Those About to Die
Tour Information
Those About to Die is a TV series set in Rome in 79 AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. The story follows his sons, Titus and Domitian, whose lives are deeply entangled in the political intrigues surrounding the construction of the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the series is its explicit portrayal of Roman sexuality, with particular attention to homosexual and sapphic relationships. Among these, the relationship between Domitian and his slave Hermes offers a compelling glimpse into the complex dynamics of power, dependence, and desire in the Roman world.
In Ancient Rome, sexuality was shaped more by social hierarchy than by identity. Male same-sex relationships were socially accepted as long as the freeborn man assumed the active role, while the passive partner was typically a slaveor freedman. Masculinity was preserved by status and behavior, and writers such as Cicero and Juvenal famously mocked men who challenged these norms.
Female same-sex relationships were less frequently documented but did exist. Poets like Martial referenced them, often in erotic or satirical contexts. Without the same rigid power structures imposed on male relationships, sapphic bondswere less visible but enjoyed a certain degree of freedom, even if sometimes stigmatized. Roman sexual moralityprioritized roles and social status over gender, making it more fluid and pragmatic than later categorizations.
What is the tour about?
One of our gay or gay-friendly guides will accompany you on a historical journey through Rome, exploring key sites connected to Emperor Domitian and the social and sexual dynamics of his time.
You will visit the remains of the Stadium of Domitian, located beneath today’s Piazza Navona.
Emperor Domitian (51–96 AD), who ruled from 81 AD, governed Rome for 15 years before being assassinated by senators he had progressively marginalized. A great supporter of public entertainment, he completed the Colosseum, rebuilt the Circus Maximus, and commissioned the stadium that bore his name.
Built between 85 and 86 AD in the Campus Martius, it was Rome’s first and only permanent masonry stadium, inspired by Greek athletic competitions—although many Romans considered such games unmanly.
The structure measured 275 meters in length and 106 meters in width, and could host up to 30,000 spectators. Over time, the word agone (games) evolved into Navona, giving the square its modern name.
The tour then continues to the Domus Augustana, located in the Palatine Hill area.
The Domus Augustana is the modern name given to the central residential section of Emperor Domitian’s vast imperial palace, completed in 92 AD. Despite its name, it is not directly related to Emperor Augustus and should not be confused with the nearby Domus Augusti. In Ancient Roman culture, the term Augustus referred broadly to imperial authority rather than to a specific ruler.
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and includes public transportation.
Those About to Die is a TV series set in Rome in 79 AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. The story follows his sons, Titus and Domitian, whose lives are deeply entangled in the political intrigues surrounding the construction of the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the series is its explicit portrayal of Roman sexuality, with particular attention to homosexual and sapphic relationships. Among these, the relationship between Domitian and his slave Hermes offers a compelling glimpse into the complex dynamics of power, dependence, and desire in the Roman world.
In Ancient Rome, sexuality was shaped more by social hierarchy than by identity. Male same-sex relationships were socially accepted as long as the freeborn man assumed the active role, while the passive partner was typically a slaveor freedman. Masculinity was preserved by status and behavior, and writers such as Cicero and Juvenal famously mocked men who challenged these norms.
Female same-sex relationships were less frequently documented but did exist. Poets like Martial referenced them, often in erotic or satirical contexts. Without the same rigid power structures imposed on male relationships, sapphic bondswere less visible but enjoyed a certain degree of freedom, even if sometimes stigmatized. Roman sexual moralityprioritized roles and social status over gender, making it more fluid and pragmatic than later categorizations.
What is the tour about?
One of our gay or gay-friendly guides will accompany you on a historical journey through Rome, exploring key sites connected to Emperor Domitian and the social and sexual dynamics of his time.
You will visit the remains of the Stadium of Domitian, located beneath today’s Piazza Navona.
Emperor Domitian (51–96 AD), who ruled from 81 AD, governed Rome for 15 years before being assassinated by senators he had progressively marginalized. A great supporter of public entertainment, he completed the Colosseum, rebuilt the Circus Maximus, and commissioned the stadium that bore his name.
Built between 85 and 86 AD in the Campus Martius, it was Rome’s first and only permanent masonry stadium, inspired by Greek athletic competitions—although many Romans considered such games unmanly.
The structure measured 275 meters in length and 106 meters in width, and could host up to 30,000 spectators. Over time, the word agone (games) evolved into Navona, giving the square its modern name.
The tour then continues to the Domus Augustana, located in the Palatine Hill area.
The Domus Augustana is the modern name given to the central residential section of Emperor Domitian’s vast imperial palace, completed in 92 AD. Despite its name, it is not directly related to Emperor Augustus and should not be confused with the nearby Domus Augusti. In Ancient Roman culture, the term Augustus referred broadly to imperial authority rather than to a specific ruler.
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and includes public transportation.
Departure:
Places You’ll See
Domitian Stadium
Domus Augustana
Itinerary
What's Included
What's Excluded
What Media Says About?
Additional Information
As an extension to the tour (not included), you may choose to:
1) Visit Cinecittà Studios (weekends only)
Visit Cinecittà Studios, Rome’s historic film district where some of the world’s most famous movies and TV series have been produced. During a guided tour led by a Cinecittà guide, you can explore the “Ancient Rome” movie sets.
Through the Cinecittà Shows Off program, visitors have the opportunity to access the set originally built in 2004 for the TV series Rome and later reused for other major international and Italian productions.
The Forum area, a powerful symbol of Republican and Imperial Rome, allows visitors to admire key landmarks of political, civic, and religious life in Ancient Rome, including the Basilica Julia, the Curia, the Republican Rostra, and the Temple of Venus.
This guided experience offers insight into the design process and artisanal craftsmanship behind film sets, allowing visitors to experience the fiction of cinema first-hand. The visit is available exclusively with guides from the Cinecittà Educational Department.
2) Shopping at Castel Romano Outlet
Enjoy shopping at Castel Romano Outlet, located near Cinecittà Studios, featuring a wide selection of international fashion brands and lifestyle stores.
The Voice of Our Clients
Untold History Tours
Gay owned company.
Constant research about the hidden Gay Italian history.
Only guides openly gay or gay-friendly.
recommended Tours
Continue your trip to Italy whit our Untold History Tours and discover the untold history of iconic Italian destinations.
