BBC News Online: World: Europe

Picture gallery: Nero's palace

Now, 18 years after the risk of collapse forced the palace's closure to tourists, the emperor's residence, has been re-opened for all to admire.

Frescoes can be seen on the ceiling of the newly restored Domus Aurea in Rome's archaeological site.

The restored fresco at the centre of the vault of the room, called Achilles at Sciro, depicts Achilles among Licomede's daughters choosing among the weapons which Ulysses took to him to persuade him to fight in the Trojan war.

In one of the most important frescoes, Ulysses, on the left, is shown offering a cup of wine to mythological cyclops Polyphemus.

Emperor Nero spent the last months of his life here before committing suicide in 68AD.

Relevant Stories

Golden days for Nero's palace (24 Jun 99 | Europe)
Y2K latest: Avoid Italy (15 Feb 99 | Europe)

Internet Links

Italian Culture Ministry (in Italian)

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

In this section

Violence greets Clinton visit
Russian forces pound Grozny
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Next steps for peace
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Vodafone takeover battle heats up (From Business)
Trans-Turkish pipeline deal signed
French party seeks new leader
Jube tube debut
Athens riots for Clinton visit
UN envoy discusses Chechnya in Moscow
Solana new Western European Union chief
Moldova's PM-designate withdraws
Chechen government welcomes summit
In pictures: Clinton's violent welcome
Georgia protests over Russian 'attack'
UN chief: No Chechen 'catastrophe'
New arms control treaty for Europe
Mannesmann fights back (From Business)
EU fraud -- a billion-dollar bill
New moves in Spain's terror scandal
EU allows labelling of British beef
UN seeks more security in Chechnya
Athens riots for Clinton visit
Russia's media war over Chechnya
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Analysis: East-West relations must shift