The ghost of Messalina wanders near the Colosseum at night
Legend or rumor? The ghost of the beautiful and lustful matron wanders among the ruins near the Flavian Amphitheater. Stories to frighten the children or curiosity embellished by the testimony of some Roman?
Rome historical city, place of myths and legends, land of ghosts and tales that ignite the imagination and curiosity of visitors but not only.
There, where history pervades every street and every stone, the suggestion of the holiday leads to hear and perceive the sighs of some of the great historical figures who have populated this incredible, wonderful city. This is why it is the Romans themselves who embroider unusual stories that refer to millenary ago or to old situations that are relived in the speeches of the elderly. A custom that is common in Rome, so much so that even the site of Roma Turismo, in its texts, recalls these legendary figures.
Occult presences from the tormented life, whose soul has been trapped between the world of the living and that of the dead, and at night they wander in the places that saw them as protagonists, in an enchanted and enchanting Rome by the Pimpaccia on its fiery chariot full of treasures that runs frenzied on Ponte Sisto, in Messalina wandering on Colle Oppio, and then Beatrice Cenci on Ponte Sant’Angelo, which we have already told, as well as the story of Cagliostro in the luxury cell of Castello Sant’Angelo, and many others.
Near the Colosseum, not far from the remains of the Temple of the Emperor Claudius (but there are those who say they saw it in the gardens of Colle Oppio, among the ruins of the Domus Aurea), one of the most famous ghosts of imperial antiquity wanders: it is above all several homeless people who claim to have seen a woman wrapped in a white peplum, her arms covered with jewels and a diadem in her loose hair, in search of yet another lover.
It is Messalina. Barely fourteen, Caligula forced her to marry her mother’s cousin, Claudius, her future emperor, older than her by over thirty years, stuttering, lame and at her third marriage.
Legend has it that the young woman, dissatisfied with her married life, began to lead an unruly existence made up of extramarital affairs and sexual adventures in the Suburra and in the brothels of the city.
Her escapades are also documented by authoritative chroniclers of the time such as Suetonius, Tacitus and Juvenal. In short, all of Rome was aware of Messalina’s transgressive behavior, except for Claudio. When the girl fell in love with the consul Gaius Silio, so much so that she simulated a marriage with him, the emperor decreed her death.
Messalina’s life was broken at the age of 23 by a military tribute which, while killing her, would have uttered the following words: “If your death is planted by all your lovers, half of Rome will cry!”. Since then, her ghost has wandered near the Flavian Amphitheater, reminding the Romans of her suffering. Her ghost would roam at night when the city sleeps. Only then is it possible to come across the spirit of this lusty woman who is constantly looking for a new adventure with some man.
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