An Imperial Sport Superstar
Nero isn’t commonly associated with the Olympics, but the infamous Roman emperor was the most successful Olympics competitor, ever. He reportedly won 1808 wreaths – the equivalent of medals today – in a single Olympics. Many think that the Olympics are corrupt today. A bastardized and commercialized version of a glorious and pure original that was full of good sportsmanship and governed by integrity. However, Nero won an Olympics chariot race that he didn’t even finish because his chariot crashed and overturned during the race. The judges declared him the winner anyhow, on grounds that he would have won had he been able to complete the race. Nero greatly admired Greek culture. In 60 AD, he set up the first Greek games in Rome, which, modesty not being his strong suit, he named the Neronia.
There was a twist, however. Unlike regular Greek games, sport was not emphasized. Instead, the Neronia’s competitions focused mostly on music and literature, and the victors dedicated their crowns to Nero. He did not personally participate in the inaugural Neronia. For an emperor to compete in such events was considered unseemly, and at the time, Nero still cared about appearances. That did not last. Four years after the inaugural Neronia, in 64 AD, Nero tossed his worries about propriety out the window, and participated in his first public games, the Naples Sebasta. In 65 AD, he participated in the second Neronia, as a kithara – an ancient Greek instrument similar to a lyre – singer. A year later, he raced his chariot in the Circus Maximus.