The Annals of Imperial Rome (Classics) by Tacitus

Author:Tacitus
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 1973-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

PART TWO

CLAUDIUS AND NERO

CHAPTER 9

The Fall of Messalina

*

[The manuscript breaks off at the death of Tiberius, and Tacitus’ description of the four years’ reign of the unbalanced Gaius (Caligula) is lost. So is his account of the first six years of Gaius’ successor and uncle Claudius. Claudius has married his own cousin Messalina (his third wife). Their children are Octavia and Britannicus, who are about six and five respectively when Tacitus’ surviving narrative is resumed. Poppaea Sabina is a wealthy and fashionable beauty of whom Messalina is jealous.]

MESSALINA believed that Decimus Valerius Asiaticus, twice consul, had been Poppaea Sabina’s lover. Messalina also coveted the park which had been begun by Lucius Licinius Lucullus, and which Asiaticus was beautifying with exceptional lavishness. So she directed Publius Suillius Rufus to prosecute both of them. He was to be associated in this with Britannicus’ tutor, Sosibius. The task of the ostensibly well-meaning tutor was to.warn Claudius to beware of another’s power – of resources too formidable for an emperor’s comfort. ‘Asiaticus’, declared Sosibius, ‘was the principal instigator of the murder of Gaius! At an Assembly meeting he fearlessly admitted the crime, and claimed glory for it. So he is famous at Rome. Moreover, rumours throughout the provinces tell of a projected visit to the armies of Germany. For his birth at Vienna in Gaul, and his powerful connections in that country, make it easy for him to rouse his own people’s tribes.’1

Without further inquiry Claudius sent the commander of the Guard, Rufrius Crispinus, with enough troops to suppress a rebellion. Proceeding at full speed, Crispinus found Asiaticus at Baiae and took him to Rome in chains. Refused access to the senate, Asiaticus was examined in a bedroom, with Messalina present. Publius Suillius Rufus accused him of corrupting the army and using bribes and sexual entanglements to commit the soldiers to unbounded atrocities. Adultery with Poppaea Sabina was a supplementary charge. Another was effeminacy. At this accusation the prisoner found his voice. ‘Ask your sons, Suillius,’ he said. ‘They will confirm my masculinity.’

Then Asiaticus began his defence. It greatly moved Claudius – and even extracted tears from Messalina. She left the room to dry them, warning Lucius Vitellius (I) not to let the defendant elude her. Then she rapidly organized Poppaea Sabina’s destruction. Agents were suborned to threaten Poppaea with imprisonment, and thus terrorize her into suicide. Claudius knew nothing of this. When Poppaea’s husband Publius Cornelius Lentulus Scipio (I) was dining with him a few days later, the emperor asked him why he had come without his wife. The answer was that she was dead.

Lucius Vitellius, asked by Claudius whether he thought Asiaticus should be acquitted, first tearfully recalled their long friendship and partnership in devotion to the emperor’s mother, Antonia (II). Then, reviewing Asiaticus’ public services – including recent military activity against the British – and every other mitigating consideration, Vitellius urged that he should be allowed to choose his own death. Claudius’ decision was to the same merciful effect. Asiaticus’ friends

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