Quinquennial Neronia

The quinquennial Neronia was a massive Greek-style festival created by the Roman Emperor Nero. It consisted of three parts: first music, oratory and poetry, second gymnastics and the last horseriding.

These games followed a tradition set by Julius Caesar and Augustus of having celebratory games to mark the anniversary of their reign.

The Neronia were a quinquennial event, which in this case wasn't counted inclusively but exclusively as the event took place every five years. The first Neronia was held in 60, 6 years after Nero's accession in 54, the second in 65. Nero's death and damnatio memoriae prevented a third installment.

References

• Suetonius, The Lives of Twelve Caesars, Life of Nero 12
• Tacitus, "Life of Lucanus", The Lives of the Poets
• Annals XIV.20 and XVI.2, and Cassius Dio, Roman History LXI.21.