(7 December 2015, Singapore) – HISTORY has ordered “Barbarians Rising,” an eight-part docu-drama that reveals the true story of the 700-year struggle to bring down one of strongest empires the world has ever known. “Barbarians Rising” is a global co-production for HISTORY channels produced by October Films. This limited event series is slated to premiere in 2016 across 185+ territories.
“Barbarians Rising” tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire from the perspective of the barbarian rebel leaders. It 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 civilization that lived a brutish and violent existence. However, these were also men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come.
“Barbarians Rising” features nine of history’s greatest warriors – Hannibal, who vowed a blood oath at the age of nine; Spartacus, the slave-turned-rebel who led a barbarian revolt; Boudica, the Celtic warrior Queen; Arminius, the stolen son of Germany; Attila, scourge of the east; as well as fighting units, the Goths, a fierce people betrayed by the empire; and the Vandals, the wandering raiders who dealt Rome’s final death blow. These monumental tales tell the story of how one of the world’s greatest Empires is undone by their aggressive quest for expansion.
“Barbarians Rising” is a global co-production for HISTORY channels produced by October Films. Executive producers for HISTORY are Kristen Burns, Sally Habbershaw and Russ McCarroll Adam Bullmore is executive producer, Simon George (HISTORY’s “World War II From Space”) is executive director, and Michael Waterhouse (HISTORY’s “The Bible”) is series producer for October Films.
A+E Networks handles worldwide distribution for “Barbarians Rising”.