base on the excellent book ( themselves base on historical fact and rumour ) i and claudius and claudius the god by robert graf and this series be surely one of the best drama ever film . the plot concern emperor claudius compile a wart and all history of his family and start with his grandfather augustus and the first ever emperor of rome . make in 13 50 minute episode and unfortunately the only bad thing about the show be the rather cheap bbc production value . this be salvage by the incredible acting and with only one poor ( ish ) performance in the final episode . with lashing of black comedy and debauchery and incest and murder and insanity and suicide and orgy and back stabbing and adultery i and claudius be unmissable . john hurt be especially good play the unhinged caligula and plunge rome into new low of extreme sexual depravity and fear alongside his sister . a truly moving drama ( notably the last episode ) everybody on the planet should see this show . it that good . trust me .