Tiberius Claudius Narcissus

Messaline

One says (without proof) that he conspired with Messaline, third wife of Claude to make carry out several adversaries. However, the sources admit that Narcisse, former slave of Claude, always remained faithful to the emperor, and thus had seen itself entrusted more responsibilities than the others freed. In 43, during the preparations of the Roman conquest of the Great Britain, it faced the revolt while being addressed to the troops. Seeing a former slave in position of command, they shouted “ Io Saturnalia! ” (the Saturnales being feastdays during which the slaves took the place of the Masters for one day) and the revolt stopped. It is thanks to its influence that the future emperor Vespasien was named Légat legion Legio II Augusta in Germanie.

When Messaline - already wife legitimates Claude - married his/her lover Gaius Silius in 48, it is Narcisse who brought it back to Claude. In front of the hesitations of the emperor, it gave itself the order to carry out it. Narcisse feared the resentment of the son of Messaline, Britannicus.

Agrippine the Young person

When time had come for the emperor from remarier, Narcisse suggested Ælia Pætina, ex-wife of Claude. According to Anthony Barrett, the intention of Narcisse was to involve Claude to choose Faustus Cornelius Sulla Felix, as husband for Claudia Antonia the girl whom it had had with Ælia, as its successor rather than Britannicus which was hostile for him. It would have also given to Claude an adult heir, which would have reinforced its position. When Claude chooses his niece Agrippine the Young person in order to consolidate the family of the Julio-Claudiens, then Néron to temporarily fulfill the role of heir, Narcisse was combined with the entourage of Britannicus in order to ensure its future.

Claude always trusted Narcisse, and made name it Préteur. It was charged to supervise the construction of a channel to evacuate the Lac Fucinus, but the new wife of Claude, Agrippine showed it to divert the funds of the project, probably to be avenged for its support with Britannicus. According to Tacit, Narcissus hoped to discredit Agrippine by revealing its connection with freed the Pallas, which would on compromised occasion consequently his/her son. He spoke probably in Britannicus in public about his plans, and was firm on his intentions. Suétone and Dion Cassius reports, that after the bringing together of Britannicus and his/her father - but not of Narcisse - those openly projected to cut down Agrippine. In any event, Agrippine was defied of Narcisse. In October 54, she encouraged it to go in Campanie to benefit from the hot baths to relieve her drop there. Actually, to prevent it from being an obstacle with the assassination of Claude and the accession of Néron to the capacity.

End of reign

At once after the advertisement of died of his guard, Narcisse turned over to Rome, but its hours were counted. Agrippine ordered its execution in the weeks which followed. Before its imprisonment and its execution, it burned all the letters of Claude to prevent Néron from using their contents.

References

William Smith (1870), Dictionary off Greek and Romance Biography
H H Scullard (1982), From the Gracchi to Nero (fifth edition)
Anthony Barrett (1999), " Agrippina"

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