Nero, one of Rome's most controversial and eccentric emperors (reign 54–68 AD), harbored a deep passion for Greek culture and traditions, which included sports and games. Unlike many of his predecessors, he was eager to compete publicly, often participating himself to display his skill to his people.
Nero's Participation in the Ancient Olympics
The Olympic Games were traditionally held every four years in Greece. In 67 AD, Nero decided to make an unprecedented journey to Greece specifically to participate in the rescheduled games. He entered various competitions, including the:
Chariot Race: He competed in both the traditional four-horse race (quadriga) and a less common race for chariots drawn by foals.
Heralds' Contest: This was a competition of oratory and proclamation, demonstrating vocal strength and public address skills.
Competitions for Lyre Players: Nero considered himself a gifted musician and performer, and this was one of his most important events.
He was declared the victor in every competition he entered—a total of 1,800 crowns, according to some accounts.
A Lack of Fair Play
However, contemporary and later historical sources consistently describe a total lack of fair play during these events. Nero's victories were not earned by merit but were a direct result of his imperial power.
A famous example occurred during the chariot race: when the emperor was thrown from his ten-horse chariot (an extravagant entry designed to show off his wealth), the other athletes, clearly fearful of the loser emperor's potential retribution, immediately stopped racing. They allowed him to remount his chariot, complete the course, and still declared him the winner. In some competitions, judges even gave him the victory simply for arriving or before he had even performed.
The Roman Neronia
Nero's love for these cultural and athletic contests was so great that he introduced a Romanized version of the Olympic Games: the Neronia. This festival, obviously named after him, was held every five years in Rome and featured competitions in three main specialties:
Art (Ars): Including oratory, poetry, and lyre playing.
Gymnastics (Gymnicus): Featuring athletic competitions like running and wrestling.
Horse Riding (Circensis): Specifically, chariot racing.
By participating in and promoting these events, Nero attempted to shift the traditional, militaristic values of the Roman elite towards the Hellenic ideal of the cultivated, performing statesman, ultimately contributing to his reputation as a self-serving and theatrical ruler.
