In the distance, the sound of an approaching helicopter.

From the back the Roman Army advances in British Army uniforms and with the equipment of the late 1970s.

First a patrol of five soldiers, four privates and a Corporal. The Slave looks at them.

First Soldier There’s one of ’em.

Second Soldier Drop that, or I will have to open fire!

The Slave, still.

Second Soldier Drop that, or I will have to open fire!

Third Soldier (into a two way radio) Charlie Bravo, we have a contact.

The Slave throws the stone at the Second Soldier, and hits him in the face. The Fourth Soldier opens fire with his automatic weapon, the Slave is blown back by the impact, dead.

First Soldier Jack!

All but the Fourth Soldier crouching, covering the area. He runs at the Slave’s body and kicks it.

Fourth Soldier Fucking bogshitting mick!

Corporal All right all right!

Fourth Soldier In his throat!

Caesar and his staff, in the dress of British Army Officers have driven on in a jeep and are getting out.

Corporal All right!

The Fourth Soldier kicks the Slave’s body again.

Fourth Soldier Kick the shit out of your fucking country!

Corporal Shut up lad!

Caesar What’s that?

Prefect A contact, Sir.

Fourth Soldier Sending little girls out against us now.

Corporal All right.

The noise of the helicopter is louder now.

Fourth Soldier Sorry.

Corporal Yeah yeah. Just walk away lad and have a good spit. (To the other Soldiers:) Come on! See if that’s wired. Then roll it into the water.

The Soldiers inspect the Slave’s body.

Primus Pilus The ’copter will have to hover Sir, too risky to land –

Caesar Yes thank you. (Aside.) That everyday life will begin again. That violence will be reduced to an acceptable level. That Civilisation may not sink, its great battle lost.

Caesar and the staff turn away.

Corporal Anything on her?

First Soldier Just stones.

The helicopter roaring.

Part Two

Arthur’s Grave

The world’s enigma: Arthur’s grave.

The stanzas of the graves

A blunder – An old man and his fields – A soliloquy – The dead Saxon – The contact – The last Roman Lady – An execution – The making of Arthur.

The action takes place in Britain in AD515 and in Ireland in AD1980.

Characters

The cast is as for the National Theatre premiere.