Cornelia Metella

Cornelia Metella lived a long time ago, around 73 BC. She was the daughter of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio Nasica, an important leader who served as consul in 52 BC, and his wife Aemilia. Cornelia belonged to the gens Cornelia, a well-known family in ancient times.

People have found information about Cornelia in many old writings. One important piece of evidence is an official dedicatory inscription at Pergamon, an ancient city. This shows that Cornelia was remembered and honored by others even after her time. Her story gives us a glimpse into the lives of people from ancient Rome.

Biography

Cornelia was first married to Publius Licinius Crassus in 55 BC. After his death, she later married Pompey in 52 BC.

During a big fight between Pompey and Caesar, Cornelia and Pompey's son, Sextus Pompey, went to the island of Lesbos. A statue was made in her honor in Pergamum. After Pompey lost a battle, she joined him in Mytilene and went with him to Ptolemaic Egypt. Sadly, Pompey was killed there while Cornelia watched from their ship. She then went to Cyprus and later returned to Italy to lay Pompey's ashes to rest.

Plutarch wrote that Cornelia was known for her beauty, good character, and love for learning. She was skilled at playing the lyre and studied geometry and philosophy.

Cultural references

Cornelia Metella is an important character in Lucan's Civil War, where she is shown as a partner to Pompey during war and travel.

She also appears in George Frideric Handel's 1724 opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto ("Julius Caesar in Egypt"). In this story, she asks Caesar to save her husband, but sadly, Pompey had already been killed. Cornelia is the main character in Robert Garnier's play Cornélie, and in its English version Cornelia by Thomas Kyd.

In the TV series Rome from 2005, Cornelia is played by actress Anna Patrick. In this version, she is shown as an older woman with children, which is different from the real story.