How to Survive the Roman Empire, by Pliny and Me: The Complete Series 1-3 cover art

How to Survive the Roman Empire, by Pliny and Me: The Complete Series 1-3

The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

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About this listen

Kieran Hodgson stars as Pliny the Younger in Hattie Naylor’s engaging drama charting the fortunes of a household in Ancient Rome.

The Emperor Domitian has informers everywhere; no-one is safe. He rules Rome with a rod of iron, and is dangerously unstable and paranoid. In the snake-pit of Imperial Rome, all Pliny the Younger wants to do is get his letters ready for publication.

Except if he, his mother Marcella, their Greek cook Doris (who narrowly missed out on becoming the next Oracle at Delphi), and Venta, their slave with secretarial skills have any chance of surveying, they are going to have to negotiate a political minefield, keep their eyes peeled for spies and, most of all, not do anything to annoy the Emperor.

Easier said than done.

Cast and credits

Pliny the Younger………………..Kieran Hodgson
Venta………………………………..Nigel Barrett
Marcella……………………………Joanna Scanlan
Doris the Cook…………………Mia Soteriou
Regulus……………………….Matthew Gravelle
Lucipor…………………………Ewan Bailey
Produced by and directed for radio by Kate McAll
Written by Hattie Naylor

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Action & Adventure Ancient Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Comedy Fiction Ancient History Funny Roman Empire Mystery
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I was genuinely disappointed when it finished! Some great acting combined with an excellent narrative!

Simply a great story and well performed

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a brilliant story based around plinnys household. Wish I had found it earlier this year for our trip to Pompeii and Rome.

very well written

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This was really enjoyable with believable characters and a good story line that was engaging

Very entertaining

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One of the best radio dramas I have ever heard. Fantastic characterisation, informative and humorous it brought Ancient Rome to vivid life. Hattie Naylor is an amazing talent

Superb humorous radio drama set in Ancient Rome

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This was an excellent Series in a quiet little way. The three very charismatic lead performers will leave you wanting more. Don’t expect tonnes of comedy or huge tension, just gentle comedy and historical atmosphere.

Wish it was longer

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