Nero

Introduction

Nero
Roman Emperor
Bust of Nero
Reign	13 October 54 – 9 June 68
Full name	Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus
Born	12/15/37
Birthplace	Antium,
Died	9 June 68 (aged 30)
Place of death	Rome
Buried	Mausoleum of the Domitii Ahenobarbi, Rome
Predecessor	Claudius,
Successor	Galba
Consort	Claudia Octavia Poppaea Sabina Valeria Messalina
Issue	Claudia Augusta
Father	Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus
Mother	Agrippina the Younger

From almost the first sentence we know that Suetonius is not going to write a positive biography of Nero when he says

It appears to me proper to give a short account of several of the family, to show that Nero so far degenerated from the noble qualities of his ancestors, that he retained only their vices; as if those alone had been transmitted to him by his descent

But before Suetoniuas and Tacitus sink their teeth into Nero they at least describe in earlier years as enlightened. He was able to converse in Greek and Latin to the people of Rhodes and Bolognese. He was instructed in music, wrote verse and loved singing and acting. He likewise sang tragedies in a mask; the visors of the heroes and gods, as also of the heroines and goddesses, being formed into a resemblance of his own face, and that of any woman he was in love with. He promised to reign in the manner of Augustus and reduced many penalizing taxes as well as increasing the allowances of Senators. For the people he put on many gladiatorial, chariot races and stage plays at the Juvenal and Circensian games. Tacitus sums his up thus, although is was a poor speaker.. Nero from early boyhood turned his lively genius in other directions; he carved, painted, sang, or practised the management of horses, occasionally composing verses which showed that he had the rudiments of learning

Famously Emperor roman:Trajan would later eulogize that Nero's rule far excelled the government of all other emperors. Some other historians even put the years of good governance lasted through to AD62

In his dispensing of justice he seemed thoughtful. Never giving a ruling straight away but discussing with assessors and then delivering the verdict the next day without giving an indication as to whether this was the majority verdict. He had an enlightened view on architecture dictating that piazzas be built in front of houses to forestall the spread of fire, which is iroinc given the later events of AD64

It is not long before Suetonius and Tacitus in particular start extoling us with his vices. Suetonius sets this up beautifully Petulancy, lewdness, luxury, avarice, and cruelty, he practised at first with reserve and in private, as if prompted to them only by the folly of youth; but, even then, the world was of opinion that they were the faults of his nature, and not of his age

He would wander the streets in disguise, assault people, rob businesses and even got involved in a rock throwing spat in the theater where he seriously injured a praetor.

Like his predessor Caligula he squandered the money in the treasury for his own purposes. Examples are numerous yet Suetonius details one particular extravagance and one hopes that he was exaggerating in his description of the Golden House, which had a statue of Nero in the porch that was 120 feet high. The triple portico's were a mile in length and the eating rooms inlaid with ivory. The main banqueiting hall was circular and revolved in sync with the stars. He also suggested building a 160 mile long canal that was wide enough for five ships having bgeen told that the excavation would uncover the lost treasures of Dido. The treasures were never found and he soon ran out of money and defered the payment of soldiers.

The Death of Agrippina

It all started so well. It is said that the first watch word Nero gave his Praetorian Guard was Optima Mater or "Best of Mothers". She had her image etched on to coins alongside her son. She was the power behind the throne and at first Nero most likely went along with her direction. Why would a seventeen year old get bored with the tedious affairs of state when he can concentrate on exercising power in a flamboyant almost ceremonial role. Later on as he matured and looked for a wife did he want to draw the reigns of power back to himself and his inner circle? According to Tacitus she was forewarned by sages of her death at the hands of her son but hubristically retorted let him kill me but let him rule

Many of the accounts of the death of Agrippina were from writers who looked upon Nero unfavorably although that should not discount the accounts that we have from Tacitus, Suetonius and others. Apparently, there was bad blood between them and they had both separately concluded that the other should die or risk dying at the other's hands. In time Nero believed there was a conspiracy to murder him concocted by Agrippina who was to send Agerinus to dispatch him. The coup failed and Nero made plans to get rid of her before she had another opportunity to depose him. Alexis Dawson in her article What Ever Happened to Lady Agrippina accuses Tacitus of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story. It's true that it is a fascinating story, twisting and turning upon every fate.

To summarize,it goes something like this. After Agrippina's failed coup attempt, Nero throws a party for her (The feast of Minerva) and sends her on her way in the evening on a booby-trapped boat. The ceiling in her cabin is designed to cave in and being lined with lead it will, it is hoped, crush her and sink the boat. However, the falling ceiling fails to crush her as the couch breaks its fall. Some of the crew are in on the ruse and proceed to scupper the boat. Agrippina manages to swim out of the boat and then too safety on her island retreat at Bauli suffering only a shoulder wound. Various people on the shore then come to her rescue but she tells them to tell Nero not to worry and not to send help. Agrippina is not dull and she has figured out who is behind the plot. Despite her entreaties, Nero dispatches Anicetus and some soldiers who turn up at her house and kill her. "Smite my womb" is her ripost' but it is 22 years too late.

Of this account Dawson asserts that from beginning to end [they] are a farrago of lies and absurdities and she accuses Tacitus of moving around events to suit his narrative and create a compelling motive. The way that Tacitus tells it, Nero's mistress Poppaea Sabina (and Otho's wife) was begging him to marry her but Agrippina stood in the way. The concept here is that Poppaea talked Nero into murdering Agrippina, marry her and produce an heir. This indeed did happen but it was in AD62, three years after Agrippina's death. Unfortunately the baby survived only a few months. Suetonius, she believes, is a little more believable by setting the action in her country estate but finds the method of murder, a collapsing roof, risible. It is also thought unlikely that Poppaea would have been so forward with her plans when she was still married to Otho. However, once Otho is out the way governing Lusitania this plan take on a lot more credence

Alternatively, it was possible that she was traveling to the festival and conspiring with Otho to depose Nero when her shipped was accidentally rammed. As a back up plan Agerinus was sent to stab Nero but failed. She swam back to her estate and hearing news of the botched assassination attempt she took her own life before she could be arrested.

Although there are holes in Tacitus' account especially the role of Poppaea and the collapsing roof does sound like dramatic license, it is still possible that the events did take place but were a little more prosaic. Perhaps Nero was planning to murder her and was using the festival as cover. Perhaps her boat was accidentally rammed and she swam back to shore. And perhaps, upon Nero hearing intelligence of the event, hastily devised plan B and had Anicetus kill her whilst there was still confusion over the chronology of events.

Nero - Sex and Sexual Perversions

See also Caligula - Sex and Sexual Perversions

According to Suetonius, Nero believed that all men were lewd and crude and conducted a whole host of depravites, except they were succesful at concealing their vices. He would often forgive those who openingly admitted gross sexual impetunity. Examples of these acts can be found below.

• He would banquet in public in the Naumachia, waited on by prostitutes, and for his boat parties, he would have booths set up with

prostitutes, including noble women. He often supped in public, in the Naumachia, with the sluices shut, or in the Campus Martius, or the Circus Maximus, being waited upon at table by common prostitutes of the town, and Syrian strumpets and glee-girls. As often as he went down the Tiber to Ostia, or coasted through the gulf of Baiae, booths furnished as brothels and eating-houses, were erected

• Suestonius is a little more circumspect over his supposed incestuous relationship with his mother Agrippina saying only that he harboured incestuous thoughts.

he entertained an incestuous passion for his mother, but was deterred by her enemies Tacitus quotes Cluvius when he says that Agrippina offered herself to a drunken Nero as a way of maintaining her influence but goes on to say that it is unlikely that she would have initiated such a deed. she presented herself attractively attired to her half intoxicated son and offered him her person It was rumored that he and his mother Agrippina had an incestuous relationship When they rode in a litter together, they would get out with their clothing stained.

• Nero also married three men (Cass. Dio. 62.13.1–2; Orosius, Hist. 7.7.2). In 64, as the “wife” to a certain Pythagoras, Nero wore a bridal veil, took the auspices, gave a dowry,and, after a torch-lit procession, had a special wedding bed prepared (Tacitus, Ann.

15.37.4).

• Nero castrated a boy, Sporus, had him don the bridal veil and provide a dowry, and married him as his husband, giving rise

to a popular joke: it would have been better for us all had Nero’s father taken a similar wife. . He dressed him up as a princess and was often seen kissing him at the games. Another man he married as his “wife” was a freedman Doryphorus; on their wedding night Nero imitated the screams of a maiden being deflowered.

• The next example is equally at home in the Torture section below. Nero invented a new type of sexual gratification whereby be would don an animal skin and then taking on the pretense of a wild animal enter the arena and attack the genitals of men and women tied to stakes.

[He was]..let out of a den in the arena, covered with the skin of a wild beast, and then assail with violence the private parts both of men and women, while they were bound to stakes

Nero - Atrocities and Tortures

See also Caligula - Atrocities and Tortures He started his murderous journey early, starting with the involvement of Claudius' poisoning at seventeen. Later he tried to poison Britannicus on account of him having a better voice. He attempted to poison Britannicus, as much out of envy because he had a sweeter voice The woman he employed for this deed (Locusta, who accordinging to Tacitus poisoned Claudius' mushrooms) only gave Britannicus enough for him to vomit. She tried a stronger dose on a goat and a pig. After the successful trials it was tried on Britannicus who after one sip died on the spot.

As was mentioned above he would frequent flesh pots, rob shops and assulat woman ofter in disguise. On one occasion it was the wife of a senator who beat him half to death. Upon recognizing who the assialiment was be begged for mercy. However, he knew the writing was on the wall and he did away withn himself. Julius Montanus..repulsed his attack and then on recognizing him begged for mercy, as though this was a reproach, forced to destroy himself

It is well known or at least alleged that he had murdered his mother. See The Death of Agrippina but he also murdered his aunt. Already frail, when he visited her she said she wished to live as long to see him one day shave his boyish beard. He accommodated that wish by leaving the room and saying he would shave and then ordering the doctors to give her an overdose. He then seized her estate "May I but live to see the day when this is shaved for the first time, and I shall then die contented." He turned, however, to those about him, made a jest of it, saying, that he would have his beard immediately taken off, and ordered the physicians to give her more violent purgatives

• We should not forget the unfortunate Acerronia, companion of Agrippina. She was thrown form the boat during the attempted assassination of Agrippina. She being unaware that this was not an accidental shipwreck ironically called out in the dark saying she was Agrippina to save herself from drowning. Far from saving her the ship's crew battered her to death. thoughtlessly exclaiming that she was Agrippina, and imploring help for the emperor's mother, was despatched with poles and oars

• Nero’s first wife was Octavia, whom he divorced for barrenness, banished, and finally had put to death for adultery by bribing his praetorian prefect to confess to raping her

• He then married Poppaea Sabina, but kicked her when she was pregnant. She and the daughter she bore both later died. He then proposed to Antonia, daughter of Claudius, but she refused, and he had her killed.

Finally, he married Statilia Messalina, whose husband he had killed.

• Seneca, his tutor on account on Nero's jealously and becuase Seneca's name had been linked to a conspiracy. Seneca, his preceptor, he forced to kill himself though, upon his desiring leave to retire, and offering to surrender his estate, he solemnly swore, "that there was no foundation for his suspicions, and that he would perish himself sooner than hurt him."

• Christians on account of the alleged part in the Great Fire of Rome in AD65 who he had Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired . Possibly responsible for the murder of Peter and Paul buit not directly involved.

The one who escaped...Lucius Volusius on the other hand died with a glorious name. There was his long life of ninety-three years, his conspicuous wealth, honourably acquired, and his wise avoidance of the malignity of so many emperors

Nero, Britain and Boudacea

Now, however, Britain was in the hands of Suetonius Paulinus, who in military knowledge and in popular favour, which allows no one to be without a rival, vied with Corbulo

On the shore stood the opposing army with its dense array of armed warriors, while between the ranks dashed women, in black attire like the Furies, with hair dishevelled, waving brands. All around, the Druids, lifting up their hands to heaven, and pouring forth dreadful imprecations, scared our soldiers by the unfamiliar sight, so that, as if their limbs were paralysed, they stood motionless

Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, famed for his long prosperity, had made the emperor his heir along with his two daughters, under the impression that this token of submission would put his kingdom and his house out of the reach of wrong. But the reverse was the result, so much so that his kingdom was plundered by centurions, his house by slaves, as if they were the spoils of war. First, his wife Boudicea was scourged, and his daughters outraged

the king's relatives were made slaves. Roused by these insults and the dread of worse, reduced as they now were into the condition of a province, they flew to arms

Suetonius, however, with wonderful resolution, marched amidst a hostile population to Londinium, which, though undistinguished by the name of a colony

Those who were chained to the spot by the weakness of their sex, or the infirmity of age, or the attractions of the place, were cut off by the enemy. Like ruin fell on the town of Verulamium, for the barbarians, who delighted in plunder and were indifferent to all else

Nero and Christians

Nero was the first Emperor to systematically persecute Christians. Under Augustus Jews were respected if not openly courted. After Christ's death Christians were considered an ugly offshoot of Judaism but as they gained more influence they were seen as a distinct monotheistic cult from Judaism. It is here that the legendary stories of throwing Christians to the Lions was born. Early on in his biography of Nero, Suetonius implies he is not a great fan of Christians. Suetonius was still writing in an era before Emperor Constantine and converted to Christianity He likewise inflicted punishments on the Christians, a sort of people who held a new and impious superstition. . Beyond that Suetonius has little to say about Christians in Nero's rule. However, Tacitus takes up the persecution with descriptive relish relating how they were blamed for the great fire of Rome and were subsequently rounded up thrown to the lions or rolled in tar impaled on spikes and set fire to. So much so that their burning bodies would light up the night skies. It took hundreds of years before Christian writers put pen to paper to describe the persecution from their perspective and it is from these writers we get accounts of Nero murdering Paul and Peter.

It is difficult to surmise whether Nero singled out Christians as a particular threat. It is possible that they were just another non-Roman supporting cult that he could make an example out of that would have the support of the public. Tacitus was never very sympathetic to Christians and during the time that he was writing they would have been an greater thorn in the side of the Roman Empire

Nero Fiddling While Rome Burned

This is a reference to a devestating fire in AD64 that Nero watched while playing with his lyre. (fiddles did not exist in ancient Rome) Suetonius is quick to finger Nero as the culprit. He says that many servants of Nero were seen with torches setting light to buildings. he set the city on fire so openly, that many of consular rank caught his own household servants on their property with tow, and (368) torches in their hands, but durst not meddle with them .

He watched the fire from a house overlooking the fire as it raged for six days and seemed detached from its devestating effects. This fire he beheld from a tower in the house of Mecaenas, and "being greatly delighted," as he said, "with the beautiful effects of the conflagration," he sung a poem on the ruin of Troy . The motive according to Suetonius was to clear land close to his Golden House. After the fire it is said that he paid for the clean up out of his own expense but Suetonius believes he forbade people going back to their burnt properties so he could recoup the cost and more later. Suetonius in a little less than ten lines and moves on with only another oblique reference to his decree concerning building new houses with ample splace in front to prevent the spread of fire.

Cassius Dio add more colour to the account but is equalling keep to blame the followers of Nero, mentioning as way of a pretext that Nero had said that Priam had been lucky to see Troy burned to ashes. He gives us a little more description of the anquish od the citizens as their houses burned and family members perished. Cassius Dio also tells us that Nero dressed in lyre-players garb and sung a song about the destruction of Troy

Tacitus calls the fire a tragic accident that broke out in a densely built up area that included many shops. Many houses owned by Nero were also cuaght up in the conflagration in response he opened the grounds of the Campus Martius, Agrippina's gardens and even his own to the multitude. He also transported food from Ostia to feed the homeless. The gratitude the people felt for his munificence was tempered when it was rumoured that he had sung a song about the destruction of Troy while watching the buring city.

Nero diverted blame on a new monotheistic cult called Christians. Looking for a opportunity to persecute them some more he had them rounded up and tortured to death. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired

In fact, Nero was at his villa and town of his birth Antium about 35 miles away when the fire broke out. But he did make his way to Rome with his Lyre presumably, when news broke. Of course the 'fiddling while Rome burned' could just be a metaphor for being ineffective. Other historians both contemporary and revisionist make little reference to the fire. Perhaps they did not have access to the sources, or the fire was not quite as devestating as believed or possibly that fire was a constant danger and there were too many fires to warrant special attention in a history book.

Nero Vindex and Galba

Nero had escaped a coup earlier led by Gaius Piso. Although not directly led by Piso it comprised a group of senators who chose Piso as there figurehead. It is said that one of the conspirators joined the plot because Nero had insulted his poetry. "High crimes and treason" indeed! The plot was uncovered almost before it began and conspirators brutally tortured or committed suicide. https://historycollection.co/pisonian-conspiracy-beginning-end-emperor-nero/3/

Nero lasted a further four years but his incompetence over fourteen years finally caught up with Nero when Julius Vindex, governor of Gaul and pro-praetor led a revolt ostensibly over Nero's tax policies. Therefore rise now at length against him; succour yourselves and succour the Romans; liberate the entire world!"Lucius Verginius Rufus, the governor of Germania Superior, was ordered to put down Vindex's rebellion and in response Vindex called upon Galba to support the revolt. Nero was incensed he called on the senate to back in but failed to turn up and make the case in person and hid away focusing on his instruments. When he heard that Galba had joined forces with Vindex he was poleaxed. he received intelligence that Galba and the Spaniards had declared against him; upon which, he fainted, and losing his reason, lay a long time speechless, apparently dead. As soon as recovered from this state stupefaction he tore his clothes, and beat his head, crying out, "It is all over with me!...I am beyond all example wretched, for I have lost an empire whilst I am still living."

Clearly unhinged by the turn of events he thought in turn of poisoning the senate, murdering all the provincial governors, setting light to the city and unleashing wild animals to prevent people from dowsing the flames, allowing his armies plunder Gaul, massacring all Gauls living in Rome. He did not go through with these plans not because he thought better of it but because he had no means to carry it out.

Increasingly he saw himself as a tragic actor playing a role on the biggest stage of all. He vowed to take an expeditionary force to Gaul and with high theatrics, confront the revolting armies and weep and once the armies were in remorse he would start days of singing and rejoicing of songs he had composed himself. At this point the appointment of a horse as Consul may have looked like a mark of statesmanship compared with the erratic state of mind he was displaying. His detachment from reality was cemented when during a time when corn was in short supply and many Romans were going hungry there appeared a large ship sailing into port. Instead of food provisions, it contained sand from Alexandria destined for the emperor's wrestlers. The Romans were beyond despair and put sighs on his statues. One of which read "Truly thou hast merited the sack."

However, events were about to turn sour for Vindex also. He managed to talk Rufus on to his side but the confusion about who was in whose side was about to turn tragic when Vindex's army, unaware of the truce with Rufus came across he Germanic army and massacred them. In utter remorse and despair that he had been unable to secure the peaceful and orderly overthrow of Nero, committed suicide.As the revolt continued, Vindex slew himself; for he felt exceedingly grieved because of the peril of his soldiers and was vexed at Fate because he had not been able to attain his goal in an undertaking of so great magnitude, namely the overthrow of Nero and the liberation of the Romans. For a time it was thought that Rufus would now be proclaimed Emperor but he turned down the offer. May be because he did not want it, did not deserve it or believing that such a proclamation should come from the senate not the army. After which increasingly people looked to Galba to become Emperor.

Nero and his Suicide

Realizing power ebbing away and knowing he was in no position to call the shots he considered apologizing to the senate and beg for their pardon. Failing that for him to leave gracefully with perhaps the governorship of Egypt. But even that hope looked forlorn, for once he heard that the rest of the armies had declared against him he believed he could not even make it to the senate without being ripped to pieces.

Upon waking at night and discovering his bodyguards had gone, he now knew he had no protections and vowed to take his own life. His mind was in turmoil. He thought about finding a trusted gladiator to stab him. Then he thought about throwing himself in the Tiber but decided he need to gather his thoughts and prepare himself for death. How shoe-less and disguised he made for the house of a freedman and spent the evening with some trusted retinue. Even now he could not believe that his life was coming to an end and once choosing to think of himself as an artist above emperor or soldier. What an artist is now about to perish!"

Officially he was informed that he was the enemy of the state and would be punished by being scourged to death. Histrionics gave way to panic then resignation. Still he hung on "The fatal hour is not yet come." But he berated himself for his cowardice "I yet live to my shame and disgrace: this is not becoming for Nero: it is not becoming. Thou oughtest in such circumstances to have a good heart: Come, then: courage, man!" However, the fatal hour had come. Horsemen were heard approaching the house to arrest him. The time had come The noise of swift-heel'd steeds assails my ears; and as he said these words drove a dagger into his neck helped by his secretary. He died with a hideous expression on his face.He was buried modestly and quickly and in the power vacuum that was to follow would be succeeded by the aged Galba

Reaction to his Suicide

Suetonius maintains his hostility towards Nero when recounting the aftermath of his death, although he qualifies it a little. It is assumed given what has been written before, that the armies, Senate and governors would have welcomed his demise. Suetonius says the populace also rejoiced public joy was so great upon the occasion, that the common people ran about the city with caps upon their heads. However, he mentions that others decked his tomb with flowers and displayed images of him publicly. Tacitus turns this sentiment on its head by saying that those amongst the general populace that mourned his death were the same worthless preople who cheered Nero's lavish excesses, were frequenters of the arena and theatre or the most worthless of slaves. Nero was well liked by the Parthians and had spoken earlier about been given save passage there. Vologesus, king of the Parthians sent ambassadors to Rome to renew alliances and asked that due respects be paid to Nero. Such was his popularity in that region that children would be named after him twenty years after his death.

Conclusions

After what seems a popular start to his reign, as with most new leaders, the honeymoon was short but we should not read too much into writers' poetic attempt to engineer a 'decline and fall' narrative. From the global perspective there was a little expansion of the empire but it was really a time of consolidation and relatively stable. Yet the prosperity of Rome always seemed to be contingent on continued expansion to fund the Roman society and the fire of Rome put extreme pressure on Roman finances. Rome was badly planned cluttered tinder box. The fire was either planned or serendipitous so that Rome could be rebuilt. Was a Golden House an ostentatious palace that spawned the word grotesque in our vocabulary really built out of the ashes? For sure surviving edifices still exist that hint at an extravagant palace but some of the more grotesque elements have no doubt been exaggerated. To believe that future Emperors had some of the palace pulled down because it was "over the top" seems far fetched.

His suicide does lend itself to some questionable Dramatis Personae but Nero had dramatic flair so the account may not be wide of the mark. As discussed in other articles we notice an overall story arc where the contemporary writers seek to put the Judeo Claudian emperors in the shade in comparison with the Flavian dynasty and others who ruled later.

References

Preceded by Claudius

Nero AD54-69

Succeeded by Galba