In Ancient Rome, Emporer Nero (of "Nero fiddled as Rome burned" fame - on a side note, it is still unclear exactly what instrument he was playing at that moment, if it even happened, as the fiddle was several hundred years away from invention) is said to have been quite an accomplished and passionate musician.
Unfortunately this is usually overshadowed by his politics, his misdeeds, and this neat little quote. Nero instituted musical competitions in which he himself competed, and was known to become anxious over the results. Nero even made "tours" into Greece in order to gain a wider audience. (Caligula, before him, also sought artistic recognition and performed as both singer and dancer).
He was rather accomplished on the "cithara", and with it, entered these public competitions. In fact, Nero even had coins made of himself disguised as a cithara player - these coins still exist in the British Museum. For what it's worth, Nero also was also quite a singer, and received singing lessons. Just well known he was exactly, I cannot say.
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