Part of PBS's acclaimed documentary series EMPIRES, this fantastic four-part program chronicles the history of the Roman Empire. Reigning 2,000 years ago, the empire of Rome encompassed most of the civilized world, yet was quickly crumbling by the dawn of the 1st century. THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE FIRST CENTURY provides an in-depth look at this turbulent historical period, focusing on the civil war, power struggles, and cultural chaos that would eventually prove to be Rome's downfall.