[3] The series is told from the perspective of leaders of peoples that fought Rome, who were termed barbarians by the Romans.
[3] Depictions of these leaders and historical events are interspersed with brief commentary from modern scholars, historians and experts on military and public policy.
[3][9] History (Canada) debuted the miniseries the same month as the United States and has it available for viewing On Demand for a full year.
Brian P. Kelly of The Wall Street Journal gave Barbarians Rising a mixed review, commending History Channel "for offering a show that deals with, well, history" while also noting "the series is slowed to the point of exhaustion by its lengthy re-enactments".
[1] Verne Gay of Newsday was also mixed in his appraisal of the miniseries giving it a grade of 'C' and remarking that "The sword-and-sandal mini-epics here are lavishly produced, and (for the most part) dramatically comatose.