Story 12: "The Romans" Trivia Quiz

Answer: One month

Despite the seeming seriousness of the TARDIS toppling over, nothing untoward comes from it, apart from an excuse some rest and relaxation. The TARDIS ends up in a gully, covered with brambles and sitting at an angle, but the Doctor assures the others that (as they discuss their circumstances a month later) that the TARDIS is capable of departing from whatever angle it might be sitting.

The four time travelers have occupied a villa whose owner is off somewhere on business. Ostensibly, they are 'house sitting', if anyone happens to ask. But Vicki in particular is restless with the inactivity, and she asks Barbara where all the adventures are that she was told about. And what's the point of visiting Rome in AD 64 if they don't go and see or do anything?

The Doctor's companions were school teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, played by William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, along with Vicki, played by Maureen O'Brien, an orphan from the 25th century who joined them in the previous serial, "The Rescue".

Answer: Maximus Pettulian

The centurion remains with Vicki and the Doctor to escort them to Nero in Rome, and they stop for the night at an inn. During the night, an assassin enters the room and attacks the Doctor, who fights him off with ease. Just as Vicki enters the room, the assassin throws himself out of the window. At this point, they also discover that the centurion has also disappeared. The two travelers come to the conclusion that the centurion had hired the assassin, but the Doctor insists on continuing on to Rome and maintaining his disguise.

Bart Allison played the role of Maximus Petullian (before the Doctor took over his impersonation), while the centurion was played by Dennis Edwards and the assassin was played by Barry Jackson.

Answer: Tavius

Barbara is brought to Rome with a number of other slaves to be sold at the slave market. Tavius, highly placed in Nero's court, attempts to purchase Barbara privately, but is resigned to bidding for her at the auction. The bidding has only reached 2,500 when Tavius calls out "ten thousand", ensuring he get his prize.

Ironically, Vicki and the Doctor walk past the auction just as it is about to begin, and they miss her completely. This near miss happens numerous times during the serial.

Barbara finds herself tasked to be a handmaiden to Nero's (second) wife, Empress Poppaea Sabina.

Tavius was played by Michael Peake. The Empress Poppaea Sabina was played by Kay Patrick.

Answer: The galley capsizes in a storm.

Ian has already been rowing for five days when he and his oar-mate (Delos) spot land not too far away and attempt to jump the galley master, to no avail. In the next scene, a storm is raging, and when the galley master gets knocked off of his feet, Delos manages to grab a key and free himself in the scuffle. They are next seen on the shore as Ian awakens from unconsciousness. Delos is there to explain what happened, and that he had saved Ian's life (Ian was still shackled). They then proceed to smash Ian's chains with a rock.

Their freedom is short-lived, however, as they are recaptured upon their arrival in Rome.

Delos was played by Peter Diamond and the galley master was played by Gertan Klauber.

Answer: The centurion's body

Tavius speaks to the Doctor conspiratorially, but the Doctor cannot glean exactly what secret the man supposedly shares with his persona (Maximus Petullian). The plot to kill Nero is not revealed until the fourth episode. At this point, the Doctor only learns that the centurion that had set the assassin on them earlier had himself been killed - not by whom, nor to what purpose.

The Doctor is very intrigued by all of the intrigue.

Answer: False

The moment that Tavius introduces BARBARA as the Empress' new handmaiden, Nero cannot help himself around her. He begins actively pursuing her - a point that the Empress quickly notices, with great displeasure.

Answer: Tigellinus

Locusta has Vicki hide under the table when the Empress arrives. Overhearing that the poison is intended for a handmaiden that has designs on usurping her position, Vicki waits until Locusta and the Empress have left the room, at which point she switches the cups around.

Nero finds Barbara before the banquet (being held to feature the lyrist Maximus) and gives her a bracelet. The goblets arrive and Barbara grabs them (to avoid Nero kissing her) and proposes a toast to Nero's health... Barbara drinks the switched (non-poisoned) goblet, and immediately leaves, just missing the arrival of the Doctor and Vicki who come to warn Nero of the poisoned goblet.

Nero has his toady Tigellinus drink the poisoned goblet (to see whether the Doctor was telling the truth), and Tigellinus promptly keels over.

Locusta was played by Anne Tirard, while Tigellinus was played by Brian Proudfoot.

Answer: Nothing

Before playing his 'masterpiece', the Doctor prefaces his performance to the crowd by saying, "I would like to play my new composition in honour of this occasion. The music is so soft, so delicate, that only those with keen, perceptive hearing will be able to distinguish this melodious charm of music."

After this announcement, the Doctor proceeds to pretend to play his lyre, producing absolutely no sound at all. In the spirit of the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes", everyone makes a show of appreciating his song, including Caesar Nero, who becomes mad with jealousy over being out-performed.

Answer: Lions in the arena

Barbara learns of Nero's plan to have 'Maximus Petullian' perform for the people at the arena, during which he would have the lions released. (This happens after they watch a gladiator fight which happens to be between Ian and Delos, who escape again) She finds Tavius and asks him to warn the lyrist. Tavius does so, while also finally revealing that Maximus had been hired to assassinate Nero.

When Nero arrives shortly thereafter, the Doctor, armed with foreknowledge, makes a number of seemingly innocuous statements that cut right to the heart of the matter, all the while happily agreeing with everything Nero says.

Examples: "I shall try to make it a 'roaring' success." / "Something that they can 'really get their teeth into." / "I might even make it my 'farewell performance." / "I've always wanted to be considered as an artist of some 'taste', regarded as 'palatable'". Too funny.

Answer: The Doctor

While speaking to Nero, the Doctor is holding his spectacles in his hand behind his back. The lenses focus the sunbeam, which sets the map afire. At first, Nero is incensed, but then he realizes that burning the city down would force the Senate to approve of his plan to build a new and improved Rome.

Ian poses as one of those hired to set fires in the city, thus avoiding the guards posted to prevent him from coming to collect Barbara. Ian and Barbara escape the city, as do Vicki and the Doctor (although, not together).

Ian and Barbara return to the villa and wonder where Vicki and the Doctor might be, especially considering the mess still left from their kidnapping. When they finally do arrive, they find Ian and Barbara relaxed and reclining, and don't even give them a chance to say what they've been doing, as Vicki exclaims their adventure in Rome.