Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire
How greed, violence and betrayal helped create and destroy the ancient world's great superpower.
Turning points in ancient Roman history and some of the Empire's greatest stories are brought to life in this drama documentary series.
Seasons
1. Nero
Air Date: 2006-09-21
Recounts how Nero charted his murderous reign and how he was finally overthrown.
2. Caesar
Air Date: 2006-09-26
Recounts how Julius Caesar succeeded in overthrowing a 500-year-old Republic.
3. Revolution
Air Date: 2006-10-05
132 BC. Tiberius Gracchus, with the final victory in Rome's 120 year long Punic Wars against Carthage, its greatest ever Mediterranean rival, brings him immense glory and the rich unseen wealth, but almost nothing trickles down to the destitute. The rich patricians yest removing the military threat of Carthage also removes the best control on them. He learns many veteran families lose everything, even their land, which is taken by the rich. Now he joins the army against a Hispanic tribe, the Numantines, which manages to encircle the 20,000 legionnaires and refuses to negotiate with consul Mancinus, but takes the word of Gracchus, for the sake of his father who concluded an honorable peace with them; the troops return, their families rejoice but the senate blames the commanders for a disgraceful surrender. Tiberius uses his popularity to stand for the office of popular tribune, hoping to counter Nasicas extremist line in the senate.
4. Rebellion
Air Date: 2006-10-12
Recounts how the Jewish Revolt, which swept through Judea in AD66, was stopped by General Vespasian and his son Titus.
5. Constantine
Air Date: 2006-10-18
Recounts how the Emperor Constantine brought Christianity to the western world.
6. Fall of Rome
Air Date: 2006-10-26
In AD 410, the Goth hordes sacked the city. This event symbolised Rome's collapse, but it should never have happened at all.
Select an episode to start watching
Rating
7.4/10
Release Date
2006-09-21
Episodes
6 (1 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Videos
Production Companies
BBC
Sindbad Production