Most of us have probably read about the various Roman emperors throughout history or seen their marble busts in museums. But have you ever wondered how they looked in real life? Well, one Spanish sculptor certainly has.
Check out the incredibly detailed sculptures in the gallery below!
Julio Caesar, the last Roman Dictator
Julius Caesar is probably the most widely recognized Roman emperor. He was a military general, a historian, and a ruthless dictator in the Greco-Roman world. Sadly, he played a significant role in the events that eventually led to the demise and fall of the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar was assassinated on the 15th of March 44 BC after many Roman senators conspired against him. He was stabbed 23 times. His death marked the end of the Roman Republic – something neither of the conspirators anticipated.
Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor
Augustus, the first emperor to rule the Roman Empire, rose to power after his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated. He remained in control from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. His ruling period was nicknamed ‘Pax Romana’ and is known as the most peaceful period of the empire.
Many people acknowledged Augustus’ administrative genius. During his rule, he transformed the crumbling republic into a new, flourishing empire.
In 8 BC, the month originally known as Sextilis was renamed in his honor.
Nero, the notoriously cruel emperor
Nero was the fifth Roman emperor. He was known for his tyranny and extravagance. As soon as he saw that he could do whatever he liked without any retribution, his inordinate artistic pretensions began: he was a poet, charioteer, lyre player and loved giving people public performances. Although this was not taken well by the general public.
Some say that it was Nero that started the Great Fire of Rome, a disaster that devastated the city on 18th July, 64 AD. The emperor saw the fire as a perfect opportunity to rebuild Rome in Greek style and his planned palace would have, if finished, covered about a third of the city.
Nero tried to shift the blame for the fire on the Christians, which eventually led to their ruthless persecution and earned the emperor the nickname of “Antichrist”.
Nero’s death eventually ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty rule that lasted for almost 100 years.
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