Lyn Goldfarb Productions, Inc.

Two thousand years ago, at the dawn of the first century, the world was ruled by Rome. The Roman Empire struggled with problems which are surprisingly familiar: violent coups, assassination, overarching ambition, civil war, clashes between the classes as well as the sexes, and questions of personal freedom versus government control.

But from the chaos, the Roman Empire would emerge stronger and more dazzling than ever before. Soon it would stretch from Britain across Europe to the shores of North Africa: and from Spain across Greece and the Middle East to the borders of Asia. It would embrace hundreds of languages and religions and till its many cultures into a rich soil from which Western civilization would grow. Rome would become the world's first and most enduring superpower.

Through the experiences, memories and writings of the people who lived it, this series tells the story of that time — of the emperors, slaves, poets, and peasants who wrested order from chaos, built the most cosmopolitan society they world had ever seen, and shaped The Roman Empire in the First Century.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE FIRST CENTURY was filmed in Italy, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and Germany.

Produced in Association with Devillier Donegan Enterprises and PBS. Broadcast on PBS in 2001.

Credits

Producers and Directors: Margaret Koval and Lyn Goldfarb
Writer: Margaret Koval
Series Producer: Patricia Asté
Director of Photography: Michael Chin
Editors: Douglas Cheek, Bill Haugse A.C.E.
Composer: Dana Kaproff
Narrator: Sigourney Weaver

Reviews

The four-hour documentary…creates a richly textured portrait of the age-and leads to intriguing comparisons between America now and Rome of 2,000 years ago.
Associated Press, 2001

A new PBS special breathes fresh life into the topic by taking a more personal approach…What emerges is a compelling program that is notable for both its sweep and its attention to detail.
Kansas City Star, 2001

If you like sex, violence and intrigue in your dynastic politics—and who doesn't?—then PBS has a dandy four-part documentary for you, The Roman Empire in the First Century. With narration by Sigourney Weaver, producers Margaret Koval and Lyn Goldfarb have whipped up a zesty, nicely paced, eye catching rundown of the personalities, triumphs and agonies that gave the world its first superpower…the series is helped by sumptuous photography and re-creations of historic events.
Los Angeles Times, 2001

Compelling documentary mini series.
Wall Street Journal, 2001