Gaius Vipstanus Messalla Gallus
Quick Facts
Biography
(Gaius) Vipstanus Messalla Gallus (c. 10 BC – aft. 60 AD) was a Roman senator who was consul suffectus in the nundinium of July-December 48 as the colleague of Lucius Vitellius. J. Devrecker has offered the argument that the elements in his name ought to be set out as Gaius Messalla Vipstanus Gallus.
Based on his name, Ronald Syme suggested that Gallus was the son of Lucius Vipstanus Gallus and a Valeria Messalla, the granddaughter of Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. It is postulated that he was the brother of Lucius Vipstanus Poplicola, whom he succeeded in the consulship as a suffect consul in AD 48.
In 59 or 60, Gallus was appointed Proconsular governor of Asia.
It is believed that Gallus is the father of the orator Lucius Vipstanus Messalla. Gallus' wife had earlier been married to Marcus Aquilius Regulus, by whom she had a son named Lucius Aquilius Regulus.