Introduction
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire is a 2006 BBC One docudrama series, with each episode looking at a different key turning point in the history of the Roman Empire.
This docudrama focuses on the Latin western half of the Roman Empire.
Not to be confused with Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2008).
Outline
At the close of the Gallic Wars, Gaius Julius Caesar finds his army encircled by a massive force of Gauls but wins a decisive victory with a brilliant counterattack at the Battle of Alesia. An inspiring speech to his troops, promising to rescue Rome from its corrupt rulers and restore it to its people, raises opposition from Senators Cato and Marcellus. Caesar refuses to disband his army before crossing the Rubicon, plunging the Republic into civil war and turning his deputy Labienus and old friend Pompey against him. Caesar captures Rome unopposed and Pompey is forced to withdraw to Greece with his allies in the senate.
Caesar seizes the emergency funds from the treasury to fund his campaign, but, failing to pay off his soldiers, is later forced to decimate his own rebellious Ninth Legion. Pompey amasses a huge army in Greece while Caesar leads a one-year campaign against opposition in Spain. In Greece, Caesar is forced to retreat inland by Pompey at the Battle of Dyrrachium but is victorious when the Senators force Pompey into an impetuous attack at the Battle of Pharsalus. Caesar overturns the Republic and has himself made dictator for life, only to be assassinated shortly into his rule.
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire Series
You can find a full index and overview of Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 21 September 2006.
- Rating: 12.
- Running Time: 60 minutes.
- Country: UK.
- Language: English.
Military Gogglebox 