Claudia Pulhra Tertius (at the birth of Clavdia Pulhra Tertius , changed her name to Claudia ), is often referred to as simply Claudia, sometimes Claudia Metella ( Latin: Clodia Pulchra Tertia or Clodia Metella ), sometimes Clodilla (died not earlier than 44 BC). , - the Roman matron, perhaps also - the prototype of Lesbia in the works of the Roman poet Catullus .
| Claudia Pulhra Tertia | |
|---|---|
| CLODIA PULCHRA TERTIA | |
 Portrait from the collection of biographies Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum ( 1553 ) | |
| Date of Birth | |
| Date of death | after 44 BC e. |
| A country | |
| Father | Appius Claudius Pulhr |
| Mother | Cecilia Metella Balearica the Younger |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Cecilia Metella Celer |
Content
Biography
Origin and marital status
Claudia was the third daughter of Appius Claudius Pulhra , consul 79 BC. e., and Cecilia Metella Balearic the Younger . There were at least six children in the Pulchrov family: Appius Claudius Pulhr , Claudius Pulhra Prima (first), Guy Claudius Pulhr , Claudius Pulhra Secunda (second), Claudia Pulhra Tertsia (third) and Publius Clodius Pulhr are known .
Her husband was Quintus Cecilius Metellus Celer , consul of 60 BC. e. Their marriage was not happy, since Claudia was suspected of treason with married men and even slaves. Claudia was also accused of drinking and spending money on games and bets. Her husband passed away under mysterious circumstances in 59; Claudia was suspected of poisoning him.
Claudia and Claudia
Clodia's closest friend was her brother, Publius Claudius Pulhr. It was rumored that Claudia and Claudia were in a criminal relationship and that he was her first man. In 62 BC e. a remarkable incident occurred, which all Rome spoke of: Claudia spent her brother in a woman's dress at the celebration of the Sacraments of the Good Goddess , taking place in Caesar's house.
Claudia and Catullus
After the death of Cecilius Metella, Claudia remains a widow with a decent condition. She ties up several novels, including, as suggested, with the young poet Catullus , as well as with his friend, Mark Celius Rufus .
Catullus wrote several love poems. They are mainly dedicated to his love for the treacherous and fickle woman named Lesbia , who from the middle of the XIX century is considered to be Claudia Pulhra. Currently, this theory is based on the portrait description of Claudia by Cicero, which has parallels with the description of Lesbia by Catullus. However, there are a large number of opponents of this interpretation who believe that Lesbia has no real prototype at all.
Claudia and Cicero
Her affair with Celius became known, a scandal erupted. In 56 BC e. Claudia breaks up with Celius Roof, and then immediately accuses him of trying to poison. Such an accusation could cost the goal of life. In court, the interests of Claudia were represented by her brother, and the interests of Celius - Cicero , for whom this matter was of great importance, since Claudius Pulhr was his worst political opponent.
Cicero built the defense in the most rigid way. His brilliant speech in defense of Celius (“Pro Caelio”) has been preserved. In this speech, among other things, Cicero accuses Claudia of debauchery and drunkenness, as well as incest with his brother. One of the most venomous places of speech looks like this:
... [to speak out against the accusers] he could have been even more energetic if he didn’t want to quarrel with this woman’s husband ... I meant brother, I’m always mistaken here. Therefore, I continue with moderation ... Although I never imagined that my duty would force me to sue a woman, and even one that all men gossip about with each other. I would prefer some other opponent ...
Cicero accused Claudia of bringing dishonor to her family, and also branded her being Medea from the Palatine . The fact is that Cicero’s wife - Terence - constantly suspected that Cicero himself was in connection with Claudia.
Claudia appears to Cicero as the most born Roman whore, desecrating her unbridled debauchery with the sacred memory of great ancestors, especially the legendary vestal and valiant Appius the Blind , on whose behalf Cicero - as if summoning his spirit from the kingdom of the dead - exclaimed, turning to Claudia:
Was this why I upset the conclusion of peace with Pyrrhus so that you would make alliances of infamous love day after day? Did I spend water for you to use it in your debauchery? Did I pave the way for you to drive along with other men?
The case of Celius Clodius lost. The young man was acquitted. After that, there is virtually no information about Claudia. It is only known that in 44 BC. e. she was still alive.
In modern Rome, near the Palazzo Corsini ( Trastevere district), tourists are shown a place on Lungare Street, where, according to legend, Claudia lived.
Claudia in modern culture
Claudia is mentioned in several works:
- In The March Ides of Thornton Wilder
- In the series of short stories "Rome under the Rose" by American writer Stephen Sailor
- In the SPQR novel by American writer John Maddox Roberts
- In the BBC TV series "Rome"
- In Suzanne Dixon 's historical book, Reading Roman Women
- In the novel by Marianna Alferova "Caesar's Rival"
- In the historical trilogy of Milia Jezierski “The Gracchi Brothers”