10 Best Shows About Ancient Rome, Ranked

The Roman Empire is likely one of the most well-known empires in historical past, which at one level was mainly the world’s first superpower with how a lot of the world it encompassed. It has been an interesting topic for a lot of, as many ideas and innovations launched by the Historical Romans have grow to be the premise for issues which are nonetheless in use at present.

As to be anticipated, there are many movies that function varied instances and settings within the Roman Empire. However what about tv? Effectively, because it seems, there are many these, too. These are the perfect TV reveals about Historical Rome, permitting viewers to witness the rise and fall of considered one of historical past’s best empires.

10 ‘These About to Die’ (2024)

Directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpainter

These About to Die is a present that was very lately launched and relies on a guide by Daniel P. Mannix. The present is co-directed by Roland Emmerich, who is probably greatest recognized for his apocalyptic motion pictures resembling Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. The collection takes place within the late First Century CE, through the development of the famed Roman Colosseum. As this timeless monument is erected, a mom makes an attempt to free her youngsters from slavery, and from inevitably serving in gladiatorial fight within the area.

The present acquired blended evaluations from critics general however was a lot better acquired by audiences. It is completely superb as it’s, however may have achieved much more with what it was given. There have been some rumors of a second Those Aboue to Die season, however as of proper now, it’s a bit too early to inform. Nonetheless, it is nice for those who’re in search of one other historic drama collection to check out.

9 ‘A.D. The Bible Continues’ (2015)

Created by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Happening after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, A.D. The Bible Continues facilities on the occasions of the Biblical guide often called The Acts of the Apostles. Every of Jesus’ Apostles who remained loyal to him are depicted persevering with to unfold the phrase of God after their Messiah’s loss of life and ascension into Heaven, together with the persecution they face because of the occupying Roman Empire.

The present is a continuation of The Bible miniseries and acquired blended evaluations from critics. In the event you’re an individual of religion, nevertheless, it is a present that you may be positive to take pleasure in, however for many who aren’t, it may be safely skipped. The present was successful with Christian audiences, who counseled it for its portrayals of the apostles and the oppression of the Roman Empire within the Holy Land.

Buy on Apple TV

8 ‘Spartacus’ (2010-2013)

Created by Steven S. DeKnight and Sam Raimi

To not be confused with the 1960 swords-and-sandals film of the identical title, Spartacus is a TV collection starring Andy Whitfield (later changed by Liam McIntyre) because the titular Thracian, a gladiator who leads a slave revolt in opposition to the Romans after being compelled to compete in gladiatorial fight for the Romans’ personal private pleasure.

The present does not come wherever near the standard of the film, however it does provide a extra in-depth take a look at Spartacus and has some good moments all through. It’s a present that’s positive to be adored by any followers of Historical Roman historical past and is even satisfying for many who are simply in search of their subsequent historic drama collection to binge.

7 ‘Roman Empire’ (2016-2019)

Directed by Richard Lopez and John Ealer

Roman Empire is a docudrama collection about among the most important occasions to happen within the multi-century reign of the Romans. A part of the collection is customary documentary fare: historians discuss straight to the digicam, informing audiences of the historical past behind a few of these occasions, however the present can be interspersed with dramatized recreations of the happenings, which positively serves to make it extra attention-grabbing.

The primary season is narrated by none aside from Sean Bean, although he was later changed by Steve West for the next three seasons. Roman Empire is not precisely an thrilling collection, however it’s extremely informative and is about probably the most correct look look audiences may probably ask for in terms of depicting the fallen Empire. Backed up by historic proof and professionals who’ve studied the Empire their whole lives, it is a collection that viewers will have the ability to study rather a lot from.

Watch on Netflix

6 ‘Plebs’ (2013-2018)

Created by Sam Leifer and Tom Basden

Plebs is a British sitcom a few group of plebeians, or “plebs,” residing within the Roman Empire. These plebeians are of the decrease class, just like Medieval peasants, so clearly there is no actual glory or battle sequences on this one since that stuff was form of left to troopers and the ultra-wealthy. That stated, Plebs offered an trustworthy and comical take a look at lower-class life through the days of the Romans, as a bunch of pals try to run a tavern in a renovated public lavatory.

Plebs lasted for six entire seasons, which is much more than most sitcoms get. It was additionally a sitcom with a singular twist—one that did not happen within the modern-day and did not showcase any related real-world issues. Hilarious and completely different, Plebs is an underrated sitcom about Historical Rome that has by no means, ever gotten the eye that it deserves.

Watch on Amazon Prime

5 ‘Domina’ (2021-2023)

Created by Simon Burke

Domina is a historic drama collection that provides a special perspective on the Roman Empire that is not generally seen in motion pictures or TV: that of Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak), who was the spouse of Emperor Augustus (Matthew McNulty). Augustus was the primary Roman Emperor, and the adopted son of Julius Caesar himself.

Reasonably than being about warfare or the expanse of the Empire, the story is as an alternative about Livia and Augustus’ divorce, which brought on an enormous political scandal on the time. As anticipated, there are various different historic figures who seem on this present, and its major focus is on drama and political intrigue slightly than motion. Regardless of this, Domina continues to be a present that provides an unseen perspective of the Roman Empire, and one which fans ought to completely take a look at.

Watch on Fubo

4 ‘Rome’ (2005-2007)

Created by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller

Rome tells the story of how the eponymous land transitioned from being a Republic to an Empire within the First Century BCE. It’s instructed by the lens of two fictitious troopers, whose lives grow to be intertwined with among the extra main occasions throughout this era of nice political change. With its drama and political narratives, Rome went on to obtain seven Primetime Emmy Awards, all praising its manufacturing worth, cinematography, and artwork course.

Furthermore, historians have been fairly impressed with how precisely the main occasions of the collection have been portrayed, even when among the minor particulars have been extremely dramatized. General, it was an excellent present, and among the many few to really present how the Empire got here to be in gorgeous element and historic accuracy.

3 ‘Barbarians’ (2020-2022)

Created by Andreas Hackmann, Arne Nolting, and Jan Martin Scharf

Barbarians takes place in present-day Germany, when the Roman Empire went to warfare with the native Teutonic tribes. This present is primarily concerning the Teutons, however nonetheless closely options the Romans as an opposing power, with them being depicted as power-hungry conquerors intent on taking up all the continent, which is not totally removed from the reality.

Barbarians is a historic drama that options plenty of actual characters, locations, and occasions, all closely fictionalized to swimsuit the requirements of tv after all. Although it was sadly short-lived, it was very well-received, with its motion and high-stakes drama permitting it to simply engross its viewers with its dramatized account of historic historical past.

2 ‘Britannia’ (2018-2021)

Created by Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth, and James Richardson

Britannia has fairly an identical plot to Barbarians, solely, as an alternative of it being concerning the Roman occupation of Germania, it’s as an alternative concerning the Roman invasion of the British Isles. The historic drama picks up 90 years after Julius Caesar‘s failed conquest of Britain, this time concerning the Roman Basic Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) returning to the land to complete what Caesar began.

The present options the Romans, after all, but additionally just a few completely different Celtic tribes from the encompassing space. With varied factions, it’s straightforward to choose and select favorites primarily based on the drastically completely different tribes and armies, and to root for a specific group of individuals within the battle. Britannia acquired constructive evaluations however was unfortunately canceled far too soon.

Watch on Fubo

1 ‘I, Claudius’ (1976)

Created by Martin Lisemore, Joan Sullivan, Herbert Smart, and Jack Pulman

I, Claudius is a miniseries launched again in 1976 that was primarily based on a novel of the identical title by Robert Graves. Because the title implies, the 12-part miniseries follows the life and reign of the tyrannical Emperor Claudius (Derek Jacobi), who was stated to have dominated Rome with an iron fist. It’s a actually fascinating collection as a result of it permits a glimpse into the thoughts of considered one of historical past’s most feared dictators.

I, Claudius reveals the emperor’s preliminary rise to energy, and the brief time by which he was very fashionable, adopted instantly by his descent right into a sadistic monster that dominated by worry, and never respect. I, Claudius is perhaps practically 50 years outdated, however it hasn’t aged a single day, and it was a very attention-grabbing solution to present the true nature of this well-known determine in Roman historical past. This can be a present that does not sugarcoat something, which is what makes it the perfect present about Historical Rome, little doubt about it.

Watch on Hoopla

NEXT: The Best Movies Set in Ancient Rome, Ranked