Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvīnus

Messalla Corvīnus, Marcus Valerius (64 BC–AD 8), Roman patrician and distinguished orator, soldier, and patron of literature. He fought on the republican side at Philippi (42 BC) and then supported Antony, but disillusioned by the latter's conduct with Cleopatra transferred his allegiance to Octavian, fighting against Sextus Pompeius and taking part in the defeat of Antony at Actium in 31. He was employed in Roman administration, and proposed the title ‘Pater Patriae’ (‘father of the country’) for the emperor Augustus (2 BC). He was a great patron of poets, notably of Ovid and Tibullus, and was regarded, with Asinius Pollio, as the greatest orator of his time; he was also famous for his linguistic knowledge. See also AUGUSTAN AGE.