Tiberius wants something more solid on which to hang his mother's ambitions for him besides an old chicken story!

An unhappy marriage to the Emperor's daughter is the best assurance Livia offers her son for succession to the Imperial throne.

The tragedy of ambition: Tiberius divorces Vipsania (Sheila Ruskin), the wife he loves, in order to marry Julia and pave his way as Augustus' successor.

Tiberius at the deathbed of his brother Drusus. Sadly for Tiberius,
all those close to him who encourage his better nature are being cut off from him.

The Emperor and Empress in public, regal and composed for a religious ceremony of games.

The Emperor and Empress in private, quarrelling over family matters - again.

Livia's plan to bring Tiberius back from exile after abusing the Emperor's daughter - expose Julia's provokingly bawdy public behavior...

...through Julia's son Lucius. Augustus is stricken with the news: "Is there anyone in ROME who has not slept with my daughter?!"

Postumus is accused of rape by his lover Livilla - who stands to become future Empress because of her marriage to Castor if Postumus is disgraced.

Bereft of most members of his immediate blood family, Augustus is forced by necessity to bring Livia's son Tiberius back from exile to help him.

Tiberius is infuriated and ready to chuck his mother's ambitions for him in the river when he discovers Augustus no longer favors him as successor...

...but Livia is not so easily dissuaded from her ambitions and finds the method to bring about her desires for Tiberius that much the faster.

By the way...

...don't touch the figs!

Livia becomes Augusta on the death of her husband according to his will...or at least according to someone's will.

The battle of control over Tiberius - smiling snake Sejanus vs. the Empress Dowager. ("They say a snake bit her once - and died.")

Agrippina tells Herod Agrippa about the signs of witchcraft on her late husband's body when he died, not noticing the young eavesdropper behind her...

...Agrippina's son Caligula (Robert Morgan), who later gets a lecture from Uncle Claudius about why there are improper ways to play
with one's sister.

Piso (Stratford Johns) and Plancina (Irene Hamilton) appeal to their patron Tiberius to help them regarding the matter of the mysterious death of Germanicus of which they are accused.

The poisoner Martina (Patsy Byrne) is a friend of Plancina's, and Livia finds out some information about her family at this small dinner party that shocks even her.

My Son, The Emperor - "So what are you getting me for my birthday?" Livia demands of Tiberius in the middle of the street.

Claudius, bold with drink, wonders aloud to his fire-eating grandmother why in the world she invited him to her birthday party.

The reasons are are pretty simple, and twofold: "I want to be a goddess, Claudius!" ...

...and Claudius, prophesied to become Emperor, must make sure Livia gets what she wants!