Arianna Galli

Messalina Venere imperatrice

Vittorio Cottafavi

Belinda Lee, Spiros Focás

Messalina was the Roman noblewoman who inveigled ageing emperor Claudio into marriage. Once ensconced on the throne, Messalina launched a reign of terror that shook the empire to its very foundations. The subject of countless film treatments, Rome's most villified empress is herein played by British actress Belinda Lee.