What happened to the HBO series "ROME" -- why only 2 seasons???

Question

What happened to the HBO series "ROME" -- why only 2 seasons???

Answer 1

It was simply too expensive.  Even with the BBC pitching in, the sets, costumes and actors cost too much.  The final blow was dealt after it was canceled - the sets were destroyed in a wildfire.

Answer 2

The viewing figures dropped after the first season and they weren't high enough for HBO to commission a third season.  Also, like HBO's Deadwood, the sets were huge and too expensive to maintain so they were all dismantled.

Answer 3

The series became very expensive to shoot so HBO cancelled it.