Their careers were made up of bloody battles and tactical bribery, stunning innovation and profound corruption, dazzling rhetoric and vicious back-stabbing. Together they form a picture of the most sophisticated highs and most brutal lows of the Roman Empire's inception, heyday and decline. The Roman Empire included within its boundaries myriad peoples, cultures and climates. The task of ruling it seems an impossible one, even with today's communication technology. So how was it achieved two thousand years ago? And why has ancient Rome had such a profound influence on western civilization ever since?

Using unequaled location footage, previously unseen images and careful re-enactments, this informative and entertaining series brings to life the world of ancient Rome.

This is a 2-DVD set!