Tacitus 11.31-38 Malloch

Which group of guards were absolutely vital to imperial politics? Why were they so important to Claudius?

The praetorian guards. He relied on them for support.

Why is it significant that Messalina and Silius hold a Bacchic party?

The Romans thought the cult was a danger to the social and political order, and even persecuted it in 186 BC. The persecution suggests that Messalina and Silius posed a similar threat, and like the cult will be suppressed.

gnara Claudio cuncta - Why was this so striking?

Claudius was usually ignorant about such things.

Is it ominous that Messalina goes to the gardens of Lucullus?

Yes - Asiaticus had died there. The younger Agrippina will go to her gardens in the period leaning up to Nero's attempt on her life.

Who would Octavia, Messalina's daughter, later marry?

Nero - it would end VERY badly...

Messalina's procession pathetically re-enacts the "procession" scenes involving who? What's the difference?

the elder Agrippina as she departs from the German legionary camp. Tac has Agrippina evoke sympathy, whilst the cart is a symbol of Messalina's sordid moral state and looming demise

ne... ad paenitentiam a L. Vitellio et Largo Caecina mutaretur - why was Narcissus scared of this happening?

Vitellius was close to Messalina and Caecina was possibly Silius' brother.

instabat quidem Narcissus aperire ambages - who is encouraging who to clear up ambiguities?

Narcissus is encouraging Vitellius to clear up ambiguities.

Why was Vitellius able to stand powerful under 3 emperors?

He was clever - he said nothing that could be taken as clear support for Messalina - or for Narcissus, should the freedmen fail in bringing her down.

Vitellius ignaro propior

Vitellius seemed unconscious

What does chapter 25 (the execution of Silius) powerfully demonstrate?

The power of a freedman, Narcissus.

Why were "imagines" in private and public displays banned sometimes by senatorial decree? Why was it particularly shocking that Silius had one of his father?

In the Republic, wax masks of ancestors had immense political significance cos there was an expectation that the achievements of the ancestors would be matched or better by present members of the family? His father was convicted of treason, and so it seemed to indicate that Silius was also capable of treason.

Why did it look bad that Silius had family heirlooms of the Neros and the Drusi in his house?

His house had heirlooms that made the imperial family what it was "today" - rulers of Rome (Claudius was descended from the Neros and the Drusi). Silius' home looked like a palace in waiting.

Why is it ironic that Silius had appointed a guard for Messalina?

He was a chaperon, a figure a husband would employ to keep adulterers away from his wife - Silius was the adulterer!

paribus lasciviis ad cupidinem et fastidia (36)

who was equally fickle in her likes and dislikes

... reminisceretur vocis, qua se obnoxium iussis Messalinae dedisset - what is Mnester talking about here?

Mnester had refused to sleep with Messalina, and so she had asked Claudius to make him obey her, pretending she wanted his help for some other reason (DIO).

Why would Mnester have been the first one to get killed by Silius?

Because of his high favour with Messalina - shows he's not in any way an ally of the marriage

Caesoninus vitiis protectus est - is this ironic?

YES - shows how far nepotism can get you in this crazy trial.

tantum inter extrema superbiae gerebat.

so much was she lacking in pride in that desperate situation

Claudius domum regressus et tempestivis epulis delenitus

Claudius had returned home to an early banquet

Did the Romans approve of early dining? Is it significant that Claudius only acts for himself and summons Messalina to plead for herself when drunk?

No - it was seen as too luxurious? The early dining seems esp. perverse after the preceding slaughter. Yes - it reflects badly on him.

percussor

executioner

Why was Messalina's mum not a huge fan of her daughter?

She destroyed her 3rd husband.

Why does the tribune stand silently by Messalina for a bit in chapter 37? Which woman killed herself in the noble tradition?

To give her the chance to kill herself. Lucretia.

Why does Tac have Claudius in a convivial setting when he hears of M's demise? Would Claudius' restraint of emotion have been praised in other contexts?

To evoke the incompatability between mourning and dining. Yes, if not for his characterisation of stupidity and passivity

Was Messalina the first wife of an emperor to have her memory attacked? Would C have agreed to the sacntions decreed by the senate to remove her statues etc?

Yes. Yes - not completely passive.