This docudrama tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire from the viewpoint of the rebel leaders -- termed as barbarians by the Romans -- who launched epic struggles that would help to shape the future. The eight-part series details the 700-year battle to bring down one of the world's strongest empires. The warriors whose stories are told in the fact-based episodes include Hannibal, who vowed to destroy Rome as a 9-year-old; slave-turned-rebel Spartacus, who led a barbarian revolt; Celtic warrior queen Boudica; and Viriathus, a shepherd who became a rebel leader.