Messalina and Pliny translation

Messalina novo et quasi insano amore incensa est.

Messalina was fired with a new and almost mad love.

Nam in C. Silium, iuventutis Romanae pulcherrimum, ita exarserat ut Iuniam Silanam, nobilem feminam, matrimono eius exturbaret liberoque adultero potiretur.

For she had burned with love for C. Silius, the most handsome of the Roman youth, to such an extent that she drove out Junia Silana, a noble woman, from her marriage and got possession of an unrestricted adulterer.

Neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat: sed intellexit exitium, si abnueret, fore certum et, si consentiret, nonnulam facinoris celandi spem esse; simulque se magna praemia accepturum.

Silius was not unaware of the dangers or the disgrace: but he realised that ruin would be certain, if he rejected her, and if he agreed, there was some hope of concealing the deed; and at the same time, he would receive great rewards.

Igitur placuit neglegere futura et praesentibus frui.

Therefore, he decided to ignore future events and enjoy the present circumstances.

Illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus ventitat domum, egredienti adhaeret, dat opes honoresque; postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum saepe videbantur.

She visited the house frequently, not secretly, but with many companions, clung to him when he went out, gave him wealth and honours; finally, slaves, freedmen, the furnishings of the emperor were often seen at the adulterer’s house.

At Claudius matrimonii sui ignarus.

But Claudius was unaware of the state of his own marriage.

Iam Messalina propter facilitatem adulteriorum ad novas libidines versa est.

Now Messalina, because of the easiness of the adulteries, turned to unusual lusts.

Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus, abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat: quippe non exspectandum, dum princeps sensceret.

Silius, whether because of his fateful folly or thinking that the very dangers might be a cure for the imminent dangers, pressed for the concealment to be cast aside: certainly, they should not wait for the emperor to grow old.

Se Caelium, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum.

He was single, childless, ready for marriage and adopting Britannicus.

Eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate, si praevenirent Claudium, qui insidiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset.

For Messalina, the same power would remain, with added security, if they forestalled Claudius, who was oblivious to treachery, but swift to anger.

Messalina, non amore in maritum, sed verita ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret, diu haesitavit; sed tandem persuasum.

Messalina hesitated for a long time, not because of love towards her husband, but fearing that Silius, if he obtained supreme power, might spurn her; but finally, she was persuaded.

Nomen enim matrimonii concupavit ob magnitudinem infamiae.

For she craved the title of marriage because of the magnitude of the disgrace.

Nec ultra morata quam dum sacrificii gratia Claudius Ostiam proficisceretur,

Not delaying any further than until Claudius set out for Ostia for a sacrifice, she celebrated all the rites of marrage.

Igitur domus principis inhorruit, maximeque ei qui potentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verterentur:

Therefore, the emperor’s household shuddered, and particularly those who held any power feared lest they were overturned;

Spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris, persuasissent, Messalina posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam.

Nevertheless, they had some hope that if they convinced Claudius about the enormity of the crime, Messalina could be condemned without a trial and overthrown.

Sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret, neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent.

But there was a danger that Claudius might listen to her defence or that his ears might not be closed to her, even if she confessed.

Narcissus, occasiones quaerens, cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur, duas eius paelices largitione et promissis perpulit delationem subire.

Narcissus, looking for opportunities, since Caesar was delaying for a long time at Ostia, compelled two of his concubines by means of bribery and promises to submit an accusation.

Exim Calpurnia (id alteri paelici nomen), ubi datum est secretum, ad genua Caesaris provoluta nupisse Messalinam Silio exclamat;

Then Calpurnia (that was the name of one of his two concubines), when she was given a secret audience, throwing herself at the knees of Caesar, shouted that Messalina had married Silius;

Altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

When the other concubine confirmed this, Calpurnia demanded that Narcissus be summoned.

Qui ‘discidiumne tuum’ inquit ‘novisti? Nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites;

He said, “Do you know about your marriage? For the people and the senate and the soldiers have seen Silius’ marriage;

Ac Nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.“

And unless you act quickly, the husband controls the city.”

Non solum rumour interea, sed undique nuntii ad Massalinam contendunt, qui Claudius omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent.

In the meantime, there was not only rumour, but from all sides messengers were hastening to Messalina, to report that Claudius knew everything and was coming eager for revenge.

Igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad forum digrediuntur.

Therfore, Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, she to the Gardens of Lucullus, he to the forum to hide his fear.

Illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit, quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium;

She, however, although the unfavourable circumstances were taking away time for deliberation, immediately decided to meet and be seen by her husband, which had often been a help to her;

Misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

And she sent instructions that Britannicus and Octavia should go to embrace their father.

Atque interim, tribus omnio comitantibus - tam repens erat sollitudo - postquam per urbem pedibus ivit, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensum viam intrat.

And meanwhile, with three at the most accompanying her - so sudden was the isolation - after she went on foot through the city, she entered the Ostian road in a cart, by which the refuse of the gardens was being taken away.

Nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

She aroused no pity in the citizens, as the hideousness of the scandals prevailed.

Et iam erat in aspectu Claudii clamitabatque ut audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem.

And now she was in sight of Claudius and kept shouting that he should listen to the mother of Octavia and Britannicus.

Narcissus tamen obstrepuit, Silium et nuptias referens; simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit, quibus visus Caesarus averteret.

Narcissus, however, shouted her down, referring to Silius and the marriage; at the sam time, he handed over a writing tablet as proof of her lusts, by which he might divert the glances of Caesar.

Nec multo post urbem ingredienti offerebantur liberi, sed Narcissus amoveri eos iussit.

Not long afterwards, the children were being presented to Claudius as he was entering the city, but Narcissus ordered them to be taken away.

Mirum inter haec silentium Claudii: omnia libero oboediebat.

Claudius’ silence amid these events was surprising: he obeyed the freedman in every respect.

Qui contionem militum in castris paravit.

Narcissus prepared a meeting of the soldiers in the camp.

Apud eos praemonente Narcisso princeps pauca verba feci: continuus dehinc clamor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium.

In their presence, after a previous warning by Narcissus, the emperor spoke a few words: then there arose a continuous shouting of the soldiers who demanded the names of the guilty and punishments.

Ductus Silius ad tribunal non defensionem, non moras temptavit, sed precatus est ut mors acceleraretur.

Silius, brought into the tribunal, did not attempt a defence or delaying tactics, but begged that he might be killed quickly.

Interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam, component preces, nonnula spe et ira: tantam superbiam etiam tum gerebat.

Meanwhile, Messalina prolonged her life in the gardens of Lucullus, composed a petition, with some hope and anger: even then she displayed such pride.

Ac nisi caedem eius Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies in accusatorem.

And if Narcissus had not hastened her slaughter, destruction would have turned onto the accuser.

Nam Claudius domum regressus, ubi Cena vinoque incaluit, imperavit ut femina misera (hoc enim verbo Claudium usum esse ferunt) ad causam dicendam postridie adesset.

For when Claudius, having returned home, was heated with the meal and wine, he ordered that the wretched woman (for they say this is the word Claudius used) should be present the next day to plead her case.

Quod ubi Narcissus audivit et languescere iram redire amorem vidit, timebat, si moraretur, propinquam noctem et uxorii cubiculi memoriam;

When Narcissus heard this and saw that Claudius’ anger was abating and that his love was returning, he began to fear the approaching night, if he delayed, and the memory of his wife’s bedroom;

Igitur prorumpit denuntiatque centurionibus et tribune, qui aderat, exsequi caedem: ita imperatorem iubere

Therefore, he burst forth and ordered the centurions and a tribune, who was present, to carry out the slaughter: he said that this is what the emperor was ordering.

Missus quoque unus e libertis: is raptim in hortos praegressus repperit Messalinam, humi fusam;

One of the freedmen was also sent; he, having gone swiftly to the gardens before the rest, found Messalina lying on the ground;

Adsidebat mater Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors fuerat; sed supremis eius necessitatibus ad miserationem versa suadebat ne percussorem opperiretur:

Sitting beside her was her mother Lepida, 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 assasin:

Transiisse vitam neque aliud quam mortem decoram quareendum.

Her life was past, and she should not seek anything other than a noble death.

Sed nihil honestum inerat Messalinae animo, per libidines corrupto:

But there was nothing honourable in Messalina’s mind, which was corrupted by her lusts:

Lacrimae et questus inriti effundebantur, cum impetu venientium pulsae sunt fores adstitique tribunus.

Tears and futile complaints were pouring forth, when the doors were struck by the force of those arriving and the tribune stood nearby.

Tunc primum Messalina fortunam suam intellexit ferrumque accepit;

Then for the first time Messalina recognised her fate and took up the sword;

Quod frustra iugulo aut pectori per trepidationem admovens, ictu tribuni transigitur.

Applying this in vain to her throat or chest because of her panic, she was pierced by the tribune’s blow.

Corpus matri concessum.

The body was granted to the mother.

Ante lucem ibat ad Vespanianum imperatorem (nam ille quoque noctibus utebatur), deinde ad officium sibi delegatum.

Before dawn, he used to go to the emperor Vespasian (for he also used the nights), then to the duty assigned to him.

Reversus domum reliquum tempus studiis dabat.

Having returned home, he would allot the rest of his time to his studies.

Saepe post cibum (qui veterum more interdiu levis et facilis erat) aestate, si quid otii erat,

Often after food (which, after the custom of his forefathers during the day was light and easy on the stomach), in summertime, if there was any free time,

Iacebat in sole, liber legebatur, adnotabat excerpebatque.

He would lie in the sun, a book would be read, he would make notes and take extracts from it.

Nihil enim legit quod non excerperet; dicere etiam solebat nullum librum esse tam malum ut non aliqua parte prodesset.

For he read nothing from which he would not take extracts; indeed, he used to say that no book was so bad that it was not useful in some part.

Post solem plerumque aqua frigida lavabatur, deinde gustabat dormiebatque minimum.

After sunbathing he generally bathed in cold water, then had a snack, and slept for a very short time.

Mox quasi alio die studebat in cenae tempus.

Soon afterwards, as if it were on another day, he would study till dinner time.

Super cenam liber legebatur adnotabatur, et quidem cursim.

Over dinner, a book would be read and notes taken, but hastily.

Haec inter medios labores urbisque fremitum.

These things took place during the middle of the toils and noise of the city.

In itinere quasi solutus ceteris curis, humid uni vacabat:

On a journey, as if released from all other anxieties, he had time for this alone:

Ad latus notarius cum libro et pugillaribus, cuius manus hieme manicis muniebantur, ut ne caeli quidem asperitas ullum studii tempus eriperet;

At his side there would be a secretary with a book and writing tablet, whose hands were protected in mittens in winter, so that not even the harshness of the weather might take away any study time;

Qua ex causa Romae quoque sella vehebatur. Repeto me correptum ab eo, quod ambularem:

For this reason he rode in a sedan chair at Rome also. I recall that I was rebuked by him because I walked;

‘Poteras’ inquit ‘has horas non perdere’; nam perire omne tempus arbitrabatur, quod studiis non impenderetur. Vale.

He said “you could not have wasted these hours”; for he thought that all time, which was not spent on studies, was wasted. Farewell.