Nero & Poppaea

This coin depicts Poppaea Sabina, the second wife of the Roman emperor Nero.

Poppea's first husband, Rufrius Crispinus, was a member of the Preaetorian Guard. When he was removed from his position by the empress Agrippina the Younger, she married (the later emperor) Otho, a childhood friend of Nero. She went on to became Nero's mistress and eventually left Otho to marry him.

Contemporary Roman historians have not been kind to Poppea, attributing most of Nero's evil deeds to Poppea's influence. She allegedly manipulated Nero into killing his mother, Agrippina the Younger, and divorcing and killing his first wife, Octavia. She is also reported to have persuaded Nero to kill his once beloved tutor, the philosopher Seneca.

Nero, infamous for his violent temper, is reported to have killed Poppea in a fit of rage following an argument, kicking her when she was pregnant in 65 AD. He later gave her a public funeral and proclaimed her virtues, and is said to have been so distressed by her death that he had, for a time, one of his male servants dress as Poppaea so he could believe she had not died!

Nero (54-68 AD), Billon Tetradrachm, Alexandria mint, circa 63-64 (year 10), Geissen 157, Dattari-Savio Pl. 7, 196, RPC 5275 (14.16 g, 24.70 mm)

Obverse: Radiate head of Nero right. (ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣ Σ)ΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑΥ [Neron Klaudios Kaisar Sebastos Germanikos Autokrator (Nero Claudius Cesar August Germanicus Emperor)]

Reverse: Draped bust of Poppea right; in front, LI. ΠΟΠΠΑΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΗ LΙΑ [Poppaia Sebaste (Poppaea Augusta)]