Nero was a Roman emperor known for his persecution of Christians and rumored to have “played” during the Great Fire of Rome. His reign was noted for diplomatic success and cultural growth, but also for ruthless measures, including executing his mother and rivals. He became popular with the poor for his administrative policies, but disliked by the upper class. Nero responded to the aftermath of the Great Fire with relief efforts and reconstruction of the city, but blamed Christians for the tragedy and subjected them to widespread and brutal public torture. His reign ended in 68 following rebellion and he committed suicide.
Nero was emperor of Rome from 54 to 68 AD He became famous for his persecution of Christians in the Empire and for the rumor that he “played” during the Great Fire of Rome. As with many Roman emperors, early historical sources are unreliable and it is difficult to separate fact from rumor. Although Nero’s name became synonymous with tyranny and decadence, his reign was also noted for diplomatic success and cultural growth.
Nero was born Lucio Domizio Enobarbo on 15 December 37 in Anzio. He was the nephew of the current emperor, Caligula. Lucius’ father died when he was three, and Caligula soon afterward exiled Lucius’ mother Agrippina and sent the child to be raised by an aunt.
Although Lucius was not considered a possible heir to the Empire in his childhood, his fortunes changed after Caligula’s death in 41. Claudius, who succeeded to the throne, adopted Lucius in 50 and changed his name to Nero. Older than Claudius’ only natural son, the boy was proclaimed an adult and appointed to the Senate the following year and began to be groomed for the throne. At the age of 16, he became the youngest Roman emperor after the death of Claudius. During his early reign, he was heavily influenced by his mother Agrippina, his tutor Seneca the Younger, and the praetorian prefect Burrus.
Beginning in 55, Nero consolidated his power through ever more ruthless measures. He executed his mother in 59 and Burrus died in 62, some speculate by poisoning. Seneca was accused of embezzlement and withdrew from public life.
In 62 Nero also divorced and exiled his wife, Octavia, and remarried Poppaea Sabina, who was already carrying his child. Octavia returned to Rome later in the year, but she was executed soon after. Nero executed a succession of his rivals and detractors over the next year and slowly began limiting the power of the Senate.
The political highlight of Nero’s career was the Roman-Parthian war of 58-63. War broke out in the disputed area of Armenia, a Roman vassal kingdom which overthrew their Roman prince for a Parthian in 55. Nero was able both to put down the initial Parthian invasion in 58 and to negotiate peace in 63. According to the peace agreement, a Parthian prince would hold the Armenian throne, but had to be approved by the Roman government. Peace between Rome and Parthia on these terms continued for 50 years.
Nero’s administrative policies made him popular with the poor, but disliked by senators, the nobility and the upper class. He lowered taxes for the poor; he put limits on fines and lawyers’ fees; invested in a large amount of public construction, especially after the Great Fire of 64; and veto laws limiting the rights of freedmen and slaves. During Nero’s reign, government officials were frequently impeached and removed from office following allegations of corruption. The emperor was also known for his love of public theater and sporting events, another quality that appealed to the poor. In addition to putting on many public spectacles, Nero often performed in them as a singer, actor and charioteer.
Although Nero is remembered for “fiddling while Rome burned” in July 64, he responded to the aftermath of the Great Fire with relief efforts and reconstruction of the city. No one knows what caused the fire and Nero was originally a scapegoat. However, he soon found a new scapegoat for the tragedy: the Christians, at that time a small and unpopular religious sect in Rome.
Under Nero, Christians suffered widespread and brutal public torture. The emperor became the first persecutor of Christians, which contributed to his reputation as a ruthless tyrant in the following centuries. Christian legend also holds that he was responsible for the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, two of the most important figures in early Christianity. Some early Christians, as well as some modern biblical scholars, believed that Nero was the Antichrist described in the Book of Revelation.
Nero’s reign ended in 68 following the rebellion of the governors of the Roman provinces against his fiscal policies. He was taxing the provinces heavily to pay for his building projects, which some considered extravagant. Nero was declared a public enemy in 68 and Galba, governor in Hispania, was declared emperor.
The praetorian prefect, another aspirant to the throne, bribed the praetorian guard, the personal guards of the emperor, to betray Nero. Instead of fleeing, Nero committed suicide shortly before his capture. His reign was followed by civil war and political chaos.
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