[Phsstpok]

Rent the BBC's I Claudius mini series. I think you'll find it's better (if you can get past Picard being Caligula's henchman, Sejanus).

Then read the books. They're better still.

You'll love what Livia has to do to get Augustus.

[Ciexyz]

I read the two "I Claudius" books thirty years ago, when the series first came out on PBS. Most rewarding reading and viewing.

[bigsigh]

I Claudius got me started on reading over 3,000 pages of Roman history up through AD 69. It was excellent and one of the best things I've seen on TV.

I think this one is better. I like the way it's showing the centurian and the soldier's private lives and showing battle from the commoner's perspective. I hope it has many seasons.

[steve-b]

LOL -- I remember Patrick Steward wearing a rug for that role.

(IIRC, he lost his hair in his twenties. He wishes that somebody back then had mentioned how sexy women would find the resulting look.)