Roman politician, orator and patron of the arts. Born c. 64 BCE, died c. 13.
Mesalla was originally allied with the assassins of Caesar, but switched sides to support Octavian (Augustus), with whom he later developed an excellent relationship.
Mesalla shared the consulate with Augustus in 31 BCE, took part in the Battle of Actium, and later held many distinguished offices. He was known as a gifted speaker and literatus, and surrounded himself with great poets, such as Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid) and Albius Tibullus.