Culture | TV Swords, epic battles and politics: Ancient Rome has always held a certain allure. And why not? From its epic tales of deceit and betrayal to the real life stories of people like Julius Caesar and Spartacus, there’s plenty of inspiration to draw from when it comes to creating unforgettable television. No surprise, then, that so many dramas are set in the Italian city.
With Ridley Scott ’s Gladiator sequel arriving in cinemas later this year, and Prime Video mega-show Those About to Die set to make its debut in July, there’s no better time to revisit our favourite Rome-centric TV shows. In no particular order, here’s our pick of the best. This big budget show was so expensive to make that it got cancelled after two years.
Still, the money was put to good use: the sets are massive, immersive and gorgeous, as are the costumes and liberal use of extras that bring the whole thing to life. Based on Julius Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico (specifically, the story of two soldiers mentioned in the text), the show takes us through the political upheavals of the 1st century BC through the eyes of its protagonists. Historical figures abound.
The godfather of Roman TV shows. I, Claudius , which came out all the way back in 1978, features a deliciously unhinged Derek Jacobi in the titular role of the emperor Claudius. Adapted from the 1934 novel of the same name, the show follows Claudius (and by the extension the history of the early Roman empire) as he schemes .