Karl Theodor Von Piloty (1861) After yesterday's thread about his new Nero's sestertius by @Julius Germanicus , we can't forget today's sad anniversary. On July 18, 64, a fire broke out in the city center of Rome, then the rich and luxurious capital of the Roman Empire. According to ancient sources, the fire lasted at least six days and ravaged much of the city and, with it, its republican heritage. When the fire was finally extinguished six days later, 10 of Rome’s 14 districts had burned. This fire particularly marked the memories, because it signed the death sentence of the emperor Nero, who saw his management of the crisis being severely criticized and who, in order to find a scapegoat, initiated the first Christian' persecution. The dead numbered in the thousands and about two hundred thousand homeless were counted. This first episode lasted about six days, that is until July 24. One might have thought that the scourge was circumscribed, but the flames revived, destroying, for three other days, an area of the Campus Martius, with more sparse buildings: several monumental groups were destroyed, but the loss of life was limited. Here are the reports by some historians: There followed a disaster, whether due to chance or to the malice of the sovereign is uncertain — for each version has its sponsors — but graver and more terrible than any other which has befallen this city by the ravages of fire. It took its rise in the part of the Circus touching the Palatine and Caelian Hills; where, among the shops packed with inflammable goods, the conflagration broke out, gathered strength in the same moment, and, impelled by the wind, swept the full length of the Circus...(Tacitus Annals XXVIII) After this Nero set his heart on accomplishing what had doubtless always been his desire, namely to make an end of the whole city and realm during his lifetime. At all events, he, like others before him, used to call Priam wonderfully fortunate in that he had seen his country and his throne destroyed together. Accordingly he secretly sent out men who pretended to be drunk or engaged in other kinds of mischief, and caused them at first to set fire to one or two or even several buildings in different parts of the city...(Cassius Dio, Roman History, book LXII, 16) For under cover of displeasure at the ugliness of the old buildings and the narrow, crooked streets, he set fire to the city so openly that several ex-consuls did not venture to lay hands on his chamberlains although they caught them on their estates with tow and fire-brands, while some granaries near the Golden House, whose room he particularly desired, were demolished by engines of war and then set on fire, because their walls were of stone. For six days and seven nights destruction raged, while the people were driven for shelter to monuments and tombs. (Suetonius, life of Nero XXXVIII) This is my only coin of 64 AD. An interesting aspect of this coin is the meaning of the use of Salus on the reverse. Purely figurative depictions of the goddess had not been featured in Imperial coinage before. Nero, following the great fire at Rome and his own scrape with death, may have adopted the symbol in order to indicate the wellbeing of both himself and the city. In any event, Nero also dedicated a temple to the goddess. Please show us your coins of 64 AD, related to fire or anything you feel relevant !
As far as I know there are no coins depicting Nero fiddling... Here's my Nero tet: Nero from Alexandria: Type: Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm 12.73 grams Obverse: NERW KLAY KAIS SEB GER, Radiate crowned head facing right. Reverse: AVTO-KRA, Draped bust of Egyptian god Serapis facing right, wearing Kalathos (basket) on head, date LI (year 10) Reference: Milne 222, Koln 160, RPC 5274, BMCGr 156: Sear 2001. Hmmm, I guess my coin is from 64 A.D. as well (10th year of Nero's reign).
I sold the Tet pictured below at a Heritage auction in January of 2018. The portrait of Nero has an angry expression .
Great write-up, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix ! Here is my 64 CE RI Nero billon tetradrachm of Alexandria Egypt, r. bust of Poppea, LI ry.10 63-64AD Milne 217, RPC 5275 obv. Radiate head of Nero right rev. Draped bust of Poppea right, LI before diameter: 23mm weight: 12.8g Personally, I think it was Mrs. O'Leary's cow who started the fire...
Fun and informative write-up, as usual, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix! This tetradrachm of Nero from Alexandria was one of my first ancient coin purchases -- and it's from AD 64, too! Nero and Poppaea Sabina. Roman provincial billon Tetradrachm; 23.1 mm, 11.55 g. Egypt, Alexandria, AD 64/65. Obv: ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑV, radiate head of Nero, right. Rev: ΠΟΠΠΑΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ, draped bust of Poppaea, right, LIA (year 11) before. Refs: RCV 2002; SGI 664; RPC 5280; Köln 168; BMCG 124; Milne 223; Curtis 138; Cohen 315, 3; Emmett 128.
SALUS - 49 BCE Roman Republic ROMAN REPUBLIC. Man. Acilius Glabrio AR Denarius, 18 mm, 3.75 g, 6h; Rome mint: 49 BC Obv.: SALVTIS; laureate head of Salus right. Rev.: III VIR VALETV MN ACILIVS; Valetudo standing left, resting arm on column and holding snake. Reference: Crawford 442/1a; Seaby Acilia 8; Sydenham 922, BMC 3944.
Interesting article about the disastrous event on this day long ago, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix. This sestertius of Nero was struck circa 64 AD. Nero (54-68 AD). AE Sestertius (34 mm, 24.18 g). Uncertain Balkan/Thracian mint. Struck circa 64 AD. N[E]RO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M T[R P] IMP P P, Laureate head right. / Triumphal arch with wreath hung between pillars surmounted by statuary group of Nero in quadriga, escorted by Victory and Pax and flanked by soldiers; statue of Mars in niche on left side of arch, SC across field. RPC 1758.
Nice writeup, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Here is my Nero AE As. Just a year off, I believe. Nero. 65 AD Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, laureate head right. Reverse: S - C, Victory flying left holding shield inscribed SPQR. RIC 312, Cohen 288
Roman 'fiddling' would have been playing the lyre and there are Nero coins showing him plucking. Unfortunately these tend to be over my budget so I have only a link to show. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2313272 I really would like to have this coin as an example of a denomination marked as (I in exergue) with a radiate portrait.
Great post as usual, O. Here’s my only coin from the year of the fire: Nero, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm, (24 mm, 13.08g), 64-65 AD (RY 11.), ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑY ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ Radiate bust of Nero to r., wearing aegis./ Rev. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ - L ΙA Eagle, wings closed, standing l. with palm frond behind; in field to r., simpulum. RPC I 5284.
Nice post @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix I looked for a 64 AD Nero coin, but most of mine are later issues. I have 65-66 AD on my Salus den. I might be mistaken though. How about this quadrans from 65 AD: An olive branch extended to the plebs, perhaps? Nero, 54-68. Quadrans , Rome, circa 65. Obverse: NERO CLAV CAE AVG GER Crested helmet set to right on column; behind, transverse spear; to right, round shield bearing gorgoneion. Reverse: IMP P P P M TR P / S - C Olive branch. Reference: BMC p. 256 note. Cohen -. RIC 317. Copper, 15 mm, 2.00 g, 1 h (My private theory is that the «shield with gorgoneion» is a theatre mask) Years ago I read a book about Nero, the fire of Rome and early Christianity in Rome. I liked it a lot:
I noticed in several of these coins with Nero bedecked with a crown, I was a little surprised at this because I didn't think that crowns were worn until much later in the Empire! Obviously my understanding is incorrect. The reason for this is that the Crown depicted kingship which the Republican Romans hated. I know that Julius Caesar wore a headdress which he was entitled having saved the life of another Roman soldier in battle-but I didn't think that it was a Crown.
As I understand, Nero is massively victimized here. He wasn't even in Rome at the time of the fire! He was over 30 miles away which would have taken at least a day, if not two or three, to arrive. When he did arrive in Rome, he paid for fire fighting services out of his own pocket, and allowed his palace to be used as an evacuation center. It's very possible that Nero fiddling as Rome burned was a highly effective propaganda (obviously, it lasted over two thousand years demonizing the Emperor). He wasn't a great guy, but you really can't fault his attempts at attempting to save his city. Part of this may have been his capitalization of the destruction to spearhead his architectural reform, building the ostentatious Domus Aurea in the ruins. However, he also used the free real estate to build massive public spaces, including parks, fountains, and other incredible public works that did nothing but help the citizens. Plus, Nero was apparently a rather accomplished poet, composer, and musician, and very likely composed several songs/poems/laments on the unfortunate destruction of the eternal city.
