The mini-series follows the history of the Roman Empire, from approximately the death of Marcellus (24/23 BC) to Claudius' own death in 54 AD. As Claudius narrates his life, we witness Augustus' attempts to find an heir, often foiled by his wife Livia who wants her son Tiberius to become emperor. We also see the conspiracy of Sejanus, the infamous reign of Caligula, and Claudius' own troubled period of rule.
该剧为原版的后续和拓展，如果《斯巴达克斯：复仇》第二季的结尾，Ashur（尼克·塔拉贝 Nick E. Tarabay 饰）没有死在维苏威山，如果他因为帮助罗马人杀掉斯巴达克斯并终结奴隶反叛而被赠与了曾属于巴蒂塔斯的角斗士学院，会怎么样？
一年前，北方小城晨苍发生了一起仇杀案，凶手秦虹潜逃；一年后，警方在南方“发现”秦虹时，秦虹已被男友马伟成抛尸大海，尸骨无存。这是一起人证、物证俱全，凶手甚至已经交代犯罪事实的案件，但消失无踪的尸体让主管刑警刘望惴惴不安，不经疑问“秦虹真的死了吗？”
