Head and Torso of a Roman Emperor,
probably Nero
Greco-Roman Period, Roman Empire, reign of Nero, AD 54-68
Marble
Musée du Louvre E 27418
cat. no. 30

For the Romans, Egypt was a strategic area and a source of grain. They never settled the country like their Greek predecessors, but sent only garrisons. Meanwhile in Rome, Egyptian motifs became popular and were thought to be exotic. The emperor Nero, who appears here in the guise of pharaoh, doubtless never set foot in Egypt.

This portrait is more Roman than Egyptian. The Egyptians rarely used marble, and the ruler's features lack any particularly Egyptian traits. Most un-Egyptian of all, the nemes-headdress (once topped by a Double Crown) is worn high on the forehead allowing a few curls of hair to protrude.