Owner Comments:
Over its five-century history, the Roman Empire in the West saw the rise and fall of a dozen different dynasties. In retrospect, the transition from one ruling family to the next seems commonplace. In context, however, each changeover was cause for concern, particularly the very first one. Even if succession hadn't come all too easy, the Julio-Claudian clan had nonetheless maintained relative peace and prosperity for nearly a century. The future of this Pax Romana was uncertain in the aftermath of Nero’s suicide in June 68 AD. Indeed, the year following Nero's death saw no fewer than four Emperors sit atop Rome’s throne.
It is no wonder that this tumultuous period fostered the rise of Nero imposters. It was only a few months before the first so-called Pseudo-Nero appeared in Greece. The unknown opportunist gathered around himself a group of army deserters and set out to sea. He turned to a career of piracy and plunder, adding cargo and slaves to his cause. These exploits caught the attention of Nero’s successor Galba, who sent forth one of his commanders to dispense with prototype-Pseudo-Nero.
A second Pseudo-Nero, whose name was Terentius Maximus, rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Titus. Reportedly, Terentius made a convincing case with his Neroesque looks and artistic talents. Terentius drew a cult following in the eastern frontier, catching the attention of Parthian monarch Artabanus V. Having no love for Titus, the gullible Parthian King placed the convincing Terentius under his protection.
While Terentius and the other pseudo-Neros did not have the wherewithal for producing coins, ample issues were struck by the Parthian Kings. This drachm is an example, attributed by NGC Ancients to Artabanus V, who was formerly known to historians as Artabanus III (and apparently before that was incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus IV). The obverse depicts the bareheaded bust of Artabanus V facing left, with a long rectangular beard, and an earring that is barely visible beneath his straight hair. The reverse depicts a beardless archer seated on a throne, holding a bow in his right hand. The Greek reverse inscription identifies the figure as none other than Parthia's founder, Arsaces: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN; APΣAKOY; EYERΓETOY ΔIKAIOY; EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ (King of Kings, Arsaces, the Benefactor, the Just, God Manifest, the Philhellene).
Besides coinage and a dynamic perspective of his progression within the Artabani, Artabanus V left behind a relatively scant legacy. Arguably, he is most famous for being duped by Terentius playing the part of pseudo-Nero. Reportedly, Artabnus V was convinced to the point that Parthia made preparations to place the Pseudo-Nero on Rome’s throne. Before the plan was completed, however, Artabanus V realized his mistake. Terentius was subsequently executed, and it is tempting to imagine the consummate impersonator parroting Nero’s last words, "
what an artist is now about to die.”
At least one other Pseudo-Nero appears in historical records, this time during Domitian’s reign. Like his predecessors, this third Pseudo-Nero also garnered support from Parthian royalty. One would think the Parthians would have learned their lesson by this point; in any case, there is no indication that third Pseudo-Nero's ever came close to Rome's throne.
Although none of the Pseudo-Neros achieved any meaningful power, they certainly helped spread the mythos that Augustus’ line might one day be restored, for good or evil. Several variations of the so-called Nero Redivivus legend were promulgated, playing on both hope and fear for Nero's return. The earliest written record, found in the Sibylline Oracles, claims that Nero did not commit suicide; instead, he escaped to Parthia, and would never rest until the day he returned with an army intent on Rome's destruction. Over time, the myth shifted to the belief that Nero was the anti-Christ and incorporation into eschatological literature. Consequently, the Nero Redivivus legend endured for centuries, even until the decline of the Western Roman Empire itself.
Coin Details: PARTHIAN KINGDOM, Artabanus V, circa 79/80-85 AD (formerly Artabnus III/IV), AR drachm, Ecbatana mint(?), NGC Grade: Ch XF, Obverse: bare-headed bust of king facing left, with long rectangular beard, hair straight, earring visible, Reverse: beardless archer, seated right on throne, in right hand, bow; below bow monogram 26, BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN; APΣAKOY; EYERΓETOY ΔIKAIOY; EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, Reference: Sellwood 74.6.