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The Best Episodes of The Roman Empire in the First Century

Every episode of The Roman Empire in the First Century ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Roman Empire in the First Century!

Binge this in 3h 40m•Peaking at 8.0/10

Two thousand years ago, at the dawn of the first century, the world was ruled by Rome. The Roman Empire struggled with problems which are surprisingly familiar: violent coups, assassination, overarching ambition, civil war, clashes

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Roman Empire in the First Century Season 1 Episode 4 - Years of Eruption
    8.0/10(15 votes)

    #1 - Years of Eruption

    S1:E4

    With Nero’s death, the dynasty of Augustus comes to an end. Once again, the Empire faces an uncertain future. Rival generals fight for supremacy in the streets of Rome. A new dynasty brings another tyrant to the throne, and Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying Pompeii and thousands of people beneath a torrent of ash and mud. A young citizen survives the disaster and records the night of terror. But the Empire weathers the traumas. As the first century draws to a close, the Emperor Trajan expands the empire to its greatest geographic extent and offers new prosperity to a greater number of citizens. He sets the course for generations to come and projects the collective voice of ancient Rome across the ages.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Roman Empire in the First Century Season 1 Episode 1 - Order from Chaos
    7.9/10(20 votes)

    #2 - Order from Chaos

    S1:E1

    Millions of people — both famous and uncelebrated — play parts in the astonishing rise of Rome. Above them all is Caesar Augustus. Born in times of crisis and raised amid civil war, Augustus comes to personify the people he leads. He is contradictory: capable of both brutal violence and tender compassion. He is influential: forging the image of Roman grandeur that endures to this day. And he is enormously popular. But those who cross Augustus — his rivals Marc Antony and Cleopatra; the love poet, Ovid; even his own daughter, Julia — face dire consequences. The story of Augustan Rome is the story of greatness at a price.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Roman Empire in the First Century Season 1 Episode 3 - Winds of Change
    7.9/10(14 votes)

    #3 - Winds of Change

    S1:E3

    In the aftermath of Caligula’s madness, Claudius, the most unlikely member of the imperial family, rises to become one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire… only to fall victim to a brutally ambitious wife. A principled philosopher named Seneca finds himself compromised as tutor to the erratic young Emperor Nero. In Britain, a warrior queen named Boudicca battles Roman legions… and from Judaea, a revolutionary named Paul begins spreading the words of Jesus across Roman lands. Back in the capital, Nero’s disastrous rule shakes the empire to its foundation. Rome nearly burns to the ground. The empire is on the edge of disaster.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Roman Empire in the First Century Season 1 Episode 2 - Years of Trial
    7.5/10(16 votes)

    #4 - Years of Trial

    S1:E2

    In the year 14 A.D., Caesar Augustus dies and the Empire stands at a crossroads. Will Rome continue the course set by its first emperor – or return to chaos? A reluctant new emperor confronts mutiny and intrigue. At first, Tiberius struggles to emulate his predecessor, but he soon abandons the effort. His ultimate decline from ascetic ruler to reclusive despot ushers in one of the most notorious rulers of the ancient world: Caligula. As fear and conspiracy grip Rome, crisis roils the provinces. In Judaea, a charismatic leader named Jesus challenges the religious and political establishment. The local furor barely touches Rome but the legacy of Jesus will one day engulf the empire.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Years of Eruption" is the best rated episode of "The Roman Empire in the First Century". It scored 8/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/25/2001. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Order from Chaos".