I, Claudius | 4: Poison Is Queen

Based on I, Claudius by Robert Graves

The Imperial Army on the Rhine has been wiped out and Tiberius is sent to avenge the defeat, followed later by Germanicus. Livia has discredited Postumus, who has been banished. Augustus has been feeling unwell, but is avoiding suspicions of poisoning by eating figs from his own garden.

Watch
Access

Licence: ERA Licence required

Content
  • Type: Adaptation
  • Channel: BBC Two
  • Duration: 50'59''
  • Broadcast date: 1976
Usage

UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted

  • BBC Logo
  • Literary Resource

More episodes from this series

I, Claudius | 1: A Touch of Murder

I, Claudius | 1: A Touch of Murder

1976 | 1'37'37''

Acclaimed blackly comic historical drama series set amidst a web of power, corruption and lies, chronicling the reigns of the Roman emperors.

I, Claudius | 2: Waiting in the Wings

I, Claudius | 2: Waiting in the Wings

1976 | 49'59''

The adaptation of Robert Graves's novels continues and introduces Claudius as a stumbling, stuttering child, marked out for greatness b...

I, Claudius | 3: What Shall We Do about Claudius?

I, Claudius | 3: What Shall We Do about Claudius?

1976 | 51'36''

Livia engineers the downfall of Julia, who is banished. Tiberius is recalled to Rome and is joint heir with Postumus. Poor ...

I, Claudius | 4: Poison Is Queen

I, Claudius | 4: Poison Is Queen

1976 | 50'59''

The Imperial Army on the Rhine has been wiped out and Tiberius is sent to avenge the defeat, followed later by Germanicus. Livia has discred...

I, Claudius | 5: Some Justice

I, Claudius | 5: Some Justice

1976 | 51'36''

As Augustus learned of Livia's plot against Postumus, she took action which resulted in Tiberius becoming emperor. The situation in the east no...

I, Claudius | 6: Queen of Heaven

I, Claudius | 6: Queen of Heaven

1976 | 52'03''

Series chronicling the reigns of four Roman emperors. Germanicus has been murdered in Antioch and his wife Agrippina is convinced Tiberius o...

I, Claudius | 7: Reign of Terror

I, Claudius | 7: Reign of Terror

1976 | 51'07''

With Tiberius retired to Capri, Sejanus plans to tighten his grip on Rome and divorces his wife so he can marry Livilla. But he also has pow...

I, Claudius | 8: Zeus, by Jove!

I, Claudius | 8: Zeus, by Jove!

1976 | 51'16''

Claudius has high hopes of a return to a republic when Caligula insanely proclaims himself a god and his sister a goddess... but Rome officia...

I, Claudius | 9: Hail Who?

I, Claudius | 9: Hail Who?

1976 | 54'03''

Caligula's erratic behaviour continues as he makes his horse a senator and turns the palace into a brothel. Many in the Praetorian Guard come to r...

I, Claudius | 10: Fool's Luck

I, Claudius | 10: Fool's Luck

1976 | 51'43''

Claudius is happily married, while the mad Caligula has been assassinated. To his astonishment, Claudius has been proclaimed emperor by the Pra...

I, Claudius | 11: A God in Colchester

I, Claudius | 11: A God in Colchester

1976 | 51'41''

Claudius has ruled wisely for a year with the support of Messalina, whom he deeply loves. Convinced of her devotion, he is totally unaw...

I, Claudius | 12: Old King Log

I, Claudius | 12: Old King Log

1976 | 53'13''

Acclaimed historical drama series chronicling the reigns of the Roman emperors. Almost at the end of his family history, Claudius's thoughts t...

Sir Derek Jacobi Remembers... I, Claudius

Sir Derek Jacobi Remembers... I, Claudius

2023 | 13'42''

Sir Derek Jacobi remembers the landmark 1976 TV series I, Claudius.
Other Archive resources
Goodbye to All That | BBC Two | 1995

Bookmark | I, Graves: The Life and Loves of an English Poet

A celebration of the flamboyant writer Robert Graves, showing to mark his centenary year. Graves is famous as the author of ''I, Claudius'', ''Goodbye to all that'' and ''White Goddess'', but he was also a prolific poet and critic.
I, Claudius | BBC Four | 2023

Sir Derek Jacobi Remembers... I, Claudius

Sir Derek Jacobi remembers the landmark 1976 TV series I, Claudius.