I Claudius

Rome, 24-9 BCE. Nearing the end of his life and surrounded by spies, Claudius, emperor of Rome, writes his family history.

Rome, 3-5 CE. With Tiberius in exile, it seems that Livia has lost—but everyone Augustus chooses to succeed him dies inexplicably. An omen hints that Claudius might be more than he appears to be.

Rome, 9 CE. When Livia hears that Tiberius has a new rival, Julia's son Postumus, she quickly moves against him. Before he is banished, Postumus tells Claudius all he knows about Livia.

Rome, 13-14 CE. After decades of deception, Augustus learns of Livia's plots and writes a new will naming Postumus his heir.

Rome, 19-20 CE. Tiberius rules Rome with help from Sejanus. When Claudius's popular brother, Germanicus, dies under mysterious circumstances, the Roman people protest.

Rome, 23-29 CE. Tiberius lives only for his perverted pleasures, encouraged by the monstrous young Caligula. Sejanus forces Claudius to marry his sister, solidifying his alliance with the imperial family.

Rome, 30-31 CE. The ambitious Sejanus, has destroyed nearly all of his enemies. Even Tiberius, is in danger. When he receives a smuggled warning letter, he wonders how to stop Sejanus, who has the guard's loyalty.

Rome, 37-38 CE. On his deathbed, Tiberius names Caligula heir to the Roman throne. Then Caligula falls into a coma, awakens, and proclaims himself a god. He fears just one thing: his unborn son by his own sister..

Rome, 40-41 CE. Now totally mad, Caligula has turned the palace into a brothel, complete with gambling and orgies. His lame old uncle Claudius serves as doorkeeper. With the empire in financial ruin, conspirators plot an assassination.

Rome, 41-43 CE. Under Claudius's rule, the empire's finances are improving. His beautiful wife, Messalina—a marriage arranged by Caligula—bears him two children and urges him to make an alliance with Silanus, governor of Spain.

Rome, 47-48 CE. While Claudius is away invading Britain, Messalina challenges a leading prostitute to a tournament of sex. She wins, scandalizing Rome, but Claudius remains in the dark.

Rome, 54 CE. Claudius marries Agrippinilla, mother of Nero. A prophecy has told him that Nero will be Rome's next ruler. Claudius knowingly seals his fate and that of his own son by naming Nero his heir.