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4 - Nero and the Age of Musomania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2022

Harry Morgan
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Massachusetts
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Summary

This chapter examines the reign of the notorious musician-emperor Nero. It offers a comprehensive survey of the ancient material relating to Nero’s performances, stressing also his important role behind the scenes as producer, composer and choreographer. Building on the recent ‘performative turn’ in Neronian studies, the chapter argues that Nero used music not to satisfy some narcissistic or tyrannical bent, as has traditionally been maintained, but rather as part of a self-conscious strategy for the negotiation and representation of imperial power. Nero’s music-making responded to, and drew energy from, the cultural interests of both the ordinary Roman people and the young metropolitan elite. In this way, Nero succeeded in creating and disseminating an original musical language, which repackaged elements of Greek culture into a distinctly Roman product optimised for popular consumption.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Nero and the Age of Musomania
  • Harry Morgan, Harvard University, Massachusetts
  • Book: Music, Politics and Society in Ancient Rome
  • Online publication: 24 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009232326.005
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  • Nero and the Age of Musomania
  • Harry Morgan, Harvard University, Massachusetts
  • Book: Music, Politics and Society in Ancient Rome
  • Online publication: 24 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009232326.005
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Nero and the Age of Musomania
  • Harry Morgan, Harvard University, Massachusetts
  • Book: Music, Politics and Society in Ancient Rome
  • Online publication: 24 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009232326.005
Available formats
×