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Emperor Nero Essay

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"He who fiddled while Rome burned." This phrase has become synonymous with the infamous emperor Nero, a man whose reign was marked by both grand accomplishments and devastating failures. But who was Nero, really? Was he truly the ruthless tyrant that history has painted him to be, or was he a victim of circumstance and bad press? As we delve into the life and legacy of Nero, we will explore the complex and controversial figure who ruled the Roman Empire during the first century AD. From his early years as a child emperor to his downfall and eventual death, Nero's story is one of power, ambition, and ultimately, tragedy. Despite his many flaws and the scandals that plagued his reign, Nero was a significant figure in Roman history, leaving behind …show more content…

He was the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a prominent Roman politician, and Agrippina the Younger, who was the sister of the emperor Caligula and the daughter of Germanicus. Nero's father died when he was young, and he was raised by his mother, who was determined to secure the imperial throne for her son. Nero received a thorough education in literature, music, and oratory, and was trained in the arts of war and government. He was also tutored by some of the most prominent scholars of the time, including the philosopher Seneca, who would later become his advisor. Despite his privileged upbringing and education, Nero's childhood was marked by conflict and strife, as his mother and other members of the imperial court jostled for power and …show more content…

He was suspected of ordering the murder of his own mother, and was known for executing or exiling political rivals and members of the Senate. He also ordered the persecution of early Christians, which led to the martyrdom of many followers of the faith. Despite these negative aspects, Nero's influence and importance in Roman history cannot be denied. Suetonius's famous quote "Nero was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the first of the Five Good Emperors" is a testament to his importance in Roman

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Agrippina was the mother of Nero and stepmother to Britannicus, this meant that she had a duty to care and nurture them. When Claudius fell ill late in his reign, Agrippina used this opportunity to boost Nero’s popularity. She was also able to persuade Claudius and the senate that Nero was perfectly capable of taking over the administration of the empire when Claudius died. Agrippina had the support from some of Claudius’ freedmen, particularly Pallas, since Claudius had a large amount of trust placed upon these two individuals, they worked together and influenced Claudius, persuading him into agreeing or committing to acts that would benefit Agrippina. Overall, Agrippina played an essential role in the reign of Claudius, her Julio-Claudian linage and influence improved and stablised his principate.

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288 Words | 2 Pages

Nero was just sixteen when the emperor Claudius died and was named as princeps after he bribed the Praetorian guards to secure his succession. Wary of any rival to his power, he ordered the execution of Britannicus, Claudius’ son with Messalina, as well as the exile Agrippina, his own mother. Nero’s first five years of reign were generally peaceful but he would soon sink to madness after this. He had his own mother killed, became increasingly corrupt, and wasted Rome’s tax money for his vices.

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Occupation: Emperor of Rome Born: December 15, 37 AD in Antium, Italy Died: June 9, 68 AD outside Rome, Italy Reign: October 13, 54 AD to June 9, 68 AD Best known for: One of the worst Emperors of Rome, legend has it he played the fiddle while Rome burned. Biography: Nero ruled Rome from 54 AD to 68 AD. He is one of the most notorious emperors of Rome and is known for executing anyone who didn't agree with him, including his mother.

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583 Words | 3 Pages

Ti. Claudius Nero Germanicus Claudius had many different things that he was achieving during his reign, he expanded the empire, had judicial and legislative affairs, did public works. He did a lot while he was in reign, he had invaded Britain and he had expanded Rome. He had a personal interest in laws so he wuld preside at public trials, and issued up to twenty edicts a day.

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1122 Words | 5 Pages

A. He is secondly most known for his countless murders even if there was no reason at all. His mother went to the extent of “insulting her own son and attempting to seduce him” for four years until he devised a plan to murder her in 59 AD (“Nero” 2-3). As Claudius’ natural son Britannicus should have been first up to become emperor, Nero saw him as a threat so he “was poisoned February 11, 55” as Nero claimed he was “having an epileptic seizure” (Scarre 51).

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635 Words | 3 Pages

He was very social with the emperors of surrounding lands and would often give them gifts. But all of these good deeds did not make up for the atrocities he committed beforehand. Nero’s family was known for being very harsh and he carried on this trait. He created brutal games for public amusement, often involving senators and high ranking officials competing in fights against animals. Nero loved money and he would create new laws that give him more money, and would often put Rome in debt.

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1494 Words | 6 Pages

Nero ruled over Rome for 15 years and only after the first 5 years did he begin to display lunacy. Nero seen as the patron of Arts (in Rome) and throughout his reign it was noted that he “enjoyed singing and performing to some of his close friends, relatives and associates.” He was feared for his ‘violent and unpredictable fits of rage” in which he had killed his won mother, first wife and many wealthy aristocrats. Modern historian Ken Webb and ancient historian Tacitus agree that “with the mounting pressure he faced due to the financial situation, his behavior become even more erratic.” Nero started to do seemingly outrageous things to attempt to please the senate and the citizens of Rome, such as burning Christians publicly in the Roman Coliseum.

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980 Words | 4 Pages

Nero’s mother kept him grounded and without her, no one was able to control Nero. Furthermore, Nero and Octavia’s marriage was falling apart due to the fact that Octavia was unable to conceive a child. After failing to strangle her, Nero has her imprisoned and executed for adultery. That same year, still in need of an heir, Nero married his second wife, Poppaea Sabina. This time they were able to conceive and Poppaea Sabina gave birth to a girl.

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354 Words | 2 Pages

There are really two sides of Nero, because he poisoned Britannicus for doing him wrong, he killed Christians in many ways, he beheaded them, burned them at the stake, crucifixion, Christian victims were even dressed to reenact the deaths of mythical beings, like Hercules burned on a pyre and Icarus fell from the sky, also he had loins and wild beast come and eat them alive, some were put upon a stake and covered in pitch and set on fire to light his garden at night, and he put a stake in some Christians recdum and let them slowly slide down the stake to eventually kill them and not to mention he did while he was eating(Funtriva, Nero; MyInterestingFacts 10 Interesting Nero

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1689 Words | 7 Pages

This is controversial as there was no backing evidence to show he started it, but we can see from the quotes of primary sources which reflect that he was unpopular. He showed his pragmatic and caring side in the short term when he took control and ordered the emergency measures to be put into place to help the Roman citizens who had been affected by the fire. He had even opened up his own palace as a shelter for the displaced and constructed new building codes to be put into place. He displayed his selfish personality when he built his new palace, the Domus Aureas, as he used land that did not belong to him as well as depleting money which caused him to steal from churches. As mounting suspicions arose about the fire with some suggesting Nero had started it, Nero had decided to use the Christians as scapegoats in order to save his own reputation.

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806 Words | 4 Pages

He set Rome ablaze and used the Christians as scapegoats. He accused them of arson and persecuted many by burning them alive or allowing dogs to tear them to pieces (Lunn-Rockliffe). Emperor Diocletian (284-305) was also notorious for the persecution of Christians. A fire broke out in his palace which caused him great anger. Like the Romans did to the Christians when Nero was in rule, they blamed them for the fire.

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962 Words | 4 Pages

The virtue of many of those who were killed by Nero during his reign is shown by their honourable, calm deaths, with Seneca and Tharesa Paetus making powerful statements with their dignified deaths, compared to the scene that Nero made on stage. The symbolism suggests that the moral of Rome bowed out quietly in a dignified manner as befitting good Romans while their Emperor continued to make a fool of himself on stage and bring Rome into disrupt and

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1255 Words | 6 Pages

Julius Caesar was a Powerful Roman politician and general, who served as a god to the Romans. He played a key role in the events that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman empire. His reign from 49 B.C to 44 B.C illustrated his dominance in controlling a commanding army and ruling a nation. Many historians have different opinions on Caesar's command. Some saw him as a leader for the people, whereas others saw him as a man searching for power and power alone.

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Julius Caesar was the Dictator of Rome in 42 BC who accomplished many things. Many people believed that he was a hero, but Julius Caesar was a very ambitious dictator and was more of a villain than a hero. Julius Caesar was a villain because he didn’t think first before doing something, he forced the Senate to name him dictator for life and he also was a glory hound and put his needs before the republic. To begin with, Julius Caesar was a was a glory hound and put his needs before the republic. Caesar used his power as dictator more towards his advantage instead of helping the people in Rome.

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“If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it”- Julius Caesar, the man who is known as one of the most fascinating political figures of all time. The one who through his military genius, expanded the Roman Republic to include parts of what are now Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. Although the hero had many followers and admirers, he was ultimately stabbed to death by his own fellow politicians. Caesar was born in July, 100 B.C.E to Gaius Caesar and Aurelia. The family claimed a noble history but hadn’t produced many influential people till then.

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