Messalina Flashcards
Messaline novo quasi insano amore incensa est.
Messalina was fired with a new and almost mad love.
‘incensa est’ - fire metaphor shows the extremity of her love.
‘insano’ shows extreme nature of her love
‘insano amore incensa est’ enclosing word order suggests that these are not the typical values that love should have.
Nam in C. Silium, iuventutis Romanae pulcherrirum, ita exarserat ut Iuniam Silanam, nobilem feminam, matrimonio eius exturbaret liberoque adultero ptiretur.
For she had burned with love for C. Silius, the most handsome of the Roman youth, to such an extent that she drove out Junia Silana, a noble woman, from her marriage and got possession of an unrestricted adulterer.
Result clause + continued fire imagery highlights the extremity and violence of Messalina’s actions.
‘pulcherrimum’ - use of superlative
‘liberoque adultero’ - juxtaposition brings out irony as Silius is being forced into it
neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat: sed intellexit exitium, si abnueret, fore certum et, si consentirent, nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse; simulque se magna praemia accepturum.
And Silius was not unaware of the disgrace or the danger: but he understood that ruin would be certain if he rejected her, and if he agreed there was some hope of concealing the crime; and at the same time, he would receive great rewards.
‘neque Silius flagitii aut periculi nescius erat’ - litotes + double negative highlights Silius knows what hes doing.
Repitition of ‘si’ makes Silius’ choices more vivid
‘fore certum’ - suggests that it is the only possibility if he rejects her - implies Messalina abuses her power and Silius has no chance.
‘nonnullam facinoris celandi spem esse’ - enclosing word order + use of abstract noun
igitur placuit neglegere futura praesentibus frui.
Therefore it pleased him to ignore future events and enjoy the present circumstances.
‘neglegere futura praesentibus frui’ - chiasmus + demonstrates Silius’ lack of focus on the consequences.
illa non furtim sed multis cum comitibus ventitat domum, egredienti adhaeret, dat opes honoresque; postremo servi, liberti, paratus principis apud adulterum seape videbantur.
She visisted the house frequently, not secretly, but with many companions, clung to him when he went out, gave him wealth and honours; finally, slaves, freedmen, the furnishings of the emperor were often seen at the adulterer’s house.
‘non furtim sed mutlis cum comitibus’ - variatio emphasise vividness and the recklessness of Messalina
‘ventitat’ - frequentative verb and historic present emphasises vividness
‘adhaeret’ - metaphorical use of verb emphasises her passion for him and how obvious they are being
‘honorosque’ - shocking as something only the emperor can do
Asyndetic ascending tricolon of posessions seen at Silius’ house in ‘servi, liberti, paratus principis’ emphasises how obvious they are and how close they have become.
at Claudius matrimonii sui ignarus.
But Claudius was unaware of the state of his own marriage.
Silius, sive fatali insania an ipsa pericula remedium imminentium periculorum ratus, abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat:
Silius, whether because of his fateful madness or thinking that the dangers themselves were a cure for the imminent dangers, urged the concealment to be cast aside:
‘Silius … ratus’ - variatio presents both reasons for the decision making which makes it more vivid.
‘insania’ - abstract noun
‘pericula … periculorum’ polyptoton increases vividness and sense of danger.
‘abrumpi dissimulationem urgebat’ - emphatic choice of verb + promoted to beginning of clause
iam Messalina propter facilitatem adulteriorum ad novas libidines versa est.
Now Messalina, because of the easiness of the adulteries, turned to new lusts.
‘novas libidines’ - implicit reference to her shocking behaviour increases the vividness and a sense of judgement.
quippe non exspectandum, dum princeps senesceret.
certainly, they should not wait for the emperor the grow old.
‘quippe non exspectandum’ - gerundive of obligation and forceful words
se caelibem, orbit, nuptiis et adoptando Britannico paratum.
He was single, childless, ready for marriage and adopting Britannicus.
Ascending tricolon makes reasons sound convincing.
eandem Messalinae potentiam mansuram esse, addita securitate, si praevenirent Claudium, qui insidiis incautus sed ad iram celer esset.
For Messalina, the same power would remain, with added security, if they forestalled Claudius, who was oblivious to treachery, but swift to anger.
‘praevenirent’ - diction choice foreshadows that someone is going to do something soon.
‘insidiis incautus’ - alliteration highlights Claudius’ weaknesses.
Messalina, non amore in maritum, sed verita ne Silius summa adeptus se sperneret, diu haesitavit; sed tandem persuasem.
Messalina hesitated for a long time, not because of love towards her husband, but fearing that Silius if he obtained supreme power, might reject her, but finally she was persuaded.
‘non amore in maritum’ - sarcastic reference emphasises the little love she shares for her husband also showing Tacitus’ dissapproval.
‘Silius summa adeptus se sperneret’ sibilance draws attention to this option for forestalling their marriage - a bad option for a bad character.
nomen enim matrimonii concupivit ob magnitudem infamiae.
For she craved the title of marriage because of the magnitude of the outrageousness.
‘matrimonii’ - variatio as he often uses ‘nuptiae’ draws attention to Messalina’s bad intentions.
‘magnitudinem infamiae’ - use of two polysyllabic abstract nouse draws attention to the outrage and makes it more vivid.
nec ultra morata quam dum sacrificii gratia Claudius Ostiam proficisceretur, cuncta nuptiarum sollemnia celebrat.
And not delaying any further than until Claudius set out for Ostia for a sacrifice, she celebrated all the rites of marriage.
‘celebrat’ - historic present
igitur domus princeps inhorruit, maximeque et qui potentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verterentur
Therefore, the Emperor’s household shuddered, and particularly those who held any power feared lest the state be overturned.
‘inhorruit’ - personification increases vividness
spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent, Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam
nevertheless they had some hope that if they convinced Claudius about the enormity of the crime, Messalina could be condemned without a trial and overthrown.
‘atrocitate sceleris’ - polysyllabic abstract nouns draw attention to the enormity of the crime and increase the vividness.
‘opprimi sine quastione damnatam’ - emphatic presentation of their hopes for Messalina’s downfall
sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret, neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent.
But there was a danger that he might listen to her defence or that his ears might not be closed to her even if she confessed.
‘nerve clausae aure … non essent’ - vivid choice of language
Narcissus, occasiones quaerens, cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur, duas eius paelices largitione et promissis perpulit delationem subire.
Narcissus, looking for opportunities, since Caesar was delaying for a long time at Ostia, compelled two of his concubines by means of largesse and promises, to submit an accusation.
Exim Calpurnia (id aleri paelici nomen), ubi datum est secretum, ad genua Caesaris provoluta nupisse Messalinam Silio exclamat
Then Calpurnia (that was the name of one of the two concubines), when she was given a secret audience, prostating herself at the knees of Caesar, shouted that Messalina had married Silius
‘nupisse Mwssalinam Silio exclamat’ - historic present + meaning of shouting increases the vividness. Messalina is the subject which demonstrates she has instigated the affair and marriage.
altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat
When the other concubine confirmed this, Calpurnia demanded that Narcissus be summoned.
‘postulat’ - historic present + vivid meaning of demanding
qui ‘discidiumne tuum’ inquit ‘novisti? nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites; ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem matitus’
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 controls the city/”
The use of direct speech makes it more vivid.
‘populus et senatus et milites’ - polysyndetic tricolon (everyone, but Claudius knew)
‘tenet’ the use of a present verb instead of a future verb in this conditional clause conveys the immediate sense of threat and the need for action from Claudius.
‘maritus’ - delay of maritus in sentence highlights how this word now refers to Silius and not Claudius.
non solum rumor interea, sed undique nuntii ad Messalinam contendunt, qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultionni adferrent.
In the meantime, there was not only rumour, but from all sides messengers were hastening to Messalina, to report that Claudius had found out everything and was coming eager for revenge.
‘non solum’ - variatio conveys how quickly the news has travelled
‘Claudium omnia ognovisse et venire promptum ultioni’ - chaismus
igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad forum digrediuntur.
Therefore Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, she to the Gardens of Lucullus, he to the forum to hide his fear.
illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit, quod seape ei fuerat subsidium; misitque ut Brittanicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.
She however, althought the unfavourbale 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.
‘marito’ - refers to Claudius even though she just married Silius
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 three at 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 refuse of the gardens was being taken away.
‘tribus omnino comitantibus - ablative absolute highlights isolation’
‘postquam per urben pedibus’ alliteration of p - plosive sounds - makes journey seem long and drawn out. Tacitus likens her to rubbish.
‘intrat’ - historic present
nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.
She aroused no pity in the citizens, because the hideousness of the scandals prevailed.
‘flagitiorum deformitas’ - polysyllabic abstract nouns
‘praevalebat’ - highlights how much she has done wrong
et iam erat in aspectu Claudii clamitabatque ut audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem.
And now she was in sight of Claudius and kept shouting that he should listen to the mother of Octavia and Britannicus.
‘clamitabatque’ - frequentative imperfect verb emphasises Messalina’s depseration for Claudius to pay attention to her.
Narcissus tamen obstrepuit, Silium et nuptias referens; simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit, quibus visus Caesaris averteret.
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 divert the glances of Caesar.
‘obstrpuit’ - Narcissus has the power and contrasts with Messalina’s attempts - ‘clamitabatque’
nec multo post urbem ingredient offerebantur liberi, sed Narcissus amoveri eos iussit.
Not long afterwards, the children were being presented to Claudius as he was entering the city, but Narcissus ordered them to be taken away.
Contrast between imperfect tense of ‘offerebantur’ and perfect of Narcissus ‘iussit’ demonstrates how Narcissus keeps coming out on top due to his preperation - beating Messalina’s attempts.
mirum inter haec silentium Claudii: omnia liberto oboediebat; qui contionem militum in castris paravit.
Claudius’ silence amid these events was surprising: he obeyed the freedman in every respect; who prepared a meeting of the soldiers in the camp.
‘mirum inter haec silentium’ - enclosing word order brings out shocking silence of Claudius.
‘omnia liberto oboediebat’ - promotion of ‘omnia’ to start of clause + hyperbole + describing Narcissus as ‘liberto’ a freed man instead of his name highlights Narcissus’ control and Claudius’ weakness.
apud eos praemonente Narcisso princeps pauca verba fecit: continuus dehinc clamor militum nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium
In their presence, after a previous warning by Narcissus, the emperor spoke a few words: then there arose a continuous shouting of the soldiers demanding the names of the guilty and punishments.
‘pauca verba’ - Claudius didn’t say much - highlights his weakness
‘continuus dehinc clamor’ alliteration of c sounds emphasises the shouting and dissent of the soldiers
ductus Silius ad tribunal non defensionem, non moras temptavit, sed precatus est ut mors acceleraretur.
Silius, brought into the tribunal, did not attempt a defence or delaying tactics, but begged that his death might be sped up.
‘non defensionem, non moras’ - Anaphora of non + asyndeton shows Silius’ helplessness
interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatere vitam, componere preces, nonnulla spe et ira: tantum superbiam etiam tum gerebat.
Meanwhile, Messalina prolonged her life in the gardens of Lucullus, composed an entreaty, with some hope and anger: even then she displayed such great pride.
‘prolatare’ + ‘componere’ - historic infinitives makes it more vivd
‘spe et ira’ - abstract nouns
‘tantum superbiam’ - judgemental comment about Messalina’s arrogance
ac nisi caendem eius Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies in accusatorum.
And if Narcissus had not hastened her slaughter, destruction would have turned onto the accuser.
‘Narcissus properavisset, vertisset pernicies’ chiasmus + sibilance
nam Claudius domum regressus, ubi cena vinoque incaluit imperavit ut femina misera (hoc enim verbo Claudium usum esse ferunt) ad causam discendam postridie adesset.
For when Claudius having returned home was heated with dinner and wine, he ordered that the poor woman (for they say this is the word Claudius used) should be present the next day to plead her case.
‘incaluit’ - warmed / melted, Claudius softens and his emotions return
‘imperavit’ use of imperavit in an indirect command shows how he only uses his power sometimes - in this case to try and forgive Messalina - highlights his weakness
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 Claudius’ anger was abating and that his love was returning, he began to fear the approaching night, if he delayed, and the memory of his wife’s bedroom
‘languescere iram redire amorem’ - abstract nouns + promotion of the verbs for emphasis shows how his emotions are changing
‘propinquam noctem et uxorii cubiculi memoriam’ - use of euphanism combined with alliteration of ‘m’ and ‘n’ sounds suggests Claudius could mise Messaline and is getting soft and tender for her.
igitur prorumpit demuntiatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exsequi caedem: ita imperatorem iubere
Therefore, he burst forth and ordered the centurions and a tribune, who was present, to carry out the slaughter: he said that this is what the emperor was ordering.
‘prorumpit denuntiatque’ - emphatic, historic present verbs promoted to start of sentence - vividness + Narcissus takes action.
‘ita imperatorem iubere’ - short sentence increases sense of risk of Narcissus trying to claim the emperor’s authority.
missus quoque unus e liberties: is raptim in hortos praegressus repperit Messalinam, humi fusam.
One of the freedmen was also sent; he, having gone swiftly to the gardens before the others, found Messalina prostrate on the ground.
adsidebat mater Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors fuerat; sed supremis eius necessitatibus ad misericordiam versa suadebat ne percussorem opperiretur
Sitting beside her was her mother Lepida who had not been in harmony with her daughter when she was flourishing, but in her final hours of need, heaving turned to pity, she tried to persuade her not to wait for an assassin
transiisse vitam neque aliud quam mortem decoram quaerendum.
her life was past, and she should not seek anything other than a noble death
‘ne percussore opperuretur: transiisse vitam neque aliud quam mortem decoram quarendum’ - tricolon
sed nihil honestum interat Messalinae animo, per libidines corrupto; lacrimae et questus inriti effundebantur, cum impetu venientium pulsae sunt fores adstititque tribunus.
But there was nothing honourable in Messalina’s mind, which was corrupted by her lusts; tears and futile complaints were being poured fourth, when the doors were struck by the force of those coming and the tribune stood nearby.
‘sed nihil honestum’ - hyperbole + variatino of ‘honestum’ and ‘decoram’ in previous sentence.
‘lacrimae et questus inriti effundebantur’ - strange description of crying + abstract noun conveys sense of lack of humanity.
‘cum impetu’ promoted to start of clause makes more vivid
‘venientium’ - adverb used as noun makes vivid
tunc primum Messalina fortunam suam intellexit ferrumque accepit; quod frustra iugulo aut pectori per trepidationem admovens, ictu tribuni transigitur.
Then for the first time Messalina recognised her fate and took up the sword; apllying this in vain to her throat or chest because of her panic, she was pierced by the tribune’s blow.
‘ferrumque’ poetical word increases drama and vividness
‘iugulo aut pectori’ poetical, fanciful description
‘per trepidationem’ - polysyllabic abstract noun
‘ictu tribuni transigitur’ - ‘ictu’ (blow) promoted to front of clause, brevitas / short sentence, alliteration and historic present.
corpus matri concessum
Her body was granted to her mother
Brief end to story.
