NERO
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Nero, or to state his full name: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, was born on the 15th December AD 37 in Antium, a settlement close to Rome. Nero’s mother was Agrippa the Younger, the younger sister of the emperor, Claudius. She was exiled from Rome when Nero was a child. Nero’s father, Gnaeus, was described as a murderer and a cheat. He was charged with a number of crimes but escaped persecution because the Emperor Tiberius who had charged him, died before the trials took place. Gnaeus died when Nero was 2. Nero was adopted by Claudius, who was Nero’s great uncle.
As a result of the adoption by Claidus, Nero became Claudius’ heir and successor. Nero took the throne, and became emperor of Rome in AD 54. He reigned until AD 68. Although Nero set a number of policies in place that pleased the lower classes in Rome, he was not liked by the majority of the Roman population. Nero is reported to have been considered compulsive, extravagant and corrupt by many of the Roman people. It was said that Nero focused too much of his time and energy on enhancing the cultural life of the Empire as opposed to working on developing legislation, and such like. For example, Nero ordered many theatres to be built across the Roman Empire. |
Nero
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What is more is that it was also during Nero’s reign that the Great Fire of Rome occurred. The fire occurred in AD 64 and it destroyed much of the city. It was thought by many Romans that Nero started the fire himself in order to clear land for more construction. In addition during his reign he executed many people, including his mother, and potentially also his step brother. Finally, it was during Nero’s reign that the first Jewish-Roman war occurred.
Nero was driven from the thrown following a number of disputes, and a lack of respect. He was falsely told that he was to be executed, and out of fear Nero committed suicide on the 9th June AD 68. Nero was the first Roman Emperor to have killed himself. Nero’s death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Nero was driven from the thrown following a number of disputes, and a lack of respect. He was falsely told that he was to be executed, and out of fear Nero committed suicide on the 9th June AD 68. Nero was the first Roman Emperor to have killed himself. Nero’s death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.