‎Rome: Empire Without Limit with Mary Beard - Apple TV

TV Show · Documentary · History

Tackling everything from gladiators to murdered Emperors, classical scholar Mary Beard returns to the BBC in this unique history documentary where she explores and explodes the myths of the Roman Empire. Delving into the subject with an epic scope, the renowned and irreverent historian gives her own highly distinctive take on this world-defining period. Why do we get the Romans so wrong?

2016 · 58m

Starring Mary Beard

Director Chris Mitchell

EPISODE 1

Episode 1

In this myth-busting, compelling BBC history documentary, renowned classicist Mary Beard revisits and reassesses the legends surrounding the origins of Rome. She argues that the period of greatest Roman expansion occurred when Rome itself was little more than a provincial backwater which used brutal tactics to overpower its enemies. Why was a state such as this so successful at war and conquest?

50m
EPISODE 2

Bounds of the Empire

What made the Romans special and why were they able to build empires at such a large scale?

50m
EPISODE 3

Episode 2

In this myth-busting BBC history documentary about the Roman Empire, Mary Beard looks at the idea of identity and discovers that many ‘Romans’ never saw Rome. People from conquered lands were encouraged to become Roman citizens, leading to an incredibly diverse ruling class. What did it mean to be, or to become, Roman and how did the very different parts of the empire react to Roman rule?

50m
EPISODE 4

Episode 4

Mary tackles the biggest puzzle of all: why, and how, did the Roman Empire fall? Surveying the massive walls and fortifications of Britain and Germany, she discovers an empire under pressure, struggling to control its borders.

50m

Mary Beard

Host
Chris Mitchell

Director
Richard Bradley

Producer
Mary Beard

Writer