RUMORS were flying over the weekend about a new HBO project – a sort of mash-up between “Rome” and “E.T.” Word is that the paycable network is developing a news series set in ancient Rome, where aliens regularly visit and “encourage the civilization” on to greater heights, according to the usually reliable movie Web site, aintitcool.com.

A poster on the site who says he’s in the know claims shooting is set to being late this year or early next year.

The series might be ready for a launch in fall 2007.

HBO’s series “Rome” – a more historically believable depiction of the empire – is about to begin its second and final season.

Officials at HBO could not be reached because of the holiday weekend.