The opening programme tells the story of the Roman invasion of Britain: why they came, and how they managed to conquer an island of barbarians, then on the edge of the known world.

It follows the work of historians and archaeologists who are still trying to piece together an accurate picture of the invasion, and looks at how the Britons reacted to the invasion: some, like Boudicca, with outright defiance, others siezing the opportunities offered by the invaders and quickly adopting Roman ways. Like America today, the military and cultural might of Rome proved too powerful for the tribal people of Britain to resist.

To find out more, read the programme transcript.