The eight-part docu-drama, 'Barbarians Rising', tells a story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire from the perspective of the barbarian rebel leaders. It is a visceral journey into the heart of a wave of rebellions against absolute power. The Roman Empire called them “barbarians” – tribes the Romans viewed beyond the fringe of civilisation that lived a brutish and violent existence. However, these were also men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come.
Premiering on HISTORY channel on 7 June, the show features true stories of nine of history’s greatest warriors:
- Hannibal - who vowed a blood oath at the age of nine to destroy Rome
- Spartacus - the slave-turned-rebel who led a barbarian revolt
- Boudica - the avenging Celtic warrior Queen
- Arminius - the stolen son of Germany surrendered to Rome
- Attila - scourge of the east
- Alaric - the king of the Goths
- Fritigern - the warrior who took down an Emperor
- Geiseric - the last barbarian standing
- Viriathus - the shepherd-turned-rebel leader
Executive producer Kristen Burns shares more about the docu-drama that reveals the true story of the 700-year battle to bring down one of strongest empires the world has ever known.
Qn: How is the telling of the story for Barbarians Rising different in terms of how the rebel leaders are portrayed?
Kristen Burns: People have often told the story of the rise and fall of Rome, but they don’t as often tell it from the people who tried to bring it down. So rather than to tell it from the senators and emperors, we chose to tell the story from the people who were on the ‘losing end’ in the beginning, and ultimately the winning end of that story. I think it’s the perspective from the barbarians point is different.
I also think that the traditional view of a barbarian just because the word itself, has a very negative connotation to it. And while it was during a very dark time in history, what we try to do is to show that when you are pushed to extreme, you are forced and so sometimes you are violent because someone is threatening your family or your survival. We are trying to show more nuances and the view of these characters, where throughout history, have been one dimensional in representation.
Qn: What were you most excited about with this production?
It is the opportunity to tell the epic story on TV and with a stellar cast. It is to tell a dramatic story and tell it with a very strong informational core, which is what the HISTORY brand does. We have really great drama, combined with really smart content in terms of the fact that you’ll learn from the interview commentaries and experts, which help filling the context of the story.
Qn: You consulted a group of experts, including Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander & Dr. Clarence B. Jones, speechwriter and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., to reveal the fact-based history behind the legends. Were there any conflicting conceptions? What were some of the interesting revelations?
I don’t think there are any conflicting perspectives. Well, the experts themselves have their own particular kind of expertise of history, so for the most part of what they say are based on their own expertise of history. The more contemporary figures, people like Reverend Jackson and Dr. Jones, what they are giving us are not necessarily the historical facts, but what they are giving us is the contemporary connection as in a story told from a different way. I think what is interesting is that there are two very well-known figures and are civil rights leaders in America and obviously have their own story of trying to gather freedom. And so there is a very nice parallel between these barbarians who are fighting for their freedom, and the universal stories through time and culture of humans fighting to be free and be free from overwhelming power.
Qn: What were the challenges in coming up with the script in terms of language? In what way was it written to exude conversations in the olden days, yet modern enough for viewers to understand?
There aren’t really a lot of records exactly what were said or how things were spoken. I think what we’ve done is to modernise their dialogue, but not in a way that is not like they are going to talk about their iPhones. It’s a kind of language that we are used to hearing, like in TV shows such as the Game of Thrones and other kinds of period pieces . It’s fair and true to the kind of things that would have been said, without being off-putting to a contemporary audience.
Qn: Of the 9 warriors, which is the most interesting to you?
I think for me, just as a woman, I am really intrigued by the Boudica story. I’m really honoured to tell that story because we are at the time where women stories are being more represented and accepted and that, I have a special place in my heart for.
But in truth, I think the Arminius is one of my favourites because of the epic nature of his story, the real conflict he felt and the real identity crisis that he went through. He was kind of living in both separate worlds that are clashing with each other and had to choose a side. He had to figure out who he really was as a person and what honour means to him. Arminius is a lesser known character but has such an epic and relatable character in history.
Qn: What can viewers expect in Barbarians Rising?
If you like documentaries, this will really raise the bar on how it’s executed - the show is much more immersive, much more energetic and action-packed, while also being really smart and factual. You are learning and being entertained at the same time! I also think that these are really just epic stories.
Barbarians Rising premieres on 7 June 2016, Tuesdays 9pm on HISTORY (StarHub TV Ch 401)!