Portia's Answers
Here are some of the recent chats with Friends and Heroes viewers and Portia:
Elisheva Zebulun: Do you know anything about your uncle's job as the governor?
Portia: I know that part of Uncle Tiberius’s job is collecting taxes from the local people, though like most of the things he does, he gets other people to do that for him. He also spends time trying to stop rebellions and trying to capture rebels who are on the run (again, using other people like Toadie and Brutacus), but apart from looking in his mirror, I’m not sure what else he does! I suppose he has many important decisions to make. Sometimes I overhear his conversations and learn things that Macky and his friends will find useful as they try to help the rebels.
Sarah Benjamin: If women were allowed to vote, would you?
Portia: Hi Sarah, that’s an interesting question. Roman women aren’t allowed to vote. But I am very interested in justice and I really would like to be able to vote to be able to influence what goes on in the Empire. I think that if women had more say in politics they would make a big difference.
Aviva Simeon: What did you think of Christians and Jews before you met Macky?
Portia: I really didn’t know very much about Christians and Jews before I met Macky. I had heard that there were some problems a few years ago when Christians were persecuted (ill-treated) but I didn’t take much notice. It wasn’t until I met Macky that I began to understand more about the Friends of Jesus. I really enjoy listening to the stories that Macky and his family and friends tell about Jesus and other people who lived many years ago.
Rebecca Benjamin: Dear Portia, what is your age and do you still live with your uncle? Thanks
Portia: Hello Rebecca, I'm 14 years old and I do still live with my uncle, Tiberius. I moved with my uncle from Alexandria to Jerusalem when he got a new job. Being an officer in the Roman Army keeps my father away from home, so I think I may be living with Uncle Tiberius for a long time yet.
David Judah: If your Roman title was about to be taken from you and you were about to be considered an enemy of Rome and the only way to save yourself is to betray Macky and his family, what would you do? Thanks
Portia: That’s a difficult question to answer. I hope I’m never put in a situation when I would have to betray Macky but if ever my uncle found out some of the things I do to help Macky and his family, I’m really not sure what his reaction would be. I don’t think he would strip me of my Roman citizenship but it doesn’t bear thinking about – let’s hope it doesn’t happen.
David Dan: When Jesus was born, was your Uncle Emperor of Judea or not?
Portia: I don’t think my uncle will ever be an Emperor though I know that he would like to be promoted and I think that’s about to happen. He is going to become a Prefect (military leader) in Jerusalem, so it looks as though I am going to be living there soon.
Amos Judah: Portia, you are what it means to be a true person. If you were to choose between a life of leisure or leave it all behind to take the path of God, what would you choose?
Portia: Thank you for saying something so kind about me. I do try to be a good person. I know that Macky and his family are Friends of Jesus and follow him but I don’t really know enough about that yet to decide whether I could follow him or not. You are right it would probably mean many sacrifices for me but Macky’s family have made sacrifices too so they obviously think it is worth it – I need to understand why. I’m hoping to learn more as I hear more stories about him.
Rachel Benjamin: When you grow up will you be in politics?
Portia: I wouldn’t be allowed to go into politics. Only men can be politicians. Sometimes their wives advise them on what to do (in fact, isn’t this always true?) but women aren’t allowed to have jobs in the government.
Joshua Judah: I was wondering, who were your friends before you met Macky, and have you ever played tricks on Toadie just for fun? Thanks!
Portia: I had some friends
when I was in Rome but I have travelled so much with my
Uncle that it is difficult to keep up with people.
No, I haven’t played tricks on Toadie for fun. I try to stay out
of his way as much as possible and only seem to get mixed up
with him when I am trying to help Macky and his family.
Benjamin Joseph: Who is the current Roman Emperor?
Portia: The Roman Emperor is a man called Vespasian, who took over when Emperor Nero died a short time ago.
Titus Camurius Gallus: You seem to be a bit disappointed with Macky at the moment. Is it because of that new girl Sarah?
Portia: I don’t really know Sarah. However Macky does seem to be quite friendly with her and sometimes he listens to her rather than to me which is a bit frustrating.
Boaz Benjamin: What do you think of pirates?
Portia: I don’t know much about pirates – we don’t talk about them very much at home although I know some of my uncle’s colleagues have had problems with them. I think they are bad men who go to sea and steal from ships and seaside towns so I guess I don’t like them very much.
Noam Asher: Do you have a Dad?
Portia: My father is a Senior Commander in the Roman Army and spends a great deal of his time a long way from home making sure that the men he commands are doing a good job. Sometimes they are fighting to conquer (take over) more countries and make the Roman Empire even bigger than it is at the moment. Sometimes they are fighting rebels in the countries that the Romans have already taken over (occupied). Rebels are people who don’t like the Romans and do everything they can to resist them, so my father is kept very busy.
Tertius Messalina Agrippa: Has your uncle ever talked to you about you getting married? How old will you be before you have to get married?
Portia: My uncle hasn’t talked to me about marriage yet. I think he’s busy with more important things and will leave it to my father. I’m happy with that because in Rome young people of my age often get married and I’m having too much fun at the moment. I am sure I will get married at some point and my father will probably find a husband for me – I guess my father will want him to be a high-born Roman like me.
Rachel Gad: Why are you so pretty and why are you a Roman? Why don't you stay at Samuel and Diana's house?
Portia: Thank you for your compliment about my looks, that’s very kind. I’m a Roman because my family comes from Rome – it’s not something I have a choice about - but it’s not something I am ashamed of either! I couldn’t stay in Samuel and Diana’s house because I am a Roman and we aren’t liked by many people in Alexandria. My Uncle Tiberius would immediately know that something strange was happening if I stayed at their house and I wouldn’t be able to help Macky any more. I’d probably be sent back to Rome if my Uncle knew how much time I spend with Macky’s family.
Shayna Joseph: Portia, do you like Macky? It seems like you do. Please be very truthful with your answer.
Portia: I’m being really honest when I say Macky and I are really good friends and that’s it! But I do like him – a great deal!
Sarah Asher: Why don’t you tell your Uncle about Brutacus?
Portia: I don’t think my Uncle would listen to me if I tried to tell him about Brutacus. But I don’t think that Brutacus is the real problem – he only does what Toadie tells him. I always knew that Toadie was a fool but I didn’t realise until recently that he was cruel and unfair as well – somehow I don’t think my Uncle would listen to me if I told him about that either.
Elijah Judah: What were commonly used colours in making Roman clothing for women?
Portia: I just love clothes! The most common colours used in our clothes are white, brown or grey. Some lower class clothes are made from un-dyed wool which makes them a bit tickly. High-class women wear clothes which are always made of good quality linen and are sometimes brightly coloured – though I prefer white, as you know! To create the colours I’m told they use vegetable dyes and the most usual colours are reds, blues, yellows and purple.
Primus Italia Panthera: Do you wear perfumes?
Portia: I do like perfume but it is far too expensive to wear every day! I like “Megalion” which was originally created by Dioscorides. It contains sweet flag root and olive oil as a base, and the spices cinnamon and cassia which are extremely expensive and rare, plus myrrh resin and burnt pine resin. This is a very a rich, spicy perfume which I wear on special occasions.
Rachel Naphtali: Do you love/fancy Macky?
Portia: I like Macky but I don’t understand him much. He can be very distracted and is always rushing off here and there. It is very unusual for a Roman to even have an Egyptian friend – I don’t know any woman from my class who has ever married an Egyptian boy.
Rebecca Simeon: Do you live in a house or bungalow, what do you eat and who do you play with?
Portia: I’ll do my best to answer all your questions. I live
in the Governor’s Palace which is a large and imposing building
close to the harbour in Alexandria.
I eat most things that we can buy here in the market and some
special foods which we have shipped in from Rome. The fish,
especially the Tuna and the sea-food is very good here and we
also eat snails which I find very tasty. Our cook has a number
of recipes created by a man called Apicius – they are all very
good. My favourite sauce is Garam - a fermented and highly
flavoured fish sauce.
I’m a little old to play – I’m a young lady but I do like being
with Macky and the gang!
David Benjamin: How is life being a Roman princess?
Portia: Oh dear, I’m not a Roman princess! My Uncle Tiberius is the governor of Alexandria but that doesn’t make me a princess. I do live in the Governor’s Palace but even that’s not very grand by Roman standards. Our house in Rome is much more beautiful with wonderful artwork and cool rooms. Alexandria is very simple by comparison.
Ebenezer Asher: When is your Mom coming back?
Portia: My mother died when I was younger. That’s why I have to live with Uncle Tiberius. I wish I still had my own mother to talk to about everything but Diana, Macky’s mother, is the next best thing.
Esther Judah: Do you like our Jewish stories and do you believe them?
Portia: I like all the stories that Macky and his family tell. Those that go a long way back are very interesting and have a great deal to teach us and I also like the more recent stories about Jesus and his friends. They are very different from the legends about the Roman gods that my tutor makes me learn!
Shayna Joseph: Why are Macky's family going to prison?
Portia: Macky’s family are supporting those who are rebelling because they don’t like us Romans being in (they call it "occupying") Alexandria, Judea and all over the world. That kind of activity is called ‘treason’ and it is usually punished very severely indeed. I am doing everything that I can to keep them out of trouble but it’s not easy and they won’t stop helping these people.
Hannah Asher: Do you do chores at your home and do you like your uncle?
Portia: Chores? As a Roman noble-woman I have servants to do all that kind of work. To be honest it can be a bit boring sometimes and I wish Diana would let me help her with her work. Uncle Tiberius tries to do his best for me but I miss having close family around me. He also chooses some very strange people to work for him -Toadie and Brutacus - though I don't think he's aware of all the dishonest and unkind things they do. I didn't realise it either until I got to know Macky and his family and friends and spent some time in the Jewish quarter.
Arava Zebulun: Dear Portia, what do you want to do when you get older?
Portia: That’s a really difficult question to answer. Like most Roman noble-women, I will be expected to marry and raise a family whilst my husband goes about his business – perhaps in the Army, Politics or Commerce. I’m not sure that’s what I ‘want’ but my choices are limited by our society. Perhaps other options may open up as I grow older!
Esther Benjamin: Where do you get your makeup?
Portia: I have my make-up made for me by the palace servants, like most Roman women. I don’t ask too much about how they make it because I fear they may use some strange ingredients ! The Egyptian women in Alexandria have some very colourful makeup – they use special lead compounds to create fantastic blues and greens. Back home friends of mine might take a whole morning with their maids doing their hair and make-up but I’m too busy with my adventures for that.
Lucius Claudia Petra: Hey Portia, I love your name. I like your style as well. Are you in love with Macky?
Portia: Thank you for your compliment on my name – I like it too! It actually means ‘a gift or an offering’. I think my parents must have been pleased to have me when I was born! I'm glad you like my style too - it's difficult when there aren't many other Romans my age around to help influence me - but I suppose I have enough strong views of my own! Am I in love with Macky ? I haven't thought much about it – sometimes I feel as though he's ignoring me or he's involved in something he doesn't want to tell me about and when that happens it’s hard to even have him as a friend - but we do enjoy our adventures together.
Lindsay: Portia, when is your father coming back?
Portia: I wish I knew! I keep asking Uncle Tiberius that question but he hasn’t any news for me. I’ll keep hoping…
Aulus Eprius Clemens: What do Romans eat?
Portia: What do we eat? Normal things like bread (plenty of it), salad, vegetables, fruit, nuts, cheese, eggs, pork, fish, dormice. Though I understand that back home in Rome poorer people who don’t live in palaces don’t have such a variety of food. They mainly eat bread, beans and lentils and only a little bit of meat, if any. Can you imagine a diet without the treat of a dormouse now and then?
Shayna Dan: Is Rebecca nice to you, Portia?
Portia: That’s hard to answer. She was a bit suspicious when we first met but since Diana told us the story of Peter’s dream and his meeting with Cornelius (a Roman by the way) she has been kinder to me. I think that she struggles a little with Romans after all that her father has been through in Judea!
Shayna Dan: Who is your Mom, Portia?
Portia: I never knew my mother - she died when I was very young. I'm Roman and of course I can get by without my close family around me – I live with my Uncle Tiberius, the Governor of Alexandria. But I really do enjoy being around Diana and the rest of Macky's family.
Leah Dan: How did you react when you met Leah and Rebecca?
Portia: I met Rebecca first because she was with Macky. She didn't seem to like me very much because I'm Roman! But that's not something I'm ashamed of - and she'll get used to the idea, with time. I think Leah is great, she always seems to be full of fun and mischief. I wish I had a little sister like her.
Maya Asher : Are you going to change your outfit in upcoming episodes?
Portia: Hello Maya (and Shayna, who asked about my outfit)
I have bought many other clothes
of different styles and colours but somehow I always seem to go back to my favourite white outfit (made from the finest linen available)! Don't you find you have a favourite outfit you wear as much as you possibly can? Who knows, my tastes might change as I get older - but we'll have to wait and see!
Chile: What is it like being a Roman?
Portia: Being a Roman is just normal for me! I was born into a high Roman family - my father is an officer in the Roman Army. One of the worst parts of that is that I have to live with my Uncle Tiberius for my safety. But I have great clothes, several servants, the best food from all over the world and a lovely home too. I have painted walls in my room and a warm tiled floor too.
I have nice jewellery, a soft bed and even a tutor to make sure that I am fully educated. Since I have got to know Macky and his family, I have realised that life is not so easy if you're not a Roman, but that's how I was born!
Muggle Girl: Portia, how did you meet Macky?
Portia: The first time I met Macky, was when he rescued me from my runaway horse. I was very grateful he was there to help me but my dress was ruined by the mud. Macky had mentioned that his mother was a dressmaker so I asked her to make me a new one. We became good friends and I like spending time with him and his family.
Muggle Girl: Where do you like to go shopping, Portia?
Portia: I like to go to the Alexandria market each week, where I find most of my jewellery and trinkets. All my clothes are made to measure by the palace seamstress but she only does old fashioned designs. Diana, Macky's mother has made me a couple of new dresses which are gorgeous.
Marie: Hi Portia! Macky has a parrot and a horse. Do you have any pets?
Portia: Yes, I have a horse, too, a black stallion called Spurion. I have had him since I was 12 years old.
He is normally well behaved, but sometimes he can be naughty! Like the time when he ran away and Macky had to rescue me!
AD: Who would you call your best friend, Portia?
Portia: I would have to say Macky has been a good friend to me. We make a good team, and help each other when we need it. It's nice to have a friend my own age (14). He makes me laugh and teaches me new things. I also get on well with Leah and Rebecca and look after them sometimes - though I'm not sure Rebecca always trusts me - I think it's because I'm a Roman.
Take That Fan: Which school do you attend and what's your favourite lesson?
Portia: I don't go to a school and I have never been to a school - I'm not sure I even know what a school is! I have never heard of one.
I do have lessons but they are from my tutor in the palace. My tutor is very stern indeed and I don't like her much. Actually I don't think she likes children at all but I have to spend time with her learning languages, about all the Roman Gods and the history of the Roman Empire too. My favourite lesson used to be Roman beauty grooming, but since meeting Macky I've learnt some more important lessons!
