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==Background==Augustus had brought peace to the Roman Empire and during his reign he amassed a range history was noted for having very many ‘bad’ emperors. One of powersthe most notorious was Nero. He made himself in effect was the first Emperor <ref> Tacitus. Annals last of Rome. 1</ref>. Such was his prestige the Julian-Claudian dynasty and the Roman’s fear of instability that they accepted became infamous for his step-sonartistic pretensions, hedonism, Tiberius as and his successor <ref> Suetonius. Life of Tiberius. 4</ref>great cruelty. This established the hereditary principle in regard to the Imperial succession There are many myths about Nero and this often obscured the Julian-Claudians were the de-facto royal house reality of the Empirehis reign. Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a depraved and bloody old man,  Nero was in fact a very capable leaderimportant figure in the history of Rome. He reformed the system of governance and tax-collection and his rule was mild. By the time last of his death the hereditary principle was successfully established dynasty and his nephew Gaius (Caligula) became Emperor <ref> Suetonius, Life death ushered in a period of Caligula. 8</ref>instability. His four years in power were bizarre and bloody and after his assassination he was succeeded by Claudius. Often portrayed as something death led to a period of a fool in fact he civil war that was another capable leader. He ordered the conquest of Britain and also annexed much of modern-day Morocco for his empire<ref> Suetonius, Life of Claudius, 8 </ref>first in almost one hundred years. In Nero was the first-century AD the Empire was at its zenith. There had been peace for several decades and the borders were relatively secure. The majority of provincials were loyal to the Empire persecute Christians and they were increasingly Romanized. The economy of the Empire was generally good. There was also he set a great cultural flourishing and poets such as Ovid and writers such as Petronius, produced masterpieces of Latin literature precedent for that religion's persecution that are still read was to this day. This was the Empire that Nero inherited <ref> Griffin, Miriam T. Nero: The End of a Dynasty ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), p 12</ref> continue off and on for almost three centuries.  ====Background====

==The life Augustus had brought peace to the Roman Empire and during his reign he amassed a range of Nero==It is important to note that there are no surviving contemporary records powers. He made himself in effect the first Emperor.<ref> Tacitus. <i>Annals of Nero Rome</i>. 1</ref> Romans feared instability after his death and that many of the surviving accounts are possibly biasedthey accepted his step-son, Tiberius, as his successor. Nero was born in 37 AD<ref> Suetonius. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member of one of <i>Life of Tiberius</i>. 4</ref> This established the most powerful Roman families hereditary principle for Imperial succession and Agrippina the Younger, sister Julian-Claudians became the de-facto royal house of Emperor Caligulathe Empire. He was Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a grant-nephew of Augustus depraved and therefore bloody old man, was in fact a member of very capable leader. He reformed the Julian-Claudian familysystem of governance and tax-collection and his rule was mild. Nero was not viewed as a future emperor at  By the time of his birth <ref> Suetonius, death the hereditary principle was established and his nephew Gaius (Caligula) became Emperor.<ref>Suetonius, <i>Life of NeroCaligula</i>. 58</ref>Caligula's four years in power were bizarre and bloody. During the reign of After his uncle Caligulaassassination, his mother fell from favour and the family were persecutedhe was succeeded by Claudius. His father died (While often portrayed as something of natural causes) and his mother a fool, he showed at times that he was exileda capable leader. Nero’s fortunes changed with He ordered the assassination conquest of Britain and also annexed much of modern-day Morocco for his uncle Caligulaempire. <ref> Suetonius, Life of Claudius became Emperor and after a disastrous marriage he married Agrippina the Younger, his niece <ref> Tacitus. Annals of Rome. 34<, 8 </ref>. She  In the first-century AD the Empire was able to persuade Claudius to make her son Nero his heir at its zenith. There had been peace for several decades and he married the daughter borders were relatively secure. The majority of Claudius from his first marriageprovincials were loyal to the Empire and they were increasingly Romanized. It is widely believed that Agrippina, probably with The economy of the help of Nero poisoned ClaudiusEmpire was generally good. Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at There was also a great cultural flourishing and poets such as Ovid and writers such as Petronius, produced masterpieces of Latin literature that are still read to this day. This was the age of seventeen Empire that Nero inherited.<ref> SuetoniusGriffin, Miriam T. Life <i>Nero: The End of Claudius. 62a Dynasty</i> ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), p 12</ref>. His mother, was a domineering woman and it  ====The life and reign of Nero====It is believed important to note that she manipulated her young son to advance her own interests. The first five years there are no surviving contemporary records of Nero and many of Nero’s reign were seen as generally positivethe remaining accounts are quite possibly biased. The government Nero was born in the hands 37 AD. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member of two experienced ministers one of whom was the writer Seneca most powerful Roman families and Agrippina the Younger, the other Burrus <ref> Tacitus, The Annals sister of Emperor Caligula. He was a grant-nephew of Imperial Rome, 45</ref>. Agrippina the Younger vied for control Augustus and therefore a member of the empire with Seneca and his colleague but they remained in controlJulian-Claudian family. In 55 B.C it seems that Nero wanted to control was not viewed as a future emperor at the Empire and he has Seneca and Burrus dismissedtime of his birth. Later he killed his mother<ref> Suetonius, he was tired Life of her constant efforts to dominate him and to become the power behind the throne <ref> Griffin, p 123<Nero. 5</ref>. This apparently led to a great change in Nero’s character and according to  During the ancient sources he became a grotesque tyrant. Nero began to murder any senator who opposed him. His personal life was bizarre and he married one reign of his male slavesuncle Caligula, his mother fell from favour and his family were persecuted. Nero His father died (of natural causes) and his mother was passionate about exiled. Nero’s fortunes changed with the games and assassination of his uncle Caligula. Claudius became Emperor and after a disastrous marriage, he personally participated in married Agrippina the Olympic games in Greece Younger, his niece.<ref> Suetonius, Life of NeroTacitus. 34<i>Annals of Rome</i>. 34</ref>. The Emperor considered himself She was able to persuade Claudius to be first make her son Nero his heir and foremost an artist. He at he married the daughter of Claudius from his first performed his work in private but then publicly performed his work in Greecemarriage. Nero also acted on It is widely believed that Agrippina, probably with the stage. This scandalized the Roman elite who considered actors to be little better than prostitutes and the sight help of Nero acting was unacceptable to thempoisoned Claudius. Nero was paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected became Emperor in 54 AD at the age of being a threatseventeen.<ref> Suetonius. While Nero was very unpopular with the elite he <i>Life of Claudius</i>. 62</ref> His mother, was popular with the poor. He reformed the judicial a domineering woman and taxation system and made it fairer. Nero also built gymnasiums and baths in Rome it is believed that were open she manipulated her young son to ordinary Romansadvance her own interests.  The population first five years of Rome and elsewhere Nero’s reign were seen as generally positive. The government was in the Empire revered hands of two experienced ministers one of whom was the writer Seneca the Emperor Younger and saw him as their protectorthe Burrus. According to Suetonius<ref>Tacitus, <i>The Annals of Imperial Rome</i>, the emperor was 45</ref> ‘carried away by a craze Agrippina the Younger vied for popularity and he was jealous control of all who in any way stirred the feeling of the mob’ <ref> Suetoniusempire with Seneca and his colleague but they remained in control. In 55 B. Life of C it seems that Nero. 53 </ref>. The emperor needed the acclaim as according wanted to control the philosopher Epictetus, Empire and he was an insecure, immature had Seneca and unhappy man’ <ref> ArrianBurrus dismissed. Sayings Later he killed his mother as he grew tired of Epictetus. 56her constant efforts to dominate him and control the Empire.<ref>Griffin, p 123</ref>. Nero was a lavish builder Nero’s changed after he murdered his and some according to the ancient sources say that he left the treasury bankrupt but others believe that morphed into grotesque tyrant.  Nero murdered any senator who opposed him. His personal life was bizarre and he married one of his spending male slaves. Nero was part passionate about the games and he personally participated in the Olympic games in Greece.<ref>Suetonius, Life of a policy to revive a stagnant economyNero. In 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much of Rome <ref> Tacitus, Annals of Imperial Rome, 5634</ref>. The cause of the fire is not known Emperor also considered himself to be first and it may have been accidental or it may have been arsonforemost an artist. Many blamed Nero for the fire and he was accused of starting it He at first performed his work in private but then publicly performed his work in order to secure land for his building projectsGreece. It seemed that by 68 AD, Nero had begun to raise taxes and there were many reports of growing discontent among also acted on the elitestage. While in This scandalized the east there was a major Jewish Revolt and the Romans had been expelled from much Roman elite who considered actors to be little better than prostitutes. The sight of JudeaNero acting was appalling to them. In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted but  Nero was later put downalso paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected of being a threat. While Nero was very unpopular with the elites, by he was popular with the Roman legions <ref> Tacituspoor. The HistoriesHe reformed the judicial and taxation system and made it fairer. 45</ref>. It seems that for whatever reason that the army had grown tired of Nero even though he was a member Nero also built gymnasiums and baths in Rome that were open to ordinary Romans. The population of Rome and elsewhere in the House of Julius Caesar Empire revered the Emperor and Augustus <ref> Hollandsaw him as their protector. According to Suetonius, Richard. Nero (The Man Behind the Myth. Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 2000), p 145 emperor was ‘carried away by a craze for popularity and he was jealous of all who in any way stirred the feeling of the mob.’ </ref> Suetonius. In Spain Galba and the Spanish legions revolted and this was generally welcomed by many Life of the elite in Rome <ref> SuetoniusNero. Life of Galba, 753 </ref>. Galba set sail for Rome and The philosopher Epictetus argued that Nero tried to rally his forces. Howeverwas an insecure, he had alienated the elite immature and unhappy man and he was soon abandonedneeded acclaim. Nero fled with some slaves but later committed suicide, by ordering a slave to cut his throat<ref> Suetonius, Life Arrian. <i>Sayings of Nero, 54Epictetus</i>. 56</ref>  Nero remained popular with was also a lavish builder and some sources say that he left the poor and after treasury bankrupt while others argued that his death there were three pretenders who claimed they were actually the Roman Emperorspending was part of an economic policy to revive a stagnant economy. ==The Year In 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much of the Four Emperors and the end Rome.<ref>Tacitus, <i>Annals of Imperial Rome</i>, 56</ref> The cause of the Julian-Claudian dynasty==fire is not known. It seems that Nero’s reign had destabilized may have been accidental or arson. Elites blamed Nero for the Empirefire and he was accused of clearing Rome for his building projects. His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending  By 68 AD, Nero had led begun to an economic recession. He had also alienated the elites in Rome raise taxes and elsewhere. He had also failed to provide strong government as is evident in the revolt there were many reports of Vindex in Gaul and growing discontent among the Jewish Revoltelite. In While in the aftermath of his death, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula, east there was no living male who was a member of major Jewish Revolt and the Julian-Claudian line Romans had been expelled from much of Judea. In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down, by the Roman legions.<ref> Holland, Tom. DynastyTacitus. <i>The rise and fall of the house of Caesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), pHistories</i>. 34745</ref>. The Julian-Claudian had killed many Finally, the Roman army grew weary of Nero even though he was a member of their relatives and as a result after the death House of Julius Caesar and Augustus.<ref> Holland, Richard. Nero, who had no sons, there was no legitimate claimant to (The Man Behind the throneMyth. This left the army as the power broker Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 2000), p 145 </ref> In Spain, Galba and in the year after the suicide of Nero the Spanish legions fought for control of revolted. This revolted was welcomed by the Empireelites in Rome.<ref> HollandSuetonius. <i>Life of Galba</i>, p. 3497</ref>Galba set sail for Rome and Nero attempted to rally his forces. The year 69 AD is often known as However, he had alienated the year elite and he was quickly abandoned. Nero was forced to flee with some of the ‘Four Emperors’slaves but later committed suicide. In that year four men, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian declared themselves emperorHe ordered on of his slaves to cut his throat. Vespasian emerged as the victor and he established the Flavian dynasty <ref> HollandSuetonius, p. 406<i>Life of Nero</i>, 54</ref>. Nero had killed remained popular with the last male in the Julian-Claudian line poor and did not have after his own son. This meant that with his death that his dynasty which had been so successful came death Rome became incredibly unstable because three separate pretenders who claimed to an endbe the Roman Emperor. He left a power vacuum which was filled by competing generals  <dh-ad/> ====The Year of the Four Emperors and that led to a series the end of civil wars. the Julian-Claudian dynasty====Nero’s reign was to see and his death destabilized the re-emergence of the Roman army into politics for the first time in a centuryEmpire. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that the army could make and unmake His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending had led to an emperor economic recession. He had also alienated the elites in Rome and this was elsewhere. He had also failed to be a destabilizing factor provide strong government as is evident in Roman politics until the fall revolt of Vindex in Gaul and the western Roman Emperor Jewish Revolt. In the aftermath of his death, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula, there was no living male who was a member of the Julian-Claudian line.<ref> Holland, Tom. Dynasty. The rise and fall of the house of Caesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), p. 412347</ref>. ==Nero The Julian-Claudian family had killed many of their relatives and after the Christians==death of Nero , who had no sons, there was the first Roman Emperor no legitimate claimant to actively persecute the small sect of Christiansthrone. They had grown greatly since This left the army as the power broker and in the crucifixion year after Nero's deaths, legions fought each other for control of Jesusthe Empire. They had established themselves in Rome and they had managed to attract many followers<ref> Holland, p. They were not popular with other groups and their beliefs were treated with suspicion. They were after all self-confessed followers 349</ref> The year 69 AD is often known as the year of Jesus who had been lawfully executed by the governor of Judea ‘Four Emperors’. In that year four men, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian declared themselves emperor. Vespasian emerged as the victor and established the Flavian dynasty. <ref> TacitusHolland, p. Annals of Imperial Rome. 67406</ref>  Nero ended the Julian-Claudian dynasty. In 69 AD His death left a great fire swept through Rome power vacuum that destabilized the Empire and cause great unrest in led to competing generals to fight a series of civil wars. Nero’s reign forced the city. It is widely believed that Nero made scapegoats out re-emergence of the Christians Roman army into state politics for the first time in a century. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that the city army could both make and unmake an emperor.<ref> Holland, p. 334412</ref>. According to Tacitus, he  ====Nero and the Christians====Nero was very eager the first Roman Emperor to quell rumours that he was responsible for actively persecute the fire ‘ consequently, to get rid small sect of Christians. They had grown greatly since the report, Nero fastened the guilt crucifixion of Jesus. They had established themselves in Rome and attracted many adherents. They were not popular with other groups and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" beliefs were treated with suspicion. They were after all self-confessed followers of Jesus who had been lawfully executed by the populace’ Roman governor of Judea.<ref> Tacitus. The <i>Annals of Imperial Rome. 15. 44</refi>Holland, 67</ref> In 69 AD, a great fire swept through Rome and caused general unrest in the city. Nero accused Christians of starting the fire to shift blame away from himself. established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the Christians to be public enemies<ref> Holland, p. Nero’s and later persecutions were 334</ref>  According to Tacitus, he was very eager to shape quell rumours that he was responsible for the nature fire ‘ consequently, to get rid of Christianity but it did not stop its spread. The many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the faith report, Nero fastened the guilt and it eventually became inflicted the state religion of the Empire in most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by the later 4th century ADpopulace.’<ref>Tacitus. ==Nero’s policies in the East==<i>The Annals of Imperial Rome.</i>Holland, 15, 44</ref> Nero was established a far more active precedent whereby an Emperor than many gave him credit for at the time could declare the Christians to be public enemies. Nero’s and since. He was particularly interested in later persecutions were to shape the East. His record here was mixednature of Christianity but it did not stop its spread. Nero attempted to permanently annex The many martyrs created by the Bosphoran Kingdom in persecutions only strengthened the Crimea but his successors reversed this faith and were content to have it as a client kingdom. Nero fought a war with Parthia. He appointed a commoner to lead eventually became the Roman armies and he managed to inflict several defeats on state religion of the Parthians Empire in the later 4th century AD. ====Nero’s policies in the East====<refdiv class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> Suetonius. Life of Nero. 43====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}</refdiv>. [[File:Vespasianus02 pushkin.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bust of the Emperor Vespasian]]Nero was able to turn the strategic kingdom of Armenia into a client kingdom and this allowed far more active Emperor than many gave him to secure credit for at the borders with Parthiatime and since. He also obliged was particularly interested in the Parthians to hand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been capturedEast. Still, his record -was mixed. Nero’ s success against Nero attempted to permanently annex the Parthians meant that Bosphoran Kingdom in the Eastern frontier was at peace for several decades <ref> TacitusCrimea but his successors reversed this and were content to have it as a client kingdom. Nero fought a war with Parthia. He appointed a commoner to lead the Roman armies and he managed to inflict several defeats on the Parthians. The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56</ref>Suetonius. However, during his reign Life of Nero. 43</ref>  Nero was able to turn the administration strategic kingdom of Judea was poor Armenia into a client kingdom and this contributed allowed him to secure the great Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD)borders with Parthia. The Jewish historian stated that He also obliged the Jews believed him Parthians to be a ‘tyrant’ <ref> Josephushand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been captured. History of Nero’ s success against the Parthians meant that the Jewish War, iiEastern frontier was at peace for several decades.</ref>Tacitus. Perhaps The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56</ref>  However, during his most lasting legacy was his generally pro-Greek policies in reign, the Eastern half administration of the Empire. He granted ‘liberties’ Judea was poor and contributed to many Greek cities in the eastern portion of his empiregreat Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD). This led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant The Jews believed Nero was a ‘tyrant.’<ref> Josephus. This partly explains why unlike <i>History of the west that the east did not succumb Jewish War</i>, ii</ref> Perhaps his most lasting legacy was his generally pro-Greek policies in the Eastern half of the Empire. He granted ‘liberties’ to Romanization but remained very much influenced by Hellenic culture. Later emperors such as Hadrian imitated Nero’s policies towards many Greek cities in the Greek citieseastern portion of his empire.[[File: Vespasianus02 pushkinThis led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant. <ref> Holland, p.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bust of 324</ref> This partly explains why unlike the Emperor Vespasian]]==Conclusion==Nero is regarded west that the east did not succumb to Romanization but remained very much influenced by Hellenic culture. Later emperors such as Hadrian imitated Nero’s policies towards the Greek cities. ====Conclusion====Nero is regarded as either a mad or outright evil Emperor. He was undoubtedly cruel and committed many crimes. However, he was also an important figure in the history of Rome. Nero was the first Emperor to persecute Christians and many other Emperors were to follow his example. He also had some successes in the east especially against the Parthians and he did much to promote Hellenic culture in the eastern provinces. He was the last of the Julian-Claudian dynasty and his death led to a series of bloody civil wars. This period of instability led to the army determining who should be emperor. This was one of the most important legacies of Nero the re-emergence of the legions as a political force, something that Augustus and his heirs has had prevented for several decades.{{Mediawiki:AmNative}} ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Ancient History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:Italian History]] {{Contributors}}