Plate 6: equestrian statue of Nero, seen from behind, the Great Fire of Rome in the background, from 'Roman Emperors on Horseback' 1582 - 1594

Adriaen Collaert etched this print of Nero's equestrian statue, set against the backdrop of the Great Fire of Rome. The laurel wreath adorning Nero's head, a symbol of victory and imperial power, echoes the wreaths seen on ancient Greek athletes and Roman emperors. Yet, here, it's juxtaposed against a city consumed by flames, turning the laurel into a twisted emblem of vanity amidst destruction. The equestrian statue, a classical symbol of leadership and control, here becomes an image of detachment, with Nero seemingly unmoved by the inferno behind him. This scene evokes deep psychological unease, a dissonance between outward authority and inner turmoil. The raging fire, a chaotic force, contrasts sharply with Nero's composed posture, highlighting the complex interplay between the individual and collective trauma. The cyclical nature of history brings such symbols back, charged with new, often contradictory, meanings that resonate through generations.