Messalina Page 5

Question 1

qui ‘discidiumne tuum’ inquit ‘novisti? nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites;
ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.’

Answer 1

He said ‘Did you know about your divorce? For the people, the senate, and the soldiers have seen her marriage to Silius ; and unless you act quickly, her husband controls the city.’

Question 2

non solum rumor interea, sed undique nuntii ad Messalinam contendunt, qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent.

Answer 2

Meanwhile, there was not only a rumour, but from all sides messengers hurried to Messalina, to report that Claudius had found out everything and that he was coming, prepared for revenge.

Question 3

igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad forum digrediuntur.

Answer 3

Therefore Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, she to the gardens of Lucullus and he, in order to disguise his fear, to the forum.

Question 4

illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit,

Answer 4

She, however, although the misfortune was taking away her ability to plan, decided immediately to meet and be seen by her husband,

Question 5

quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium, misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

Answer 5

which had often been a life-line for her; and she sent orders that Britannicus and Octavia should go to embrace their father