Rome backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama

The Best Episodes of Rome Season 1

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

Binge this in 10h 13m•Peaking at 8.5/10

A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.

Airs on
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Rome Season 1 Episode 1 - The Stolen Eagle
    7.5/10(44 votes)

    #1 - The Stolen Eagle

    S1:E1

    Eager to return to Rome after eight long years of war, Gaius Julius Caesar ends his campaign with a resounding triumph in Gaul, and news of a shattering personal loss at home. In Rome, Caesar's old friend Pompey is counselled by the Senate, who worry about Caesar's growing popularity. Two soldiers are enlisted to find the army's stolen gold standard. Atia is careful to play both sides of an escalating power struggle.

    Director:Michael Apted
    Writers:Michael Apted, Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Rome Season 1 Episode 2 - How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic
    7.6/10(37 votes)

    #2 - How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic

    S1:E2

    Anointed People's Tribune by Caesar, Mark Antony returns to Rome with Octavian's liberators, Vorenus and Pullo. After being feted by a grateful Atia, Vorenus heads home to his family, for the first time in eight years, while Pullo heads for the brothels. Pompey drafts an ultimatum stripping the general of his power.

    Director:Michael Apted
    Writers:Michael Apted, Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Rome Season 1 Episode 3 - An Owl in a Thornbush
    7.6/10(34 votes)

    #3 - An Owl in a Thornbush

    S1:E3

    With Caesar quickly advancing toward Rome, Pompey begins ordering a retreat and forces his citizens to pick sides. Timon is forced to do Atia's dirty work and Vorenus cannot understand why no one is resisting while on a scouting mission.

    Director:Michael Apted
    Writers:Michael Apted, Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Rome Season 1 Episode 4 - Stealing From Saturn
    7.2/10(34 votes)

    #4 - Stealing From Saturn

    S1:E4

    As Pompey "maneuvers" outside the city, Caesar seeks to consolidate his hold on Rome. Atia throws a party to welcome Caesar home, while Vorenus throws one of his own to usher in his new life as a citizen businessman. Pullo's run of luck continues when he delivers Quintus Pompey to Caesar, who in turn returns Quintus to his father's camp, with an offer of truce he knows Pompey will never accept.

    Director:Julian Farino
    Writer:Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Rome Season 1 Episode 5 - The Ram Has Touched the Wall
    8.1/10(31 votes)

    #5 - The Ram Has Touched the Wall

    S1:E5

    Caesar weighs Pompey's counteroffer against Antony's recommendation to chase down Pompey's vulnerable army. Vorenus is forced to reconsider his career choices after a series of business setbacks leave him with little income to support his family. A jealous Atia concocts a clever scheme to separate Caesar from Servilia. Pullo is recruited to tutor Octavian in the art of soldiering, but ends up learning a lesson or two from the boy.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Rome Season 1 Episode 6 - Egeria
    7.5/10(33 votes)

    #6 - Egeria

    S1:E6

    When Caeser finds himself outnumbered by Pompey's legions, he asks Antony to join the fight. Marc Antony is having fun in his new political life while he ponders a counter-offer from Pompey. Atia urges Octavian to take another step toward manhood. Vorenus and Niobe try to bring passion back to their marriage.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writers:John Milius, Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Rome

    READ
  7. Rome Season 1 Episode 7 - Pharsalus
    7.6/10(32 votes)

    #7 - Pharsalus

    S1:E7

    Pompey attacks an outnumbered Caesar. Vorenus and Pullo are stranded at sea. Atia continues to seek out Servilla's friendship in order to ensure her protection, while Octavia and Servilla's bond grows.

    Director:Tim Van Patten
    Writer:David Frankel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Rome Season 1 Episode 8 - Caesarion
    7.9/10(33 votes)

    #8 - Caesarion

    S1:E8

    Having pursued Pompey into Egypt, Caesar arrives in Alexandria and meets the boy king Ptolemy XIII, who offers the general a surprise gift. Vorenus and Pullo play liberators again, freeing Ptolemy's incarcerated sister, Cleopatra. Caesar seeks payment from Egypt for past debts, and ends up forging a strategic union to ensure his legacy.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writers:William J. MacDonald, Steve Shill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Rome Season 1 Episode 9 - Utica
    7.6/10(31 votes)

    #9 - Utica

    S1:E9

    With Scipio and Cato defeated, Caesar returns home to a hero's welcome. Vorenus and Pullo's showdown with local thug Erastes gets an unexpected reprieve from Caesar. Servilia's plan to use Octavia to unearth a secret about Caesar backfires.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Rome Season 1 Episode 10 - Triumph
    8.0/10(31 votes)

    #10 - Triumph

    S1:E10

    Unanimously proclaimed Dictator by the Senate, Caesar pronounces the war over, and prepares for five days of feasting and games honoring his "triumph." No longer an enlisted soldier, Pullo eyes a pastoral future with Eirene, while Vorenus runs for municipal magistrate, with Posca's help. Meanwhile, Octavian retrieves Octavia from her self-imposed exile. And Servilia invites a revenge-minded Quintus Pompey into her home, to Brutus' dismay.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Adrian Hodges

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Rome Season 1 Episode 11 - The Spoils
    8.5/10(32 votes)

    #11 - The Spoils

    S1:E11

    Vorenus sees to it that veteran soldiers receives severance on behalf of Caesar, and is then invited along with Niobe to one of Atia's parties.

    Director:Mikael Salomon
    Writer:Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Rome Season 1 Episode 12 - Kalends of February
    8.5/10(34 votes)

    #12 - Kalends of February

    S1:E12

    Pullo and Vorenus are now heroes in the eyes of the Roman rank and file because of their arena feats. This causes Caesar to bestow rewards to those he might normally punish.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Bruno Heller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Stolen Eagle" is the best rated episode of "Rome" season 1. It scored 7.5/10 based on 44 votes. Directed by Michael Apted and written by Michael Apted, Bruno Heller, it aired on 8/28/2005. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic".