Who was Marcus Valerius Messalla in Ovid’s life?

Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus was a prominent Roman aristocrat, orator, and a significant literary patron who played a supportive role in the life of the poet Ovid during his early career.1

As a young man, Ovid was a member of the literary circle sponsored by Messalla. This group was considered second in importance only to that of Maecenas and included other notable figures such as the poet Albius Tibullus. Ovid benefited from the friendship and encouragement of Messalla, who provided a nurturing environment for poets in Rome. While Ovid knew Tibullus through this circle, their time together was brief due to Tibullus's untimely death.12

Beyond his role as a patron, Messalla was a distinguished public servant who served as a consul and held various military and administrative positions under Augustus.1