01 logo

Nero (37 AD – 68 AD) – The fifth emperor of Rome, who is infamous for his tyranny and for the persecution of Christians full history

Nero (37 AD – 68 AD) – The fifth emperor of Rome, who is infamous for his tyranny and for the persecution of Christians full history

By salamanPublished about a year ago 3 min read
Like
Nero (37 AD – 68 AD) – The fifth emperor of Rome, who is infamous for his tyranny and for the persecution of Christians full history

Nero (37 AD – 68 AD) – The fifth emperor of Rome, who is infamous for his tyranny and for the persecution of Christians full history

Nero was the fifth emperor of Rome, and he ruled from 54 AD to 68 AD. Nero was born on December 15, 37 AD, in Antium, Italy. He was the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, the sister of Emperor Caligula. Nero's father died when he was just two years old, and his mother remarried the emperor Claudius, who adopted Nero as his own son.

Nero became emperor at the age of 16 after the death of his stepfather, Claudius. He initially had a good relationship with the Roman Senate and the people of Rome, but his reign soon turned tyrannical. Nero was known for his extravagance, and he spent lavishly on the arts and his personal pleasure. He also had a reputation for cruelty, and he was responsible for the deaths of many people, including his own mother and several of his wives.

One of the most infamous aspects of Nero's reign was his persecution of Christians. The exact extent of the persecution is debated by scholars, but it is generally agreed that Nero blamed the Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and used the fire as an excuse to persecute them. Nero ordered the arrest and execution of many Christians, and they were often tortured and killed in brutal ways, including being burned alive or torn apart by wild animals in public spectacles.

Nero's reign was also marked by several military campaigns. In 60 AD, Nero sent an army to suppress a rebellion in Britain, but the campaign was largely unsuccessful. In 66 AD, a Jewish revolt broke out in Judea, which Nero sent a general, Vespasian, to suppress. Vespasian was ultimately successful in defeating the rebels, and he would later become emperor himself.

Despite his many shortcomings, Nero was also known for his artistic and cultural contributions to Rome. He was a talented musician and poet, and he often performed in public. He sponsored the construction of several public buildings and monuments, including the Domus Aurea, a lavish palace complex that covered a large portion of Rome.

However, Nero's extravagance and cruelty eventually led to his downfall. In 68 AD, a rebellion broke out against Nero, led by the governor of Spain, Galba. The Roman Senate declared Nero a public enemy, and he was forced to flee Rome. He eventually committed suicide in June of that year, ending his reign and the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Despite his many accomplishments in the arts and culture, Nero is remembered primarily for his tyranny and his persecution of Christians. His reign was marked by cruelty and extravagance, and his legacy is a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked power.

Building a Great House

Whether Nero started the great fire or not, he did build a new palace in the area cleared by the fire. It was called the Domus Aurea. This huge palace covered over 100 acres inside the city of Rome. He had a 100 foot tall bronze statue of himself called the Colossus of Nero placed at the entrance.

Revolt and Death

In 68 AD, some of the provinces of Rome began to rebel against Nero. Afraid that the Senate would have him executed, Nero committed suicide with the help of one of his aides.

Interesting Facts About Roman Emperor Nero

His birth name was Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus.

Nero's two main political advisors were the prefect Burrus and the philosopher Seneca.

He killed his second wife, Poppaea, by kicking her in the belly.

One of his favorite things to do was drive a chariot. He may have competed in chariot races himself.

The year after Nero died is called the "Year of the Four Emperors." Four different emperors each ruled for a short time during the year.

vrvintagethought leaderstech newsstartupsocial mediaproduct reviewpop culturephotographymobilelistinterviewhow tohistoryhackersgadgetsfuturefact or fictioncybersecuritycryptocurrencybook reviewsapps
Like

About the Creator

salaman

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.