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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,769 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Seeing this tetradrachm of Nero ten years younger than my previous posting and also from Alexandria, I thought it would make a good companion showing how he had aged. The reverse shows a nice depiction of Eirene (Irene), the goddess of peace and of the season of spring.  Nero. AR Tetradrachm. Alexandria, Egypt. LΓ = Regnal Year 3. Struck 13 Oct. 56/12 Oct. 57 AD. Obverse: His laureate head right. Obverse Inscription: NEP KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AYTO ("Nero Claudius Caesar Emperor Germanicus Absolute Ruler"). Reverse: Eirene standing right, wearing chiton and peplos, and holding caduceus and helmet; below to right, date. Reverse Inscription: IPH NH (across field). Silver/billon. Diameter 22/23 mm. Weight: 12.66 gr. Reference: RPC1 5207; Dattari 229; Emmett 119. . https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5207Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.  Showing how Nero had aged over ten years. He appears to have put on a lot of weight in the second image. Edited by Novicius
03/07/2023 6:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Interesting side-by-side comparison, Jim. Plumped up quite a bit.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Don't know much about these, but most interesting.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
An interesting comparison, and well worth posting here, in the CCF. Thanks for the aging info, based on research evidence.  I suspect that Nero didn't know much about dieting. His attitude in this regard was probably more like that of Vitellius. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4962 Posts |
The Emperor reminds me of the King.  Man, it stinks getting old. |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
I hear you Chris...  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Thanks, Bob, @Coinfrog and @sel_69l. Thanks, Paul. Any additional information is always welcome, and thanks for taking the time and trouble to photograph and post the Emmett pages. Quote:
I suspect that Nero didn't know much about dieting. His attitude in this regard was probably more like that of Vitellius. Quote:
The Emperor reminds me of the King. Man, it stinks getting old. I hear you too, @chrsmat71. It isn't much fun.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2502 Posts |
Very nice coins - a great comparison, and I know the feeling. I bumped into a friend last year that I hadn't seen since the 90's. He asked how long it was since we last met and I said "about 25 years or so", and he replied quite dryly "looks like you spent the time eating" Quote:
The Emperor reminds me of the King. Man, it stinks getting old.  amen to that The Ox moves slowly, but the Earth is patient.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Poor old Elvis had a prescription drug problem as well, and that is what killed him.
Like most upper class Roman patricians, Nero's body had to deal with a lead poisioning problem from lead piping. Probably helps to explain the cruel irrational attitude of some other notable Roman Emperors.
Nero didn't stink, (at least from aging problems), - he was only 31 years old when he died.
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Really nice portrait comparison, Jim. I love this kind of thing. Also interesting to see Nero compared to Elvis. It would seem the Emperor was seen by the people of Rome in a similar light. He certainly thought himself to be artistically (and athletically) gifted and beloved by the public. Kings will be Kings!
Edited by circusmax120
03/08/2023 11:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Thanks, @ttkoo. I'm afraid that if I had a friend like that, he would no longer be on my Christmas card list!  Quote:
Like most upper class Roman patricians, Nero's body had to deal with a lead poisoning problem from lead piping. Probably helps to explain the cruel irrational attitude of some other notable Roman Emperors. A good point, @sel_69l. One tends to forget that they had more to contend with than first meets the eye. Quote:
Also interesting to see Nero compared to Elvis. Indeed, Mike. The comparison did make me smile. |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Elvis may have had a badge making him an honorary FBI agent...but Nero...well...he was multi-gold-medal Olympian. Imagine that!
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
This is my only Nero. An AE as. Certainly not a youth...so probably more comparable to the Elvis of the late-1970's. One too many peanut butter and banana sandwiches!  Nero as "Genius of the Romans". Naturally! Obverse: the Emperor facing left, IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP; small globe at the point of his neck. Reverse: Genius standing left, right hand holding a patera over a flaming altar, while holding a cornucopia in the left. GENIO AVGUVSTI, SC in field. 29mm, 10.54 grams. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Another strong portrait, Mike, with the sterner countenance that we normally associate with Nero. The eye and the brow convey so much - another mini masterpiece from the engraver. |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
So very right, Jim. There is much to appreciate in this specimen. Aside from the realism expressed in the portrait, I also enjoy the mottled patina, and favor the GENIO reverse motif. So appropriate for this "artiste" of an emperor! Nero and Elvis would be fast friends.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,769 |
Posted 03/06/2023 8:46 pm
