Channel 5 is set to bring down the curtain on its exploration of Livia Drusilla’s dynasty, a saga of power as potent as any HBO drama, albeit with slightly less nudity. This Saturday, viewers can anticipate a whirlwind tour through the final, tumultuous acts of this Roman imperial family, concluding with the self-inflicted demise of Nero. If you’ve been craving backstabbing, poisonings, and a healthy dose of imperial dysfunction, this should satisfy your historical bloodlust.
The episode focuses on the later emperors, starting with Claudius. While history hasn’t always been kind to the man, Claudius managed to achieve considerable feats, including the rather significant conquest of Britain. However, even conquering foreign lands couldn’t protect him from domestic treachery. Viewers will see how his own wife, Messalina (the original “whore empress”), and his niece, Agrippina, plotted his downfall, ultimately succeeding in removing him from the picture via a most unpleasant method – poisoning.
With Claudius out of the way, Agrippina’s son, Nero, takes center stage. His reign? Let’s just say it was less “peace and prosperity” and more “paranoia and pyromania.” Nero’s rule is depicted as a descent into madness, fueled by a penchant for eliminating rivals (often family members), lavish spending, and a general disregard for the well-being of Rome. As the episode illustrates, this culminates in the Great Fire of Rome.
The episode also aims to connect the dots back to Livia, suggesting that despite the blood-soaked endgame, her influence undeniably reshaped the role of women within the Roman Empire. Whether this is a positive or negative legacy is open to interpretation, but the impact is undeniable. Narrated by the ever-reliable Sian Phillips, the episode should be another solid installment of historical documentary.
“Emperor: The Rise & Fall of a Dynasty” airs Saturday, December 7th on Channel 5.
