Nero AD 54-68. Ephesus
Cistophoric Tetradrachm AR

25 mm, 10,70 g

NERONI CLAVD CAES DRVSO GERM, bare-headed and draped bust of Nero to left / COS DES PRINC IVVENT, legend in three lines inscribed on round shield; all within wreath.

good very fine

RIC II 121 (Claudius); RPC I 2225.

Nero, born in AD 37, was the fifth Roman emperor, ruling from AD 54 to AD 68. He was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and his reign is remembered for both significant accomplishments and notorious acts. Nero ascended to power at the age of 16, largely due to the influence of his mother, Agrippina the Younger, who maneuvered to secure her son's place as emperor after the death of his great-uncle and adoptive father, Emperor Claudius. Initially, Nero's reign was marked by competent administration, largely guided by his advisors, including the philosopher Seneca and the Praetorian Prefect Burrus. He enacted policies that reduced taxes, promoted public entertainment, and supported the arts, for which he had a deep personal passion. However, over time, Nero became increasingly autocratic and erratic. He had his mother Agrippina killed in AD 59, fearing her influence, and was suspected of ordering the death of his wife, Octavia, among other family members. His rule became infamous after the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, during which much of the city was destroyed. While Nero is often blamed for starting the fire to clear space for his lavish Golden House (Domus Aurea), historical evidence for this is unclear. However, his response to the disaster, which included blaming and persecuting Christians, did much to tarnish his reputation. Nero's lavish spending, erratic behavior, and increasing reliance on violence to maintain power led to widespread dissatisfaction among the Roman elite and military. In AD 68, revolts broke out, first in the provinces and then in Rome itself. Facing imminent overthrow, Nero fled the city and committed suicide, famously declaring, "What an artist dies in me!" Despite his controversial reign, Nero's legacy is complex. He was seen by some as a cruel tyrant, while others praised his patronage of the arts and culture. His death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and led to the Year of the Four Emperors, a chaotic period in Roman history.