XXXI.
Tum potissimum quemque amicorum vocat, primumque rei frumentariae praefectum Turranium, post Lusium Getam praetorianis impositum percontatur. quis fatentibus certatim ceteri circumstrepunt, iret in castra, firmaret praetorias cohortis, securitati ante quam vindictae consuleret. satis constat eo pavore offusum Claudium ut identidem interrogaret an ipse imperii potens, an Silius privatus esset. at Messalina non alias solutior luxu, adulto autumno simulacrum vindemiae per domum celebrabat. urgeri prela, fluere lacus; et feminae pellibus accinctae adsultabant ut sacrificantes vel insanientes Bacchae; ipsa crine fluxo thyrsum quatiens, iuxtaque Silius hedera vinctus, gerere cothurnos, iacere caput, strepente circum procaci choro. ferunt Vettium Valentem lascivia in praealtam arborem conisum, interrogantibus quid aspiceret, respondisse tempestatem ab Ostia atrocem, sive coeperat ea species, seu forte lapsa vox in praesagium vertit.
31.
Claudius then summoned his most influential friends. First he questioned Turrannius, the secretary of supplies, and after him Lusius Geta, the commander of the praetorian guard. They confirmed the facts, then all present in concert pressed him to go to the camp to secure the support of the guards, safety being in their case more urgent than revenge. It is well known that Claudius was so bewildered by fear that he kept asking whether he was still emperor and Silius a simple citizen. Meanwhile, Messalina was never more engaged in immoderate behaviour than at that moment. Autumn was at its fullest and she was acting out in her home a representation of the grape harvest. The presses were being worked, the vats overflowed, women girt with skins danced wildly, in the manner of Bacchanales intent on sacrificing or prey to delirium. Messalina with flowing hair waved a thyrsus; near her was Silius, crowned with ivy, wearing cothurni on his feet and tossing his head to the rhythm of a salacious chorus. It is said that Vettius Valens had in fun climbed a tall tree and to those inquiring what he saw, had answered that he saw a terrible tempest approaching from Ostia. Whether such a storm was really developing or his fortuitous words presaged the ruin ahead, no one can say.
XXXII.
Non rumor interea, sed undique nuntii incedunt, qui gnara Claudio cuncta et venire promptum ultioni adferrent. igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metu ad munia fori digrediuntur. ceteris passim dilabentibus adfuere centuriones, inditaque sunt vincla, ut quis reperiebatur in publico aut per latebras. Messalina tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito, quod saepe subsidium habuerat,haud segniter intendit misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexam patris pergerent. et Vibidiam, virginum Vestalium vetustissimam, oravit pontificis maximi auris adire, clementiam expetere. atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus–id repente solitudinis erat–spatium urbis pedibus emensa, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat nulla cuiusquam misericordia quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.
32.
In the interim, no longer mere rumors, but messengers poured in from all directions bringing news that Claudius was informed of everything and was coming with revenge as his purpose. Thus, they went separate ways, Messalina repairing to the gardens of Lucullus, Silius, now a worried man, to the Forum to attend to his tasks as consul. The others were dispersing on all sides, when the centurions appeared to arrest them wherever found, in the streets or in hiding places. Messalina, on her part, though the adverse turn of affairs had taken away the power of calm reflection, decided without delay to go meet her husband and be seen by him, a course of action that had often kept her safe. She also sent instructions to have Britannicus and Octavia go and embrace their father. Furthermore, she begged Vibidia, the eldest virgin vestal, to obtain an audience with Claudius, the supreme pontiff, and plead for clemency. Instead of waiting passively for the husband to arrive from Ostia, she crossed the entire city on foot, with three companions as her only escort – so deserted was she in the brief space of a few hours – then, in a cart used to remove garden refuse, took the road to Ostia, no one showing pity for her, so repulsive were her crimes in people’s eyes.
XXXIII.
Trepidabatur nihilo minus a Caesare: quippe Getae praetorii praefecto haud satis fidebant, ad honesta seu prava iuxta levi. ergo Narcissus, adsumptis quibus idem metus, non aliam spem incolumitatis Caesaris adfirmat quam si ius militum uno illo die in aliquem libertorum transferret, seque offert suscepturum. ac ne, dum in urbem vehitur, ad paenitentiam a L. Vitellio et Largo Caecina mutaretur, in eodem gestamine sedem poscit adsumiturque.
33.
There was disquiet also on Claudius’ side, for the prefect of the pretorian guard, Lusius Geta, was not trusted, for he could with equal ease incline one way or the other. Seconded by those who shared his fears, Narcissus contended there was no other hope of ensuring the emperor’s safety except by transferring control of the guards, were it only for a single day, to one of the freedmen and offered himself for the task. He further demanded, lest Lucius Vitellius and Largus Caecina should induce the emperor to swerve from his purpose during his return to Rome, he asked and obtained a seat in the same vehicle.
XXXIV.
Crebra post haec fama fuit, inter diversas principis voces, cum modo incusaret flagitia uxoris, aliquando ad memoriam coniugii et infantiam liberorum revolveretur, non aliud prolocutum Vitellium quam ïo facinus! o scelus!’ instabat quidem Narcissus aperire ambages et veri copiam facere: sed non ideo pervicit quin suspensa et quo ducerentur inclinatura responderet exemploque eius Largus Caecina uteretur. et iam erat in aspectu Messalina clamitabatque audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem, cum obstrepere accusator, Silium et nuptias referens; simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit, quis visus Caesaris averteret. nec multo post urbem ingredienti offerebantur communes liberi, nisi Narcissus amoveri eos iussisset. Vibidiam depellere nequivit quin multa cum invidia flagitaret ne indefensa coniunx exitio daretur. igitur auditurum principem et fore diluendi criminis facultatem respondit: iret interim virgo et sacra capesseret.
34.
Later the story became common that, on their way to Rome, while the emperor spoke incoherent phrases — at one moment exclaiming against the excesses of Messalina, at another calling to mind details of his marriage and of the infants they had together — Vitellius said nothing except off and on cry out “Ah wickedness! Ah villainy!” Narcissus, to his credit, kept pressing him to speak plainly for once and let his true thought out into the open, yet he did not succeed in having him utter any word that was not doubtful or made obscure by ambiguity. Largus Caecina imitated Vitellius’ example. Soon they met up with Messalina on the road, who loudly appealed to Claudius to heed what she, the mother of Britannicus and Octavia had to say. Narcissus in return thundered out accusations of her marriage with Silius and, to draw Claudius’ attention from her, handed him at the same time a report listing her infidelities. Not much later, as they approached Rome, his children from Messalina were to be brought to him, but Narcissus gave orders that they be taken away. He could not, however, do the same with Vibidia, who clamored that a wife must not be condemned without a hearing. He answered that the emperor would listen to her and give her a chance to defend herself, but that meanwhile Vibidia should go and attend to her religious duties.
XXXV.
Mirum inter haec silentium Claudi, Vitellius ignaro propior: omnia liberto oboediebant. patefieri domum adulteri atque illuc deduci imperatorem iubet. ac primum in vestibulo effigiem patris Silii consulto senatus abolitam demonstrat, tum quidquid avitum Neronibus et Drusis in pretium probri cessisse. incensumque et ad minas erumpentem castris infert, parata contione militum; apud quos praemonente Narcisso pauca verba fecit: nam etsi iustum dolorem pudor impediebat. continuus dehinc cohortium clamor nomina reorum et poenas flagitantium; admotusque Silius tribunali non defensionem, non moras temptavit, precatus ut mors acceleraretur. eadem constantia et inlustres equites Romani [cupido maturae necis fuit.] et Titium Proculum, custodem a Silio Messalinae datum et indicium offerentem, Vettium Valentem confessum et Pompeium Vrbicum ac Saufeium Trogum ex consciis tradi ad supplicium iubet. Decrius quoque Calpurnianus vigilum praefectus, Sulpicius Rufus ludi procurator, Iuncus Vergilianus senator eadem poena adfecti.
35.
Surprising all the while was Claudius’ silence; Vitellius seemed oblivious to everything, and all followed Narcissus’ instructions. On his orders the house of Messalina’s paramour was thrown open and he conducted the emperor inside. In the vestibule he pointed out to him first the statue of Silius’ father, which a senate decree had commanded destroyed, then all the ancestral possessions of the Neros and of the Drusi, turned into gifts for Silius as the recompense for adultery. Then, on seeing the prince giving way to growing anger and uttering threats, he led him to the praetorian camp, where an assembly of the troops had been arranged. Here, being schooled in advance by Narcissus, he briefly addressed the soldiery, for though his indignation was righteous, shame prevented him from showing it. Soon, a sustained cry rose from the cohorts, calling for the names and punishment of the malefactors. Silius, dragged to the tribunal of the camp, did not defend himself nor asked for delay, instead demanded a speedy end. A number of distinguished knights were equally brave and also desired no postponement of their execution. Titius Proculus, who had been chosen by Silius to watch over Messalina and was voluntarily giving evidence, Vettius Valens, who had admitted his guilt, as had Pompeius Urbicus and Saufeius Trogus, were all put to death. In addition, Decius Calpurnianus, commander of the watch, Sulpicius Rufus, the procurator of the games, and Juncus Virgilianus, a senator, suffered the same fate as Messalina’s accomplices in crime.
XXXVI.
Solus Mnester cunctationem attulit, dilaniata veste clamitans aspiceret verberum notas, reminisceretur vocis, qua se obnoxium iussis Messalinae dedisset: aliis largitione aut spei magnitudine, sibi ex necessitate culpam; nec cuiquam ante pereundum fuisse si Silius rerum poteretur. commotum his et pronum ad misericordiam Caesarem perpulere liberti ne tot inlustribus viris interfectis histrioni consuleretur: sponte an coactus tam magna peccavisset, nihil referre. ne Trauli quidem Montani equitis Romani defensio recepta est. is modesta iuventa, sed corpore insigni, accitus ultro noctemque intra unam a Messalina proturbatus erat, paribus lasciviis ad cupidinem et fastidia. Suillio Caesonino et Plautio Laterano mors remittitur, huic ob patrui egregium meritum: Caesoninus vitiis protectus est, tamquam in illo foedissimo coetu passus muliebria.
36.
There was some hesitation in the case of Mnester, the actor. Loudly protesting and baring his back, he demanded that Claudius look at the marks of the lashes and remember the words with which he himself had placed him at Messalina’s complete disposal, as well as at her mercy. He had sinned out of necessity, and not like others for bounteous rewards or in the hope of greatness. No man, he cried, would be dispatched sooner than he, if Silius should become master of the empire. Claudius was moved by these words and was inclined to leniency, but his freedmen forced his hand. They objected that with so many distinguished men executed a mere actor should not be shown indulgence. The trespass, they said, was so monstrous that it made no difference whether he had lapsed under duress or willingly. Not even the justification of the Roman knight Traulus Montanus was accepted. He, a young man of good character, but of exceptional beauty, had been wantonly lured by Messalina to her bedchamber and discarded within the space of one night, her nature being as unbridled in her appetites as in her satiety. Suillius Caesoninus and Plautius Lateranus were spared, the latter on account of the sterling services rendered by his uncle, the former found safety in his own abomination, since in that unsavoury crowd he had acted as a woman.
XXXVII.
Interim Messalina Lucullianis in hortis prolatare vitam, componere preces, non nulla spe et aliquando ira: tantum inter extrema superbiae gerebat. ac ni caedem eius Narcissus properavisset, verterat pernicies in accusatorem. nam Claudius domum regressus et tempestivis epulis delenitus, ubi vino incaluit, iri iubet nuntiarique miserae (hoc enim verbo usum ferunt) dicendam ad causam postera die adesset. quod ubi auditum et languescere ira, redire amor ac, si cunctarentur, propinqua nox et uxorii cubiculi memoria timebantur, prorumpit Narcissus denuntiatque centurionibus et tribuno, qui aderat, exequi caedem: ita imperatorem iubere. custos et exactor e libertis Euodus datur; isque raptim in hortos praegressus repperit fusam humi, adsidente matre Lepida, quae florenti filiae haud concors supremis eius necessitatibus ad miserationem evicta erat suadebatque ne percussorem opperiretur: transisse vitam neque aliud quam morti decus quaerendum. sed animo per libidines corrupto nihil honestum inerat; lacrimaeque et questus inriti ducebantur, cum impetu venientium pulsae fores adstititque tribunus per silentium, at libertus increpans multis et servilibus probris.
37.
At the gardens of Lucullus, meanwhile, Messalina was seeking ways to save her life. She kept writing supplications, hanging on to hope at one moment, raging at another, so much arrogance did she still retain close to her end. What is more, if Narcissus had not speeded up her death, disaster was certain to fall on the head of the accuser himself. Claudius, in fact, after his return to the palace, mellowed by a timely dinner and warmed up by wine, sent someone to tell “the unhappy creature” (these are the words he used) to come on the morrow and justify herself. Such language proved to Narcissus that the prince’s anger was subsiding and his love reasserting itself; clearly, the approaching night and the prospects of connubial intimacy represented a real danger. He rushed out at once to order the centurions and the tribune on guard to kill Messalina, as if the order came from the emperor. Evodus, one of the freedmen, was detailed to oversee and ensure the performance of the bloody deed, so he hurried away ahead of the others to the gardens of Lucullus where he found Messalina lying on the ground with at her side Lepida, her mother, who, ignored by the daughter at the height of her power, was now moved to pity in her time of extreme necessity. She was trying to persuade the condemned woman not to wait for the executioner, saying she was doomed to die, and dying with dignity was all she should aim for. But Messalina’s nature was too depraved to think of honor and kept shedding tears and indulging in useless complaints, when the doors were thrown open by the impetus of the men arriving from the palace, and the tribune stood above her in silence. Evodus, on his part, broke out in a torrent of insults, as the ex-slave he was.
XXXVIII.
Tunc primum fortunam suam introspexit ferrumque accepit, quod frustra iugulo aut pectori per trepidationem admovens ictu tribuni transigitur. corpus matri concessum. nuntiatumque Claudio epulanti perisse Messalinam, non distincto sua an aliena manu. nec ille quaesivit, poposcitque poculum et solita convivio celebravit. ne secutis quidem diebus odii gaudii, irae tristitiae, ullius denique humani adfectus signa dedit, non cum laetantis accusatores aspiceret, non cum filios maerentis. iuvitque oblivionem eius senatus censendo nomen et effigies privatis ac publicis locis demovendas. decreta Narcisso quaestoria insignia, levissimum fastidii eius, cum super Pallantem et Callistum ageret; honesta quidem, sed ex quis deterrima orerentur [tristitiis multis].
38.
At that moment, for the first time, she became conscious of her fate. She grasped a dagger and, while in her trepidation, she clumsily raised it to her throat, then applied it to her breasts, she was run through by a thrust of the tribune. Permission was granted to the mother to have the body. Claudius was still dining when he was informed that Messalina was no more, whether dead by her own hand or executed was not said, and he did not ask any questions; instead, he had more wine brought to the table and finished eating as usual. Even in the days that followed, he gave no indication of either hate or joy, of anger or sadness, in short no sign of any human emotion either when he saw Messalina’s accusers triumphing or his children sorrowing. The senate helped him forget by ordering that her name and images were to be removed from private and public places. To Narcissus were decreed the ornaments of a quaestor, a very insignificant tribute to a supercilious freedman who viewed himself superior to Pallas and Callistus. These proceedings against Messalina were certainly just, yet from them dreadful consequences followed, which were a source of great suffering.