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The Best Episodes of I, Claudius Season 1

Every episode of I, Claudius Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of I, Claudius Season 1!

Binge this in 11h 35mPeaking at 8.8/10

Acclaimed blackly comic historical drama series. Set amidst a web of power, corruption and lies, it chronicles the reigns of the Roman emperors - Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and finally Claudius.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 1 - A Touch of Murder
    8.2/10(617 votes)

    #1 - A Touch of Murder

    S1:E1

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

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  2. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 2 - Waiting in the Wings
    8.3/10(462 votes)

    #2 - Waiting in the Wings

    S1:E2

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

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  3. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 3 - What Shall We Do About Claudius?
    8.4/10(486 votes)

    #3 - What Shall We Do About Claudius?

    S1:E3

    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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  4. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 4 - Poison is Queen
    8.4/10(475 votes)

    #4 - Poison is Queen

    S1:E4

    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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  5. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 5 - Some Justice
    8.8/10(483 votes)

    #5 - Some Justice

    S1:E5

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

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  6. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 6 - Queen of Heaven
    8.3/10(458 votes)

    #6 - Queen of Heaven

    S1:E6

    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 Tiberius's 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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  8. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 7 - Reign of Terror
    8.6/10(472 votes)

    #7 - Reign of Terror

    S1:E7

    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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  9. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 8 - Zeus, By Jove!
    8.8/10(469 votes)

    #8 - Zeus, By Jove!

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  10. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 9 - Hail Who?
    8.7/10(458 votes)

    #9 - Hail Who?

    S1:E9

    Caligula's 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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  11. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 10 - Fool's Luck
    8.8/10(464 votes)

    #10 - Fool's Luck

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  12. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 11 - A God in Colchester
    8.6/10(431 votes)

    #11 - A God in Colchester

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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  13. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 12 - Old King Log
    8.6/10(428 votes)

    #12 - Old King Log

    S1:E12

    Almost at the end of his family history, Claudius' thoughts turn to the future of Rome.

    Director:Herbert Wise

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"A Touch of Murder" is the best rated episode of "I, Claudius" season 1. It scored 8.2/10 based on 617 votes. Directed by Herbert Wise and written by Jack Pulman, it aired on 9/20/1976. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Waiting in the Wings".