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5 Episodes 1985 - 1985
Episode 1
180 mins
A five-part miniseries chronicling the rise of Christianity amid the grandeur---and decadence---of 1st century Rome. In Part 1, Tiberius (James Mason) becomes embroiled in political intrigue; and, in Judea, dissension spreads among the Jews over the legitimacy of Jesus as the Messiah. Peter: Denis Quilley. Sejanus: Ian McShane. Nerva: Jack Warden. Caleb: Cecil Humphreys. Antonia: Colleen Dewhurst.
Episode 2
120 mins
Part 2. Caligula (John McEnery) feeds on new-found power in Rome; Saul (Philip Sayer) undergoes a conversion; and the Zealot Caleb searches for his sister Sarah, a Jewish slave enamored of the Roman soldier Valerius (Neil Dickson). Sarah: Amanda Pays. Caleb: Cecil Humphreys. Tiberius: James Mason. Claudius: Richard Kiley. Gamaliel: John Houseman.
Episode 3
120 mins
Part 3. Training in the arena, Caleb becomes attracted to the gladiator Corinna; Peter (Denis Quilley) seeks to bring the Gentiles into the new faith; and humiliated Roman officers plot revenge against Caligula (John McEnery). Caleb: Cecil Humphreys. Corinna: Diane Venora. Serpenius: Richard Roundtree. The Ethiopian: Ben Vereen.
Episode 4
120 mins
Part 4. Claudius (Richard Kiley) is betrayed by his adulterous wife Messalina, perfidious niece Agrippina and her son, the mad Nero (Anthony Andrews); Paul and Peter spread Christ's word in Greece and Judea. Messalina: Jennifer O'Neill. Agrippina: Ava Gardner. Paul: Philip Sayer. Peter: Denis Quilley. Caleb: Cecil Humphreys.
Episode 5
180 mins
Conclusion. Murder, debauchery and bloody arena "games" mark the reign of Nero (Anthony Andrews)---capped by a fire that ravages Rome and an obsessive persecution of Christians. Peter: Denis Quilley. Tigellinus: Jonathan Hyde. Paul: Philip Sayer. Valerius: Neil Dickson. Caleb: Cecil Humphreys. Corinna: Diane Venora.