latin - messalina

messalina novo et quasi insano amore incensa est nam in C.silium, iuventutis Romanae pulcherrimum, ita exarserat ut Iunium Silanam, nobilem feminam, matrimonio eius exturbaret liberoque adultero poteritur.

messalina was burning with a new and almost insane love, for she had been inflamed for Gaius Silius, the most handsome of the Roman young men, to such an extent that she drove out Junia Silana, a noble woman, from her marriage.

• language relating to fire (incensa est, exarserat) - intensity of Messalina’s love

• insano exaggerates her passion

• superlative (pulcherrimum) - messalina’s superficial intentions, obsessed with his appearance

• exturbaret - forceful verb to show her power

neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat: sed intellexit exitium, si abnueret fore certum et, si consentiret, nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse; simulque se magna praemia accepturum. igitur placuit neglegere futura praesentibus frui.

Silius was not unaware of the shame or the danger: but he understood that if he rejected her, destruction would be certain, and if he agreed, there would be some hope of hiding the crime; and at the same time he would receive great rewards. Therefore it pleased him to ignore future events and enjoy present circumstances

• litotes (neque, nescius erat) - highlights that Silius was very aware, showing his recklessness

• enclosing order (nonnullam facinoris celandi spem) - facinoris celandi - meaning hiding the crime - is literally hidden, emphasises the idea of the crime being hidden

• chiasmus (neglegere futura praesentibus frui) - emphasises that Silius wants to ignore the consequences, wants to continue with messalina

illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus ventitat domum, egredienti adhaeret, dat opes honoresque; postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum saepe videbantur. at claudius matrimonii sui ignarus. iam Messalina propter facilitatem adulteriorem ad novas libidines versa est. Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus, abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat: quippe non expectandum dum princeps senesceret:

she kept coming to the house, not secretly but with many companions, she clung to him when he went out and she gave him riches and honours. Finally, the slaves, freedmen and furniture of the emperor were seen often at the house of the adulterer. But claudius was unaware of his own marriage. Messalina because of the ease of the adulteries turned to new desires. Silius, whether because of a fated madness or thinking that the very dangers were a cure for the imminent dangers, was urging for the concealment to be cast aside. Surely they should not wait while the emperor grows old.

• emphatic positioning (non furtim) - emphasises that she was not discreet, therefore is shameless

• asyndeton (ventitat, ahaeret, dat) - emphasises the number of scandalous things she has done - bombarding him and using him

• asyndetic tricolon (servi, liberti, paratus principis) - shameless nature of Messalina because she is moving in with Silius despite still being married to Claudius - no respect

• polyptoton (pericula, periculorum) - emphasises the danger of the situation

• alliteration of m (remedium imminentium periculorum) - emphasises the anxiety felt by Silius as it reflects a somber mood

se caelibem, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum. eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate, si praevenirent Claudium, qui insidiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset. Messalina, non amore in maritum, sed verita ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret, diu hesitavit; sed tandem persuasum. nomen enim matrimonii concupivit ob magnitudem infamiae. nec ultra morata quamdum sacrificii gratia Claudius Istiam profisceretur, cuncta nuptiarum sollemnia celebrat.

He was single, childless, ready for marriage and adopting Britannicus. For Messalina, the same power would remain, with added security, if they forestalled Claudius, who was oblivious to treachery but quick to anger. Messalina hesitated for a long time, not because of love for her husband, but fearing that Silius , if he obtained the highest honours, might reject her; but finally she was persuaded. for she desired the title of marriage because of the magnitude of the disgrace. And having not delayed any further until Claudius set out to Ostia for the purpose of sacrifice, she celebrated all the rites of marriage.

• asyndetic tricolon (caelibem, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando) - emphasises how eager silius is to take up responsibilities; he is readily available

• sibilance (summa adeptus se sperneret) - messalina’s unease of losing her power

• emphatic positioning (infamiae) - emphasises the size of the disgrace

• historic present (celebrat) - emphasises the irony of her celebrating the rites of marriage despite already being married to Claudius - vivid image

igitur domus principis inhorruit, maximeque ei qui ptentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verteruntur: spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam; sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret, neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent. Narcissus occacsiones quaerens, cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur, duas eius paelices largitione et promissus perpulit delationem subire. exim Calpurnia (id alteri paelice nomen) ubi datum est secretum, ad genua Caesaris provoluta nupsisse Messalinam Silio exclamat;

therefore the emperor’s household shuddered, and most of all those who held any power were afraid that the state would be overturned. However they had hope, that if they convinced Claudius of the enormity of the crime, Messalina could be crushed without a trial and condemned; But there was a danger that Claudius might listen to her defence and that his ears might not be closed to her, even if she confessed. Narcissus, looking for opportunities since Caesar was was delaying at Ostia for a long time, persuaded two of his concubines with generous gifts and promises to submit an accusation. Then Calpurnia (that was the name of one of the concubines), when she was given a private audience, fell down at the knees of Caesar shouted that Messalina had married Silius;

• personification (inhorruit) - emphasises that the household was so afraid

• irony (potentiam habebant) - those who have power are the most scared - suggests the extent of the threat

• passive verb (verteruntur) - shows that they have no power or control

• emphatic positioning (spem) - desperately clinging onto hope

• passive infinitive (opprimi) - suggests Messalina’s loss of agency

• emphatic positioning (damnatam) - desperation to condemn Messalina

• present participle (quaerens) - persistence and eagerness of Narcissus to catch out Messalina

• plosive alliteration (promissis perpulit) - forceful nature of compulsion, eager to punish Messalina

• juxtaposition (Messalinam Silio) - joining the two together, emphasises their marriage

altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat. qui "‘discidiumne tuum,’ inquit, ‘novisti?’ nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et miites; ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus. non solum rumor interea, sed undique nuntii ad Messalinam contendunt, qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent. igitur Messalinam Lucullianos in hortos Silius dissimulando metui ad forum disgrediuntur. illa tamne, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent,

with the other concubine confirming this, Calpurnia demanded that Narcissus be summoned. “did you know about your divorce?” for the people, the senate and the soldiers have seen Silius’ marriage. and unless you act quickly, the husband controls the city. meanwhile there was not only a rumour, but from all sides messengers were hastening to Messalina to report that Claudius knew everything and was coming ready for revenge. Therefore Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, she to the gardens of Lucullus, and he to the forum to his his fear. She, however, although unfavourable circumstances were taking away time for deliberation,

• polysyndetic tricolon (populus et senatus et millites) - emphasises how many people know about the marriage.

• emphatic positioning (maritus) - delays the reveal of who controls the city, also emphasises how serious their marriage is

• undique - lots of people advancing towards Messalina, adds to chaos, urgency and drama

• historic present (contendunt) - emphasises panic and drama

• set out in different clauses (igitur Messalinam… forum disgrediuntur) - emphasises that they’ve separated in different directions

ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit, quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium; misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent. atque interim, tribus omnio comitantibus - tam repens erat solitudo - postquam per urbem pedibus ivit, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat.

she immediately decided to meet and be seen by her husband, which had often been a means of salvation to her; and she sent instructions that Octavia and Britannicus should go and embrace their father. and meanwhile, with three only accompanying her - so sudden was the isolation - after she went on foot through the Ostian city, she entered the ostian road in a rubbish cart by which the rubbish of the garden was being taken away.

• emphatic positioning (misitque) - emphasises how quickly she sent her children to help her case

• tribus omnio comitantibus - stark contrast to when she brought over “many companions” to Silius’ house, emphasises isolation

• plosive alliteration (postquam per pedibus) - emphasises level of disgust towards her actions

• purgamenta - humiliating image, diminishment of status and power

nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat. et iam erat in aspectu Claudii clamitabatque ut audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem. Narcissus tamen obstrepuit, Silium et nuptias referens; simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit, quibus visus Caesaris averteret. nec multo post urbem ingredienti offerebantur liberi, sed Narcissus amoveri eos iussit.

she aroused no pity in the citizens because the hideousness of the scandal prevailed. and now she was in sight of Claudius and was shouting that he should listen to the mother of Octavia and Britannicus. Narcissus however shouted her down, recalling Silius and the marriage; at the same time he handed over a writing tablet as proof of her lusts, by which he might divert the glances of Caesar. Not long afterwards, the children were offered to Claudius as he was entering the city, but Narcissus ordered them to be moved away.

• emphatic positioning (nullam) - emphasises complete lack of pity since the scandal was so awful

• harsh c sounds (civibus commovit quia) - dislike towards Messalina

• alliteration (claudius clamatibatque) - emphasises messalina’s demanding nature

• imperfect tense (clamitabatque) - she’s shouting a lot in futility

• contrast perfect tense (obstrepuit) - his speech is succint when shouting and therefore effective and assertive

• emphatic positioning (simul) - shows the haste of Narcissus’ actions to shame Messalina

mirum inter haec silentium Claudii: omnia liberto oboediebat; qui contionem militum in castris paravit. apud eos praemonente Narcisso princeps pauca verba fecit: continuus dehinc clamor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium. ductus Silius ad tribunal non defensionem non moras temptavit, sed precatus est ut mors acceleratur. interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam, componere preces, nonnula spe et ira: tantam superbiam etiam tum gerebat. ac nisi caedem eius Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies in accusatorem.

Claudius’ silence among these events was surprising: he obeyed the freedmen in every respect; Narcissus prepared a meeting of soldiers in the camp. Among them, after a previous warning by Narcissus, the emperor spoke a few words. From there there was continuous shouting of the soldiers demanding the names of the guilty people and punishments. Silius, having been led into the tribunal, did not attempt a defence of delaying tactics, but begged that his death would be sped up. Meanwhile, Messalina prolonged her life in the gardens of Lucullus, composed letters of appeal, with some hope and anger: even then, she was displaying such great arrogance. And if Narcissus had not hastened her slaughter, destruction would have turned onto the accuser.

• emphatic positioning (mirum) - emphasises how surprising Claudiu’s silence was

• enclosing order (mirum inter haec silentium) - Claudius’ silence about all of Messalina’s actions

• contrast (continuus to pauca verba) - shows how outraged everyone is

• present participle (flagitantium) - shows the soldiers’ persistence to find out who is guilty

• juxtaposition with prolatare - while Messalina shows no honour by prolonging her life, Silius accepts his death due to his wrongdoings.

• historic infintive (prolatare) - shows messalina’s desperation to continue living, shamelessly.

• historic infinitve (componere) - desperate trying to save herself, showing her lack of shame

• emphatic positioning (tantam) - shows her level of arrogance

  • chiasmus (narcissus properavisset vertisset pernicies) - potential danger from Narcissus, and potential violence from Messalina

nam Claudius domum regressus, ubi cena vinoque incaluit imperavit ut femina misera (hoc enim cerba Claudium usum esse ferunt) ad causum dicendum postridie adesset. quod ubi Narcissus audivit et languescere iram redire amorem vidit, timebat, si moraretur, propinquam noctem et uxorii cubiculi memoriam; igitur prorumpit denunitatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exsequi caedem: ita imperatorem iubere. missus quoque unus e libertis: is raptim in hortos praegressus repperit Messalinam, humi fusam;

for when claudius having returned home grew warm from dinner and wine, ordered that the wretched woman (for they say Claudius used this word) should be present the next day to plead her case. When Narcissus heard this and saw that his anger was declining and his love was returning, he began to fear the approaching night, if he delayed, and the memory of his wife’s bedroom; therefore he rushed out and ordered centurions and a tribune, who was present, to carry out the slaughter: (he said that) the emperor ordered thus. one of the freedmen was also sent: he, having gone on ahead swiftly to the gardens found Messalina sprawled on the ground;

• narrative interjection (hoc enim…) - adds to the reliability of the story

• balance (languescere iram redire morem) - draws attention to the fact that there is a threat that Claudius could forgive Messalina

• alliteration of m (amorem, timebat, moraretur, propingquam, noctem) - mournful mood - reminder that Claudius once loved Messalina dearly and the possibility that his love for her might return

• juxtaposition of verbs ( prorumpti denuintiatque) - quickens the narrative, fast pace

• strong word choice (caedem) - shows anger and intention behind its choice

• historic infinitive (iubere) - emphasises decisiveness and power of the action

• emphatic positioning (missus) - shows how quickly someone was sent to kill Messalina

• suspense (fusam) - we are unaware if she is alive or not.

absidebat mater Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors fuerat; sed surpemis eius necessitabus ad misericordiam versa suadebat ne percussorem opperiretur: transiise vitam neque aliud quam mortem decoram quaerendum. sed nihil honestam inerat Messalinae animo, per libidines corrupto; lacrimae et questus inriti effundebantur, cum impetu venientium pulsae sunt fores adstititque tribunus. tunc primum Messalina fortunam suam intellexit ferrumque accepit; quod frustra iugulo aut pectori per trepidationam admovens, ictu tribuni transigitur. corpus matrem concessum.

her mother Lepida was sitting beside her who had not been in harmony with her daughter when she was flourishing; but in her final hours of need, having turned to pity, she advised her not to wait for an assassin. Her life was over, and she should not seeking anything other than a noble death. But there was nothing honourable left in messalina’s mind, which was corrupted by her lusts; tears and futile complaints were pouring forth, when the doors were struck by the force of those surrounding and the tribune stood nearby. then for the first time, messalina understood her fate and took up the sword. Putting this to her throat or chest in vain because of panic, she was stabbed by the tribune’s blow. the body was granted to her mother.

• sibilance (sed supremis eius necessitabus) - emphasises disgust of Tacitus towards messalina

• m sound (quam mortem decoram) - creates somber mood

• emphatic positioning (nihil) - emphasises her complete lack of respectability

• antithesis of one another (honestam and libidines) - emphasises that she is the complete antithesis of honestam

• hyperbolic word choice (effundebantur) - emphasises her desperation and cowardness

• violent word voice (impetu, pulsae sunt) - hostility towards Messalina

• emphatic positioning (tribunus) - adds suspense, we do not know yet who is bursting through the door

• plosive alliteration (pectori per trepidationem) - mimics sound of her trembling

• referred to as the body (corpus) - dehumanising her