2. The Pride of Carthage
With HBOs Rome a fading memory and Spartacus having fought his last battle, it is time for Romes greatest enemy of all to have his dueHannibal. David Anthony Durhams The Pride of Carthage could serve as a compelling blueprint for this tale of a Rome nearly brought to her knees. Durham covers events from the outbreak of war, through Hannibal crossing the Alps, his great victory at Cannae and final defeat before the walls of Carthage. This sprawling saga covers 17 years of victory and defeat, and has plots stretching from Spain to Italy and Africa. There is more than enough material for 5 or 6 seasons with the character arcs based on Durhams novel. The first two seasons could be the arc of Hannibals triumph with the first season dealing with the outbreak of hostilities, the harrowing crossing of the Alps, and end with Hannibal and his army at last on Italian soil, ready to take the fight to Rome. The second season would cover the opening skirmishes and introduce a young Publius Cornelius Scipio, before culminating in Hannibals greatest victory, Cannae, and Rome trembling at his feet. The next two seasons could detail Hannibals slow decline and the rise of Scipio before the show culminated in their final battle. The Pride of Carthage has the potential to be the most ambitious of TVs latest crop of sword and sandal epics.