I, Claudius

The personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.

1976 HD 55min TV-14 United Kingdom English

Derek Jacobi Siân Phillips Margaret Tyzack Brian Blessed James Faulkner Fiona Walker Kevin McNally Bernard Hepton Sheila White

Biography Drama

based on novel or book murder betrayal epic ancient rome rome italy roman empire emperor manipulation ambition

S1E1 - A Touch of Murder 1976-09-20

Livia, the scheming wife of Augustus, seeks to disinherit her husbands grand-children in favour of her own son Tiberius.

S1E2 - Waiting in the Wings 1976-09-27

Livia, wife of Emperor Augustus plots against his daughter Julia and manages to convince him to bring her son Tiberius back from exile.

S1E3 - What Shall We Do About Claudius? 1976-10-04

Livia has engineered the downfall of Julia, who has been banished. Tiberius is recalled to Rome and is joint heir with Postumus. Poor stumbling, stuttering Claudius finds a friend in Herod, king of the Jews.

S1E4 - Poison is Queen 1976-10-11

The Imperial Army on the Rhine has been wiped out and Tiberius sent to avenge the defeat, followed later by Germanicus. Livia has discredited Postumus, who has been banished. Augustus has been feeling unwell, but is avoiding suspicions of poisoning by eating figs from his own garden.

S1E5 - Some Justice 1976-10-18

As Augustus learned of Livias plot against Postumus, she took action which resulted in Tiberius becoming emperor. The situation in the East now threatens Tiberiuss position.

S1E6 - Queen of Heaven 1976-10-25

Germanicus has been murdered in Antioch and his wife Agrippina is convinced Tiberius ordered the killing. Livia has discovered that Caligula helped to poison his father. While Tiberiuss perversions have become notorious, his right-hand man Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, gathers more power for himself, including a marriage alliance with Claudius.

S1E7 - Reign of Terror 1976-11-01

With Tiberius retired to Capri, Sejanus plans to tighten his grip on Rome and divorces his wife so he can marry Livilla. But he also has powerful enemies and his attempts to consolidate power set in motion a bloody chain of events.

S1E8 - Zeus, By Jove! 1976-11-08

Claudius has high hopes of a return to a Republic when Caligula insanely proclaims himself a god and his sister a goddess... but Rome officially accepts his divinity.

S1E9 - Hail Who? 1976-11-15

Caligulas erratic behaviour continues, as he makes his horse a senator and turns the palace into a brothel. Many in the Praetorian Guard grow to realise that their ruler is insane and, fearing the collapse of Rome itself, believe that something needs to be done.

S1E10 - Fool's Luck 1976-11-22

Claudius is happily married, while the mad Caligula has been assassinated. To his astonishment, Claudius has been proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.

S1E11 - A God in Colchester 1976-11-29

Claudius has ruled wisely for a year with the support of Messalina, whom he deeply loves. Convinced of her devotion, he is totally unaware that she is deceiving him.