person
Valeria Messalina
Messalina
also: Мессалина
Third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, proverbial in later tradition for promiscuity and scheming; invoked in "About Women" as a byword for a woman who "led more than one good soul from the path of righteousness," alongside Helen of Troy, as supposed proof of women's corrupting power.
Reading notes
- From the Notebook of Ivan Ivanych (Thoughts and Notes) §8 Messalina
Third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, proverbial in later tradition for promiscuity and intrigue -- invoked alongside Helen as a stock byword for women's supposed corrupting power.
- A Guide for Those Wishing to Marry. (Secret) §5 Messalina
Third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, proverbial in later tradition for promiscuity and scheming -- invoked here purely as a byword, alongside Nana, for a treacherous redhead.