The film was a massive undertaking, with a budget of approximately . It featured grand sets, including a full-scale Roman vessel that was the largest prop of its time.
Despite its controversy, the film secured high-profile "A-list" talent:
The 1979 film is one of the most notorious projects in cinema history, famous for its clash between high-art aspirations and hardcore adult content. Financed by Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, it remains a unique hybrid of historical epic and transgressive cinema. 🏛️ The Production
Gore Vidal, who originally wrote it as a political satire but later removed his name from the credits.