WHO IS THIS MAN?

See if you can identify whose face this is:

Seems familiar? The pictures below show how the compilation was done:

Of course, it's Clinton. And the other face is from a statue of Nero. Given that Clinton has lost weight recently and his face is not now so heavy, and that my picture of him was from a clip that had already been cropped (and thus is probably not entirely accurate as to the jawline, etc.) - it's still a pretty good match, I think you'll agree.

Don't take this too seriously. But it's a curious fact that Clinton's face is near identical to that of Nero (AD 37-68), fifth emperor of Rome from 54-68AD.

THE STORY OF NERO

Nero is recorded as one of the worst Emperors that Rome endured. His rise to power is littered with scandals and murders. In 59AD he became besotted with a woman and when his own mother opposed the affair, he killed her.

Nero had few morals and took to bed anyone he fancied. He scandalised Rome by "the shamelessness of his vices and his extravagances". He thought of himself as intellectual and musical, and a religious mystic, and would bore anyone within range by playing musical instruments. The most famous story connected to Nero is that he "fiddled while Rome burned". Whether this is true or not, it certainly illustrates his character - self-centred, ruthless, and unconcerned with the common people.

The story refers to the Great Fire of Rome in AD64 when half the city burnt to the ground. Nero seemed to have enjoyed the thrill of it all, and cared little about the city or the people. Afterwards, when his popularity plummeted, he tried to salvage his reputation by blaming the Christians, and used their bodies as flaming torches to illuminate his gardens.

He eventually sheltered the homeless, however, and rebuilt the city taking measures against fire. But his building programmes, like the lavish performances and free grain he provided for the populace, were financed by plundering Italy and the provinces.

It was said that nobody was truly safe while Nero ruled, for men who posed any kind of threat or challenge to the Emperor, or men whose wealth or wife the Emperor coveted, had a habit of disappearing mysteriously.

Nero grew more and more unpopular, but while he was firmly established as Emperor there was nothing the people could do. He did as he pleased. Meanwhile, the empire was in turmoil. Nero established Armenia as a buffer state against Parthia, but only after a costly, unsuccessful war.

Revolts broke out in Britain (60-61) and in Judaea (66-70). In 65 Gaius Calpurnius Piso led a conspiracy against Nero; 18 of the 41 prominent Romans implicated in the plot perished.

In 68 the Gallic and Spanish legions, together with the Praetorian Guards, rebelled against Nero, forcing him to flee Rome. Declared a public enemy by the Senate, he committed suicide on June 9, 68.

Some Christians of that day, fiercely persecuted by Nero, believed him to be the antichrist. When he died, some said Nero would rise again. Maybe, in a strange sort of way, he has?

AN ALTERNATIVE IMAGE OF NERO

This bust is from the Musei Capitolini, Rome.

Contrasting with the younger Nero of the above statue, this shows Nero as an older man with heavy jowls. His face displays the dissoluteness of his nature.