The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

332 FREDK. A. WALTERS.
to his own satisfaction ;
ing on his coins triumphs
and his preference for record-
of this nature rather than
political achievements is to be remarked on such types
as the Decursio, Nero as Apollo, and the Quinquen-
nalian games. According to Suetonius, Nero c. xxv :
*
on his return from Greece, arriving at Naples, because
he had commenced his career as a public performer in
this city, he made his entrance in a chariot drawn by
white horses through a breach in the city wall, accord-
ing to the practice of those who were victorious in the
sacred Grecian games. In the same manner he entered
Antium, Alba, and Rome. He made his entry into the
City riding in the same chariot in which Augustus had
triumphed, in a purple tunic, and a cloak embroidered
with golden stars, having on his head the crown worn
at Olympia, and in his right hand that which was
given him at the Pythian games ;
the rest being carried
in a procession before him, with inscriptions denoting
the places where they had been won, from whom, and
in what plays or musical performances
'
According
to Merivale this pageant took place either in
December 67 or January 68. Mr. G. F. Hill believes
that he recognizes in the composition of the wreath
worn by Nero the bay, olive, and pine respectively
representing the Delphian, Olympian,
and Isthmian
games, and it seems highly probable that my coin
commemorates his return from Greece, and the extra-
vagant pageants it. accompanying I am indebted to
the Rev. E. A. Sydenham for the foregoing suggested
explanation of this remarkable type. During his visit
to Greece Nero was present at Delphi and the Isthmus,
as well as at the Olympian games.
The coin was, I believe, found in Rome itself within