Curators' tour of Nero: the man behind the myth |

Exhibition curators, Thorsten Opper and Francesca Bologna, takes us on an in-depth tour of the latest exhibition at the British Museum - Nero: The man behind the myth.
The show challenges the traditional view of the emperor as a ruthless and eccentric tyrant, and follows the young ruler as he navigated a divided society and momentous events in the history of Rome.
With thanks to the lenders:
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, Cardiff
Bloomberg LP
London Colchester Archaeological Trust
Colchester Museums
Egypt Exploration Society
London Musée du Louvre
Paris Musei Capitolini
Rome Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della Maremma
Grosseto Museo Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei nel Castello di Baia
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia
Museo Civico Archeologico, Comune di Cremona
Museo Nazionale Romano
Rome Museum of London Archaeology
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen
Parco Archeologico del Colosseo
Rome Parco Archeologico di Pompei
Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Römisch-Germanisches Museum der Stadt Köln
Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le Province di Cremona
Lodi e Mantova Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek
Munich Stiftsbibliothek St.Gallen
Vatican Museums
Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archive
#NeroExhibition #MuseumTour #BritishMuseumLive

[@britishmuseum]

For those who asked, you can buy your Nero themed replicas and books at our online shop here: www.britishmuseumshoponline.org//exhibitions/nero-the-man-behind-the-myth.html Thanks for being beautiful, wonderful nerds.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

How refreshing to hear a more rounded story. I tend to think of _Classical_ history as straight-forward, matter of fact, largely uncontested truth. Here I am delightfully reminded concerning the nuances of political life - a lesson I shall bear in mind for all stories of great men, both villains and heroes.

[@hepatus1]

Congratulations for this wonderful exposition. Since I was a kid one of my dreams was to visit the Brittish Museum. I was lucky enough to fulfill this on 2018, as a gift for my 50th birthday. Sutton Hoo, Gilgamesh tablet, Rosetta Stone, Parthenon, Helicarnassus, Ashurbanipal's lions are the best among thousands of itens. They will live in my memories forever. Thank you.

[@BobbyReborn]

'nerd' is a really insulting word here, did an intern write this??

[@ironaan3565]

classicists or ancient worlders would have been more fitting

[@AmyB369]

Why don’t you display replicas then and send back all the stolen artifacts you have???

[@azigar]

I live in Barbados, and I can't tell you how much it means to me to get to see these tours!! The British Museum is ALWAYS a must see stop on my list when I come up, and I always have to dedicate at least 2 days to it. And STILL I feel like I've not done it justice!! When I bring my son up, I'll bring him there too!!

[@hannibalb8276]

I always wondered why you (the British museum) didn't do more virtual tours of the exhibits. Now is the time what with covid and all that. KZbin has a feature where you can set up a donation area to go along with the video so people can still get educated for free but also donate to the museum if they are able and enjoyed the tour. I'd donate for this tour because it was excellent.

[@TheOnlyDamien]

This is a really good idea! I would love to donate to the museum as a thank you for getting a virtual tour! It would be cool to be able to do it through KZbin too! They linked merch above I might grab something there as a thanks for all the awesome content they have provided over the years, there's some really great stuff on this channel!

[@monicacall7532]

I would also contribute to the museum if there were virtual tours like this and the Thomas a Becket one. The Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Art Museums don’t do virtual tours (yet, or that I’ve found). People are hungry for knowledge like this complete with historic artifacts. PLEASE consider doing virtual tours and making a place for people to contribute to the museum or to the areas that they are interested in.

[@AmyB369]

Don’t donate!!! The museum is full of stolen artifacts they refuse to return. This “museum” should be boycotted it is nothing but a place of looted artifacts that don’t belong there

[@tyrannosaurus696]

The downside of this plan is that the middle classes wouldn't be able to publicly check-in on Facebook that they are visiting the British Museum, so will have to find other ways of signalling their intellectual and genetic superiority.

[@judgeholden849]

@@tyrannosaurus696 socially media is toxic but you sound resentful and bitter

[@Eris123451]

What I always remember about Nero is the incongruity that despite his reputation he opened his private gardens to the ordinary Roman citizens as refuge from the fires.

[@Eris123451]

@@danielmandor483 An interesting and well informed comment, thank you.

[@jscomp9529]

He opened his own palace for fire refugees

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

I think if the cases of rulers like Nero and Richard III have taught us anything, it's that history is indeed written by the victors, & our historical back-view often needs updating as additional and more varied primary sources become available? Also, that entrenched cultural myths about these figures are MUCH harder to kill than the individuals themselves were, even after new evidence is conclusively confirmed!! 🙄 Fascinating to see both this exhibition and the comments here, adding even further context.... thank you.

[@teddyjackson1902]

I think his primary problem was the aftermath of the fire and how he handled it. There was very little mention of the Domus Aurea here, which at the bare minimum a gross miscalculation by the emperor. Taking 200 acres in the city center for your personal residence is bound to create many political enemies.

[@OsirisIxchel]

@@Eris123451 According to some accounts, Nero would have Christians tied to stakes and covered in tar or pitch before setting them alight. The burning bodies would then be used to light up the gardens, creating a macabre spectacle for Nero's guests.

[@stirlingsmith3751]

I visited today, it is a great exhibition. Very useful to view this curators’ tour beforehand. And what a great example of international collaboration. Exhibits from so many countries. And two knowledgeable curators.

[@leslielutz1874]

The boy statue of Nero is truly remarkable. Seems something rare to me. Stunning.

[@johnbowles5399]

It is indeed a beautiful statue.

[@jhb1493]

"You are making an exhibition of yourselves" - in all the right ways! Thank you for bringing this fantastic exhibit to the world, especially at this moment in time.

[@lucianopavarotti2843]

I visited the exhibition yesterday. It's very well done. A balanced account of his life, set in a broader context than unusual. And the exhibition space is beautifully designed and decorated.

[@MatteoBenzoni-h9y]

These curators' contributions are really top notch and testify to the level of the museal institution

[@bettystowe830]

Thoroughly enjoyed this talk as I’m a great lover of a Roman history.

[@skaetur1]

Pax Romano!

[@jinz0]

me too

[@bettystowe830]

Sorry, a typo, meant ‘Roman History’

[@GhostsOfTheAngelcynn]

Yeah me to, I'm specially fond of the battle of the Teutoborg forest where we beheaded and slaughtered the romans and their families. Hanging them up from trees and sticking their heads on pikes as a warning to all future legionaries 😜

[@AmyB369]

If you care about history don’t support this museum they have a huge collection of stolen artifacts. They have literally robbed the history and art from the places it belongs to

[@moonglow630]

Sadly, only got to see a small fraction of the treasures of the British Museum when I was there. Therefore, I’m thankful to programs like this that show me some of the amazing things I missed, & for amazing exhibitions like this.

[@jon780249]

Fascinating. Many thanks for bringing the exhibition to a broader audience that cannot be there to enjoy it in person. As always, British Museum exhibitions in this ground floor space look wonderful and set the standard for other museums.

[@MrChristiangraham]

Really enjoyed this - a fantastic taster of exhibition. Thanks so much Thorsten & Francesca for your wonderful presentation.

[@ezzovonachalm9815]

What the Doode is " Francescs A÷×€€¥ for a LBTGoQ ?

[@blasemusha4001]

That was an amazing animation showing the change in the portrait

[@NeonsStyleHD]

Now this is more like what the British Museum should be doing for your channel. This is awesome :D Thank you :D

[@mercurious6699]

Amazing presentation - adds so much more detail to the monstrous figure we typically encounter. Thank you

[@jscomp9529]

He was not a monstrous figure

[@mbs1706]

What a wonderful presentation about such an interesting subject. Thank you!!!

[@jarniwoop]

I'm so happy with this program. I had read about this exhibit, and a recent book on Nero. Nice to see all the beautiful ancient statuary. The beautiful statue of Agrippina, still lustrous after all these centuries, was outstanding.

[@swissthun60]

Great effort and work product results in putting this all together..., Well done !

[@Penguin_Crosser]

Amazing. Really enjoyed it. Plz share more similar tours.

[@annwilliams6438]

Thank you so much. This was fantastic for those of us who cannot come and see it. Greetings from South Africa. In South Africa our family was privileged to see the travelling King Tut funeral goods (astounding) and the Chinese Terra Cotta Army exhibitions. They were however expensive to attend due to all of the objects needing to be shipped.

[@dominadors4795]

These tours on youtube are amazing.

[@kridswonderhowell4541]

I cannot thank you enough!!! Beautiful exhibit & most appreciated private tour!

[@InsertNameHere95]

I absolutely love both of their accents. With both you can hear their original heritage, but also the British English. Lovely

[@jonathanmyles-lea4986]

Truly wonderful. Thank you so much for making this film about this remarkable exhibition.

[@FrugalGamerFlashback]

Very much looking forward to this event.

[@leighirvine]

Me too but I’m still at work 😭

[@lucy-annpope5650]

Great intro to what is a must-see exhibition. Glad the BM is challenging the accepted narrative on Nero.

[@wmritchey1101]

An excellent way to present what lay within the British Museum. Thank you

[@GoogleUserOne]

That was incredible. Loved the shots showing the curator staring at the art.

[@robjones1377]

I found the lead pig that they talk about I can't wait to see it on display.

[@aegresen]

That must have been an amazing and exciting find!! Wish I could visit the exhibit. Hope you have a wonderful time!

[@robjones1377]

@@aegresen it certainly was thank you I'm sure I will have a great time.

[@bigbensarrowheadchannel2739]

Congratulations. What a wonderful piece of history.

[@robjones1377]

@@bigbensarrowheadchannel2739 thank you 😊

[@AmyB369]

Please don’t support this museum full of stolen artifacts

[@bluegas]

Beautifully done and so instructive! Great work!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@thomaswhitelake]

Excellent presentation and presenters. Very illuminating. Thank you.

[@annapanna80]

More of this please! So nice to watch! 🔥

[@dysonsquared]

I'd like more of your "remarkably- made-but-totally-ordinary" series, please!

[@kev3d]

My question is that if Nero wasn't as bad as later biased historians would tell us, and indeed was quite popular (at least for a while), why was he hated enough to be abandoned by his guards and staff to be hunted down? What did he do, or neglect to do, that made powerful people want to depose and kill him?

[@SmartSearchInc]

I loved this video and the presenters are great! Thank you.

[@Andy-br1hq]

I understand the appearance and appreciation of the marble and other effectively colorless remaining statuary from ancient Rome, however, I think it would be even more appreciated to show in scale what many of these items actually looked like in their prime and showed it in abundance. I think it would give us a better feel for the ancient society.

[@farazkermani9768]

Living in Germany, I never got to see this marvellous exhibition. Thank you for walking me through some of its salient points!

[@mihitz100]

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Loved it! Thank you.

[@toomnLP]

making roman history accesible and battling myths and half-knowledge. Amazing!

[@paulettebethlehem7595]

Thank you for the new insights.

[@BobbyReborn]

Keep doing more tours!!! Show us the entire BM!!! Excellent job!!!

[@samharvey3241]

I'd be keen to hear these two talk about Vespasian and the good work he did after Nero.

[@frostybaby13]

Thank you so much for this, I'm enjoying the content from over in the US & wishing I was there to see the exhibit with my own eyes. Loved the narration by the two curators as well! Bravo!

[@AmyB369]

Please don’t! Educate yourself about this museum it is full of stolen artifacts they refuse to give back. Don’t support unethical museums like this

[@maximilianwolfgangrichthof9456]

What a wonderful presentation of emperor nero and his unknown truths.Thanks to the two curators informing us so well.I hope to see more programmes produced by yourselves,

[@marykilbane1344]

Excellent and informative presentation. More please!

[@nahuelferrer8006]

Thank you... I was bit distracted but really enjoyed the tour and I'll rewatched it these days

[@georgeparkes3863]

Great talk. A real insight into those times and how the facts can be adjusted by those who follow!

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Wonderful intro to this impressive-looking exhibition. Will try and see it and hope it has a well-deserved success.

[@tinatieden8499]

these videos always have me wanting to learn more and more. Thank You from Connecticut USA.

[@BadMedizin]

Thank you Thorsten, very clearly communicated, well done.

[@cathocopter]

I loved this video tour. Please consider an exhibition centered on those influential women positioned as "supporting players" in this one - especially the fascinating Agrippina the Younger.

[@suecox2308]

You brought this era of Roman history to life and gave me a new view to replace the cartoon version of Nero--thank you!

[@teddyjackson1902]

These are amazing, thank you. Roman Britain for me is one of the most interesting of the provinces because of its geography being separated from the continent, it’s technological level being somewhat of a backwater when Rome arrived (antiquated warfare tactics, hill forts, chariots, lack of siege capability, etc), the imperial motivations for conquest, and the evolution of the province into something of a cosmopolitan society that seemingly adopted the imperial mantle and was reluctant to let it go. I could go on but you get the picture. Would love more of this content focusing on Roman Britain and perhaps the founding and growth of London.

[@TheHarrip]

I love that you make this channel. I can't wait to visit. 🇬🇧

[@kenc2257]

What a wonderfully informative presentation! Thank you.

[@dunwitch]

Amazing tour. Fantastic work.

[@derekmullin4017]

Thank You, really enjoyable and interesting. Please do more of these for the majority of us who can’t get to the exhibitions. 👍

[@valeriytiify]

Great video , thank you for making it. Please make more videos of this type

[@arthurgarcialucero704]

Thank you! Straight forward, I enjoyed it immensely!!!

[@pufthemajicdragon]

This was wonderful! I wish I could see the full exhibition in person, what an incredible journey!

[@danielleyvav211]

Thank you for the tour!

[@Chungustav]

666 is the numerical equivalent of the name and title Nero Caesar (Roman Emperor 54-68 AD).Written in Aramaic, this can be valued at 666 using the Hebrew numerology of gematria, and was used to secretly speak against the emperor. Additionally, "Nero Caesar" in the Hebrew alphabet is נרון קסר‎ NRON QSR, which when interpreted numerically represents the numbers 50 200 6 50 100 60 200, which add up to 666.

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

Brilliant. Thank you for posting

[@Musketeer009]

Thanks for an interesting and enlightening talk on Nero.

[@pelicanus2197]

Excellent presentation by both. I know quite a bit about this period and yet learned more than I expected. Good work. Hope we may expect more like this from the BM.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Fantastic, thanks so so much for sharing this 🙂🐿❤️

[@madgevanness4011]

Fascinating to look at how he thickened as he aged; the increased chin area, the wider head, the puffier hair style minimizing the ears.

[@mdsf01]

Brilliant video! I wish I could give more "likes" for this wonderful walkthrough. A gorgeous setting and tastefully presented collection. If only I could visit the BM again. Kudos!

[@davidevans4534]

As someone who should be better known said in 1980 Nero might be considered as a Parthian hero (due to his 50 year peace with Parthia), good to see the BM is catching up!

[@MrMAC8964]

Was he in power for 50 years ?? and maybe they just kept the peace cuz Nero burnt Rome down , like not killing Hitler cuz he was good for the opposition.

[@davidevans4534]

@@MrMAC8964 The peace lasted 50 years not Nero, don't see the connection between the fire and Parthia (roughly modern Iran Iraq)! As for the last farcical illiterate comment, meaningless!

[@ginnacloss4706]

I think it could be fairly said that no Roman emperor was ever going to beat the Parthians, and Nero deserves credit for being one of the few who recognized that.

[@laurenginsberg2573]

@@ginnacloss4706 And those that came after him clearly did too (until Trajan), but of course never gave his reign credit...

[@Egilhelmson]

@@ginnacloss4706 No Roman Emperor was going to defeat the Parthians because they would be defeated by the Sassanid Persians, first. The Sassanids were thoroughly defeated by Emperor Heraclius after a 20 year campaign which opened the door to the Caliphs to take the Persians and almost take the (Eastern) Empire.

[@ecmunz]

Great presentation. So want to get back to the British Museum.

[@paulcarter2048]

More, please! (Of this kind of content). Absolutely love the existing set of current and past British Museum video offerings, but would like to see more of this kind of detailed overview, with focus on representative artifacts.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

Looks fantastic I think I will have to go and see that when things are eased up.

[@piper2626]

It was a wonderful “ journey “ to the Nero’s Rome with you guys. complimenti anche alla dott.ssa Bologna ! Ammetto di essere curiosa di sapere di più della sua carriera : arrivare al British è un traguardo incredibile😀

[@joshiejoly]

Brilliant! Can’t wait to visit!

[@michaeldunne338]

Very nice, substantive presentation.

[@Robslondon]

A fascinating video, thank you.

[@lynnblack6493]

Oh I wish I could attend in person. Wonderful history lesson from you both. Appreciated as I stay stranded in Canada's hinterland!

[@Chunkochange]

This was fascinating, and they are both charming as hell.

[@wormzilla7624]

I'm in love with this female curator

[@scottfaudree7201]

Simply brilliant.

[@chrismckenna8379]

Very well done. Thank you!

[@cindelee]

incredible! now I'm totally convinced i HAVE to see the exhibition :)

[@abdullahbokov]

Great presentation ! Greetings from Chechnya and Ingushetia!!

[@christopherwarren4719]

Outstanding content, thanks !

[@alexeadington7335]

Awesome exhibition. Although very well described here you really need to be there, see every exhibit and read every bit of text to fully appreciate. well worth a visit.

[@neilspurgeon0]

Absolutely excellent, thank you very much

[@daveevans8454]

Great video and exhibition, thanks.

[@drraoulmclaughlin7423]

Nero was important in eastern politics and power relations. I am posting a series of 7 Video-Lectures called - 'Nero: Emperor, Myth & Afterlife'.

[@chrislangdon1937]

What is the url please Dr Raoul?

[@antoinedesfeirs9210]

Thanks for commenting, discovered your channel, subbed

[@mantronixtube]

just really brilliant content and produced so well. :) love.

[@MarekDohojda]

I don't quite agree with the notion that since much of Nero reputation was admittedly via propaganda therefore he was decent. Nor that if general population liked him, therefore he was a decent fella. Both things can be true. Those close to him may have hated him, because he was a tyrant, but those who weren't directly surrounded by him would only see his generosity and divinity, and hence like him. Personally I think that he was a despot, because that's the only accounts we have, but yes, I do believe his cruelty largely was exaggerated, we will never known of course, but that makes sense, in light of what happened after he died.

[@uttaradit2]

Excellent presentation

[@sgassocsg]

More of this. Excellent

[@CarlosRoces]

Es una estupenda muestra de Historia con alguna leyenda y con referencias a mitos. Gracias de todas formas.

[@ronanshanley7829]

Wonderful video, glad that you're contributing to remove the bias surrounding Nero that came from both his contemporaries and the Christians. It is important to remember, however, that Nero was a military dictator and not a very good one at that.

[@bigbensarrowheadchannel2739]

I've just started to study ancient Rome. But it seems to me that becoming emperor was a death sentence. Constant turmoil and and conspiring senators were always afoot.

[@Beantbeantbeant]

You will learn that being a roman emperor during "Pax Romana" was unusually not a death sentence. Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius were the 5 that stand out most and are considered the "five good emperors". They had really strong but respected rules, and generally peaceful transitions of power

[@garryferrington811]

You'll want to read The Twelve Caesars by Tacitus. Very interesting.

[@daveseddon5227]

Very interesting and well presented, thank you!

[@ellenkemp3798]

Thank you so much 😊😊

[@Eudaimonia88]

Marvellous presentation. Thank you for this wonderful tour!

[@GeorgeAAspros]

Y’all are awesome! 💙🤍