Classicist Honor Cargill-Martin, author of "Messalina: A Story of Empire, Slander, and Adultery," dives into the life of Rome's infamous Empress Messalina. Cargill-Martin discusses the misconceptions surrounding Messalina's reputation, her political cunning, and the biases in historical narratives against powerful women. The conversation unveils her aristocratic background, education, and the paradox of female power in ancient Rome. Highlighting Messalina's strategic marriage to Emperor Claudius, the discussion reveals her complex role in a male-dominated political landscape.
