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Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus
Marcus Valerius Messala Barbatus Messalinus (12 BC - AD 20/21) was a Senator of ancient Rome. He was the father of the Roman Empress Valeria Messalina.
He was son to Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus and Claudia Marcella Minor. His father served twice as consul. His paternal grandfather was the famous orator Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus. His maternal grandparents were Gaius Claudius Marcellus and Octavia, sister of Caesar Augustus.
Messala Barbatus had married his first cousin Domitia Lepida at an unknown date. Their marriage resulted with a son Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus, who became Consul in 58 A.D., and Valeria Messalina (17-48 A.D.).
Messala Barbatus became consul in 20 A.D. Little is known of his life. One theory of modern historians is that he died of an early death in 20 A.D. or early 21 A.D. His only sibling was his elder half-sister Claudia Pulchra who had married the Roman general and politician Publius Quinctilius Varus.
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