Those About to Die: Are Tenax & Other Characters Based on Real People?

The historical drama series Those About to Die, set in Ancient Rome, recently premiered on Peacock and fans are wondering if characters like Tenax, Antonia, Vespasian, and Scorpus are based on real people or are fictional. The main narrative of the show is rooted in the corrupt and complicated world of Ancient Rome’s gladiatorial sports, where sports mingles with other areas of interest like politics and business.

So, are Tenax and Antonia real people or fictional characters? Which characters in this new drama are based on real historical figures? Here is everything you need to know.

Are Tenax and Antonia fictional characters or based on real people?

Tenax and Antonia are fictional characters in Those About to Die.

Tenax is a tavern owner in the Ancient Rome underworld. He is also heavily involved in betting. Meanwhile, Antonia is the wife of a powerful politician, who owns a big portion of one of Rome’s chariot racing teams. Antonia is also depicted as a highly-skilled manipulator.

Iwan Rheon, the actor playing Tenax in the show, mentioned that he listened to The History of Rome Podcast three times. Rheon said he did this to get a general overview of Tenax’s background and character. He also opined that he used major historical events like Nero’s reign in the Year of the Four Emperors, to get a feel of how Tenax became the person he is in the show.

Moreover, Antonia’s actress Gabriella Pession, revealed that she took elements from multiple historical Patrician women to put into her character. Antonia’s portrayal was inspired by Livia Drusilla, Octavian’s wife; Messalina and Agrippina Minore, Emperor Claudius’ third and fourth wives; and Poppaea Sabina, one of Nero’s wives. (via NBC)

Which characters are inspired by real people in Those About to Die?

Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, and Scorpus are based on real people in Those About to Die.

In history, Vespasian was the last Roman emperor to rule in the Year of the Four Emperors. Vespasian was a military commander whose armies helped him get the throne. Vespasian founded the Flavian Dynasty and ruled for 10 years between 69 AD and 79 AD. After becoming emperor, he introduced various projects and fiscal reforms that ensured political stability.

In the show, Vespasian (played by Anthony Hopkins) has been emperor for 10 years but is in the process of deciding which of his sons — Titus and Domitian — will be his heir.

While Titus was a military commander, Domitian was a politician and master of Roman games. The two would eventually become emperors. However, Titus would succeed Vespasian after the latter’s passing, and Domitian would become emperor after Titus’s death.

As for Scorpus, in history, he was a chariot racer in Rome’s Circus Maximus. He had also gained celebrity status in his lifetime.