When in Rome: 'Julius Caesar' examines the downfall of a dictator

Sixteen years.

That’s how long it took Julius Caesar to dismantle five centuries of ancient Roman democracy.

It took much less time for directors Emma Frank and Richard Pearson to bring “Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator” to life for the BBC.

When in Rome: 'Julius Caesar' examines the downfall of a dictator

The directors worked for months on the three-part historical docudrama that explores Julius Caesar’s journey.

The series tells the story of a brazen power grab that saw Julius Caesar consolidate the vast Roman Republic in his own hands, the series is told through the eyes of an expert cast of British and American historians, scholars and political operatives (including a former head of MI5).

As Caesar takes control of Rome and consolidates his grip over the Republic, he awards himself ever-greater powers.

The directors say Julius Caesar was appointed dictator for one year to restore peace — yet extends the role to 10 years — then dictator for life.

“Caesar has become untouchable, and Rome is now – in the modern sense of the word – a dictatorship,” the directors say. “Caesar’s ambition has turned to tyranny.”

The three-part series will air on New Mexico PBS’ World, channel 5.4, beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. It is also available to stream on the PBS app.

The series features the following experts:

• Shami Chakrabarti is a politician, barrister and human rights activist.
• Jonathan Evans served as head of MI5, 2003-2013.
• Shelley P. Haley is a retired professor of Africana Studies and Classics at Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York.
• Tom Holland is a historian, broadcaster and author of “Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic and Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar.”
• Nandini Pandey is a professor of classics at Johns Hopkins University.
• Federico Santangelo is a professor of ancient history at the University of Newcastle.
• Celia Schultz is a professor of classical studies at the University of Michigan.
• Rory Stewart was a member of Parliament, 2010-2019.
• Jeff Tatum is a professor of classics at the University of Wellington, New Zealand.
• Kathryn Tempest is a reader.

According to the directors, the series is best in three parts because the story is so complex.

Episode one is called “High Priest” and traces Caesar’s ambitious rise as he seeks to become consul, the highest political position in Rome.

He forms dangerous alliances and bends the rules of the Republic, courting the popular vote, exploiting division, and using bribery and intimidation to get his own way. But his unconventional approach to politics and disregard for established customs sets him at odds with the conservative elite within the Senate. And one man — Cato — is determined to bring him down.

The second part is called “Veni Vidi Vici” and begins when Caesar has brokered an uneasy alliance with the two other most powerful men in the Republic, Pompey and Crassus, and the trio dominate the political system.

Caesar leaves Rome to take the governorship of Gaul — modern-day France — to conquer its people and win greater power and prestige. But events beyond his control threaten to unravel his plans and leave him isolated. Backed into a corner, he makes a decision that will change the course of the Republic — and Western history — forever.

The third and final episode is called “Ides of March” and tells the story of when Caesar takes control of Rome and consolidates his grip over the Republic and awards himself ever-greater powers.

His ambition turned to tyranny, Caesar has become untouchable, and Rome is now essentially a dictatorship. A handful of senators, including some of his closest allies, plot to end his rule in the only way they can: by taking his life. But will that be enough to save the Republic?