Messalina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valeria Messalina |
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Statue of Messalina holding her son Britannicus, at the Louvre, ca 45 CE
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| Roman empress | |
| Tenure | 24 January 41 – 48 |
| Born | 25 January AD 17 or 20 Rome, Italy |
| Died | 48 (aged 28 or 31) Gardens of Lucullus, Rome, Italy |
| Spouse | Claudius |
| Issue | Claudia Octavia Britannicus |
| Father | Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus |
| Mother | Domitia Lepida |
Valeria Messalina (born around 17 or 20 AD, died 48 AD) was an important woman in ancient Rome. She was the third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius. Messalina was also related to other emperors: she was a cousin to Nero and Caligula, and a great-grandniece of Augustus. She was a powerful and influential figure. However, she was accused of plotting against her husband and was later executed.
Early Life and Family
Messalina was the daughter of Domitia Lepida and Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus. Not much is known about her early life.
In 38 AD, she married Claudius. He was about 47 years old at the time. They had two children together. Their daughter was Claudia Octavia, born in 39 or 40 AD. She later became an empress and married Nero. Their son was Britannicus.
When Emperor Caligula was killed in 41 AD, the Praetorian Guard chose Claudius as the new emperor. This made Messalina the empress of Rome.
Messalina's Influence
After becoming empress, Messalina gained a reputation for being very strong-willed. Some historians say she was quite harsh. Claudius, her husband, was often seen as someone who was easily influenced by her.
Messalina was known for how she treated other members of the imperial family. She also had a lot of power over members of the Roman Senate.
In her last two years, she became very focused on Agrippina the Younger. Agrippina was Claudius's only surviving niece. Messalina also targeted Agrippina's young son, Nero. The public often felt sorry for Agrippina.
Some stories say that Messalina saw young Nero as a possible threat to her own son, Britannicus. Britannicus was three years younger than Nero. During the Secular Games in 48 AD, Nero received more cheers from the crowd than Britannicus. This event may have made Messalina want to remove Nero and his mother from power.
Messalina's Downfall
In 48 AD, Emperor Claudius traveled to Ostia. He was there to check on a new harbor he was building. While he was away, he received surprising news. Messalina had married a senator named Gaius Silius in Rome.
This marriage happened without Claudius's knowledge. A trusted servant named Narcissus decided to tell Claudius. Historians are not sure why Messalina did this. Some believe she wanted to overthrow Claudius and make Silius emperor. Others think Silius convinced her that Claudius would be removed from power anyway.
Claudius quickly returned to Rome. Messalina met him on the road with their children. Even with all the evidence, Claudius still had soft feelings for her. He wanted to speak with her privately the next morning.
However, Narcissus acted quickly. He pretended to follow Claudius's orders. He told an officer of the Praetorian Guard to execute Messalina. The guards went to the Gardens of Lucullus, where Messalina was hiding with her mother. She was given a chance to take her own life, but she could not. One of the guards then killed her.
