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The drama, which goes out immediately after the 9pm watershed, is expected to generate a wave of complaints. The BBC had ruled out showing the drama at a later time because it wants to get maximum exposure for the series.

Jane Tranter, BBC controller of drama commissioning, said: "This is how people lived. It shows Rome in all its bloodiness and viscerality."

Bruno Heller, lead writer on the drama, said: "You can't understand that period in history unless it shocks you."

In the first few minutes of the opening episode viewers see Caesar's niece, played by Polly Walker, topless and astride one of her lovers as slaves look on.

"You were allowed to murder your neighbour or covet his wife if it didn't piss off the wrong person. Mercy was a weakness, cruelty a virtue, and all that mattered was personal honour, loyalty to yourself and family," Heller said.

The series is likely to land the BBC in hot water with broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

The series, made by the BBC and US broadcaster HBO, which makes 'Sex and the City' and 'The Sopranos', is believed to have cost £62m to produce.

The 12-part drama series on Julius Caesar and the rise of the Roman empire will broadcast on BBC Two from November 2 at 9pm.

HBO's first instalment of 'Rome' got off to a solid start last month, averaging 3.8m viewers during its 9pm premiere. The second episode slipped to 3m but has stayed around the 3.2m mark, proving a success for HBO on a par with its 'Six Feet Under' finale, which pulled in 3.9m, and the second season of 'Deadwood', which managed 2.8m.

The series opens in 51BC, when Julius Caesar had completed his conquest of Gaul after eight years of war and was set to return to Rome.

Through the eyes of two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, and their families, audiences will witness the last years of Caesar's reign.

'Trainspotting' actor Kevin McKidd, who played heroin addict Tommy in the 1996 hit film, plays Lucius Vorenus.

The series has already drawn comparisons with controversial 1976 series 'I Claudius', which was condemned because of its adult scenes.

Newsweek magazine described 'Rome' as "'I Claudius' on steroids and Viagra".

'Rome' is the second series co-produced by the BBC and HBO, which previously worked together on Steven Spielberg's acclaimed WWII series 'Band of Brothers'. It won the 2002 Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries.

The drama epic marks a return to a theme that the BBC explored earlier this year with 'Colosseum' and 'Pompeii', which told the story of ancient Rome's gladiator's and the last days of Pompeii respectively.

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