Quinquennial Neronia
Encyclopedia
The quinquennial Neronia was a massive Greek
-style festival created by Nero
. The festival was in three parts. The first was music
, oratory
and poetry
, the second was gymnastics
, and the third was riding
. It was held twice—once in 60
and once in 65
These games followed a tradition set by Julius Caesar
and Augustus
of having celebratory games to mark the anniversary of their reign.
Timing of the quinquennial Neronia has puzzled historians. "Quinquennial" literally means "every five" but in practice means every four. Romans counted things inclusively. So between 1 and 5, there are 4 years. Additionally, being a Greek festival, a four-year cycle is consistent with customs.
Yet, the quinquennial Neronia took place in 60
, 6 years after Nero's rise to power in 54
and then again in 65
, 5 years after that.
The quinquennial Neronia is mentioned in Suetonius
, The Lives of Twelve Caesars Life of Nero 12 and The Lives of the Poets Life of Lucanus, Tacitus
, Annals XIV.20 and XVI.2, and Cassius Dio, Roman History LXI.21.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
-style festival created by Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
. The festival was in three parts. The first was music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, the second was gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, and the third was riding
Riding
A riding is an administrative jurisdiction or electoral district, particularly in several current or former Commonwealth countries.-Word history:...
. It was held twice—once in 60
60
Year 60 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Afer...
and once in 65
65
Year 65 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nerva and Vestinus...
These games followed a tradition set by Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
and Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
of having celebratory games to mark the anniversary of their reign.
Timing of the quinquennial Neronia has puzzled historians. "Quinquennial" literally means "every five" but in practice means every four. Romans counted things inclusively. So between 1 and 5, there are 4 years. Additionally, being a Greek festival, a four-year cycle is consistent with customs.
Yet, the quinquennial Neronia took place in 60
60
Year 60 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Afer...
, 6 years after Nero's rise to power in 54
54
Year 54 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lentulus and Marcellus...
and then again in 65
65
Year 65 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nerva and Vestinus...
, 5 years after that.
The quinquennial Neronia is mentioned in Suetonius
Suetonius
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius , was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era....
, The Lives of Twelve Caesars Life of Nero 12 and The Lives of the Poets Life of Lucanus, Tacitus
Tacitus
Publius Cornelius Tacitus was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors...
, Annals XIV.20 and XVI.2, and Cassius Dio, Roman History LXI.21.