NERO THE ARTIST

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Vicious and vain, cruel and lustful, Nero nevertheless had genuine artistic leanings.
He wrote poetry, including a poem on "The Sack of Troy": the few s u ~ v i n fragments
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do not suggest total lack of ment. He took great trouble to irnprove his somewhat
husky voice ('vox exigua et fusca'), by lying with heavy lead sheets on his chest in
order to strengthen his diaphragm, and by dieting and purging. He studied the
playing of the harp with great deterrnination. That he should appear in pnvate
performances as singer, artist, actor or poet was harmless enough, a s also was his
passion for horsemanship.
But unfortunately he gained an exaggerated idea of his abilities and craved wider
audiences, and here he met opposition kom the aristocracy, for a n emperor to perfonn
in public shocked Roman sentirnent. Further, he had a genuine interest in Greek art,
and wanted to introduce Greek Games into Rome, including athletic contests, chariot
driving, and competitions in poetry, music and oratory. It may be that one of the
causes of his quarrel with his mother was her opposition to the development of these
interests. Certain it is that after her death he gave full rein to them.
In 57 he had forbidden gladiatonal combats to be fought to the death, presumably
not from humaneness but because such games were unHellenic. In 59 he held Ludi
Juvenales, gymnastic and artistic competitions, in his own gardens, at which a
special body of young aristocrats, the Augustiani, took part. Citizens had taken
part in the games of Greece, and Nero intended senators and knights to follow this
example. In 60 he established quinquennial Neronia, based on the Olympic games.
He himself appeared a s singer, harpist and charioteer: one of the functions of the
Augustiani was to act as his cZaque. In 61 he built a gymnasium and Baths (the
thermae Neroniane). In 64 he appeared on the stage at Greek Naples. When he
presided at these games, men might wonder whether he did not resemble a Hellenistic
King rather than Roman emperor.
Having thrown off all restraint in this field, Nero was encouraged to indulge his
less reputable desires and rid hirnself of any who stood in his way: in 62 treason
trials started again. When Burrus died, possibly a natural death, Nero appointed two
praetorian prefects, Faenius Rufus and a vicious Sicilian, Ofonius Tigellinus, who
had managed to become Prefect of the Vigiles. Without Burrus and unable any longer
to rely on the praetorian Guard, Seneca was powerless and was forced into retirement.
While Tigellinus pandered to Nero's vices. Poppaea persuaded him to divorce
Octavia and marry her. Octavia was banished, but a false rumor that she was going
to be reinstated led to public demostrations in her favour. Nero acted promptly: he
accused her of adultery with Anicetus and treason. She was put to death and
Anicetus, an awkward accomplice of Nero in the murder of Agrippina, was neatly
banished. Nor did Nero spare the aristocracy: he forced the deaths of a grandson of
Tibenus, Rubellius Plautus. and of a son in law of Claudius, Cornelius Sulla.
The greater freedom that the Senate had enjoyed thanks to Seneca in the early
part of the reign was now lost, and Nero was being corrupted by unbridled power.
To the hatred of the Senate was next added that of the people of Rome.

Lee el texto y a continuacin marca a opcin que consideres correcta.

1. A pesar de sus defectos, Nern tena inclinaciones artsticas y, segn el texto,

a) se podra decir que era un poeta destacado.

b) lleg a producir una gran cantidad de poemas.
c) sus poemas podran haber tenido cierto mrito.
2. Por qu se enfrent con la oposicin de la aristocracia?

a) Porque le gustaba actuar en pblico.

b) Porque tena un concepto exagerado de s u s habilidades.
c) Porq-le le gustaba impresionar con actitudes exageradas.

3. Nern quera hacer algo a lo que s u madre se opona. Sin embargo, lo llev a
cabo despus de la muerte de sta. Qu fue?

a) promover el inters del pueblo romano en el arte.

b) introducir los juegos y el arte griego a Roma.
c) tomar parte en las competencias atlticas en Roma.
4. Nern prohibi los combates de gladiadores porque

a) estaba en contra de la crueldad.

b) no correspondan al concepto de lo helnico.
C) le molestaba que los gladiadores lucharan hasta la muerte.

5. Qu eran los "Ludi Juvenalesn?

a) u n grupo de aristcratas jvenes.
b) los jardines del palacio de Nern.
c) competencias gimnsticas y artsticas.
6. Los "Neronianeran

a) juegos que se llevaban a cabo cada cinco aos.

b) funciones de los Agustiani.
c) actores y cantantes.

7. Quines eran Faenius R h s y Ofonius Tigellinus?

a) dos compaeros viciosos de Nern.

b) dos guardias pretorianos de Nern.
c) dos prefectos pretorianos de Nern.

8.Nern mand ejecutar a Octavia despus de haberla desterrado porque

a) el pueblo la acusaba de adulterio con Aniceto.
b) se rumoraba que regresara y el pueblo la apoyaba.
c) fue cmplice en el asesinato de Agripina.
9.

quines mand ejecutar Nern?

a) a Octavia, a Rubellius Plautus y a Comellius Sulla.
b) a k c e t u s . a Octavia. a Agrippina, a Tiberius y a Plautus.
C) a Octavia, a u n nieto de Tiberius y a Claudius.

10. El pueblo liego a odiar a Nern, entre otras razones, porque

a) desterr a Sneca.
b) tena un poder desenfrenado.
c) perdi s u libertad por culpa de l.