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Quote of the day: That he would bring the war to conclusio
Notes
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Annals by Tacitus
Translated by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb
Book XI Chapter 28: Fall of Messalina. The court[AD 48]
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The emperor's court indeed shuddered, its powerful personages especially, the men who had much to fear from a revolution. From secret whisperings they passed to loud complaints. When an actor [Note 1], they said, impudently thrust himself into the imperial chamber, it certainly brought scandal on the State, but we were a long way from ruin. Now, a young noble [Note 2] of stately beauty, of vigorous intellect, with the near prospect of the consulship, is preparing himself for a loftier ambition. There can be no secret about what is to follow such a marriage. Doubtless there was thrill of alarm when they thought of the apathy of Claudius, of his devotion to his wife and of the many murders perpetrated at Messalina's bidding. On the other hand, the very good nature of the emperor inspired confident hope that if they could overpower him by the enormity of the charge, she might be condemned and crushed before she was accused. The critical point was this, that he should not hear her defence, and that his ears should be shut even against her confession.

Note 1: actor = Mnester
Note 1: noble = Silius

Event: Fall of Messalina