Roman Empire

7.0

2016•48m

This stylish mix of documentary and historical epic chronicles the reign of Commodus, the emperor whose rule marked the beginning of Rome's fall.

Production

Production

Available For Free On

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Roman Empire: Reign of Blood (Trailer)

Roman Empire: Reign of Blood (Trailer)

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 2016

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 1: Born in the Purple

1. Born in the Purple

6.7

Fighting an implacable enemy in Germany, Marcus Aurelius trains his decadent son Commodus to succeed him, while rumor and intrigues brew back in Rome.

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 2: The Making of an Emperor

2. The Making of an Emperor

7.0

The Germanic tribes strike as Marcus Aurelius succumbs to disease, leaving a skeptical Emperor Commodus to prosecute a war that doesn't interest him.

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 3: Enemy of the Senate

3. Enemy of the Senate

6.9

Commodus rises to power as Rome's new emperor, but not everyone supports his ascent. Among those conspiring against him: his older sister Lucilla.

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 4: Rome is Burning

4. Rome is Burning

6.9

Commodus defeats his sister's coup but withdraws from governing, allowing other to amass power while he engages in an affair and banishes his wife.

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 5: Fight for Glory

5. Fight for Glory

7.4

A disastrous grain shortage reaveals Cleander's treachery and leaves Commodus isolated, inspiring him to trains as a gladiator in a bid to unite Rome.

Still image for Roman Empire season 1 episode 6: 14 Days Of Blood

6. 14 Days Of Blood

7.3

Lavish imperial games at the Colosseum are highlighted by the emperor's bloody victories, but his paranoid abuses of power lead to a final betrayal.

Cast

Photo of Sean Bean

Sean Bean

Narrateur

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Reviews

G

GenerationofSwine

1/10

I am torn with this one.

I mean... it's Rome. You can't really make a documentary about a lot of it without being pretty disgusting and absolutely sexualized. This is, after all, the culture that gave us the strap-on and earrings shaped as male genitalia.

So I am all about editing it down to make it accessible to people and not get a XXX rating. What is a little more important is teaching people how the Roman's shaped the world, not who the Roman's were.

But, at the same time, there is a lot of nudity and sex in this, so they were trying for a bit of accuracy...

... but the thing is that they completely missed the historical accuracy mark on a lot of other significantly more important historical events and Roman cultural norms.

And that to me is unforgivable, despite my understanding that it needs to be toned down and edited a bit to allow people to access it.

You've reached the end.