In Julius Caesar's final years, the city of Rome is steeped in power, greed, betrayal, and political intrigue. Few periods of human history reverberate through popular culture in the twenty-first century like that of ancient Rome - especially the turbulent years leading up to Caesar's death in 44 BC. And rarely has this fascinating time been brought to life as vividly as in Rome, Season One, an award-winning joint production between HBO and the BBC. This wildly popular series is a richly layered drama chronicling life in ancient Rome during its violent transition from Republic to Empire - a time that had an enormous impact on world history.

Rome, Season One: History Makes Television is history-making in its own right. The first scholarly text to examine the series' inaugural season, it collects thought-provoking essays by some of the world's most influential - and cutting-edge - scholars in the fields of classical antiquity and popular culture. Focusing on the series' historical framework, visual and narrative style, thematic overtones, and influence on popular culture, the book also addresses the authenticity of the production and considers its place in the tradition of epic films about ancient Rome.

Erudite and highly entertaining, this volume is an invaluable resource for students and instructors alike in its thorough analysis and examination of one of the most compelling decades of Roman history.