{
  "id": 7176878,
  "title": "10 Best TV Shows About The Roman Empire",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/10-best-tv-shows-about-the-roman-empire",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T21:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2256049/best-tv-shows-about-roman-empire/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ten television series stand out as the best portrayals of the Roman Empire. Beginning with BBC's I, Claudius, this groundbreaking drama provides a rich and historically accurate depiction of the Roman rulers Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. Although filmed on a soundstage, its high-quality acting and writing more than compensate for the lack of grandeur often seen in period pieces.\n\nNext, Britannia offers a unique, campy, and psychedelic take on ancient Rome during the year 43 A.D. Set against a backdrop of drug use and hedonism, the show follows General Aulus Plautius as he attempts to conquer Britain. With its campy visual style and colorful characters, Britannia provides a delightfully offbeat look at the Roman Empire.\n\nThe gladiator-packed Spartacus series offers a thrilling and violent portrayal of the ancient world. Based on the true story of Spartacus, a Thracian slave who leads a rebellion against the Roman Republic, the show delivers on both its spectacular fight scenes and its exploration of themes of freedom, revenge, and power. Notable performances by Andy Whitfield and Lucy Lawless bring the characters to life.\n\nStarz's Rome, which ran from 2005 to 2007, is another standout series that helped pave the way for Game of Thrones. Taking place during the reign of Julius Caesar, Rome follows Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, two common soldiers who witness the political machinations of the day. With its focus on common people rather than rulers, Rome offers a unique perspective on ancient Rome.",
  "summary": "Amid growing cultural awareness that men in particular have developed a fervent interest in ancient Rome as of late, here are the 10 best TV shows set there.",
  "key_points": [
    "BBC's I, Claudius offers historically accurate depiction of Roman rulers.",
    "Britannia provides campy, psychedelic look at ancient Rome in 43 A.D.",
    "Starz's Rome focuses on common soldiers during Julius Caesar's reign."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}