Portrait of Octavia, wife of Nero

This portrait bust depicts Octavia, first wife of the notoriously cruel emperor Nero. Historian Tacitus described Octavia as “aristocratic and virtuous” and she was widely admired by the Roman citizenry. Unfortunately for her, Nero lost interest soon after their marriage. After divorcing and banishing Octavia from Rome, he ordered that she be put to death in a forced suicide ritual.