Ionia, Smyrna. Tiberius, 14-37 AD. AE 17mm - Petronius, Nero's "arbiter of good taste" Historic Coin

Ionia, Smyrna. Tiberius, 14-37 AD. AE 17mm (2.93g). Hieronymos, magistrate, under the proconsulship of Petronius. Struck 29-35 AD. ΤΙΒΕΡΙΟC CΕΒΑCΤΟC, laureate head right / ZΜΥΡΝΑΙWΝ ΙΕΡWΝΥΜΟC, garlanded flaming altar.

RPC 2470; BMC p. 268, 265; SNG Cop. 1336-1337; SNG v. Aul. 2200. VF.

Titus Petronius Niger was proconsul in Bithynia, and then consul in 61 AD. In 66 AD, he committed suicide after a long illness resulting from a dissolute life, but also because he fell out of favor with Nero. Most who lost Nero's favor also had mysterious accidents that cost them their lives. Petronius was considered a refined pleasure seeker, and a man of much energy and ability.  He became the "arbiter of good taste" during Nero's reign, and determined what was beautiful and delicate. In 66 AD, Petronius mocked Tigellinus in his Satyricon, and Tigellinus turned Nero against Petronius with unfounded rumors as a means of retaliation.  Feeling somewhat hopeless, Petronius decided to commit suicide.  His will was a document that denounced the imperial vices with names of his accomplices.  Tiberius Claudius Hieronymus is a known magistrate of Smyrna, although no details are apparently known about his life.