The Nerva-Antonines in Copenhagen

The NY Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen has a spectacular imperial Roman sculpture gallery. Their collection of portraits of the members of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty is particularly impressive.

The Nerva–Antonine dynasty was a dynasty of seven Roman Emperors who ruled from 96 AD to 192 AD. These Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, and Commodus.

• Nerva (ruled 96 – 98 AD)

Nerva, from Rome, AD 96-98, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Nerva?, beginning of 2nd century AD, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Trajan (ruled 98 – 117 AD)
  

Statue of Trajan, from Rome, AD 98-117, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Bust of Trajan, from the Baths of Caracalla, Rome, AD 98-117, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Head of Trajan, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Head of Trajan, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Hadrian (ruled 117 – 138 AD)
  

Hadrian, from Rome, 125-138 AD, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Head of Hadrian, from Italy, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Empress Sabina, wife of Hadrian
  

The Empress Sabina, wife of Hadrian, c. AD 128, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

The Empress Sabina, wife of Hadrian, from Ostia, c. AD 117-118, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Antinous, favorite of Hadrian

Antinous as Dionysus, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Antinous, shortly after 130 AD, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Antoninus Pius (ruled 138 – 161 AD)

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Antoninus Pius, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Empress Faustina the Elder, wife of Antoninus Pius

• Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161 – 180 AD)

Marcus Aurelius, from the Mausoleum of Hadrian, Rome, AD 170-180, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Marcus Aurelius, from Tusculum near Rome, AD 144-145, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Empress Faustina the Younger, wife of Marcus Aurelius

The Empress Faustina the Younger, wife of Marcus Aurelius, AD 162, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

The Empress Faustina the Younger, wife of Marcus Aurelius, from Tarsos (Asia Minor), mid 2nd century AD, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Lucius Verus (ruled 161 – 169 AD)

Lucius Verus, c. AD 160-170, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen

Young Lucius Verus, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen

• Commodus (ruled 177 – 192 AD)

Young Commodus, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

Commodus, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen © Carole Raddato

• Empress Crispina, wife of Commodus

In the view of Dio Cassius, Commodus’ accession marked the descent “from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust” (Dio 72.36.4) – a famous comment which has led some historians, notably Edward Gibbon, to take Commodus’ reign as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire.