Rafaelo Giovagnoli (1838-1915) is a famous foreign writer who turned out to be unknown, misunderstood and, perhaps, completely unappreciated. For a long time, of all his works, only the novel “Spartacus” was available. Alas, the warlike heroes of this book reliably protected from readers the remaining works of the recognized Italian master: From the pen of Giovagnoli came a book of poems, theatrical plays, literary essays, and serious historical studies. However, he owes his world fame, first of all, to his historical novels, in which he continued the traditions of Dumas and discovered many new themes that were attractive to both yesterday’s and today’s readers. The action of the novel “Messalina” takes place during the dark years of the reign of one of the most cruel , the greedy and ruthless emperors of Ancient Rome - Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, nicknamed CALIGULA (“Boot”) in childhood. The Romans endured cruel arbitrariness, outright sadism and crazy antics of the emperor for about four years. The conspirators included Messalina, the wife of Claudius, Caligula’s uncle, a cunning, depraved and determined woman. On January 24, 41, conspirators led by Cassius Chaerea killed the emperor in one of the passages of his palace. Caligula's place was taken by Claudius, but his wife, who fell madly in love with the noble and handsome Gaius Silius, had little time left to live in this world. However, this is a different novel and different characters: A historical novel about an immoral patrician who managed to ascend to the throne of the Caesars - this is how its author, a famous Italian writer of the last century, described it. The book talks about the struggle for power in Ancient Rome, the vicious and cruel mores of society during the time of Gaius Caesar Germanicus - Caligula. The book is intended for lovers of adventure novels and anyone interested in the history of Ancient Rome.