A God in Colchester

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:58 > 0:01:00- Does it hurt?- Of course it hurts.

0:01:00 > 0:01:02Do you think I'm made of wood?

0:01:07 > 0:01:09I didn't mean to scratch so hard.

0:01:09 > 0:01:12And I'm on stage today.

0:01:12 > 0:01:15No one will see your back. You'll have your clothes on.

0:01:15 > 0:01:18But I'm doing Ulysses and Circe.

0:01:18 > 0:01:22When I'm washed up on the beach, my dear, I'm naked to the waist.

0:01:22 > 0:01:26- That's not in the play. - It is when I perform it.

0:01:27 > 0:01:30Where are you going?

0:01:30 > 0:01:32To the theatre.

0:01:32 > 0:01:34Stay here.

0:01:34 > 0:01:37Look, I have a performance to give.

0:01:37 > 0:01:39You can give it here, just for me.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41I've already performed for you!

0:01:45 > 0:01:46Don't be insolent.

0:01:49 > 0:01:53No, no, no, you shouldn't hit my face.

0:01:53 > 0:01:55I am an actor.

0:01:55 > 0:01:57And that's all you are.

0:01:57 > 0:01:59Just remember that.

0:02:01 > 0:02:03I don't know why I put up with you.

0:02:03 > 0:02:07You put up with me because you're bored and because I make you laugh.

0:02:07 > 0:02:09- Do you think I'm bored? - Unbelievably.

0:02:09 > 0:02:14I think there are times when you would crack the universe open if you could, just to see what would happen.

0:02:14 > 0:02:21- Well you may be right.- You know, you ought to have accompanied the Emperor on his invasion of Britain.

0:02:21 > 0:02:27They say the men there are so savage that the women live in a permanent state of ecstasy.

0:02:27 > 0:02:29I should have been an actor.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31Or a sculptor.

0:02:31 > 0:02:34They never seem to get bored.

0:02:34 > 0:02:36They have their art

0:02:36 > 0:02:37but what do I have?

0:02:37 > 0:02:39You, you have your lovers.

0:02:39 > 0:02:41Oh, my lovers.

0:02:44 > 0:02:47When I make love,

0:02:47 > 0:02:51I reach for something that men never dream of.

0:02:51 > 0:02:52What's that?

0:02:54 > 0:02:57I don't know.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59But it's there.

0:02:59 > 0:03:01Always just out of reach.

0:03:03 > 0:03:06Sometimes, I feel as if...

0:03:07 > 0:03:10I could take on the whole of Rome in a night.

0:03:10 > 0:03:12I'd be no worse for it in the morning.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14And why don't you?

0:03:15 > 0:03:17You'll mock me once too often some day.

0:03:17 > 0:03:21I'm not mocking you, I'm serious.

0:03:21 > 0:03:26Why, we could stage the greatest night of love the world has ever seen.

0:03:26 > 0:03:28A tournament of sex.

0:03:28 > 0:03:34We could challenge the Guild of Prostitutes to provide a champion to compete with you.

0:03:34 > 0:03:37Who would last the longest?

0:03:37 > 0:03:41The interminable versus the inexhaustible!

0:03:41 > 0:03:43THEY CHUCKLE

0:03:44 > 0:03:46You're mad!

0:03:49 > 0:03:52There is no-one who could compete with me.

0:03:52 > 0:03:54No?

0:03:55 > 0:03:59What about that Sicilian woman, what's her name, Scylla?

0:03:59 > 0:04:02Don't underestimate her.

0:04:02 > 0:04:04They say she boards a ship at Ostia,

0:04:04 > 0:04:08works the whole crew and then walks off steadier than any one of them.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Are you serious?- Why not?

0:04:14 > 0:04:18Why not? What a spectacle it would make.

0:04:18 > 0:04:21Two tidal waves of male passion

0:04:21 > 0:04:26dashing their fury against two timeless rocks of love.

0:04:26 > 0:04:27Who will be the first to yield?

0:04:27 > 0:04:30Who will be the first to break?

0:04:31 > 0:04:34It would be unprecedented.

0:04:34 > 0:04:40Copulation on a cosmic scale to set the universe RINGING to the cheers of the gods.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43- Do you think I'd win?- Who can tell.

0:04:43 > 0:04:46That Sicilian woman, they say...

0:04:46 > 0:04:49she's formidable.

0:04:49 > 0:04:51But I am more so.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58Now I know why I put up with you.

0:05:00 > 0:05:02Bring on your Sicilian...

0:05:03 > 0:05:06and let her look to her laurels.

0:05:11 > 0:05:14They've taken 8,000 prisoners and counted nearly 5,000 corpses.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17Caractacus has left Colchester and fled to the west.

0:05:17 > 0:05:20Aulus has taken the 9th Cavalry in pursuit of him.

0:05:20 > 0:05:23- And our losses?- Oh, insignificant -

0:05:23 > 0:05:26380 killed and 600 wounded.

0:05:26 > 0:05:28Britain is almost subdued.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31The Emperor's on his way home.

0:05:31 > 0:05:33Er...

0:05:39 > 0:05:42If he's on his way home, that solves our problem.

0:05:44 > 0:05:46Not necessarily.

0:05:47 > 0:05:51It solves the problem of whether we should write to him.

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Whether we should tell him when he gets back is another matter.

0:05:59 > 0:06:02And it becomes the same problem we had before he left.

0:06:07 > 0:06:12The golden hair that Galla wears is hers.

0:06:12 > 0:06:16Who would have thought it? She swears it's hers.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20And true, she swears, for I know where she bought it!

0:06:20 > 0:06:22LAUGHTER

0:06:22 > 0:06:26AUDIENCE CLAMOURS

0:06:29 > 0:06:35You ask me how my farm can pay, since little it will bear.

0:06:35 > 0:06:40It pays me thus, 'tis far away and you are never there!

0:06:42 > 0:06:47Order! Scylla, President of the Guild of Prostitutes.

0:06:52 > 0:06:54At last.

0:06:56 > 0:06:58Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Ssh!

0:07:00 > 0:07:06Permit me to introduce myself, my name is Mnester. I'm an actor.

0:07:06 > 0:07:09Most people have heard of me.

0:07:09 > 0:07:13My name is Scylla and I'm a whore, everybody's heard of me.

0:07:15 > 0:07:19Allow me to introduce you to the Lady Messalina,

0:07:19 > 0:07:23your challenger and the Emperor's wife.

0:07:23 > 0:07:27This is Scylla the Sicilian, and anybody's wife!

0:07:27 > 0:07:29I am honoured.

0:07:29 > 0:07:31You are most welcome.

0:07:31 > 0:07:36They said you were beautiful, but their praise did you small justice.

0:07:36 > 0:07:38You are most generous.

0:07:38 > 0:07:41And it was sporting of you to accept the challenge.

0:07:41 > 0:07:43Sporting?!

0:07:43 > 0:07:46I see, there's no money in it(!)

0:07:46 > 0:07:49You are here for the honour, woman, and to defend your reputation.

0:07:49 > 0:07:53Would you defend yours for nothing, Greek?

0:07:53 > 0:07:56Lady, I'm a professional. I work for money.

0:07:56 > 0:08:00The honour I gladly leave to you.

0:08:00 > 0:08:05What impudence. She expects to be paid and in this company.

0:08:05 > 0:08:10The difference between you and me, actor, is you're a snob and I'm not.

0:08:10 > 0:08:16And the difference between this great lady and myself is that my work is her hobby.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20My hobby happens to be gardening for which I don't aspire to be paid.

0:08:22 > 0:08:25You shall have your money.

0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Shall we say...- Five.

0:08:27 > 0:08:30Three gold pieces a head.

0:08:30 > 0:08:32A head?!

0:08:32 > 0:08:35Seems an odd way to describe it.

0:08:35 > 0:08:37Win or lose, of course?

0:08:39 > 0:08:41- That seems satisfactory. - Satisfactory?

0:08:41 > 0:08:44You've never earned so much in a whole year.

0:08:44 > 0:08:47This Greek will drive me to distraction.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49Nothing I say pleases him.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51Let us begin.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55Which side of the bed do you prefer?

0:08:55 > 0:08:57Left, or right?

0:08:57 > 0:09:04Lady, give me a support for my back and let the games begin, as they say.

0:09:08 > 0:09:11Let the games begin!

0:09:11 > 0:09:13You know what's going on at the palace at this moment?

0:09:13 > 0:09:19The Emperor's wife competes with a prostitute to see who'll wear out most men. It's been going since noon!

0:09:19 > 0:09:22Well that is shocking, I can hardly believe it.

0:09:22 > 0:09:28I've had my suspicions for weeks. This is the final straw. It's outrageous. Something must be done.

0:09:28 > 0:09:34- Have you discussed this with anyone else?- Only my immediate superior. - Colonel Rufrius?- Yes.

0:09:34 > 0:09:38- When did you discuss it with him? - A week ago - I had good grounds for my suspicions but no proof.

0:09:38 > 0:09:42He advised you to do nothing and wait for the Emperor's return?

0:09:42 > 0:09:45Yes and I did wait but this is too much! That's why I've come to you.

0:09:45 > 0:09:48I think you must write to the Emperor at once.

0:09:49 > 0:09:52I don't think you can put that sort of thing in a letter.

0:09:53 > 0:09:55I see.

0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Well maybe YOU can't, but- I- can!

0:09:58 > 0:10:01Justus?

0:10:01 > 0:10:04I think you have been immensely foolish.

0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Are you threatening me?- No, but did you not know that your superior,

0:10:10 > 0:10:14Colonel Rufrius, was one of the Lady Messalina's inner circle of friends?

0:10:16 > 0:10:21If you have confided in him, he has most certainly confided in her.

0:10:21 > 0:10:26I should think she has already applied to the Emperor for a warrant for your execution.

0:10:26 > 0:10:29My execution?

0:10:29 > 0:10:31Are you serious? On what grounds?

0:10:31 > 0:10:34Does it matter? Conspiracy.

0:10:34 > 0:10:39Emperors are very nervous when away from their capitals - they'll sign anything.

0:10:39 > 0:10:43If I'm any judge, that warrant's already on its way back here at this very moment.

0:10:45 > 0:10:46You mean...?

0:10:48 > 0:10:50What are we to do?

0:10:50 > 0:10:54You must help me, you must back me up. You MUST!

0:10:54 > 0:11:00I will choose my own time when to tell him, not yours or anyone else's.

0:11:00 > 0:11:04I have learned to tread very carefully in a burning building.

0:11:13 > 0:11:15What have I to do?

0:11:17 > 0:11:20What can a dead man do?

0:11:20 > 0:11:21Go and get buried.

0:11:21 > 0:11:24MOCKING LAUGHTER

0:11:24 > 0:11:26Then victory have conceded be.

0:11:26 > 0:11:28The Queen is dead.

0:11:28 > 0:11:31Long live the Queen! CHEERING

0:11:31 > 0:11:35Thank you, whore. She's not finished!

0:11:36 > 0:11:38It's inhuman.

0:11:38 > 0:11:40Her insides must be made out of old army boots!

0:11:42 > 0:11:44The money!

0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Where's my money?- Here, lady, here.

0:11:47 > 0:11:50Three gold pieces per head.

0:11:50 > 0:11:53Will you take them? Or shall I have them sent?

0:11:53 > 0:11:55I'll take it.

0:12:04 > 0:12:06Amateurs!

0:12:22 > 0:12:30FANFARE PLAYS

0:12:53 > 0:12:54Senators,

0:12:54 > 0:12:59we have re-established Britain as a province of Rome.

0:12:59 > 0:13:06108 years after the divine Julius left it not very well secured,

0:13:06 > 0:13:11it has again become part of the Roman world.

0:13:11 > 0:13:17When I left, Caractacus, our principal enemy was in f-f-full flight.

0:13:17 > 0:13:20We have won a great victory.

0:13:23 > 0:13:27"A Roman triumph is seldom granted but they granted one to me.

0:13:27 > 0:13:31"Me, Claudius the idiot, the stammerer, the fool,

0:13:31 > 0:13:36"but what life gives with one hand, it takes back with the other.

0:13:36 > 0:13:42"I would gladly have foregone my triumph for the tragedy that was about to unfold.

0:13:42 > 0:13:48"Shortly before I left for the invasion of Britain, Marsus Vibius, my governor of Syria,

0:13:48 > 0:13:52"had written to me giving me the startling news

0:13:52 > 0:13:56"that my old friend Herod Agrippa was fortifying Jerusalem.

0:13:56 > 0:14:02"I had hastily written to Marsus Vibius asking him to find out more

0:14:02 > 0:14:05"and report to me personally on my return."

0:14:05 > 0:14:08Do you think this is d-directed against us?

0:14:08 > 0:14:10Yes, Caesar, but there's more.

0:14:10 > 0:14:15Before I left I learnt that he was organising a secret meeting with certain neighbouring kings.

0:14:15 > 0:14:18He is plotting a revolt against Rome, that is certain.

0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Why? Why? - Does it matter what his motives are?

0:14:22 > 0:14:25Well, it does to me!

0:14:25 > 0:14:27I'll tell you something, Marsus.

0:14:27 > 0:14:30Before I left, I had a letter from Herod's uncle, Antipas.

0:14:30 > 0:14:36It was full of gossip, as usual, but in the course of it he said he was convinced

0:14:36 > 0:14:41Herod believed himself to be this Jewish Messiah whose coming has for so long been prophesied.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45Yes, well others have thought that too.

0:14:45 > 0:14:47Your nephew Caligula for one.

0:14:47 > 0:14:49Yes.

0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Perhaps it was him.- No...

0:14:52 > 0:14:57Oddly enough, Caligula filled the requirements of the prophecy in many respects

0:14:57 > 0:15:01except he did not die in the year foretold by Thrasyllus the astrologer

0:15:01 > 0:15:04and Thrasyllus was never wrong about dates.

0:15:04 > 0:15:08When was this Messiah supposed to die, according to Thrasyllus?

0:15:08 > 0:15:11In the same year as my grandmother, Livia.

0:15:11 > 0:15:15Well, if the Messiah is already dead, it can't be Herod Agrippa.

0:15:15 > 0:15:19Herod is a Jew, he wouldn't believe anything Thrasyllus said.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22Well, where does all this speculation get us?

0:15:22 > 0:15:27If he is planning a revolt against Rome, what difference does it make why?

0:15:27 > 0:15:29He's my dearest friend.

0:15:29 > 0:15:32If he becomes my enemy, I want to KNOW why!

0:15:32 > 0:15:37Now how much do you know about this Messiah in the literature of the Jews?

0:15:37 > 0:15:40Well, very little but I can find out and make a report.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43I have Jewish agents in Jerusalem. DOOR OPENS

0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Am I interrupting?- No, no, come in.

0:15:48 > 0:15:53Marsus Vibius was just reporting the very grave situation in Jerusalem.

0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Well, we'll meet again later and talk some more.- Caesar. Lady.

0:16:03 > 0:16:04Are you worried?

0:16:06 > 0:16:07Hurt...

0:16:07 > 0:16:10that my old friend should...

0:16:10 > 0:16:15Well, there may be nothing in it. Here. I missed you so very much while I was away.

0:16:15 > 0:16:17And the ch-children.

0:16:17 > 0:16:20I never rested properly a single night thinking about you.

0:16:20 > 0:16:23What would I do without you?

0:16:23 > 0:16:27Here, when you wrote to me about the Quintus Justus affair I thought,

0:16:27 > 0:16:31"Thank heavens Messalina's there to take care of things!"

0:16:32 > 0:16:36Well, do you want something special?

0:16:37 > 0:16:43Only to say that if I slipped into your room tonight, would I find you alone in bed?

0:16:43 > 0:16:46My love...

0:16:46 > 0:16:48I'm not asking for details.

0:16:48 > 0:16:52Only that I shouldn't find the little Calpurnia in my place.

0:16:52 > 0:16:55Oh, I know that she sometimes visits you.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58Oh...she's an old f-friend.

0:16:59 > 0:17:01I don't mind a bit.

0:17:01 > 0:17:04It's very good for your health.

0:17:04 > 0:17:10But sometimes I feel a great desire to have your arms about me.

0:17:10 > 0:17:12And I should hate to embarrass you.

0:17:12 > 0:17:15Come tonight, please.

0:17:15 > 0:17:17I should be so grateful.

0:17:19 > 0:17:21Be alone, then.

0:17:25 > 0:17:29Oh...there is one thing.

0:17:29 > 0:17:31Oh, anything.

0:17:31 > 0:17:34I wish you would speak to Mnester.

0:17:34 > 0:17:37He's got so big-headed lately and insolent.

0:17:37 > 0:17:40During your absence he was very rude to me -

0:17:40 > 0:17:46always making excuses for not putting on this play or that which my friends wanted to see.

0:17:46 > 0:17:48Couldn't you have punished him yourself?

0:17:48 > 0:17:50I didn't want to do that.

0:17:50 > 0:17:55He's a great favourite with the crowd and they might have held that against you when you returned.

0:17:55 > 0:17:57Well, I shall speak to him.

0:17:57 > 0:18:01Just tell him that when I ask him to do something, he is to do it

0:18:01 > 0:18:05and not make a fuss.

0:18:05 > 0:18:10"I was her slave. Is there anything so foolish as an old man in love?

0:18:10 > 0:18:13"Well, I spoke to Mnester.

0:18:13 > 0:18:16" "Listen, little Greek," I said.

0:18:16 > 0:18:22"If the Lady Messalina tells you to do anything, you will obey, do you understand?"

0:18:22 > 0:18:25" "Anything?" he asked.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28" "Anything," I said to him.

0:18:28 > 0:18:32"I played, as usual, into Messalina's hands.

0:18:32 > 0:18:36"She had fallen maniacally in love with Gaius Silius -

0:18:36 > 0:18:40"the Consul Elect and the handsomest man in Rome.

0:18:40 > 0:18:43"Knowing Mnester to be on close terms with the family,

0:18:43 > 0:18:46"she had asked him to bring Silius to see her.

0:18:46 > 0:18:50"Mnester had refused out of respect for Silius' wife.

0:18:50 > 0:18:53"Hence Messalina's complaints to me.

0:18:53 > 0:18:58"Like a fool, I secured for her what she most wanted.

0:18:58 > 0:19:04"He was not an easy victim of her passion but she was clever.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08"She did not talk at first of love but of politics.

0:19:08 > 0:19:12"Tiberius had executed his father and she played on that,

0:19:12 > 0:19:16"telling him I was more corrupt even than Tiberius.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21"Before he realised it, he was comforting her.

0:19:21 > 0:19:24"Before he realised it,

0:19:24 > 0:19:27"he was making love to her.

0:19:27 > 0:19:31"He was as much her abject slave as I was.

0:19:31 > 0:19:35"Claudius, Claudius, you go too fast.

0:19:35 > 0:19:37"Too fast.

0:19:37 > 0:19:41"More grave news of the situation in Jerusalem was handed to me,

0:19:41 > 0:19:44"by Marsus, from his agent Catalus."

0:19:44 > 0:19:49Yeah, but...but what exactly is this M-Messiah?

0:19:49 > 0:19:54A king, Caesar, who is to come and redeem Israel of all its sins.

0:19:54 > 0:19:58Philo, their greatest living scholar, has declared

0:19:58 > 0:20:02that he must be descended from King David and born in a village called...

0:20:04 > 0:20:06Ah...

0:20:06 > 0:20:08HE WHISPERS

0:20:08 > 0:20:10What?

0:20:10 > 0:20:12Bethlehem.

0:20:12 > 0:20:17- Bethlehem?- Yes.- In what year?

0:20:17 > 0:20:21Well, opinions differ as they always will in events of this kind.

0:20:21 > 0:20:25- But have there been any candidates recently?- No, not recently.

0:20:25 > 0:20:28The last one, I heard from a learned Jew, died 15 years ago.

0:20:28 > 0:20:32- 15?- Yes.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34Is that significant?

0:20:38 > 0:20:40Who was this man?

0:20:40 > 0:20:43His name was Joshua bar Joseph.

0:20:43 > 0:20:45A native of Galilee.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47He had a large following amongst the uneducated

0:20:47 > 0:20:51and used to preach to gatherings by the lakeside.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54He was also called Jesus by the Greeks.

0:20:54 > 0:20:56And was he born in...

0:21:00 > 0:21:01..B...

0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Bethlehem?- ..B-Beth...?

0:21:03 > 0:21:06Well, it's not precisely known.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09There was some scandal concerning his birth.

0:21:09 > 0:21:13A Greek soldier allegedly seduced his mother, who was a tapestry worker in the Temple.

0:21:16 > 0:21:20What happened to this, um, Joshua?

0:21:20 > 0:21:25Well, he tried to form a new religion out of Judaism but of course he lacked the authority.

0:21:25 > 0:21:30He then began identifying himself with this Messiah. He was executed as a heretic.

0:21:30 > 0:21:33Did you find out what King Herod thought of it?

0:21:33 > 0:21:38Not very much, I imagine, because he recently executed one of his followers - a man called James.

0:21:38 > 0:21:41- He's looking for one called Simon. - He has followers?

0:21:41 > 0:21:43Yes, yes, yes. It's a cult.

0:21:43 > 0:21:45There are always cults.

0:21:53 > 0:21:59All this is most interesting for you, Caesar, with your fascination for strange religions.

0:21:59 > 0:22:02But what more does it tell us of King Herod's intentions?

0:22:02 > 0:22:04I will tell you, Pallas.

0:22:04 > 0:22:08King Herod 's mother was on her way to Jerusalem for her lying in

0:22:08 > 0:22:11when she was overtaken by her pains in a small village.

0:22:11 > 0:22:12King Herod was born there.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15The name of the village was B-Bethlehem.

0:22:15 > 0:22:18There's no doubt in my mind.

0:22:18 > 0:22:22My friend, Herod, believes himself to be this Messiah.

0:22:22 > 0:22:26And worse, many others believe him to be this Messiah.

0:22:26 > 0:22:30His intentions are clear - borne on this great wave of religious fanaticism,

0:22:30 > 0:22:33he intends to free the East from the dominion of Rome.

0:22:33 > 0:22:37He intends to make war on us. Marsus is right.

0:22:37 > 0:22:42If we don't move quickly, Herod will seize the Eastern Empire and we shall lose Egypt!

0:22:44 > 0:22:46My friend has become my enemy.

0:22:55 > 0:22:57What are you doing with that?

0:22:57 > 0:23:01The mistress told us to take it down, lady. Why? Where are you taking it?

0:23:01 > 0:23:05- If there's a mark when it arrives, I'll have you whipped! - Where's it going?

0:23:05 > 0:23:08Hurry up with it! I'm giving it to someone as a present.

0:23:08 > 0:23:10To Silius?

0:23:10 > 0:23:12Yes. Iris!

0:23:12 > 0:23:14I want my headdress.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19But that was a present from your husband.

0:23:19 > 0:23:23I know that. Silius fell in love with it, so I'm giving it to him as a surprise.

0:23:23 > 0:23:26- And if he comes and finds it gone? - He doesn't come here.

0:23:26 > 0:23:29And if he does, I'll tell him I've put it somewhere else.

0:23:31 > 0:23:33(Have you taken leave of your senses?!)

0:23:33 > 0:23:36Have your wits deserted you entirely?

0:23:36 > 0:23:41You have lavished gifts on that man from all directions -

0:23:41 > 0:23:42half of them from the palace.

0:23:44 > 0:23:49Are you so much in love that you have lost all sense of discretion?

0:23:49 > 0:23:50Yes.

0:23:50 > 0:23:52I am in love.

0:23:52 > 0:23:56Child, you've been in love before, but you've never been in peril of your life.

0:23:56 > 0:23:58I shan't imperil my life.

0:23:58 > 0:24:02All Rome knows that you visit him openly at his house.

0:24:02 > 0:24:06And take him gifts.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09His wife complains bitterly about it.

0:24:09 > 0:24:11He's divorcing his wife.

0:24:11 > 0:24:13Divorcing her? For what reason?

0:24:13 > 0:24:17- For no other reason than he loves me.- He will have to give a better reason than that.

0:24:17 > 0:24:21They're not married in the strict form. It only requires a declaration.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25But you are married. You can't marry him!

0:24:25 > 0:24:27So why is he divorcing his wife?

0:24:27 > 0:24:32Because I can't bear the thought of him sharing her bed every night, when he gets out of mine.

0:24:34 > 0:24:36"I heard nothing.

0:24:36 > 0:24:41"Not a breath of the scandal that was known to everyone else in Rome.

0:24:41 > 0:24:43"Even the slaves.

0:24:48 > 0:24:51"They're laughing at me.

0:24:51 > 0:24:53"Still.

0:24:53 > 0:24:56"After all these years,

0:24:56 > 0:24:58"still laughing at me."

0:25:03 > 0:25:04Herod...

0:25:04 > 0:25:07- HEROD:- "Trust no-one, my friend. No one."

0:25:09 > 0:25:14Yes, Caesar, dead. Herod Agrippa is dead.

0:25:18 > 0:25:22How? Tell me. Tell me what happened.

0:25:22 > 0:25:28Well, he had come up from Jerusalem to Caesarea for the festival to be held in honour of your birthday.

0:25:28 > 0:25:32But really to meet with the kings with whom he had formed his alliance.

0:25:32 > 0:25:38Yes. Only Phoenicia, Tyre and Sidon had stood outside the alliance and now they had decided to join.

0:25:38 > 0:25:42Their formal submission was to be made to King Herod upon their arrival.

0:25:43 > 0:25:50Did Herod truly believe himself to be this...Messiah?

0:25:50 > 0:25:53- This anointed one?- Oh, yes!

0:25:53 > 0:25:55Yes, he had revealed himself to the high priests.

0:25:55 > 0:25:58Now he was to reveal himself to the nation.

0:26:00 > 0:26:02Go on.

0:26:02 > 0:26:07Well, when he arrived in the amphitheatre, the whole audience rose.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10He was wearing a royal robe of silver tissue,

0:26:10 > 0:26:16that flashed in the sun so brightly that it tired the eyes to look at it.

0:26:16 > 0:26:19The whole audience shouted, "Oh, King, live forever,"

0:26:19 > 0:26:23but this was not enough for the men of Tyre and Sidon.

0:26:23 > 0:26:28They grovelled at his feet and said "We repent of our ingratitude.

0:26:28 > 0:26:32"We see now that you are superior to mortal nature."

0:26:32 > 0:26:36"Tyre and Sidon," he replied, "You are forgiven."

0:26:36 > 0:26:39And they answered, "It is the voice of God!"

0:26:41 > 0:26:44"Thou shall have no other Gods but me."

0:26:45 > 0:26:50Isn't that what the God of the Jews said?

0:26:50 > 0:26:51Yes, Caesar.

0:26:51 > 0:26:55But, evidently, Herod had forgotten that.

0:26:55 > 0:27:00He was about to give a signal for the ram's horn to be blown when he stopped.

0:27:00 > 0:27:06An owl flew into the arena - it had been blinded by the sunlight.

0:27:06 > 0:27:08It perched on his throne,

0:27:08 > 0:27:11hooted five times, and then flew off.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14An owl, yes!

0:27:14 > 0:27:17An owl is always an ill omen.

0:27:18 > 0:27:20Well, he groaned.

0:27:20 > 0:27:23He seemed to feel stabbing pains in his chest.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26And he cried out, "I am ill! Carry me out!"

0:27:26 > 0:27:27They carried him out.

0:27:29 > 0:27:31And the ram's horn never blew.

0:27:31 > 0:27:33The crowd set up a wail.

0:27:33 > 0:27:36The festival was over before it had begun.

0:27:36 > 0:27:40And within five days he was dead.

0:27:40 > 0:27:46His body racked with pain and rotted into an unrecognisable mass of sores.

0:27:47 > 0:27:51The kings departed and the crowds went home.

0:27:51 > 0:27:55The storm passed without a single drop of rain.

0:27:59 > 0:28:02And the Messiah?

0:28:02 > 0:28:05Who then is this M-Messiah?

0:28:05 > 0:28:07Who knows?

0:28:07 > 0:28:11Perhaps the Jews must wait a little longer.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14Perhaps.

0:28:17 > 0:28:21- HEROD:- "Marmoset, I am dying.

0:28:21 > 0:28:24"My body is full of maggots.

0:28:26 > 0:28:28"Forgive me.

0:28:28 > 0:28:34"Forgive your old friend who loved you dearly, yet secretly plotted to take the East away from you.

0:28:35 > 0:28:38"I have failed.

0:28:38 > 0:28:40"I played too dangerous a game.

0:28:43 > 0:28:47"Little marmoset, you're a fool but I envy you your folly.

0:28:49 > 0:28:51"Do not weep for me.

0:28:51 > 0:28:54"My punishment is just.

0:28:54 > 0:28:57"I offended against the only living God.

0:29:06 > 0:29:12"Farewell, my friend - whom I love more truly than you suppose.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14"Farewell, little marmoset, my school fellow.

0:29:16 > 0:29:18"And trust no-one.

0:29:18 > 0:29:20"No- one.

0:29:20 > 0:29:23"Your dying friend,

0:29:23 > 0:29:25"Herod Agrippa."

0:29:28 > 0:29:29"I was alone.

0:29:31 > 0:29:34"For the first time in my life, I was alone.

0:29:36 > 0:29:40"They were all gone now, those friends of my youth -

0:29:40 > 0:29:42"Domenicus, Postumus, Castor...

0:29:43 > 0:29:47"Herod, all gone.

0:29:47 > 0:29:51"There was no-one now I could turn to except Messalina.

0:29:51 > 0:29:54"YES, she helped me.

0:29:54 > 0:29:56"How she helped me.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00"She persuaded me to let her use the duplicate of my seal.

0:30:00 > 0:30:03"Say "fool", Claudius, "fool"!

0:30:03 > 0:30:06"I know it, I know it.

0:30:06 > 0:30:08"But she was clever.

0:30:10 > 0:30:17"I also began this most strange history of my life, that you shall read and find, I promise you.

0:30:17 > 0:30:22"But now you shall see how my ignorance of my own domestic affairs came to an end.

0:30:22 > 0:30:25"I said I would tell all, and I shall.

0:30:27 > 0:30:31"Her adultery with Silius had gone so smoothly that she was becoming bored.

0:30:31 > 0:30:34"Not with him, but with their situation.

0:30:34 > 0:30:37"While he, on his part, began to feel that the longer it went on,

0:30:37 > 0:30:40"the greater the danger of their being discovered."

0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Divorce him?!- Why not?

0:30:43 > 0:30:45And marry you?

0:30:45 > 0:30:47Wouldn't you rather be my wife than my mistress?

0:30:49 > 0:30:50Your wife?

0:30:52 > 0:30:57Oh, Gaius, more than anything in the world.

0:30:59 > 0:31:01- But how?- Divorce is simple enough.

0:31:01 > 0:31:04You send your freedman to your husband's house and tell him.

0:31:04 > 0:31:06I know that.

0:31:06 > 0:31:08I meant, how do we do it and survive?

0:31:08 > 0:31:10We have gone far enough with concealment.

0:31:10 > 0:31:15Sooner or later he will find something out and we shall be taken unprepared.

0:31:15 > 0:31:17No...

0:31:17 > 0:31:19it's safer to stay as we are.

0:31:20 > 0:31:23We can wait until he dies of old age.

0:31:23 > 0:31:26I am TIRED of waiting!

0:31:27 > 0:31:29Gaius!

0:31:29 > 0:31:32Don't you think that I am tired of waiting, too?

0:31:34 > 0:31:37Oh, don't turn your back on me, please.

0:31:39 > 0:31:44Nothing would please me more than to be your wife

0:31:44 > 0:31:47and belong to you entirely, for everyone to see.

0:31:50 > 0:31:54But we'd made a long-term plan. Let's keep to it.

0:31:54 > 0:31:58Only innocent people can afford long-term plans.

0:31:58 > 0:32:00Well I think of myself as innocent.

0:32:00 > 0:32:04- Don't you?- Innocent of adultery?

0:32:04 > 0:32:08- What?!- Of unbridled promiscuity?

0:32:08 > 0:32:10Of taking bribes?

0:32:10 > 0:32:12Of judicial murder?

0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Gaius, what...?- WE are GUILTY!

0:32:15 > 0:32:20Now, stop deluding yourself with these childish notions. We are GUILTY!

0:32:20 > 0:32:23And I don't care - I love you!

0:32:23 > 0:32:28You are everything to me but GUILT needs daring! Look at me!

0:32:28 > 0:32:33I am without a wife. I am ready to marry you and adopt your children and be at your side always.

0:32:33 > 0:32:37You power will remain undiminished.

0:32:37 > 0:32:41But we will never have any peace of mind until we put an end to this FARCE!

0:32:43 > 0:32:45And if we marry,

0:32:45 > 0:32:46what then?

0:32:47 > 0:32:49We have friends.

0:32:49 > 0:32:52Powerful friends.

0:32:52 > 0:32:55They share our danger and they look to US for peace of mind.

0:32:57 > 0:33:03If we marry openly and publicly, all Rome will see how Claudius is abandoned.

0:33:03 > 0:33:05All Rome will see the contempt in which YOU hold him.

0:33:05 > 0:33:09We will declare the Republic restored and people will flock to our cause!

0:33:10 > 0:33:13- When?- Tomorrow.

0:33:13 > 0:33:16Tomorrow I go with him to Ostia to examine the new harbour works.

0:33:16 > 0:33:18When you return, then.

0:33:18 > 0:33:20No.

0:33:20 > 0:33:22Tomorrow.

0:33:22 > 0:33:25Let him go on his own.

0:33:25 > 0:33:26I'll have a headache.

0:33:26 > 0:33:29He's used to my headaches.

0:33:29 > 0:33:33While he dallies in Ostia, we marry in Rome.

0:33:33 > 0:33:38By the time he returns to the city, it will belong to us!

0:33:38 > 0:33:40"I went down to Ostia.

0:33:40 > 0:33:45"She was supposed to come with me but, at the last moment, she had one of her headaches.

0:33:45 > 0:33:49"I was disappointed but it was too late to change my plans.

0:33:49 > 0:33:54"By the time I arrived in Ostia, they were already married."

0:34:06 > 0:34:12"It will seem incredible, I know, but in a city where nothing escapes notice or comment,

0:34:12 > 0:34:17"they could have felt themselves so secure, and yet they did.

0:34:17 > 0:34:20"And I was perhaps the only man in Rome who knew nothing of it."

0:34:20 > 0:34:23Scandalous! It's scandalous!

0:34:25 > 0:34:29While all of Rome trooped in and out of her bed, we said nothing.

0:34:29 > 0:34:34We closed our eyes and ears and said nothing. But this is different - utterly and unbearably different.

0:34:34 > 0:34:36This...

0:34:39 > 0:34:41This puts the Emperor's life in danger.

0:34:41 > 0:34:43And if it puts his life in danger,

0:34:43 > 0:34:47it puts ours. And I say that's a very different bowl of fish.

0:34:47 > 0:34:49But has she divorced him or not?

0:34:49 > 0:34:53She has. She sent a freedman with her declaration to his chamber.

0:34:53 > 0:34:56- But the Emperor wasn't here. - You think she didn't know that?!

0:34:56 > 0:34:58Is the marriage bigamous or not?

0:34:58 > 0:35:00Do you think she cares?

0:35:01 > 0:35:02Do you see?

0:35:02 > 0:35:07The marriage is a public declaration that the Emperor's wife has abandoned him

0:35:07 > 0:35:12as being too old, too corrupt and stupid any longer to govern Rome.

0:35:12 > 0:35:15That she has chosen the Consul Elect as her husband

0:35:15 > 0:35:17is a clear indication and invitation

0:35:17 > 0:35:20to the Senate to restore the Republic.

0:35:20 > 0:35:22In view of Messalina's known viciousness

0:35:22 > 0:35:25when it comes to getting her own way,

0:35:25 > 0:35:28the Senate will take the hint and put them both at the head of it.

0:35:35 > 0:35:36Well.

0:35:38 > 0:35:40He must be told.

0:35:40 > 0:35:42This time, he MUST be told.

0:35:42 > 0:35:44But how?

0:35:44 > 0:35:47He won't believe a word said against her.

0:35:48 > 0:35:50It's the old problem.

0:35:50 > 0:35:53From the moment we tell him, time's on her side. Not ours.

0:35:53 > 0:35:57Then from the moment we tell him, we must keep her away from him.

0:35:57 > 0:36:02We must ensure she never sees him. She must be eliminated without a hearing.

0:36:02 > 0:36:06That's taken for granted, but how do we tell him?

0:36:06 > 0:36:09Whom will he most readily believe?

0:36:13 > 0:36:15There is...

0:36:15 > 0:36:19There is s-someone. Someone he trusts utterly, who's been his friend for years -

0:36:19 > 0:36:21the little prostitute, Calpurnia.

0:36:25 > 0:36:27Oh, Calpurnia.

0:36:27 > 0:36:31What is this? A note thrust into my hands?!

0:36:31 > 0:36:35"Grave danger to Rome - come to my house."

0:36:35 > 0:36:38I hope this isn't some silly, girlish prank.

0:36:38 > 0:36:41You've quite alarmed me.

0:36:41 > 0:36:44Especially if the ram I was sacrificing in the temple

0:36:44 > 0:36:47turned out to be the most vicious beast I've ever seen.

0:36:47 > 0:36:50It's entrails were awful.

0:36:52 > 0:36:55Why are you trembling? What's the matter?

0:36:55 > 0:37:00- Oh, Caesar!- What's the matter? Calpurnia, get up! Get up!

0:37:00 > 0:37:02I hate people grovelling.

0:37:02 > 0:37:04Oh, Caesar...

0:37:04 > 0:37:07Will you please tell me what you have to say?

0:37:09 > 0:37:12I shall tell you, because nobody else dared tell you.

0:37:12 > 0:37:14But when I do, you will have me tortured and flogged.

0:37:14 > 0:37:18Calpurnia, dear as you are, you are making me angry.

0:37:19 > 0:37:21Do you still trust me?

0:37:21 > 0:37:24In my life, I've trusted three women -

0:37:24 > 0:37:27my mother, Messalina and yourself.

0:37:27 > 0:37:30- Why must you include your wife in that list?- Messalina?

0:37:30 > 0:37:33I would trust her with my life.

0:37:34 > 0:37:38She has just married Gaius Silius

0:37:38 > 0:37:41and the wedding party is still going on in Rome.

0:37:42 > 0:37:46Are you mad? Or wicked, or both?

0:37:46 > 0:37:48They are married. Your wife and Silius.

0:37:48 > 0:37:50Everyone in Rome knows.

0:37:50 > 0:37:52But I left her in bed with a headache.

0:37:52 > 0:37:54Now she's in bed with Silius.

0:37:54 > 0:37:56Don't you understand? He's her lover!

0:37:58 > 0:38:00I thought you knew.

0:38:00 > 0:38:02Everyone assumed you knew.

0:38:02 > 0:38:06That was why you slept apart all this time.

0:38:06 > 0:38:10CALPURNIA SOBS

0:38:10 > 0:38:16Oh! I wouldn't have told you even now but they are married and I've seen the wedding party.

0:38:16 > 0:38:18You haven't been to Rome.

0:38:18 > 0:38:21Yes, yes. I've been. Narcissus came and fetched me.

0:38:21 > 0:38:24I've been to Rome and back today.

0:38:24 > 0:38:28The garden of the palace is decorated with vine leaves and ivy,

0:38:28 > 0:38:30bunches of grapes,

0:38:30 > 0:38:32wine vats and presses.

0:38:32 > 0:38:36They're all dancing about like wine-soaked gods...!

0:38:36 > 0:38:37I don't believe you!

0:38:37 > 0:38:39I refuse to believe you.

0:38:39 > 0:38:42SHE SOBS

0:38:42 > 0:38:43It's true, Caesar.

0:38:47 > 0:38:48Every word she says is true.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56Caesar, how else could you have been told?

0:38:56 > 0:38:58When have you been prepa...

0:38:59 > 0:39:04When have you been prepared to listen to the slightest criticism of your wife's excesses?

0:39:04 > 0:39:07EXCESSES?! What are you talking about?!

0:39:07 > 0:39:13Caesar, her adulteries are as numberless as the sands on the shore!

0:39:13 > 0:39:15That is no figure of speech!

0:39:16 > 0:39:19When you were away in Britain,

0:39:19 > 0:39:24she competed with a prostitute to see who could wear out the most lovers in a day.

0:39:24 > 0:39:27Half of Rome saw it!

0:39:27 > 0:39:29If you have any doubt about Silius, go to his house.

0:39:29 > 0:39:31It will seem like home to you.

0:39:31 > 0:39:34All your most expensive furniture is there -

0:39:34 > 0:39:36paintings, tapestries, statues...

0:39:36 > 0:39:38even Imperial slaves.

0:39:39 > 0:39:41But that is nothing.

0:39:45 > 0:39:47Do you know you are divorced?

0:39:48 > 0:39:52Nation and Senate have witnessed her wedding to Silius.

0:39:53 > 0:39:57Act now, or her new husband controls Rome.

0:39:59 > 0:40:01I can't believe it.

0:40:09 > 0:40:12My dear, you must.

0:40:12 > 0:40:16And you must act quickly or you'll be condemning us all to death.

0:40:16 > 0:40:18She's right, Caesar.

0:40:18 > 0:40:20We must return to Rome and arrest them all at once.

0:40:20 > 0:40:24But, am I...still Emperor?

0:40:24 > 0:40:30Some officers of the guard may have been seduced but the soldiers are devoted to you. I'm certain of it.

0:40:37 > 0:40:40Yes, arrest them.

0:40:40 > 0:40:44Hurry back to Rome and arrest them...ALL!

0:40:44 > 0:40:48LOUD HUBBUB AND LAUGHTER

0:41:44 > 0:41:45- Mnester!- Yes?

0:41:45 > 0:41:47What do you see?

0:41:47 > 0:41:51I see a cloud in the shape of Claudius rising over Ostia.

0:41:51 > 0:41:53Is he drifting this way?

0:41:53 > 0:41:56He was - but he just farted and blew himself out to sea!

0:41:58 > 0:42:01Out of the way!

0:42:01 > 0:42:03Help me up.

0:42:05 > 0:42:07What is it, Mnester? What do you see now?

0:42:07 > 0:42:11I see a troop of guards climbing the hill towards us.

0:42:11 > 0:42:13Splendid! Wave them in and give them wine.

0:42:15 > 0:42:20I think not, Gaius Silius. Their swords are drawn, every one of them.

0:42:20 > 0:42:24The guards! The guards! Listen to me!

0:42:24 > 0:42:28The guards are coming to arrest us!

0:42:28 > 0:42:30The Emperor's in Rome!

0:42:30 > 0:42:34They're arresting everybody! Run!

0:42:41 > 0:42:42- Where is the Emperor?- In his study.

0:42:42 > 0:42:47We've arrested 200 people. Silius was taken in a marketplace. Lady Messalina has not been found.

0:42:47 > 0:42:51She is not to be allowed to see the Emperor without first consulting me.

0:42:51 > 0:42:52You understand?

0:43:02 > 0:43:04Where is he?

0:43:04 > 0:43:06Where is my husband?

0:43:09 > 0:43:11He doesn't wish to see you.

0:43:19 > 0:43:22Out of my way, you Greek!

0:43:22 > 0:43:24You dare stand between me and my husband?!

0:43:24 > 0:43:26Which husband? You whore!

0:43:26 > 0:43:29- Which one?- OUT of my way!

0:43:29 > 0:43:31Get out of my way! Let go!

0:43:31 > 0:43:33- Let go! - Get her out. Get her out of here!

0:43:41 > 0:43:44Let me see him! Claudius!

0:43:44 > 0:43:46How dare you stop her?

0:43:46 > 0:43:50She is the Emperor's wife and the mother of his children.

0:43:50 > 0:43:53But is he the father?

0:43:53 > 0:43:55Who knows whose litter they are!

0:43:55 > 0:43:58Liar. LIAR!

0:43:58 > 0:44:01Here's a list of your adulteries. D'you wanna read it? Hundreds!

0:44:05 > 0:44:07And you call HER a mother?!

0:44:10 > 0:44:12Take her home. Let her wait there.

0:44:12 > 0:44:14NO!

0:44:14 > 0:44:16- SHE SCREAMS - NO!

0:44:16 > 0:44:19MOTHER! CLAUDIUS!

0:44:19 > 0:44:23CLAUDIUS!

0:44:24 > 0:44:27Arrests have been made all over the city.

0:44:27 > 0:44:29Silius has been taken.

0:44:29 > 0:44:32Thank heaven most of the Guard proved loyal.

0:44:32 > 0:44:34Poor woman.

0:44:35 > 0:44:40What ever made her d-d-do such things?

0:44:40 > 0:44:43How unhappy she must have been.

0:44:49 > 0:44:52You must sign these, Caesar.

0:44:52 > 0:44:54They're the charge sheets.

0:44:54 > 0:44:56They need your signature urgently.

0:45:21 > 0:45:24Sleep, Caesar. Sleep.

0:45:24 > 0:45:27You need your rest.

0:45:27 > 0:45:29Save yourself for Rome.

0:45:32 > 0:45:34Peter,

0:45:34 > 0:45:38here's the warrant for her execution. Hurry.

0:45:38 > 0:45:39And, Peter,

0:45:39 > 0:45:42- offer her the dagger first.- No!

0:45:42 > 0:45:47If she takes her own life, it will save us having to show him the warrant in the morning.

0:45:52 > 0:45:54Take it to the palace.

0:45:54 > 0:45:59Tell no-one that you have it, only that you want to see your father. Now hurry.

0:45:59 > 0:46:02When he reads it, he'll forgive your mother.

0:46:02 > 0:46:04You'll see.

0:46:04 > 0:46:06Hurry. Hurry.

0:46:22 > 0:46:24He must see me.

0:46:24 > 0:46:27He must!

0:46:27 > 0:46:29How could you, child?

0:46:29 > 0:46:31How could you?

0:46:31 > 0:46:33Is that all you can say?

0:46:36 > 0:46:38Why don't you do something?

0:46:46 > 0:46:48Why don't you see him on your own?

0:46:48 > 0:46:51DOOR RATTLES

0:46:51 > 0:46:53He's coming!

0:46:53 > 0:46:55He's coming to see me!

0:46:57 > 0:46:59KNOCKING

0:47:04 > 0:47:05What do YOU want?

0:47:05 > 0:47:07Your life, Lady. Your husband's orders.

0:47:09 > 0:47:11No!

0:47:11 > 0:47:13He wouldn't do that.

0:47:13 > 0:47:16- My husband wouldn't do...- Read it!

0:47:16 > 0:47:17It has his signature.

0:47:27 > 0:47:30I'm to offer you the dagger first, if you'll have it.

0:47:30 > 0:47:34And then to cut off your pretty head and put it on a spear.

0:47:36 > 0:47:38NO!

0:47:40 > 0:47:46NO! Not my HEAD! Not my HEAD!

0:47:46 > 0:47:49Child! Child!

0:47:49 > 0:47:52Your life is done.

0:47:52 > 0:47:54Take the dagger and use it.

0:47:57 > 0:47:59Don't let them take my head.

0:48:01 > 0:48:03NO!

0:48:16 > 0:48:19Oh...

0:48:19 > 0:48:21No...

0:48:23 > 0:48:25he wouldn't do that.

0:48:27 > 0:48:29Not Claudius.

0:48:31 > 0:48:32Use it.

0:48:32 > 0:48:33Use it quickly.

0:48:41 > 0:48:43I can't!

0:48:44 > 0:48:46I can't!

0:48:48 > 0:48:49NO!

0:48:49 > 0:48:51NOT MY HEAD!

0:48:51 > 0:48:52Not my...!

0:49:11 > 0:49:13I'll see my...

0:49:13 > 0:49:15w-w-wife now.

0:49:17 > 0:49:21She was executed last night.

0:49:21 > 0:49:25At your orders, Caesar.

0:49:25 > 0:49:26Here is the warrant.

0:49:38 > 0:49:41There is a dispatch from Britain, Caesar.

0:49:41 > 0:49:45The temple that was to have been dedicated to the god Augustus

0:49:45 > 0:49:48in Colchester has been dedicated instead to you.

0:49:48 > 0:49:51Aulus Plautius writes that Augustus means nothing to the Britons,

0:49:51 > 0:49:54but they are more than happy to worship you as a god.

0:49:54 > 0:49:57He regrets having taken the decision without first consulting you,

0:49:57 > 0:50:02but feels sure you understand that it was politically correct.

0:50:04 > 0:50:09The temple is known as The Temple of the God Claudius.

0:51:28 > 0:51:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2006

0:51:31 > 0:51:36E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk