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Statilia Messalina (c. AD 35 – after AD 68) was the last and least known of Emperor Nero’s three wives, even though among them she alone avoided
damnatio memoriae, or her memory’s condemnation.
Messalina hailed from one of Rome’s aristocratic clans. Her status, along with her beauty and intelligence, drew Emperor Nero’s attention; sometime before 65 AD, she became one of his mistresses. Unfortunately for Messalina, this period was marked by increased personal madness for the Emperor. Negative bias of ancient historians notwithstanding, Nero bore blame for killing first wife Claudia Octavia (by an execution order) and second wife Poppaea Sabina (by a kick to the stomach). The childless Nero sought to marry once again, and pursued his step-sister and cousin, Claudia Antonia. Antonia refused, further fueling the Emperor’s psychosis. In response, Nero executed Antonia for alleged involvement in the 65 AD plot known as the Pisonian conspiracy. The fallout claimed many other prominent Romans, including Messalina’s husband, who committed suicide rather than be falsely prosecuted. Messalina was now conveniently widowed, and her trepidation at becoming Nero’s next prospect can only be imagined. In any case, she wed Nero in early 66 AD, and remained Rome's highest ranking woman for the next two years.
During that period, three Roman provincial cities issued coins for Messalina, including this extremely rare bronze from Hypaepa, Lydia. Intriguingly, Messalina’s coins never bestow her an imperial title such as Augusta (or the Greek equivalent, Sebaste). Of all Messalina’s coinage, the current design is the most honorific, wherein her obverse draped bust is confrontally paired with a laureate Nero. Messalina’s features even mirror Nero’s: a heavy double chin, thick neck, and hooded eyes. Given Messalina’s reputation for beauty, the resemblance presumably was an intentional device, rather than attempt at accuracy. It is also possible that the unknown engraver had sparse information regarding Messalina’s actual appearance.
The verso presents the cult statue of a forward-facing goddess, resplendently veiled, her open arms inviting worshipers to her temple. The statue represents the Greek goddess Artemis (known to the Romans as Diana), the multifaceted great mother and huntress. Centuries earlier under Achaemenid rule, Hypaepa’s petitioners worshipped the Persian goddess Anahita. Over time, Anahita became associated with Artemis. Thus, some sources posit the statue on this coin represents Artemis Anaitis (alternatively, Artemis Persica or Persian Artemis). The priests of Artemis Anaitis apparently put on quite the show. The 2nd century AD Greek scholar Pausanius described a spontaneously flaming altar, invocations in foreign tongues, and Hypaepa’s famously graceful female dancers.
Although Hypaepa’s statue of Artemis Anaitis is lost, information can be gleaned from surviving coins, such as this one. A similar situation applies to Messalina, for whom we have scant visual records aside from coinage portraiture. Perhaps Messalina voluntarily removed her own images, minimizing any association with her deceased and widely reviled husband. Even so, she maintained sufficient status to betroth imperial aspirant Marcus Salvius Otho, although the latter’s suicide negated their nuptials. Afterwards, Rome plunged into civil war, and Messalina quietly removed herself from any further imperial intrigue.
Additional Reading: S Wood, “The Incredible, Vanishing Wives of Nero.”
Coin Details: LYDIA, Hypaepa, Nero, with Statilia Messalina, AD 54-68, Æ (26mm, 15.01 g, 12h), Gaius Julius Hegesippus, grammateus, Struck circa AD 66-68, NGC Grade: XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Draped bust of Messalina right, facing laureate head of Nero left, NERWN MESSALINA, Reverse: Facing cult statue of Artemis, YPAIOU GR HGHCIPPOC, References: RPC I 2543; SNG Copenhagen 191-2.