Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar) (nēr`ō), A.D. 37–A.D. 68, Roman emperor (A.D. 54–A.D. 68). He was originally named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus and was the son of Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (consul in A.D. 32) and of Agrippina the Younger Agrippina the Younger, d. A.D. 59, Roman matron; daughter of Germanicus Caesar and Agrippina the Elder. By her first husband, Cneius Domitius Ahenobarbus, she was the mother of Nero .
..... Click the link for more information. , who was the great-granddaughter of Augustus. Agrippina married (A.D. 49) Claudius I Claudius I (Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus) (klôd`ēəs), 10 B.C.–A.D. 54, Roman emperor (A.D. 41–A.D.
..... Click the link for more information. and persuaded him to adopt Nero. In A.D. 55, Agrippina saw the bonds of her domination of Nero loosening and intrigued in favor of Claudius' son, Britannicus, but Nero poisoned the boy. Poppaea Sabina Poppaea Sabina (pŏpē`ə səbī`nə), d. A.D. 65, Roman empress, wife of Nero .
..... Click the link for more information. , the wife of his friend Otho Otho, Marcus Salvius (ō`thō), A.D. 32–A.D. 69, Roman emperor (Jan.–April, A.D. 69).
..... Click the link for more information. , became his mistress; according to rumor she was to blame for the worst of Nero's behavior. In A.D. 59 he murdered his mother and in A.D. 62, his wife Octavia. He later married Poppaea. When half of Rome was burned in a fire (A.D. 64), Nero accused the Christians of starting it and began the first Roman persecution. In A.D. 65 there was a plot to make Caius Calpurnius Piso emperor. The detection of this plot began a string of violent deaths, e.g., of Seneca, Lucan, and Thrasea Paetus. Nero had ambitions to be a poet and artist. In A.D. 68 a series of revolts, including one by his own Praetorian Guard, caused him to commit suicide. Among his last words were, "What an artist the world is losing in me!" His memory was publicly execrated.
(born Dec. 15, AD 37, Antium, Latium—died June 9, 68, Rome) Roman emperor (54–68). He was adopted by Claudius when the emperor married Nero's mother, Agrippina the Younger, and took the throne after Claudius died. He was guided by his tutor, Seneca, and by Agrippina until he murdered her and broke free of his advisers. By respecting the Senate and leaving imperial administration alone, he became popular in the east, but Boudicca's revolt in Britain (61), unemployment, and contempt for his frivolousness and excesses caused dissatisfaction. In 64 a fire, possibly lit at his orders, destroyed much of Rome; he persecuted the Christians as scapegoats and proceeded to build a garish palace, the Domus Aurea, on lands that had been privately held. With his reign in decline, he murdered his wife, Octavia, as well as her successor, Poppaea, ordered Seneca to kill himself, and executed senators who criticized him. Revolts in Gaul and Spain were led by Galba, who was declared emperor by his army. Nero came to be regarded as mad, giving public lyre and theatrical performances to the disgust of his subjects. Condemned by the Senate, he chose suicide over execution.
Nero
..... Click the link for more information. , who was the great-granddaughter of Augustus. Agrippina married (A.D. 49) Claudius I Claudius I (Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus) (klôd`ēəs), 10 B.C.–A.D. 54, Roman emperor (A.D. 41–A.D.
..... Click the link for more information. and persuaded him to adopt Nero. In A.D. 55, Agrippina saw the bonds of her domination of Nero loosening and intrigued in favor of Claudius' son, Britannicus, but Nero poisoned the boy. Poppaea Sabina Poppaea Sabina (pŏpē`ə səbī`nə), d. A.D. 65, Roman empress, wife of Nero .
..... Click the link for more information. , the wife of his friend Otho Otho, Marcus Salvius (ō`thō), A.D. 32–A.D. 69, Roman emperor (Jan.–April, A.D. 69).
..... Click the link for more information. , became his mistress; according to rumor she was to blame for the worst of Nero's behavior. In A.D. 59 he murdered his mother and in A.D. 62, his wife Octavia. He later married Poppaea. When half of Rome was burned in a fire (A.D. 64), Nero accused the Christians of starting it and began the first Roman persecution. In A.D. 65 there was a plot to make Caius Calpurnius Piso emperor. The detection of this plot began a string of violent deaths, e.g., of Seneca, Lucan, and Thrasea Paetus. Nero had ambitions to be a poet and artist. In A.D. 68 a series of revolts, including one by his own Praetorian Guard, caused him to commit suicide. Among his last words were, "What an artist the world is losing in me!" His memory was publicly execrated.
Bibliography
See biography by M. Griffin, Nero: The End of a Dynasty (1985).
Nero
in full Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus (or Drusus) Germanicus orig. Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus)
Nero, portrait bust; in the Roman National Museum, Rome.
(credit: Anderson—Alinari from Art Resource, New York)
Nero
full name Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus; original name Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. 37--68 ad, Roman emperor (54--68). He became notorious for his despotism and cruelty, and was alleged to have started the fire (64) that destroyed a large part of Rome
Nero
coarse, conceited, brutal emperor of Rome (37–68). [Polish Lit.: Quo Vadis, Magill I, 797–799]
See : Brutality
Nero
(A.D. 37–68) hated as Roman emperor; led life of debauchery. [Rom. Hist.: NCE, 1909]
See : Debauchery
Nero
(37–68) Roman Emperor who is reported to have fiddled while Rome burned. [Rom. Hist.: Misc.]
See : Indifference
Nero
(37–68) demented Roman emperor; initiated persecutions against the Christians. [Rom. Hist.: NCE, 1909]
See : Ruthlessness
Nero
(37–68) emperor said to have fiddled while Rome burned (64). [Rom. Hist.: Misc.]
See : Violin
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