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.
Rome (HBO, 2005-7)
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.
I, Claudius (BBC, 1976)
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 and plots his way to power, turning from a naïve young man into a canny political operator. Everybody around him seems to be a wrong’un, from wife Messalina to boyhood friend Herod (yes, that Herod) – but the end result is certainly gripping.
Plebs (ITV 2, 2013-22)
Rome’s loss was Plebs’ gain: this quirky ITV2 sitcom was filmed using the show’s leftover sets. The result is something that feels weirdly high-budget for what it is – essentially three mates getting into scrapes in ancient Rome. Our dubious heroes are Marcus (Tom Rosenthal), Stylax (Joel Fry) and their lazy slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson), who just can’t seem to catch a break. The landlord is stingy, their hot neighbours won’t look at them twice, and they’re at extreme threat of death about once an episode. Think Inbetweeners crossed with a historical mockumentary, and you won’t be far off.
Domina (Sky Atlantic, 2021-23)
They don’t come much glossier than this Sky show, which tells the story of Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak), the wife of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus (aka the one who came after Julius Caesar, played here by Matthew McNulty). There’s plenty of real-life inspiration to draw from: the real-life Livia’s father was involved in the assassination of Caesar, and she ended up married to a warmonger and wielding more power than any other woman in Roman history. She was dubbed “Ulysses in a dress” by her great-grandson Caligula (jury’s out on whether that’s a compliment) – and the show itself offers a refreshing, female-centric take on life in the 1st century AD.
Britannia (Sky/ Prime Video 2018-21)
Shows set in Italy is something of a crowded field: so how about one that pivots to look at the impact of the Roman invasion in Britain instead? Mix in a good dollop of feral warriors, magic and high-pitched battles and you have something like Britannia, which is essentially Game of Thrones with a bit more real-life history thrown in. The show (which was created by master playwright Jez Butterworth) documents the Romans’ attempts to stamp out the Celtic druids, which actually did happen – and while it takes great pains to be accurate with real-life timelines and events, there is still a lot of hallucinogenic twig-smoking and blood sacrifice going on. Juicy.
Spartacus (Starz, 2010)
Step this way for rippling abs, angry screaming and 300-style action sequences. As might be evident from the title, this TV show tells the story of gladiator-turned-rebel leader Spartacus, who forms an army of runaway slaves to take on the might of the Roman empire. The special effects are slightly dodgy, but the acting is good, the first season excellent and the various characters who make up the story always compelling. A top-grade guilty pleasure.
Empire (ABC, 2005)
Yes, it’s a bit clunky, but there’s still plenty to love in this American series. Set in Rome in 44BC, it tells the story of Octavian (Santiago Cabrera), Julius Caesar’s nephew and heir, and his journey to becoming the first emperor of Rome (aka Augustus). Is it historically accurate? Um, no (the series plays down how brutal and cruel Octavian could be in real life, for example), but the action sequences are fun and there’s betrayal and excitement at every turn.
Barbarians (Netflix, 2022)
This brutal series shifts the focus from Italy to the wild forests of Germany, retelling the story of the Roman empire’s disastrous invasion of the region. After twenty years of occupation, Arminius (Laurence Rupp) – a soldier in the Roman army – turns traitor, and unites his fellow tribesmen to inflict a devastating defeat on the legions of Varus (Gaetano Aronica). Again, it’s not the most historically accurate, but it sure is fun.
