Messalina - Analysis Booklet

OCR GCSE Latin

Prose Literature

Tacitus, Annals XI.26–38

Messalina

Sentence Analysis Booklet

Section 1

Lines 1–8

Silius is forced to have an affair with Messalina

Section 1 · Sentence 1

Messalina novo et quasi insano amore incensa est.

Messalina was inflamed with a new and almost insane love.

Section 1 · Sentence 2

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

For she had become so inflamed with passion for C. Silius, the most handsome of Roman youth, to such an extent that she drove Junia Silana, a noble woman, from her marriage to him, and took possession of her adulterer, now free.

Section 1 · Sentence 3a

neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat:

Nor was Silius unaware of the scandal or the danger:

Section 1 · Sentence 3b

sed intellexit exitium, si abnueret, fore certum et, si consentiret, nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse;

but he understood (that) destruction, if he refused, would be certain and, if he agreed, there was some hope of concealing the crime;

Section 1 · Sentence 3c

simulque se magna praemia accepturum.

and at the same time that he would receive great rewards.

Section 1 · Sentence 4

igitur placuit neglegere futura praesentibus frui.

Therefore it pleased him to neglect the future and to enjoy the present.

Section 2

Lines 8–17

Messalina’s visits to Silius become increasingly more frequent

Section 2 · Sentence 1

illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus ventitat domum, egredienti adhaeret, dat opes honoresque:

She keeps visiting his house not secretly but with many companions; she clings to him as he goes out, she gives him wealth and honours:

Section 2 · Sentence 2

postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum saepe videbantur.

Finally, the slaves, freedmen, and equipment of the emperor at the house of the adulterer were often seen.

Section 2 · Sentence 3

at Claudius matrimonii sui ignarus.

But Claudius (was) unaware of his own marriage.

Section 2 · Sentence 4

iam Messalina propter facilitatem adulteriorum ad novas libidines versa est.

Now Messalina, turned because of the ease of her adulteries, to new lusts.

Section 2 · Sentence 5

Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus, abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat:

Silius, whether through fatal madness or thinking (that) the dangers themselves (were) a remedy for impending dangers, urged that the pretence be broken off:

Section 2 · Sentence 6

quippe non exspectandum, dum princeps senesceret.

For indeed they should not wait, until the emperor grew old.

Section 3

Lines 17–26

Eventually, Messalina decides to marry Silius

Section 3 · Sentence 1

se caelibem, orbum, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum.

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

Section 3 · Sentence 2

eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate, si praevenirent Claudium,

The same power would remain for Messalina, with added security, if they forestalled Claudius,

Section 3 · Sentence 2b

qui insidiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset.

who was unguarded against plots but quick to anger.

Section 3 · Sentence 3

Messalina, non amore in maritum, sed verita

Messalina for a long time hesitated, not out of love for (her) husband,

Section 3 · Sentence 3b

ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret, diu haesitavit;

but fearing that Silius, having obtained supreme power, might reject her;

Section 3 · Sentence 4

sed tandem persuasum.

but finally she was persuaded.

Section 3 · Sentence 5

nomen enim matrimonii concupivit ob magnitudinem infamiae.

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

Section 3 · Sentence 6

nec ultra morata quam dum sacrificii gratia

And not delaying longer than until Claudius set out

Section 3 · Sentence 6b

Claudius Ostiam proficisceretur, cuncta nuptiarum sollemnia celebrat.

for Ostia for the sake of a sacrifice, she celebrates all the rites of marriage.

Section 4

Lines 27–38

Widespread knowledge of the affair prompts Narcissus to take action

Section 4 · Sentence 1

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

Therefore the household of the emperor shuddered, and especially those who had power feared that the situation might be overturned:

Section 4 · Sentence 2

spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent, Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam;

Nevertheless they had hope, that if they had convinced Claudius about the atrocity of the crime, Messalina could be crushed, condemned without a trial;

Section 4 · Sentence 3

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

But there was a danger that he might hear a defence, and that his ears might not be closed even to one confessing.

Section 4 · Sentence 4

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

Narcissus, seeking opportunities, since Caesar was staying for a long time at Ostia, drove two of his mistresses by bribery and promises to undertake the denunciation.

Section 4 · Sentence 5

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

Then Calpurnia (that was the name of one of the mistresses), when she was given a secret audience, having thrown herself at the knees of Caesar, cries out that Messalina has married Silius;

Section 4 · Sentence 6

altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

With the other mistress confirming these things, Calpurnia demands that Narcissus be summoned.

Section 5

Lines 39–49

The marriage becomes known to Claudius

Section 5 · Sentence 1

qui 'discidiumne tuum' inquit 'novisti?

"He said: 'Do you know of your divorce?'"

Section 5 · Sentence 2

Nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites;

For the people and the senate and the soldiers saw the marriage of Silius;

Section 5 · Sentence 3

ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.'

and unless you act quickly, the husband holds the city.'"

Section 5 · Sentence 4

non solum rumor interea, sed undique nuntii ad Messalinam contendunt,

Meanwhile, not only rumour, but from all sides messengers to Messalina rush,

Section 5 · Sentence 4b

qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent.

who reported that Claudius had learned everything and was coming ready for vengeance.

Section 5 · Sentence 5

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

Therefore Messalina departs to the Lucullan gardens, Silius to the forum, to conceal his fear.

Section 5 · Sentence 6

illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent,

She, however, although adverse circumstances were removing her judgement,

Section 5 · Sentence 6b

ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit,

immediately decided to go to meet him and be seen by her husband,

Section 5 · Sentence 6c

quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium.

which often for her had been a help.

Section 5 · Sentence 7

misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

And she sent orders that Britannicus and Octavia should go into the embrace of their father.

Section 6

Lines 49–59

Silius hides and Messalina appeals to Claudius

Section 6 · Sentence 1

atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus - tam repens erat solitudo - postquam per urbem pedibus ivit, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat.

And meanwhile, with only three accompanying her — so sudden was the isolation — after she went through the city on foot, in a cart by which the refuse of the gardens is removed, she enters the Ostian road.

Section 6 · Sentence 2

nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

She stirred no pity in the citizens because the ugliness of her scandals prevailed.

Section 6 · Sentence 3

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

And now she was in the sight of Claudius and kept crying out that he should hear the mother of Octavia and Britannicus.

Section 6 · Sentence 4

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

Narcissus, however, drowned her out, bringing up Silius and the marriage; at the same time he handed over notebooks listing her affairs as evidence, by which he might divert the gaze of Caesar.

Section 6 · Sentence 5

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

And not much later, as he was entering the city, the children were presented to him, but Narcissus ordered them to be removed.

Section 7

Lines 60–69

Narcissus arranges the assassination of Messalina

Section 7 · Sentence 1

mirum inter haec silentium Claudii: omnia liberto oboediebat;

remarkable amid these events was the silence of Claudius: he obeyed the freedman in everything.

Section 7 · Sentence 2

qui contionem militum in castris paravit.

who prepared an assembly of soldiers in the camp.

Section 7 · Sentence 3

apud eos praemonente Narcisso princeps pauca verba fecit:

before them, with Narcissus prompting, the emperor spoke few words:

Section 7 · Sentence 4

continuus dehinc clamor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium.

then continuous shouting from the soldiers demanding the names of the guilty and their punishment.

Section 7 · Sentence 5

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

Silius, led to the tribunal, attempted neither a defence nor delays, but begged that his death be hastened.

Section 7 · Sentence 6

interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam, componere preces, nonnulla spe et ira: tantam superbiam etiam tum gerebat.

meanwhile, Messalina in the Lucullan gardens was prolonging her life, composing appeals, with some hope and anger: such arrogance even then she displayed.

Section 7 · Sentence 7

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

and if Narcissus had not hastened her death, destruction would have turned upon the accuser.

Section 8

Lines 70–79

Narcissus orders a tribune to murder Messalina

Section 8 · Sentence 1

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 Claudius, having returned home, when he had grown warm with dinner and wine, he ordered that the wretched woman (for they say that Claudius used this word) should be present the next day to plead her case.

Section 8 · Sentence 2

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 anger was weakening and love returning, he feared, if he delayed, the approaching night and the memory of the marriage bed;

Section 8 · Sentence 3

igitur prorumpit denuntiatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exsequi caedem: ita imperatorem iubere.

therefore he rushes out and orders the centurions and the tribune, who was present, to carry out the killing: thus the emperor commanded.

Section 8 · Sentence 4

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

one of the freedmen was also sent: he, having gone ahead quickly to the gardens, found Messalina, lying on the ground;

Section 9

Lines 79–89

Messalina is killed by the tribune

Section 9 · Sentence 1

adsidebat mater Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors fuerat;

Her mother Lepida was sitting beside (her), who had not been on good terms with her daughter when she was flourishing;

Section 9 · Sentence 2

sed supremis eius necessitatibus ad miserationem versa suadebat ne percussorem opperiretur:

but turned to pity by her final crisis, she urged (her) not to wait for the executioner:

Section 9 · Sentence 3

transiisse vitam neque aliud quam mortem decoram quaerendum.

her life had passed and nothing else than an honourable death should be sought.

Section 9 · Sentence 4

sed nihil honestum inerat Messalinae animo per libidines corrupto;

but nothing honourable was present in Messalina's mind, corrupted by (her) lusts;

Section 9 · Sentence 5

lacrimae et questus inriti effundebantur, cum impetu venientium pulsae sunt fores adstititque tribunus.

tears and useless laments were being poured forth, when the doors were struck by the rush of those coming, and the tribune stood there.

Section 9 · Sentence 6

tunc primum Messalina fortunam suam intellexit ferrumque accepit;

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

Section 9 · Sentence 7

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

moving it in vain towards her throat or breast in her panic, she was run through by a blow from the tribune.

Section 9 · Sentence 8

corpus matri concessum.

The body was granted to her mother.