The series is a visceral journey into the heart of a wave of rebellions against absolute power. The Roman Empire called them “barbarians” – tribes the Romans viewed beyond the fringe of civilisation that lived a brutish and violent existence. However, these were also men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come. It is a monumental series that tells the story of how one of the world’s greatest empires was undone by its aggressive quest for expansion.

Barbarians Rising features the true stories of nine of history’s greatest warriors. The cast includes Nicholas Pinnock as Hannibal, who vowed a blood oath at the age of nine to destroy Rome; Ben Batt as Spartacus, the slave-turned-rebel who led a barbarian revolt; Kirsty Mitchell as Boudica, the avenging Celtic warrior Queen; Tom Hopper as Arminius, the son of Germany surrendered to Rome; Emil Hostina as Attila, scourge of the east; Gavin Drea as Alaric, the king of the Goths; Steven Waddington as Fritigern, the warrior who took down an Emperor; Richard Brake as Geiseric, the last barbarian standing and Jefferson Hall as Viriathus, the shepherd-turned-rebel leader.

Barbarians Rising premieres on History, channel 186 on DStv, on Tuesday, 6 September at 20:30.

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