RIP RAY "TITUS PULLO" STEVENSON

 Yesterday a great actor "died suddenly". He can't have been very old. He played the role of a centurion named Titus Pullo in the HBO series "Rome". The series is probably one of the best made in twenty years. Varenus and Pullo are not figures of fiction. You can read the story in Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars, book 5, chapter 44, h/t Dr. Jo Ball. They competed, but ultimately saved each other in doing so and it could never be decided who the superior soldier was. May he rest in the Lord.

'... there were two very brave men, centurions, T. Pullo, & L. Varenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, & every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity...'

RIP Ray Stevenson - thank you for Titus Pullo. pic.twitter.com/ZCKNVJoTMJ

— Dr Jo Ball (@DrJEBall) May 22, 2023

This one hurts. Ray Stevenson was an amazing, genuine person, who loved his family and loved his work. He was amazing as Titus Pullo in #HBORome, and dominated the screen in every role he played. He'll be missed. #RIPRayStevenson pic.twitter.com/Ev6Ue0sMPB

— Matt Smith 🎙️ (@nightlightguy) May 22, 2023

Actor Ray Stevenson passed away today. Probably best know to us as Titus Pullo but was a great actor in many shows.

Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/jykBgpCEIU

— Daily Roman Updates (@UpdatingOnRome) May 22, 2023

So sad to hear of the death of Ray Stevenson. Ray was magnificent as Titus Pullo in the HBO series, 'Rome'. Few actors can move from warm bonhomie to becoming absolutely terrifying as convincingly as he managed. Ray was equally impressive as Sirko in Dexter. A legend... pic.twitter.com/R7P25RG6I4

— Simon Scarrow (@SimonScarrow) May 22, 2023

pic.twitter.com/0UAFBYRcrT

— Dominus Brandōnus Ilaeus Dikīus (@MysticMan357) May 23, 2023