one of the fine piece of historical drama i have ever see and if only the bbc could still produce such quality television . the story cover around 70 year of epoch make history and from the perspective of one of imperial rome most unusual and unlikely emperor and claudius . for most of his life he be regard with contempt by most member of his family and due to his seriously debilitate stutter and ungainly limp and attribute most unwelcome in the elite family of imperial rome . derek jacobi be simply outstanding in his portrayal of claudius and a you watch him grow from boy to youth and man to emperor . he seem by the end of the series to become part of your own family and and you find yourself compare the historical figure to todays political leader . however and my personal favourite have to be caligula and play with breathtaking vigour by john hurt . this man have the ability to both terrify and entertain in a single scene . his timing and delivery leave you cry with laughter and even if the subject matter be murderously horrific . you even find yourself like the tyrant . all in all and this output of 1970 british broadcasting can only be describe a a masterpiece . note represent it be rumour that i and claudius be the inspiration for hbo late multi million pound production rome and again make in conjunction with the bbc . almost certainly another classic in the making .