Togas on TV

Where do you go if you’re in search of deviant sex, exotic food, thrilling political drama, and bloodthirsty spectacle? The answer, of course, is ancient Rome. From the sublime heights of I, Claudius to the cheerful ridiculousness of Up Pompeii, togas have been turning up on the TV in the most unlikely of places – even Morph has dressed up as an ancient Roman, while William Hartnell’s Dr Who also couldn’t resist a quick look. With contributions from Sian Phillips, Brian Blessed and Terry Jones, among others, all asking why we’re all so obsessed with the Romans, and what it says about us.<