The New Peplum: Essays on Sword and Sandal Films and Television Programs Since the 1990s Nicholas Diak 9781476667621

Are you not entertained?"" These are the prophetic words of Gladiator's Maximus Decimus Meridius, signifying that a new era of sword and sandal films and television shows that began in the 1990s, had officially arrived. The critical and commercial success of Ridley Scott's Gladiator combined with small screen popularity of Xena: Warrior Princess reignited interest in the genre, and soon the gates were opened for movies and shows such as 300, Spartacus, Rome, Troy and many more. This contemporary wave of historic epics, known as neo-pepla, is distinctively different from the peplum films of decades past due to its embracement of new technologies and storytelling techniques, creating truly epic and immersive experiences that could not be realized before. This collection of essays examines the neo-peplum phenomenon, taking a critical look at a variety of topics such as antiquity stories adapted from comic books as with Hercules staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, how sword and planet films such as Jupiter Ascending and John Carter expand genre boundaries, depictions of Romans and slaves in Spartacus, and how films such as The Eagle and Centurion are a metaphor for American soliders during the Iraq War.

About the Author
Nicholas Diak is a pop culture scholar specializing in Italian spy films, post-industrial and synthwave music, and the works of H.P. Lovecraft. He has contributed essays, editorials and reviews to a variety of books, journals, and pop culture websites. He lives in Orange, California.


Book Information
ISBN 9781476667621
Author Nicholas Diak
Format Paperback
Page Count 242
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 10mm