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The luscious, libidinous, violent, bloody and completely captivating series won widespread attention, numerous awards and kudos from the critics. How could it not? It was so painstakingly well done on every conceivable level.

HBO Video and Barney's New York in Beverly Hills hosted a party to celebrate the DVD release of Rome: The Complete Second Season and the publication of the complementary, oversized companion book covering Season I and II with photos, illustrations, sketches and commentary from the series historian Jonathan Stamp.

Rome costumes by April Ferry, Rome's Emmy-nominated costume designer, were featured in several display windows at Barneys and on mannequins placed throughout Barney Greengrass, Barney's designer deli. It was a mere sampling of the hundreds of clothes and accessories that April Ferry and her crew, numbering over 40, created based on research, research and more research.

April Ferry: Costume Designer, Executive Producer: Anne Thomopoulos, cast members: James Purefoy (Mark Antony), Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus) and Polly Walker (Atia of the Julii) spoke about the rich experience of making Rome and living in Rome for the nearly 2 1/2 years it took to complete.

Television has been redefined by Rome. The series, Season I and Season II combined, has the substance and power of a wide screen theatrical release but with the up close and personal intimacy of history-based British television at its finest and HBO's commitment to excellence and audacity.

The acting is superb. Classic characters and stories grow vivid through the uncensored dramatic depiction of birth, death, sexual expression, perversion, brutality, blind ambition, betrayal and intrigue set against an intricate and detailed backdrop of everyday life in ancient Rome.

Rome is a visual feast from costumes and props to art direction and set dressing. That it was made for the small screen is astonishing.

The DVD collection of Rome, Season I and Season II, along with the companion book, combine to offer a dramatic look at history that will fascinate for untold hours. It is the kind of material you can watch over and over again discovering new layers each time.