Author:
Opper, Thorsten, author.
ImprintLondon : The British Museum Press, 2021.
Imprint2021
Description304 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 29 cm
Note:"This publication accompanies "Nero the man behind the myth" at the British Museum from 27 May to 24 October 2021."--Page facing title page.
Note:The Julio-Claudian family from Augustus to Nero -- Introduction -- Nero And The Family Of Augustus -- Power And Succession -- Conflict And Reform -- Spectacle And Splendour -- Passion And Discord -- Incendium: The Great Fire Of Rome -- The New Apollo -- Crisis And Death -- Epilogue.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references (pages 292-294) and index.
Note: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.00The 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.00Exhibition: British Museum, London, UK (27.05.-24.10.2021)
