the Roman Empire
in the 1st century


online on youtube:
  1. Order from Chaos
    Rome rises under Caesar Augustus' compassion and violence.
  2. Years of Trial
    Caligula grips Rome in fear; Judea's religious and political establishment finds Jesus a threat.
  3. Winds of Change
    Claudius rules; Britain battles Roman legions; in Judea, Paul tells of Jesus; Rome verges on disaster under Nero's reign.
  4. Years of Eruption
    Rival generals fight for control in Rome; Mount Vesuvius erupts; Emperor Trajan expands the empire.
also see the pbs pages