A preview to I, Claudius
Robert Erskine takes a look at the Rome of 2,000 years ago, and sets the scene for BBC2's new serial. He explains the background and the practical difficulties of recreating life in Rome at a time of Imperial power and decadence. The myths, the legends and the facts surrounding Robert Graves's Claudius.
(I, Claudius begins on Monday at 9.0 pm)