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The series opens in 51BC, after Julius Caesar 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 see the story of the last year's of Caesar's reign.

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

The series, made by the BBC and US broadcaster HBO, which makes 'Sex and the City' and 'The Sopranos', is believed to have cost the corporation in excess of £60m after one of the sets in Bulgaria was washed away in a flood.

However, the BBC said that a larger part of that budget came from HBO.

The series has already drawn comparisons with controversial 1976 series 'I Claudius', which was blasted due to its adult scenes.

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

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. 

Jane Tranter, BBC controller of drama commissioning, said: "We've been developing this project with HBO for some time and we're delighted that Rome has now come to fruition as our first co-production.

"Rome is a powerful story and, alongside The Lost Prince, State of Play, Canterbury Tales, Charles II, Hustle and Gunpowder, Treason and Plot, is another example of our ambition to create the boldest, most original and engaging events on television."

Lead writer Bruno Heller said the series will shed light on what it was like to live in ancient Rome.

"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," he said.

The series will be shown on BBC Two in November and from next week in the US.

Rome is the first series co-production between the BBC and HBO, who previously co-produced the acclaimed serial Band of Brothers, which 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.

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