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Notes Display Latin text | Translated by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb Book XI Chapter 31: Fall of Messalina. Claudius acts. Messalina feasts[AD 48] | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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Claudius then summoned all his most powerful friends. First he questioned Turranius, superintendent of the corn market next, Lusius Geta, who commanded the praetorians. When they confessed the truth, the whole company clamoured in concert that he must go to the camp, must assure himself of the praetorian cohorts must think of safety before he thought of vengeance. It is quite certain that Claudius was so overwhelmed by terror that he repeatedly asked whether he was indeed in possession of the empire, whether Silius was still a subject. Messalina meanwhile, more wildly profligate than ever, was celebrating in mid-autumn a representation of the vintage in her new home. The presses were being trodden; the vats were overflowing; women girt with skins were dancing, as Bacchanals dance their worship or their frenzy. Messalina with flowing hair shook the thyrsus, and Silius at her side, crowned with ivy and wearing the buskin, moved his head to some lascivious chorus. It is said that one Vettius Valens climbed a very lofty tree in sport, and when they asked him what he saw, replied: "A terrible storm from Ostia". Possibly such appearance had begun; perhaps, a word dropped by chance became a prophecy. Event: Fall of Messalina |