Caesonia

Milonia Caesonia ("PIR²" M 590) (6-41) was a Roman Empress. She rose from modest origins to become the fourth and last wife of the Roman Emperor Caligula. She was a daughter of a Roman woman called Vistilia, who came from a family who held the praetorship and her father is unknown. Her younger half-brother was Roman Consul and General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Her niece Domitia Longina, would become a future Roman Empress and would marry the future Roman Emperor Domitian.

Little is written on Caesonia. Suetonius claims that when Caligula married her she was neither beautiful nor young.Suetonius, "The Lives of Twelve Caesars", Life of Caligula 25] She was also already the mother of three daughters by another man. Suetonius also claims she was a woman of reckless extravagance and wantonness. Nonetheless, Suetonius reports that Caligula loved her passionately and faithfully.

Cassius Dio claims that Caligula began an affair with Caesonia prior to their marriage in either late 39 or early 40.Cassius Dio, "Roman History" 23] He claims that Caesonia was pregnant when they married and that she gave birth to a Julia Drusilla only one month after their nuptials. [Cassius Dio, "Roman History" 28] Suetonius claims she gave birth on their wedding day. Cassius Dio claims the Roman public was not pleased with Caligula's marriage to Caesonia.

Suetonius states that Caligula would parade Caesonia in front of his troops and even claims Caligula paraded her naked in front of select friends. He also claims that Caligula would jokingly threaten to torture or kill her, on occasion, as an odd form of affection. [Suetonius, "The Lives of Twelve Caesars", Life of Caligula 33]

Juvenal says that Caligula went mad as a result of a love potion Caesonia administered to him. [Juvenal, "Satires" VI.615-20]

In 41, Caligula was struck down by assassins while attending a private theatrical performance. The assassins were intent on wiping out the whole imperial family. Caesonia and her daughter Julia Drusilla were murdered just hours after Caligula's demise. According to Josephus, she died bravely.Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews" XIX.2.4] Struck with grief at her husband's death, she willingly offered her neck to the assassin and told him to kill her without hesitation.

The role of Caesonia in the 1979 film, "Caligula" was performed by Helen Mirren.

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External links

* [http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/caesonia/t.html Coinage of Caesonia]