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
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus first makes a mark on history winning the golden crown from General Scipio Aemilianus by being first over the wall at the victorious Battle of Carthage. Back in Rome, now the “capital of the world”, he finds the growing gap between rich and poor threatening the foundations of the republic. Urged to achieve greatness through further military exploits, he sets out with reinforcements for the campaign of General Gaius Hostilius Mancinus against the rebellious Numantine tribe in Spain but is defeated and forced to negotiate a peace treaty that the Senate later refuses to ratify.
His actions, while repudiated in the Senate, have made him a hero amongst the Roman people and his new father-in-law Senator Appius Claudius Pulcher supports him in a successful campaign to become their Tribune. He snubs the Senate and takes his proposed land reforms directly to the People’s Assembly, where his old friend Octavius vetoes them. He brings the city to a standstill when he vetoes all other business in response and has Octavius deposed. Octavius and the Senate spread false rumours that he intends to make himself king and in the ensuing unrest he is murdered.
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: 12 October 2006.
- Rating: 12.
- Running Time: 60 minutes.
- Country: UK.
- Language: English.
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