This episode is a huge counterpoint to the ending of the last episode. When episode two ended, Claudius was a wise and popular leader. Here in part three, however, he inexplicably married his power-mad niece--and she soon had him killed and her son, Nero, crowned emperor. However, while this SEEMED like a good idea, it wasn't as Nero was a horrid leader and an even more horrid person. He seemed to kill everyone around him who might pose a threat--and the first was his 'beloved' mother, Agrippina! In addition to learning about what a stupid degenerate Nero was, much of the show concerned the Jewish revolt in Judea. Unfortunately, this portion rushed by very quickly and learning more about the revolt and the fortress at Masada would have been interesting--but is probably something best left to another documentary. However, this portion did introduce General Vespasian--and you'll hear more about him in the next episode.
Like all the other episodes, this was exceptionally well made, interesting and well worth your time. Fortunately, also, this show did NOT propagate the myth that 'Nero fiddled while Rome burned' (one which I have heard in a few badly written documentaries) or that 'Nero had Rome burned'.
Like all the other episodes, this was exceptionally well made, interesting and well worth your time. Fortunately, also, this show did NOT propagate the myth that 'Nero fiddled while Rome burned' (one which I have heard in a few badly written documentaries) or that 'Nero had Rome burned'.
