Domitia Lepida - Definition and Overview

Domitia Lepida Minor (10 BC–54) sometimes known as Domitia Lepida was the youngest daughter of Antonia Major and Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. Her eldest sister was Domitia Lepida the Elder (known as Domitia) and brother Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (father of the emperor Nero). She was a great-niece of Caesar Augustus and granddaughter to Octavia and Mark Antony.

She was married three times. Her first husband was her cousin Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus, they married at an unknown date. They had 2 children. Their son Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus II became consul in 58ad and daughter Valeria Messalina (17-48ad) who became Empress and third wife to the Emperor Claudius. Between 20-early 21ad, Domitia’s husband died of unknown circumstances.

After Messala Barbatus’ death, Domitia married Faustus Cornelius Sulla. Cornelius Sulla was a descendent of the dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla. In 22ad, their son Faustus Cornelius Sulla Felix was born. Cornelius Sulla and is brother Lucius Cornelius Sulla were senators, who lived in Tiberius’ reign. Cornelius Sulla died of uncertain causes. Faustus Cornelius Sulla Felix married Claudius’ daughter Claudia Antonia.

Domitia married Appius Claudius Junius Silanus (consul of 28ad). In those years they cared for their nephew Lucius Domitius (Nero), who recently his father died and mother went into exile. After January 41ad, Lucius Domitius was reunited with his mother. Emperor Claudius had assassinated Silanus, due to Claudius dreamt that Silanus would kill him. After that she never remarried.

Domitia Lepida was a beautiful, powerful wealthy and influential figure in Caligula’s and Claudius’ reign. She became the grandmother to Octavia and Britannicus.

Her daughter in 48ad, was murdered by Claudius on a mocked marriage with her lover which later became a political coup. Domita had quarrelled with Messalina at the height of Messalina’s power. In the Gardens of Lucullus Domitia’s final words to her daughter were: ‘Your life is finished. All that remains is to make a decent end’. This quoting is from Tacitus. After Messalina was stabbed with a dagger by an officer, Domitia was left with Messalina’s body.

Her formal sister-in-law, Agrippina the Younger, became Claudius’ new wife in 49ad. Out of Agrippina’s jealously she condemn Domitia Lepida to death sometime before the poisoning of her husband, which Nero became the new emperor. Agrippina charged Domitia Lepida with attempting her life by magic, disturbing Italian peace and failing to control her Calabrian slave-gangs. Agrippina thought that Domitia Lepida would use her ‘kind’ influence on Nero, to turn against Agrippina.