HBO announced on Monday it has renewed new historical drama "Rome" for a second season says The Hollywood Reporter. Three episodes into its first year, "Rome" is already slated to begin production on 12 more episodes in March with an airdate sometime in 2007.

"Rome" is a co-production between HBO and the BBC. The opening episodes of the epic drama are set in 50 B.C. and deal with a variety of characters who play a part in events that lead to the power struggle and war between the forces of Pompey Magnus and Julius Caesar.

Ratings wise the series has looked strong in its first season. The opening episode took in nearly 3.9 million total viewers, with the second installment settling in at 3 million. Critical and subscriber reaction have been strongly positive so far, several already proclaiming it the best new show of the Fall season (Garth Note: "From the two episodes I've seen so far I would have to agree").

The first twelve episodes cost somewhere around the $100 million, much of it going on the gigantic sets and production elements which are still standing or in storage in Italy at present pending this renewal announcement.

Thanks to 'Brent'.