 |
IT WAS PROFESSOR POLLIO IN THE LIBRARY WITH THE SCROLL |
|||
| This scene is based on Graves' novel with a few alterations a la Pulman. In the novel it is Sulpicius who corrects Livy on the author and title of a book that he is looking for; in the episode Pulman gives the role to Claudius. In the novel it is Pollio who sends Livy off in a huff; in the episode Claudius' comments about historical style are responsible. This serves to concentrate Livy's antipathy toward Claudius. The subsequent conversation between Claudius and Pollio is taken directly from the book. As there is no evidence for this library scene in any of the ancient sources, we must credit Graves with this delightful fiction. Suetonius does mention that Livy encouraged Claudius' writing of a Roman History and that Sulpicius Flavus aided in its writing. One might see this characterization of Livy, the uptight school master, as the revenge of a put-upon Latin student. (Did Jack struggle through Livy in Latin?) The library incident not only shows us that Claudius does have something in that twitching head of his, but also gives the audience a rare glimpse into the exciting world of ancient historiography. Pulman does a fine job developing this scene. | ||||