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The Worst Episodes of I, Claudius

Every episode of I, Claudius ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of I, Claudius!

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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 Worst Episode
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    I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 7 - Reign of Terror
    6.2/10(8 votes)

    #1 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  2. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 11 - A God in Colchester
    6.2/10(9 votes)

    #2 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  3. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 3 - What Shall We Do About Claudius?
    6.3/10(9 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  4. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 6 - Queen of Heaven
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #4 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  5. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 9 - Hail Who?
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #5 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  6. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 10 - Fool's Luck
    6.3/10(9 votes)

    #6 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  7. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 2 - Waiting in the Wings
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #7 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  8. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 8 - Zeus, By Jove!
    6.4/10(9 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  9. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 12 - Old King Log
    6.4/10(9 votes)

    #9 - Old King Log

    S1:E12

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

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  10. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 1 - A Touch of Murder
    6.6/10(12 votes)

    #10 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  11. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 4 - Poison is Queen
    7.6/10(7 votes)

    #11 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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  12. I, Claudius Season 1 Episode 5 - Some Justice
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #12 - 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
    Writer:Jack Pulman

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Reign of Terror" is the worst rated episode of "I, Claudius". It scored 6.2/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Herbert Wise and written by Jack Pulman, it aired on 11/1/1976. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "A God in Colchester".