Photo of the Day

Messalina (Sheila White) challenges famous Roman prostitute Scylla (Charlotte Howard) to a duel, on who can bed as many men in a row, from I, CLAUDIUS tv mini-series. Messalina won, by 25 more men than Scylla could manage.

The mini-series has been hailed as one of the greatest things ever produced for TV. I love this scene but (yes, there's a but...) I find it too proper, too British. I highly doubt Romans behaved as politely as these two. The exchange is sharp but always remains civil. I always imagine Messalina as someone who's fiery,  haughty and restless.