Messalina - Section 5

1 qui ' 3 discidium 6 ne 5 tuum ' 2 inquit 4 'novisti? 1 nam 8 matrimonium 9 Silii 7 vidit 2 populus 3 et 4 senatus 5 et 6 milites ; 1 ac 2 nisi 4 celeriter 3 agis , 6 tenet 7 urbem 5 maritus .' 2 non 3 solum 4 rumor 1 interea , 5 sed 6 undique 7 nuntii 9 ad 10 Messalinam 8 contendunt , 11 qui 13 Claudium 15 omnia 14 cognovisse 16 et 17 venire 18 promptum 19 ultioni 12 adferrent . 1 igitur 2 Messalina 7 Lucullianos 5 in 6 hortos , 3 Silius 10 dissimulando 11 metui 8 ad 9 forum 4 digrediuntur . 1 illa 2 tamen , 3 quamquam 5 res 4 adversae 7 consilium 6 eximerent , 10 ire obviam 11 et 12 aspici 13 a 14 marito 8 statim 9 constituit , 15 quod 16 saepe 19 ei 17 fuerat 18 subsidium . 2 1 misitque 3 ut 4 Britannicus 5 et 6 Octavia 8 in 9 complexum 10 patris 7 irent .
Section 5 Translation: He said 'Do you know about your divorce? For the people, the senate and the soldiers have seen Silius' marriage. And unless you act quickly, the husband will control the city.' Meanwhile, (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. Therefore, Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, she to the gardens of Lucullus, he to the forum to hide his fear. She, however, although 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. And she sent instructions that Britannicus and Octavia should go to embrace their father.

Passage Analysis

What Happens

Narcissus delivers devastating news to Claudius: everyone in Rome knows about Messalina's marriage to Silius, and unless the emperor acts quickly, Silius will seize control of the city. News spreads rapidly to Messalina that Claudius has discovered everything and is returning to Rome seeking revenge. In panic, Messalina and Silius flee in opposite directions - she to the luxurious gardens of Lucullus, he to the forum to pretend everything is normal. Despite the crisis, Messalina decides to use her tried-and-tested strategy: meet Claudius face-to-face and manipulate him with her presence. She also sends their children, Britannicus and Octavia, to embrace their father, hoping to soften his anger through family emotion.

Historical Context

The phrase "the husband will control the city" shows the political danger - if Silius was recognised as Messalina's legitimate husband, he could claim power through her imperial connections. The Gardens of Lucullus were famous luxury gardens in Rome, a place where wealthy Romans went to escape and think. The forum was the heart of Roman political and business life - by going there, Silius was trying to act normally and maintain his public position. Messalina's strategy of using direct personal contact had worked before because Roman emperors, despite their power, were still influenced by family relationships and emotional appeals. Using the children as emotional leverage was a calculated move - Roman fathers were expected to have strong bonds with their offspring, and seeing them might make Claudius hesitate before acting harshly.

Questions to Consider

  • How does Narcissus's warning about Silius "controlling the city" show the political stakes of this scandal?
  • Why do Messalina and Silius flee in opposite directions - what does this reveal about their relationship and priorities?
  • What does Messalina's decision to "meet and be seen" by Claudius tell us about her understanding of how to manipulate people?
  • How does sending the children to embrace their father show Messalina's calculating nature, even in crisis?
  • What does the contrast between rumour and official messengers suggest about how information spread in ancient Rome?
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