British Comedy Guide
How To Survive The Roman Empire, By Pliny And Me. Copyright: BBC
How To Survive The Roman Empire, By Pliny And Me

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.

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Key details

Genre
Comedy
Broadcast
2015 - 2018
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
15 (3 series)
Stars
Kieran Hodgson, Nigel Barrett, Joanna Scanlan and Mia Soteriou
Writer
Hattie Naylor
Director
Kate McAll
Producer
Kate McAll
Company

Kieran Hodgson is Pliny the Younger, with Nigel Barrett as his trusty slave, Venta, who was captured during the Roman conquest of Britain - based on real events in first century Rome.

First century Rome was a dangerous place. The Emperor Domitian rules Rome with a rod of iron, and is dangerously unstable and paranoid. The Emperor had informers everywhere; no one was safe. One person who survived Domitian's purges was Pliny the Younger. Orphaned at an early age, Pliny was adopted and brought up by his famous uncle, the scientist Pliny the Elder, who died in the eruption of Vesuvius when his nephew was just 18.

Venta, Pliny, his mother Marcella, and Doris the Greek cook will have to have all their wits about them if they are to prevail.

Additional details

Also known as
  • 15 Minute Drama: How To Survive The Roman Empire, By Pliny And Me
Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 26th October 2015 at 10:45am on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats

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