Nero

Ruled between 54 - 68

Background:

• Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor

• Nero was born in 37 A.D., the nephew of the emperor. 

• After his father’s death, his mother married his uncle and persuaded him to name Nero his successor.

• Nero took the throne at 17, rebuffed his mother’s attempts to control him, and had her killed.

• Nero was born as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina, who was the great-granddaughter of the emperor Augustus.

•  He was educated in the classical tradition by the philosopher Seneca and studied Greek, philosophy and rhetoric. 

Achievements 

• During his reign, Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade, and enhancing the cultural life of the Empire. 

• During his reign, the redoubtable general Corbulo conducted a successful war and negotiated peace with the Parthian Empire. 

• Nero annexed the Bosporan Kingdom to the Empire and began the First Roman–Jewish War.

• Until the year 59, Nero was described as a generous and reasonable leader. 

• He eliminated capital punishment, lowered taxes and allowed slaves to bring complaints against their masters.

• He supported the arts and athletics above gladiator entertainment and gave aid to other cities in crisis. 

• Although he was known for his nighttime frolicking, his actions were good-natured, if irresponsible and self-indulgent.

•  after Agrippina’s murder, Nero descended into a hedonic lifestyle that was marked not just by lavish self-indulgence but tyranny. He spent exorbitant amounts of money on artistic pursuits and around 59 A.D., began to give public performances as a poet and lyre player,

Cause of Death: 

• In 68, he committed suicide when the empire revolted.

Historical Significance 

• becoming an emperor at the age of 17 years old. 

• During his leadership, he enhanced the trade and cultural life of Romans. He also had a successful war through general Corbulo which resulted in peaceful negotiations with the Parthian Empire.
• used the peoples money to build a pleasure house for himself- after death, the people  buried it to forget about his reign.