Messan (Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus)

Messan, Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus, 64 g. BC. E., about 13 g. n. e., Roman orator and statesman. After the death of Caesar, first took part in the fight against Octavian, but later moved to his camp. At the Battle of Action (31 g. BC. e.) commanded part of the fleet of Octavian. Subsequently, he participated in many military campaigns. In 27 g. BC. e. him it was recognized right to a triumph for the victory over akvitantsami in Gaul. He was a member of the board of augurs, the post of superintendent aqueducts (curator aquarum) and prefect of the city (praefectus urbi), which gave up after 6 days. Although he never had a disagreement with Octavian, and in 2 g. n. e. he made a proposal to assign him the title of pater patriae (father of the Motherland), after 27 g. BC. e. M. longer took an active part in political life. Instead, he gathered around himself a poet (Tibull, Ligdam, Sulpicius, later - Ovid, Aemilius Macer). M. was one of the greatest speakers of his time. He also wrote memoirs and philosophical tracts.