Messalina - TACITUS (Translations)

Messalina was inflamed by a new and almost insane passion. For she has become aflame towards Caius Silius, the most handsome of Roman youth, to such an extent, that she drove out from marriage with him, Julia Silana, who was a woman of noble birth, so she was able to get possession of a lover now unattached.

Messalina novo et quasi insano amore incensa est. Nam in C. Silium, iuventutis Romanae pulcherrimum, ita exarserat ut Iuniam Silanam, nobilem feminam, matrimonio eius exturbaret liberoque adultero potiretur.

Nor was Silius unaware of the scandal or of the danger: but he understood that if he were to refuse, death would be certain, and if he were to agree, there would be more than little hope of the crime being hidden, and at the same time, he would receive great rewards.

Sed neque Silius flagitii aut perciuli nescius erat: sed intellecit exitium, si abnueret, fore certum et, si consentiret, nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse; simulque, se magna praemia accepturum.

Therefore, it pleased him to ignore future things, and to enjoy present things. She not secretly, but with many attendant, kept coming to his house, she clings on to him when going out and gives wealth and honours; Lastly, slaves, freedmen, the emperor's possessions were often being seen at the house of the adulterer.

Igitur placuit neglegere futura praesentibus frui. Illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus ventitat domum, egredienti adhaeret, dat opes honoresque; postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum saepe videbatur.

But Claudius was ignorant of his own marriage. Now Messalina, because of the easiness of adultery, turned to new pleasures. Silius, whether by fatal madness, or thinking the dangers themselves were a defence of threatening dangers, urged pretending to be torn aside in as much as it was not to be waited, until the emperor should grow old.

At Claudius matrimonii sui ignarus. Iam Messalina propter facultatem adulteriorum ad novas libidines versa est. Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus, abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat: quippe non exspectandum, dum princeps senesceret.

Himself, a bachelor, childless, prepared for marriage and for the adopting of Britannicus. The same power would remain to Messalina, with security added, if they were to warn Claudius, who was careless to treachery, but speedy to anger. Messalina, not from love for her husband, but fearing lest Silius might cast her aside, having obtained the heights, for a long time hesitated, but at last it was persuaded to her.

Se caelibem, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum. Eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate, si praevenirent Cladium, qui insdiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset. Messalina, non amore in maritum, se verita ne Silius summ adeptus se sperneret, diu haesitavit, sed tandem persuasum.

For she desired the name of marriage, on account of the size of her ill-repute; and not delaying any longer, than until Claudius should set out for Ostia, for the purpose of sacrifice, she celebrates all the ceremonies of marriage.

Nomen enim matrimonii concupivit ob magnitudinem infamiae; nec ultra morata quam dum sacrificii gratia Claudius Ostiam proficisceretur, cuncta nuptiarum solemnia celebrat.

Therefore, the household of the emperor was appalled, and in particular, those who used to have influence, feared lest things were going to change; however they had hope, if the could have persuaded to Claudius. about the enormity of the crime, Messalina could be crushed, having been found guilty, without an investigation.

Igitur domus principis inhorruit maximeque ei qui potentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verterentur; spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent, Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam;

But there was danger, lest he should listen to a defence, or lest his ears should not be close, even to one confessing guilt. Narcissus, seeking an opportunity, since Caesar was delaying at Ostia for a long time, prevailed upon two concubines of his, undertake the informing, by bribery and promises.

Sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret, neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent. Narcisuus, occasionem quarens, cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur, duas eius paelices largitione et promissis perpulit delationem subire.

Straightaway, Calpurnia (this was the name of one of the concubines) when a private audience was granted, having fallen before the knees of Caesar, cries out that Messalina has married Silius; Since the other concubine was confirming these things, Calpurnia demands that Narcissus be summoned.

Exim Calpurnia (id alteri paelici nomen) ubi datum est secretum, ad genua Caesaris provoluta nupisse Messalinam Silio exclamat; altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

Who said, 'Did you know about your divorce? For the people and the senate and soldiers have seen her marriage with Silius; and unless you act quickly, her husband holds the city.'

Qui 'discidiumne tuum' inquit, 'novisti? nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites; ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.'

Meanwhile, not only rumour, but from all side, messenger hasten to Messalina, who report that Claudius has learnt everything and he is coming eager for vengeance. Therefore, they separate - Messalina into the garden of Lucllus and Silius into the forum, by way of hiding fear.

Non solum rumor interea, sed omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent. Igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad Forum digrediuntur.

She however, although the hostile circumstances, took away her thinking; at once she decided to go meet and to be viewed by her husband, which has often been for her, a great help; and she sent word that Britannicus and Octavia should go into the embrace of their father.

Illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit, quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium; misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

And meanwhile, with three people in total accompanying her - so sudden was isolation - after than she went on foot through the city, she enters onto the road for Ostia, in a cart, by which litter of the gardens are carried away. She aroused no sympathy with the citizens, because of the vileness of her vices was too strong.

Atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus - tam repens erat solitudo - postquam per urbem pedibus ivit, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensen viam intrat. Nullum miserivordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

And now she was in sight of Claudius and was shouting that he should hear, the mother of Octavia and Britannicus. Narcissus, however, interrupted her, bringing up Silius and the messengers; At the same time he handed over letter, proofs of her sexual misdemeanours, by which he might turn aside the views of Caesar. And not by much afterwards having entered into the city, the children were being brought forward, but Narcissus ordered them to be taken away.

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

Amongst this, there was a strange silence of Claudius; he used to defer to his freedman in all things who organised an assembly of soldiers in the camp. After Narcissus had briefed them, the emperor made a few words: after this, there was a non-stop shouting from the soldiers, demanding the name of the guilty and punishments.

Mirum inter haec silentium Claudii; omnia liberto oboediebat; qui contionem militum in castris paravit. Apud eos praemonente Narcisso princeps pauca verba fecit: continuus dehinc calmor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium.

Silius, having been led to the tribunal, attempted not a defence, nor delays, but he begged that death should be hastened. Meanwhile, Messalina, in the Lucullan garden tried to spin out life, to think up pleadings, not without hope and anger; even then she was possessing such a great arrogance, unless Narcissus had not hastened her execution, the doom would have turned onto her accuser.

Ductus Silius ad tribunal non defensionem, hec moras temptavit, sed precatus est ut mors acceleraretur. Interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam, componere preces, nonulla spe et ira; tantam superbiam etiam tum gerebat, ac nisi caedem eius Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies in accusatorem.

For Claudius, having returned home, when he has been warmed up with dinner and wine, ordered that the poor woman (for they say that Claudius was accustomed to have used this word) should be present the next day to plead her case. When Narcissus saw his anger to be growing weaker and love to be returning, he was afraid, if he should delay, the following night and the fond memory of the marital bedroom:

Nam Claudius domum regressus, ubi cena vinoque incaluit, imperavit ut femina misera (hoc enim verbo Claudium usum esse ferunt) ad causam dicendam postridie adesset. Quod ubi Narcissus audivit et languescere iram redire amorem vidit, timebat, si moraretur, propinquam noctem et uxorii cubiculi memoriam:

Therefore, he bursts forth and proclaims to the centurions and to a tribune, who was present, to carry out the execution: thus to obey the emperor. Also, one from the freedmen having been sent out, he hurriedly having gone into the gardens, found Messalina, stretched out, on the ground; her mother, Lepida, was sitting beside her, who was not close to her daughter while being successful;

Igitur prorumpit denuntiatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exsequl caedem: ita imperatorem iubere. Missus quoque unus e libertis; is reptim in hortos praegressus repperit Mesalinam, humi fusma; adsidebant mater Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors fuerat;

But turned to pity in her final desperate circumstances, she was persuading her that she should not await the executioner: she said her life to be over and neither was there anything other than a fitting and dignified death to be sought. But there was nothing honest in the mind of Messalina, having been rotted by a life of pleasures: tears and useless complainings were poured forth, when by the onrush of men coming on the doors were beaten down and standing present was the tribune.

Sed supremis eius necessitatibus 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 effundebatur, cum impetu venientium pulsae sunt fores adstitique trubunus.

Then, for the first time, Messalina understood her own fate and received the dagger; bringing close which to her throat or breast vainly through timidness, she is run through by a blow of the tribune. Her body was granted to her mother.

Tunc primum Messalina fortunam suam intellexit ferrumque accepit; quod frustra iugulo aut perctori per trepidationem admovens, ictu tribuni transigitur. Corpus matri concessum.