In the years following the death of Augustus, the empire is rocked by political convulsions. A reluctant new emperor, Tiberius, fills the power void, only to face rebellious troops abroad and murderous colleagues at home. His ultimate decline from ascetic ruler to reclusive despot ushers in one of the most notorious rulers of the ancient world -- Caligula. As assassination and corruption plague Rome, crisis spreads to the provinces. In Judea, a charismatic religious leader named Jesus challenges the religious and political establishment. The local furor barely touches Rome, but the legacy of Jesus will one day eclipse that of the emperor himself.

Note: This is part 2 of a series of 4 parts.