If you can’t get enough of Rome and its history, join author and historian Simon Sebag Monetfiore on BBC iPlayer for his series Rome: A History of the Eternal City.

The series charts Rome’s development from a series of villages to a powerful Holy City – and how the Romans came to see their city and its power as god given.

Sebag Montefiore puts his own virtus to the test with a trip down Rome’s sewers and the Catacomb of Priscilla – and discovers how to tell whether the war gods are happy using a fresh sheep’s liver.

Farmers will be interested to hear about the many duties farmers in Ancient Rome had to carry out, including regular sacrifices to the gods. October’s sacrifice is a whole horse to give thanks for the harvest.

And if you have ever placed your hand into a famous sculpture for a photo opportunity in Rome, you will be interested to hear its true purpose.

Rome: A History of the Eternal City is available on BBC iPlayer.

Buon viaggio!

Images copyright A. Meredith