Nero with the Museo Nazionale Romano

Nero was the fifth Roman emperor and the last of Rome's first dynasty, the Julio-Claudians.

He ascended to power in AD 54 aged just 16 and died at 30. Nero ruled at a time of great social and political change, inheriting an empire rife with problems. He had to face momentous events such as the Great Fire of Rome and open conflict with Rome's long-standing opponent, the Parthian empire.

Ancient writers shaped Nero's reputation with their posthumous accounts of his crimes, cruelty and excesses, but surviving contemporary evidence helps us to get a more rounded image of the emperor and the times he lived in.

Join exhibition project curator, Francesca Bologna and from Rome's Museo Nazionale Romano (National Roman Museum) Carlotta Caruso and Sara Colantonio as they explore Nero's rule through some of the objects in the Museo Nazionale Romano's collection.

Presented in collaboration with the Museo Nazionale Romano, this event is part of the public programme accompanying Nero: the man behind the myth (27 May – 24 October 2021).

To attend this online event

We're broadcasting this event at 18.00 on Friday 3 September on the British Museum Events YouTube channel. Set a reminder on YouTube (if you're an account holder) to be notified when the event begins.

This event is presented in English and Italian with English subtitles.