Italy / Holland: 'Statilia Messalina, wife of Nero, Emperor of Rome' (35 - after 68 CE), line engraving by Aegidus Sadeler (Netherlands, 1570-1629), after Titian, 17th Century

Statilia Messalina (35- after 68 CE) was a Roman patrician woman, empress and third wife to Nero. She was married to consul Marrcus Julius Vestinus Atticus, and became Nero's mistress in 65 CE. After the death of Nero's second wife Poppaea Sabina, possibly at his hands, Vestinus was forced by the emperor to commit suicide so that he could marry Statilia. She was one of the few courtiers to survive the collapse of Nero's reign, dying some time after 68 CE.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History

Theme:

WOMEN IN HISTORY