Why did a bronze head of Emperor Nero end up in a British river?
In short: In A.D. 61, a bronze statue of Emperor Nero was discarded in a muddy river in Roman Britannia. This video explores how curators reconstruct the history of fragmented artifacts and examines how Roman citizens might have perceived the image of their emperor.
The discovery of a bronze head in the east of Britannia raises questions about the motivations behind its disposal. By analyzing the physical remains of the portrait, curator Thorsten Opper demonstrates the methods used to envision the complete original object from a single surviving fragment.
The investigation provides insight into the political and social climate of the Roman Empire during Nero's reign. It challenges viewers to consider the perspective of a provincial citizen and the symbolic weight carried by imperial statuary in the first century.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Read a Broken Roman Statue | The Head of Nero | Curator's Corner S6 Ep7 #CuratorsCorner
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-how-to-read-a-broken-roman-statue-the-head-of-nero-curator-s.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Ancient rome · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
