Nero
the man
behind
the myth
Past exhibition
27 May – 24 October 2021
Room 30
The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery
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Nero is known as one of Rome's most infamous rulers, notorious for his cruelty, debauchery and madness.
The last male descendant of the emperor Augustus, Nero succeeded to the throne in AD 54 aged just 16 and died a violent death at 30. His turbulent rule saw momentous events including the Great Fire of Rome, Boudicca's rebellion in Britain, the execution of his own mother and first wife, grand projects and extravagant excesses.
Drawing on the latest research, this major exhibition questioned the traditional narrative of the ruthless tyrant and eccentric performer, revealing a different Nero, a populist leader at a time of great change in Roman society.
Through some 200 spectacular objects, from the imperial palace in Rome to the streets of Pompeii, visitors could follow the young emperor's rise and fall and make up their own minds about Nero. Was he a young, inexperienced ruler trying his best in a divided society, or the merciless, matricidal megalomaniac history has painted him to be?
Exhibition trailer
Highlights
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![Bust of Nero looking down.]()
Roma, Musei Capitolini; Archivio fotografico dei Musei Capitolini. © Roma, Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali. Photo © Zeno Colantoni. Bust of 'ugly' Nero
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![Statue of a young Nero wearing robes with hands outstretched.]()
Photo © Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Hervé Lewandowski. Statue of Nero as a boy
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![Green portrait bust of Agrippina with nose broken off and tightly-curled hair.]()
Portrait bust of Nero's mother, Agrippina
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![Gold bracelet in the form of a coiled snake.]()
Gold serpent bangle
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![A relief depicting six men wearing armour and holding shields.]()
Photo © Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre). Relief showing the Praetorian Guard
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![Marble bust of Nero.]()
Photo by Francesco Piras. With permission of the Ministero della Cultura – Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari. Bust of Nero as emperor
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![Linked chains made of iron.]()
© Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. Gang chains
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![Coins, rings bracelets and object small objects made of different metals and stones.]()
© Colchester Museums. A Romano-British hoard
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![Bronze gladiator's helmet with a grille of linked circles to protect the face, and a broad brim to protect the back and sides of the head.]()
Gladiator helmet
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![Terracotta Campana relief showing a four-horsed chariot approaching the three columns of the turning-post.]()
Plaque of chariot race
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![3-D panel of an elaborate Roman stage with actors performing.]()
With permission of the Ministero della Cultura ̶ Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. Fresco showing the theatre
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![Long marble plaque depicting an earthquake.]()
With permission of the Ministero della Cultura – Parco Archeologico di Pompei. Plaque showing an earthquake in Pompeii
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![Fragment of a gilded wall painting: part of a frieze showing a pair of sphinxes amongst acanthus plants.]()
Fresco from Nero's palace
Reviews
Access
View the large print guide, which is designed for visually impaired visitors and provides all the exhibition text in large print. You can also view the plain English guide, which is designed for learning-disabled visitors and provides a description of 10 key objects from the exhibition in plain English.
