Messalina - Section 6

1 atque 2 interim , 3 tribus 4 omnino 5 comitantibus - 6 tam 7 repens 8 erat 9 solitudo - 10 postquam 13 per 14 urbem 12 pedibus 11 ivit , 18 vehiculo , 19 quo 20 purgamenta 21 hortorum 22 eripiuntur , 16 Ostiensem 17 viam 15 intrat . 2 nullam 3 misericordiam 4 civibus 1 commovit 5 quia 7 flagitiorum 6 deformitas 8 praevalebat . 1 et 2 iam 3 erat 4 in 5 aspectu 6 Claudii 8 7 clamitabatque 9 ut 10 audiret 12 Octaviae 13 et 14 Britannici 11 matrem . 1 Narcissus 2 tamen 3 obstrepuit , 5 Silium 6 et 7 nuptias 4 referens ; 1 simul 3 codicillos 5 libidinum 4 indices 2 tradidit , 6 quibus 8 visus 9 Caesaris 7 averteret . 1 nec 2 multo 3 post 7 urbem 6 ingredienti 5 offerebantur 4 liberi , 8 sed 9 Narcissus 12 amoveri 11 eos 10 iussit .

Section 6 Translation: And meanwhile, with three at the most accompanying her, so sudden was the isolation, after she went on foot through the city, she entered the Ostian road in a cart, by which the rubbish of the garden was being taken away. She aroused no pity in the citizens, because the hideousness of the scandal prevailed. And now she was in sight of Claudius and kept shouting that he should listen to the mother of Octavia and Britannicus. Narcissus, however, shouted her down, referring to Silius and the marriage; at the same time, he handed over a writing tablet as proof of her lusts, by which he might avert the glances of Caesar. Not long afterwards, the children tried to present themselves (to Claudius) as he was entering the city, but Narcissus ordered them to be moved away.

Passage Analysis

What Happens

Messalina's downfall accelerates dramatically. Once surrounded by crowds of followers and luxury, she now has only three companions and must walk through Rome on foot before riding in a rubbish cart - a humiliating contrast to her former imperial status. The Roman citizens show her no sympathy because her scandals are so notorious. When she finally encounters Claudius, she desperately shouts that he should listen to her as the mother of his children. However, Narcissus drowns out her voice, constantly reminding Claudius of the marriage scandal and presenting written evidence of her affairs to prevent the emperor from being swayed by seeing her. When Messalina's strategy of sending the children to embrace their father fails because Narcissus orders them away, her last hope of emotional manipulation is crushed.

Historical Context

The contrast between Messalina's former power and current humiliation would have been shocking to Roman readers. Imperial women normally travelled in elaborate litters with large entourages - walking on foot and riding in a rubbish cart was degrading. Roman society valued public reputation highly, and the citizens' lack of sympathy shows how completely Messalina had lost public support. The Ostian road was the main route between Rome and its port, so many people would witness her humiliation. Narcissus's use of written evidence (codicilli) was clever - Romans respected documents as legal proof, and having physical evidence made it harder for Claudius to dismiss the accusations. The children's attempted intervention reflects Roman family values, where seeing one's offspring was supposed to evoke paternal protection and mercy.

Questions to Consider

How does Tacitus use the contrast between Messalina's past luxury and present degradation to show her downfall?
Why do the Roman citizens show no pity - what does this reveal about public opinion and scandal in Rome?
How does Narcissus systematically block all of Messalina's attempts to influence Claudius?
What role does written evidence play in this confrontation, and why might it be more powerful than spoken pleas?
How does Messalina's use of her children as emotional weapons backfire, and what does this suggest about her character?

Colour Key

Literary Devices

Grammar & Syntax

Key Vocabulary

Character Analysis

Contrast & Opposition