Full Breakdown
Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome – AI-Driven Reconstruction of the Battle of Actium
6/16/2026, 9:43:08 PM
New Series Unveils AI-Enhanced Depiction of the Battle of Actium
Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome, the newest entry in the Apocalypse franchise, will dramatize the 31 BC Battle of Actium. Produced by Mediawan’s label Imagissime with Mediawan Kids and Family, the series is directed by Thomas Marlier. It merges archaeological research with AI-generated footage that imitates historic archival material.
Historical Context: The 31 BC Naval Clash
The 31 BC naval battle off Greece pitted Mark Antony, allied with Cleopatra VII, against Octavian. Antony’s defeat ended the Roman Republic and inaugurated the imperial system that shaped the Western world for centuries.
Production Team and Partnerships
Imagissime, founded in 2016 by Elodie Polo Ackerman, has produced documentaries for Netflix, France Télévisions, ARTE, TF1 and Canal+. The company works with Mediawan, which acquired the original Apocalypse creator CC&C in 2017; CC&C was founded by historians Daniel Costelle, Isabelle Clarke and producer Louis Vaudeville.
Franchise Legacy and Global Reach
The franchise began with *Apocalypse: The Second World War* (2009), noted for restored, colorized footage and narrators Mathieu Kassovitz (France) and Martin Sheen (U.S.). Subsequent seasons covered World War I, Hitler, Stalin and D-Day. Broadcast on France Télévisions, the series has aired in 165 countries and drawn over 100 million viewers.
Official Statements & Responses
The press release stresses that AI enables the series to “resurrect antiquity with an unparalleled level of realism,” grounding visuals in ancient sources, recent archaeology and specialist expertise. Imagissime also cites its history of delivering historically grounded documentaries to major European broadcasters.
Verbatim Quotes
> “Through an unprecedented alliance between historical research and artificial intelligence, the film resurrects antiquity with an unparalleled level of realism. Every face, every ship and every landscape is grounded in ancient sources, the latest archaeological discoveries, and the work of leading international specialists,” — Press release, *Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome*
> “In the waters off Actium, two heirs to Caesar clash for control of an empire they once shared: Mark Antony, allied with Cleopatra, and Octavian.” — Series synopsis
> “ Founded in 2016 by Elodie Polo Ackerman, Paris-based Imagissime has produced documentaries for a host of platforms and broadcasters including Netflix (Outreau: A French Nightmare, The Florence Cassez Case); France Télévisions (Insoupçonnable, Féroces, Life on Marseille), ARTE (Gaialand, Yakuza), TF1 (Order of the Solar Temple: The Impossible Investigation), and Canal+ (X contre Z).” — Company profile
> “The Apocalypse franchise was originally created by CC&C, the production company of historians and documentarians Daniel Costelle and Isabelle Clarke with producer Louis Vaudeville, which was acquired in 2017 by Mediawan.” — Franchise history
What’s Next
Apocalypse Civilizations: Rome is slated for broadcast later in 2026, likely via France Télévisions and the franchise’s existing international network.
