Nero : the man behind the myth

by: Opper, T.

Price: 44,00 EURO

(in stock)

One of the best known figures from Roman history, Nero (r. AD 54-68) is most often characterised as a tyrannical and ineffectual ruler, who fiddled while Rome burnt. Such a reputation has, however, been shaped by ancient literary sources written by his adversaries and enemies and, in light of new research, can be considered crudely reductive. This publication, and the exhibition it accompanies, redresses the balance and provides a more nuanced interpretation of Nero's reign and Roman society of the time, reflecting on the traditional perceptions of his rule and revealing the challenges with which the young heir to Claudius' empire had to contend. The period during which Nero ruled over Roman society was one of profound change. The extent of the empire at the time was vast, having grown significantly during the previous century through conquest and annexation, and peace and prosperity followed years of bloody war. The role of Nero's mother Agrippina in his accession to the throne is well-documented, but her expectations of great influence once Nero was in post were not met and the role of women, and family more widely, is considered in detail in this book. Exhibition: British Museum, London, UK (27.05.-24.10.2021)

Introduction – approaches to Nero; the source tradition 1. Nero and the family of Augustus – Augustus and the system of the principate; Julio-Claudian society; Nero?s family 2. Power and succession – Nero?s accession; expectations of the new reign; poetry and imagery 3. Conflict and reform – Nero and the military; external conflicts; the Armenian War; Britain and the Boudicca rebellion 4. Spectacle and splendor – Nero?s reforms and major projects; public entertainment; Nero on stage 5. Passion and discord – the imperial family; Nero?s wives and daughter 6. Fire – the great fire of Rome of AD 64 7. The new Apollo – Nero?s palaces and the Domus Aurea; luxury and elite society; diplomacy and triumph 8. Crisis and death – internal conflict and elite resistance; rebellion; Nero?s death; civil war; ?False Neros? and Nero?s enduring popularity Bibliography Credits Index

This publication accompanies "Nero the man behind the myth" at the British Museum from 27 May-24 October 2021

Nero : the man behind the myth

by: Opper, T.

• ISBN-13: 9780714122915 / 978-0-7141-2291-5
• ISBN-03: 0714122912 / 0-7141-2291-2
• The British Museum Press, London, 2021

Price: 44,00 EURO

(in stock)