One of the things I think is a really conscious writing choice in ROME is NOT to use Plutarch, who was the basis for Julius Caesar's play. Everyone knows that version so well - Brutus, Portia, Calpurnia, Caesar, the funeral, Antony's oration,etc. Frankly I was astonished that we just skipped the funeral speech and went right to Servilia's house - but then, only Plutarch and Dio have a full-blown speech, and they're totally different from each other - and some sources say Antony only made a few remarks! But then to have them laughing and mocking the speeches at Erastes' Fulman's - fantastic.

I think they've made several choices in this to tell the tale from a different viewpoint, a newer viewpoint - and arguably, they're quite right.