He followed the standard of the republic till it was broken in the fields of Philippi; he then accepted and deserved the favor of the most moderate of the conquerors; and uniformly asserted his freedom and dignity in the court of Augustus.

The triumph of Messalla was justified by the conquest of Aquitain.

As an orator, he disputed the palm of eloquence with Cicero himself.

Messalla cultivated every muse, and was the patron of every man of genius.

He spent his evenings in philosophic conversation with Horace; assumed his place at table between Delia and Tibullus; and amused his leisure by encouraging the poetical talents of young Ovid.] [Footnote 105: Incivilem esse potestatem contestans, says the translator of Eusebius.