From the murder of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. to the fall of Rome in A.D. 476, Dark History of The Roman Emperors reveals the adultery, incest, profligacy, sadism, and insanity of Rome's 500-year empire, including:

• A.D. 40 Caligula orders his troops to collect seashells as the 'spoils of war'
• A.D. 54 The bumbling Claudius, who had his nymphomaniac third wife killed, was murdered himself by his fourth wife, his niece
• A.D. 64 Nero sings and plays the lyre while Rome burns
• A.D. 192 The megalomaniac Commodus is assassinated by his wrestling partner Narcissus
• A.D. 193 Rome's Year of Shame: the office of Emperor is put up for sale to the highest bidder
• A.D. 238 Six emperors hold the throne in one year - five were murdered