The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Bust of Nero [ARK00027]
Attached People: Collector (major) - Bargrave, John (1610-1680)Location(s): Current location at - Canterbury Cathedral Library and Archives (Library and/or Archive) -> Canterbury Cathedral (Institution)
Annotation:[Cast, hollow, lead bust of Nero wearing breast-plate, cloak and laurel wreath (now in 4 very fragile parts). "A handsome ancient busto (as called at Rome) of Augustus - that is the head and shoulders". Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (December 15, 37AD June 9, 68AD) was the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great uncle Claudius to become heir to the throne. He succeeded to the throne on October 13, 54AD. His reign attracted much criticism and he was been accused of pursuing policies designed to appease the popular masses. The most notorious event of his reign was the burning of Rome which Nero blamed on the Christians. In 68AD there was a military coup against the increasingly unpopular Emperor who chose to commit suicide rather than suffer execution.]