As presented in the HBO series, Octavian (Max Pirkis) is a strange and precocious, but ultimately very likable young man. With his curly hair, angel's face, and rather stony expression, he looks like a little statue but is actually, as his uncle Caesar affectionately calls him, "a little owl." If only he could keep a secret!
He is, of course, immensely intelligent and well read, and abnormally dignified and restrained, not just for someone of his tender years, but for anyone. It's easy enough to believe that Atia's "brave little boy" could grow up to become the first Roman Emperor (and the greatest), Augustus Caesar.
Of course, HBO's Octavian is no angel. There was that unfortunate incident when he and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) tortured and then killed the "low butcher" who indiscreetly fathered "Vorenus's" child---"Bravo for you, I suppose," his sister Octavia (Kelly Condon) remarks when he lets this slip---and then there was that even more unfortunate incident with his sister that so disturbed his mother, Atia.
Nevertheless, by the standards that apply to this series, young Octavian has so far proved to be an exemplary character, though still a touch green and soft around the edges. He's a touch effete compared to all the other male characters. This design seems right for him: another "tessellated" or mosaic pattern in pale green stone with an esoteric pattern of "eyes", bisected by columns of symbols in a delicate pale violet. (Perhaps, also, though I hate to say it, it reminds me a bit of his encounter with the hapless butcher). In other words, it's pretty, but with intimations built into it of the dangerous person he really is.
For your edification and enjoyment:
- A note on Caesar Augustus, the historical Octavian, at "De Imperatoris Romanis," "an online encyclopedia of Roman emperors."
- A Wikipedia note on Caesar Augustus.
- A Wikipedia note on the Rome character Octavian.
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