When in Rome ...

Was there ever an empire so beloved by TV and movie fans as Rome? Togas, gladiators, decadence, Caligula -- when it comes to spectacle, the Romans had it all. Here’s a quick comparison of the HBO series “Rome,� which debuts tonight, with ABC’s “Empire,� the Oscar-winning “Gladiator� and Masterpiece Theater’s legendary “I, Claudius.�

Rome

Time period: 52 BC

Cast of characters: Brutus, Julius Caesar, Pompey Magnus, Gaius Octavian, Marc Antony, Atia

Blood and guts: Lots of swordplay, decapitations and crucifixions.

Hunk factor: Low wattage, though Kevin McKidd (above) as Lucius Vorenus shows some promise -- plus there’s plenty of sex in this city.

*

Empire

Time period: 44 BC

Cast of characters: Julius Caesar, Octavius, Atia, Marc Antony, Brutus

Blood and guts: More sound than fury -- PG-rated.

Hunk factor: Jonathan Cake (above) as the gladiator Tyrannus certainly has the body for the part, but he’s no Russell Crowe.

*

Gladiator

Time period: AD 180 AD

Cast of characters: Maximus, Commodus, Lucilla, Marcus Aurelius, Gracchus

Blood and guts: A hefty amount of brutal sword slinging with lopped limbs and heads and disembowelment.

Hunk factor: Russell Crowe (above) and Djimon Hounsou -- need we say more?

*

I, Claudius

Time period: 24 BC to AD 54

Cast of characters: Claudius, Livia, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Antonia

Blood and guts: Livia did love her poisons; surprisingly graphic considering this TV miniseries was produced nearly 30 years ago.

Hunk factor: Stars Derek Jacobi (as Claudius, above) and John Hurt (as Caligula) probably have never adorned the walls of teenage fans, but on the other hand, this 1976 production was the first time many Americans saw nudity on TV.

-- Susan King