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