Bettany Hughes explores the day in 202 B.C. when Rome took on and defeated the might of Carthage under Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.

Two of the greatest rebellions against Roman rule are looked at in detail, including the slave revolt led by Spartacus and a revolt that nearly ended the Roman occupation of Britain.

Bettany Hughes examines Nero's rule to discover details about his fondness for debauchery and details about his ultimate demise; Rome’s Collosseum is examinerad.