Expert: Maria - 11/14/2004

Question
If you had to name the 'top 3' mad emperors of Rome, who would they be?  And I seem to remember a story about one particular Roman rulers wife or aritocrat who's venal depravity was legendary, but I can't remember her name.  Also, if you have a favorite web resource where I can further research your answers, I'd greatly appreciate it.  Thanks

Answer
Hello Adam,

If I had to name the 'top 3' mad emperors of Rome, they would be :CALIGULA (emperor from 37 to 41 AD), NERO(emperor from 54 to 68 AD) and COMMODUS(emperor from 180 to 192 AD), though I can add to this list Domitian also(emperor from 81 to 96 AD) and Elagabalus (emperor from 218 to 222 AD).

All these Roman emperors in fact had a reputation for irrational and psychopathic behaviour, according to ancient historical tradition.

As for that ‘particular Roman rulers wife who's venal depravity was legendary', I think to refer to MESSALINA, the third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius (emperor from 41 to 54 AD).
Up till now  her reputation for greed and lust is in fact proverbial, so that her name, Messalina, is  a synonym  of ‘dissolute woman'.

Finally, here are some web resources you can consult for learn more:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kvenjb/madrome.htm   (for Caligula)

http://www.xs4all.nl/~kvenjb/madmonarchs/nero/nero_bio.htm (for Nero)

http://www.xs4all.nl/~kvenjb/madmonarchs/domitian/domitian_bio.htm    (Domitian)

http://www.roman-emperors.org/commod.htm   (Commodus)

http://www.roman-emperors.org/elagabal.htm    (Elagabalus)

http://www.roman-emperors.org/impindex.htm ( for an Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messalina

http://cr.middlebury.edu/public/russian/Bulgakov/public_html/messalina.html

http://www.realm-of-shade.com/RomanaeAntiquae/empresses.html

http://www.mabelyn.com/infamous_women/messalina.htm

Hope these suggestions can be helpful to you.

Have a nice day.
Maria