Image Gallery
Nero (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)
Nero (r. 54-68 CE) was the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty established by Augustus. He grew famous for his cruelty and hedonism, eventually becoming the archetypal violent, self-indulgent tyrant. Some historians have suggested that many tales about Nero’s bloodthirstiness and excess were exaggerated by a ruling class that disliked his populist policies and steep taxes. Some stories, like the claim that he fiddled while Rome burned, are probably best left to legend. Nero’s reign ended in bloodshed when a rebellious general overthrew him.
Pictured alongside the reconstruction are the artworks and statuary used as references. From left to right and top to bottom these are the Capitoline Nero; the Glyptothek bust; the Uffizi Gallery's bust; and the painting by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640 CE). Although Rubens' painting is a modern artwork and not a contemporary depiction of Nero, it has been included.
Bibliography
- Appearance of The Principate [Pt. II], accessed 18 Nov 2020.
- Appearance of The Principate [Pt. I], accessed 18 Nov 2020.
