I, Claudius — Season 1
Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.
About this season
Set amidst a web of power, corruption and lies, it chronicles the reigns of the Roman emperors - Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and finally Claudius.
Episodes (12)
1. A Touch of Murder
6.6Aired 20 September 1976 • 90 min
Livia, the scheming wife of Augustus, seeks to disinherit her husband's grand-children in favour of her own son Tiberius.
2. Waiting in the Wings
6.4Aired 27 September 1976 • 55 min
Livia, wife of Emperor Augustus plots against his daughter Julia and manages to convince him to bring her son Tiberius back from exile.
3. What Shall We Do About Claudius?
6.3Aired 4 October 1976 • 55 min
Livia has engineered the downfall of Julia, who has been banished. Tiberius is recalled to Rome and is joint heir with Postumus. Poor stumbling, stuttering Claudius finds a friend in Herod, king of the Jews.
4. Poison is Queen
7.6Aired 11 October 1976 • 55 min
The Imperial Army on the Rhine has been wiped out and Tiberius sent to avenge the defeat, followed later by Germanicus. Livia has discredited Postumus, who has been banished. Augustus has been feeling unwell, but is avoiding suspicions of poisoning by eating figs from his own garden.
5. Some Justice
7.7Aired 18 October 1976 • 55 min
As Augustus learned of Livia's plot against Postumus, she took action which resulted in Tiberius becoming emperor. The situation in the East now threatens Tiberius's position.
6. Queen of Heaven
6.3Aired 25 October 1976 • 55 min
Germanicus has been murdered in Antioch and his wife Agrippina is convinced Tiberius ordered the killing. Livia has discovered that Caligula helped to poison his father. While Tiberius's perversions have become notorious, his right-hand man Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, gathers more power for himself, including a marriage alliance with Claudius.
7. Reign of Terror
6.2Aired 1 November 1976 • 55 min
With Tiberius retired to Capri, Sejanus plans to tighten his grip on Rome and divorces his wife so he can marry Livilla. But he also has powerful enemies and his attempts to consolidate power set in motion a bloody chain of events.
8. Zeus, By Jove!
6.4Aired 8 November 1976 • 55 min
Claudius has high hopes of a return to a Republic when Caligula insanely proclaims himself a god and his sister a goddess... but Rome officially accepts his divinity.
9. Hail Who?
6.3Aired 15 November 1976 • 55 min
Caligula's erratic behaviour continues, as he makes his horse a senator and turns the palace into a brothel. Many in the Praetorian Guard grow to realise that their ruler is insane and, fearing the collapse of Rome itself, believe that something needs to be done.
10. Fool's Luck
6.3Aired 22 November 1976 • 55 min
Claudius is happily married, while the mad Caligula has been assassinated. To his astonishment, Claudius has been proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.
11. A God in Colchester
6.2Aired 29 November 1976 • 55 min
Claudius has ruled wisely for a year with the support of Messalina, whom he deeply loves. Convinced of her devotion, he is totally unaware that she is deceiving him.
12. Old King Log
6.4Aired 6 December 1976 • 55 min
Almost at the end of his family history, Claudius' thoughts turn to the future of Rome.