Antonella Prenner's Novel "Il canto di Messalina" Reimagines the Roman Empress as a Victim of Power
In her 2022 novel "Il canto di Messalina," released by Rizzoli, Antonella Prenner offers a fresh perspective on the Roman empress Messalina, challenging the negative depictions found in Tacitus and Juvenal. Utilizing insights from Suetonius and the physician Scribonio Largo, Prenner presents Messalina as a figure of extraordinary beauty who endures significant hardships. As an orphan and the young wife of Claudius, she seeks vengeance against a society that has wronged her. The narrative delves into her connections with influential women and illustrates her suffering, leading to her demise at the hands of Claudius. Despite his affection, she ultimately becomes a victim of Rome. Claudius is characterized as wise and sophisticated, revealing his respect and remorse for Messalina. This review was penned by Antonia De Francesco for MifacciodiCultura.
Key facts
- Antonella Prenner's novel "Il canto di Messalina" was published by Rizzoli in 2022
- The novel revisits the Roman empress Messalina beyond the hostile accounts of Tacitus's "Annales" Book XI and Juvenal
- Prenner draws on Suetonius's statement that Claudius loved Messalina very much
- The physician Scribonio Largo is cited as the only witness who actually knew Messalina, preparing remedies, treatments, and a dentifrice using "corna di cervo"
- Messalina is portrayed as a fatherless orphan, adopted daughter used as a trade good, and seventeen-year-old bride of Claudius
- The novel depicts Messalina's relationships with symbolic women including Agrippina, Livilla, Milonia, Giulia Drusilla, Domizia Lepida, Panfilia, and Arria
- Messalina dies at Claudius's hand in Rome's name, despite his strong feeling for her
- The review was written by Antonia De Francesco for MifacciodiCultura
Entities
Artists
- Antonella Prenner
- Tacitus
- Juvenal
- Suetonius
- Scribonio Largo
- Messalina
- Claudius
- Caligula
- Agrippina
- Livilla
- Seneca
- Milonia
- Giulia Drusilla
- Domizia Lepida
- Panfilia
- Arria
- Antonia De Francesco
Institutions
- Rizzoli
- MifacciodiCultura
- Artspecialday
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Suburra