PORTIA is the same age as Macky, but with a vastly
different life experience. As a member of the Roman
upper class, she’s always had the best of everything
- education, clothes, food, and culture. Until she
meets Macky, she doesn’t give much thought to the
advantages she’s had; they’re simply her due as a
Roman. She has certainly never questioned the Romans’ power
or the oppression of conquered peoples and ideologies.
Portia’s father is a high-ranking Roman army commander, far
away with his troops, and she lives with her Uncle, who is the
powerful Governor of Alexandria. He is no substitute for a warm,
caring parent and Portia misses that care - though she would
never admit it; she’s a Roman, after all: strong, uncompromising
and able to persevere in the face of adversity.
Meeting Macky and his family, Portia begins to get a sense of
what she is missing. She finds herself drawn to them... especially
Macky.
There are enormous obstacles: class, religion, money
(and the lack of it) - not to mention Macky’s
dangerous involvement with the underground
- a capital offence. But Portia starts to see her
fellow Romans through Macky’s eyes, and
that, combined with the wonderful stories
he tells, begins to change her. She starts to
use strength of character and perseverance
to help others, and in the course of thirty-nine
episodes, we’ll see her change from spoiled
child to gracious young adult.
P
ortia
1
1
Romans don’t
do things
like that!
© 2008 Friends and Heroes Ltd
