# Messalina

> Roman empress (c.AD 17/20–48); 3rd wife of Claudius

**Wikidata**: [Q229871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229871)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messalina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/messalina

## Summary
Messalina was a Roman empress and the third wife of Emperor Claudius, ruling during the early Roman Empire (c. AD 17/20–48). Known for her political influence and controversial personal life, she played a significant role in the imperial court of Ancient Rome.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. AD 17/20 (exact date unknown)
- **Died**: AD 48
- **Nationality**: Roman (Ancient Rome)
- **Known for**: Being the third wife of Emperor Claudius and a prominent figure in Roman imperial politics
- **Field(s)**: Politics, imperial governance

## Contributions
Messalina's contributions are primarily tied to her role as empress and her influence over Claudius' reign. While specific works or publications are not documented, her political maneuvering and alliances shaped the dynamics of the Roman court during her lifetime. Her actions, including alleged conspiracies and affairs, had lasting repercussions on the imperial family and Roman governance.

## FAQs
**Who was Messalina?**
Messalina was a Roman empress and the third wife of Emperor Claudius, known for her political influence and controversial reputation in Ancient Rome.

**When did Messalina live?**
She was born around AD 17/20 and died in AD 48.

**What was Messalina's role in Roman politics?**
As the wife of Emperor Claudius, she wielded significant influence in the imperial court, though her exact political contributions are debated by historians.

**Why is Messalina notable?**
She is remembered for her role in Roman imperial history, her marriage to Claudius, and the controversies surrounding her personal life and political actions.

## Why They Matter
Messalina's influence on Emperor Claudius and the Roman court during her lifetime had a lasting impact on the political landscape of the early Roman Empire. Her actions, both political and personal, contributed to the complexities of imperial governance and the dynamics of power within the imperial family. Her story remains a subject of historical study and debate.

## Notable For
- Being the third wife of Emperor Claudius
- Her role as a Roman empress during the early Roman Empire
- Her influence on Roman imperial politics
- The controversies surrounding her personal life and political actions

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Messalina, also known as Valeria Messalina, was born around AD 17/20 in Ancient Rome. She was a member of the prominent Valeria family, which held significant political influence in Rome.

### Marriage to Emperor Claudius
Messalina became the third wife of Emperor Claudius, who ruled from AD 41 to 54. Their marriage was a strategic alliance that strengthened Claudius' position as emperor and solidified Messalina's role in the imperial court.

### Political Influence
As empress, Messalina wielded considerable influence over Claudius and the Roman court. She was known for her political maneuvering and alliances, which shaped the dynamics of imperial governance during her lifetime.

### Controversies and Personal Life
Messalina's personal life was marked by controversies, including alleged affairs and conspiracies. These controversies had significant repercussions on the imperial family and Roman governance, contributing to her complex historical reputation.

### Death and Legacy
Messalina died in AD 48, under circumstances that remain debated by historians. Her legacy is tied to her role as empress, her influence on Claudius' reign, and the controversies surrounding her personal life and political actions. She remains a notable figure in the history of the Roman Empire.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Domitii
3. Valerii
4. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
10. Enciclopedia Treccani
11. Dizionario di Storia
12. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands