Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus

Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus (flourished second half of 1st century BC & first half of 1st century) was a Roman Senator who was a friend of the first two Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius.

Maximus was born and raised in Rome. His birth date is unknown, however it is not earlier than 24 BC, but possibly in 14 BC. His father was the Roman Senator, consul who was the literary patron Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. Maximus was the son born to Corvinus’ second marriage to his unknown wife. From the writings of the poet Ovid (Book EIV.XVI:1-52), reveals that his mother was a Roman noblewoman called Aurelia Cotta. Another fact supporting that Aurelia Cotta was the mother of Maximus was although he by birth was of the gens Valeria, he was later adopted into the Aurelii Cottae.

His birth name is unknown, however he is only known by his adoption name. From his father’s previous marriage, Maximus had three older paternal half siblings who were: Valeria Messalina who married the Roman Senator Titus Statilius Taurus III, another sister called Valeria who married the Roman consul Marcus Lollius and Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus, who served as a consul in 3 BC. Maximus was the great-uncle of Roman empress Lollia Paulina who was the third wife of Roman emperor Caligula and a relation to Roman empress Statilia Messalina, the third wife of Roman emperor Nero. His possible son may have been Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, consul of 58.

Maximus was a friend and patron of the poet Ovid. He was one of the people that Ovid had addressed various letters to which have survived. Maximus was with Ovid in 8, when news arrived of Ovid’s banishment. Maximus afterwards provided material and psychological support to his exile, perhaps financial assistance. Although his friendship with Augustus didn’t affect Ovid’s banishment, Ovid believed as late as 11, that Maximus could successfully intercede with the Princeps.

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