# Performing Emperor (DD-078)

> The Roman emperor Nero, who ruled from 54 to 68 AD, saw himself as an artist and performed publicly as a singer, lyre player and actor, which many in Rome's elite found shameful. During a tour of Greece he competed in the Olympic Games of 67 AD, which were rescheduled for him. He drove a ten-horse chariot, fell and did not finish, but the judges declared him the winner anyway.

- Department: History (also People)
- First published: 2023-11-12
- Last updated: 2023-11-12
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/performing-emperor/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-078-F01**: Nero ruled from 54 to 68 AD. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Reign))_
- **DD-078-F02**: He sang and acted in public. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Performer))_

## Write-up

Nero sang and acted in public, to the dismay of Rome's elite. At the Olympics of 67 AD he fell from his chariot and was still crowned.

1. **Reign**: Nero ruled from 54 to 68 AD.
2. **Performer**: He sang and acted in public.
3. **Elite**: The elite disapproved.
4. **Olympics**: He competed at Olympia in 67 AD.
5. **Chariot**: He fell but was declared the winner.

## Related case files

- [The Beast of Rome (DD-214)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-beast-of-rome/): I linked more on Nero

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says Nero declared himself the winner; ancient sources say the judges awarded him the victory.

## Video: Performing Emperor: Nero Sang and Acted in Public, to the Dismay of Rome's Elite

- Duration: 30.6 s · Published: 2023-11-12
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/CzkpFgRuoAt.mp4

### Transcript

The Roman Emperor Nero considered himself a talented artist, including as a singer and actor. Did you know? Despite the skepticism and ridicule he faced from the Roman elite for his artistic endeavors, Nero insisted on participating in public performances. What really takes this to the next level is... One example of this is the Olympic Games of 67 AD, where Nero competed as a charioteer and declared himself the winner, even though he fell from his chariot during the race. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When did Nero rule?**  
A: Julio-Claudian. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Reign) · Wikipedia: Nero)_

**Q: What did he perform as?**  
A: Also lyre player. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Performer) · Wikipedia: Nero)_

**Q: Which games did he enter?**  
A: In Greece. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Elite) · Wikipedia: Nero)_

**Q: What happened in his chariot race?**  
A: Ten horses. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Olympics) · Wikipedia: Nero)_

**Q: Who awarded him the win?**  
A: Anyway. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Chariot) · Wikipedia: Nero)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Nero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Performing Emperor." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-078, last updated Nov 12, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/performing-emperor/