Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus (11 BC - AD 20/21) was a consul of ancient Rome. He was the father of the Roman Empress Valeria Messalina, great-nephew of the Emperor Augustus, and father-in-law to the Emperor Claudius.
He was son of Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus and Claudia Marcella Minor. His father served twice as consul. His paternal grandfather was the famous orator Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. His maternal grandparents were consul Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor and Octavia Minor, sister of Augustus.
Messala Barbatus married his half first-cousin Domitia Lepida Minor. Their marriage resulted in a son Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus who became consul in 58 and the future empress Valeria Messalina (20-48).
Messala Barbatus was consul in 20. Some modern historians believe he died in 20 or early 21. His only known siblings were his elder half-sister Claudia Pulchra who married the Roman general and politician Publius Quinctilius Varus and his full sister Valeria, born ca 10 BC who married Lucius Vipstanus Gallus (ca 15 BC - 17), Praetor in 17, and had issue.
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—Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis)
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—Catullus [Gaius Valerius Catullus] (84–54 B.C.)