Interactive Latin Texts
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Messalina
Tacitus, Annals XI.26
Messalina, the emperor's wife, begins an affair with the handsome senator Silius. What follows is a secret marriage, a public scandal and a deadly power struggle. Tacitus presents her as ruthless and reckless β but is his version of events the whole truth?
Avunculus Meus
Pliny, Letters VI.16
Rome's most boring man, or the most dedicated scholar in the empire? Pliny the Younger describes his uncle's obsessive daily routine β from pre-dawn meetings with the emperor to reading while being scrubbed in the bathhouse.
The Death of Claudius
Tacitus, Annals XII
Emperor Claudius' final days are marked by intrigue and ambition. As his health falters, unseen forces within the imperial court manoeuvre to shape Rome's future, with the rise of a new power looming on the horizon.
The Death of Agrippina
Tacitus, Annals XIV
The end of Agrippina's influence is marked by betrayal and ruthless calculation. As Nero consolidates his power, a deadly confrontation with his mother becomes inevitable. Tacitus portrays a chilling moment where ambition and family ties collide, altering the course of Rome's imperial future.
The Deception of Sinon
Virgil, Aeneid II.40-249
Troy is undone by cunning rather than force. Laocoon's warning is ignored as Sinon wins the Trojans' pity with lies of sacrifice and betrayal. When serpents kill Laocoon and his sons, the people see it as a sign from the gods. The Wooden Horse is dragged inside the walls, sealing the city's fate.
The Fall of Troy
Virgil, Aeneid II.268-317, 370-558
In a night of terror, Aeneas witnesses the sack of Troy. Hector's ghost urges him to flee, but fury drives him into the hopeless battle. Joined by companions, he fights through the burning city, witnessing horror on every side. Disguise, chance, and courage fail as the Greeks overwhelm them. At the heart of the destruction, Pyrrhus storms Priam's palace and slaughters the aged king before the altars, sealing Troy's ruin.
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