How To Survive The Roman Empire, By Pliny And Me
- Radio comedy
- BBC Radio 4
- 2015 - 2018
- 15 episodes (3 series)
Comic drama series is based on real letters written by Pliny to his friends and colleagues in the 1st Century AD. Stars Kieran Hodgson, Nigel Barrett, Joanna Scanlan and Mia Soteriou.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 4
Further details
Venta has been in the household of Pliny the Younger for five months, as secretary and scribe. Meanwhile, the Emperor Domitian's reign of terror continues. There's a rumour that he entertains people one day, then has them executed next morning on some trumped up charge.
The atmosphere in the normally calm villa is uneasy. Pliny hears stories of slaves who are spying on masters. And then an invitation arrives - to dinner with the Emperor. They are instructed to wear black so Marcella arranges for their togas to be dyed.
The night of the dinner arrives, and it proves just as alarming as they feared.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 29th October 2015
- Time
- 10:45am
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 15 minutes
Cast & crew
| Kieran Hodgson | Pliny the Younger |
| Nigel Barrett | Venta |
| Joanna Scanlan | Marcella |
| Mia Soteriou | Doris |
| Matthew Gravelle | Domitian |
| Mia Soteriou | Hispulla |
| Matthew Gravelle | Corellius |
| Hattie Naylor | Writer |
| Kate McAll | Director |
| Kate McAll | Producer |