Episode 2
Pliny the Younger and his new Welsh slave go boar hunting. But Pliny prefers to leave the hard work to Venta, while he writes a letter to his friend.
Venta, who used to be a free man called Cadwalader of Caerwent, has now been slave to Pliny the Younger for a month. He's been welcomed into the household, especially by Pliny's mother - though not by Doris the cook who resents him interrupting her divinations. With a picnic basket of stuffed dormice, Pliny and Venta go hunting for boar, though Pliny would much rather write a letter to his friend Tacitus than actually get his hands dirty - after all, he's got Venta to do that for him.
Hattie Naylor's drama is based on real letters written by Pliny to his family and friends nearly two thousand years ago.
Music composed by Pete Flood and performed by Pete Flood (percussion), Laura Cannell (recorder, crumhorn), Rhodri Davies (harp), and Paul Sartin (oboe, cor anglais)
Historical Consultant: Dr Peter Jones
Sound: Nigel Lewis
Production Coordinator: Eleri McAuliffe
Produced and Directed by Kate McAll.
Last on
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Pliny the Younger | Kieran Hodgson |
| Venta, the Slave | Nigel Barrett |
| Marcella, Pliny's Mother | Joanna Scanlan |
| Doris, the Cook | Mia Soteriou |
| Director | Kate McAll |
| Producer | Kate McAll |
| Writer | Hattie Naylor |
Broadcasts
- Tue 27 Oct 2015 10:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Tue 27 Oct 2015 19:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
4 Stories - Great readings and drama
A selection of highlights available to download via the iPlayer Radio app
Audio Books
Download these highlights and all our programmes via the iPlayer Radio app.