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<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v==Introduction==6klHvO4EPG8</youtube>  __NOTOC__[[File:Portrait_Bust_of_the_Emperor_Nero_by_Thomas_della_Porta,_the_Elder,_1520-1567,_gilded_bronze_and_marble_with_glass_stones_-_Museum_of_Fine_Arts,_Springfield,_MA_-_DSC04144.JPG |200px|thumb|left| Bust of Nero]]Roman history was noted for having very many ‘bad’ emperors. One of the most notorious of these is was Nero. He was the last of the Julian-Claudian dynasty and became infamous for his artistic pretensions, hedonism , and his great cruelty. There are many myths about Nero , and this often obscured the reality of his reign. The emperor  Nero was a very important crucial figure in the history of Rome. He was the last of his dynasty , and his death ushered in a period of instability. His death led to a period of civil war that was the first in almost one hundred years. Nero was the first to persecute Christians , and he set a precedent for that groups religion's persecution that was to last continue off and on and off for almost three centuries. [[File: Portrait Bust of the Emperor Nero by Thomas della Porta, the Elder, 1520-1567, gilded bronze and marble with glass stones - Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, MA - DSC04144.JPG |200px|thumb|left|portrait bust of Nero]]====Background==Augustus had brought peace to the Roman Empire and during his reign he amassed a range of powers. He made himself in effect the first Emperor <ref> Tacitus. Annals of Rome. 1</ref>. Such was his prestige and the Roman’s fear of instability that they accepted his step-son, Tiberius as his successor <ref> Suetonius. Life of Tiberius. 4</ref>. This established the hereditary principle in regard to the Imperial succession and the Julian-Claudians were the de-facto royal house of the Empire. Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a depraved and bloody old man, was in fact a very capable leader. He reformed the system of governance and tax-collection and his rule was mild. By the time of his death the hereditary principle was successfully established and his nephew Gaius (Caligula) became Emperor <ref> Suetonius, Life of Caligula. 8</ref>. His four years in power were bizarre and bloody and after his assassination he was succeeded by Claudius. Often portrayed as something of a fool in fact he 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>. In 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 and they were increasingly Romanized. The economy of the Empire was generally good. 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 Empire that Nero inherited <ref> Griffin, Miriam T. Nero: The End of a Dynasty ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), p 12</ref> .==

==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 and that many of the surviving accounts are possibly biasedRome</i>. Nero was born in 37 AD. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus1</ref> Romans feared instability after his death, a member of one of the most powerful Roman families and Agrippina the Youngerand they accepted his step-son, Tiberius, sister of Emperor Caligulaas his successor.<ref> Suetonius. He was a grant-nephew <i>Life of Augustus Tiberius</i>. 4</ref> This established the hereditary principle for Imperial succession, and therefore a member of the Julian-Claudian family. Nero 's became the de-facto royal house of the Empire. Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a depraved and bloody old man, was not viewed as a future emperor at competent leader. He reformed the time system of his birth <ref> Suetoniusgovernance and tax-collection, Life of Neroand his rule was mild. 5</ref>. During  By the reign time of his uncle Caliguladeath, the hereditary principle was established, his mother fell from favour and the family were persecuted. His father died his nephew Gaius (of natural causesCaligula) and his mother was exiledbecame Emperor. Nero’s fortunes changed with the assassination <ref>Suetonius, <i>Life of his uncle Caligula</i>. Claudius became Emperor 8</ref> Caligula's four years in power were bizarre and after a disastrous marriage bloody. After his assassination, he married Agrippina the Younger, his niece <ref> Tacituswas succeeded by Claudius. Annals While often portrayed as something of Romea fool, he showed at times that he was a capable leader. He ordered the conquest of Britain and also annexed much of modern-day Morocco for his empire. 34<ref> Suetonius, Life of Claudius, 8 </ref>. She was able to persuade Claudius to make her son Nero his heir and he married  In the daughter of Claudius from his first marriage. It is widely believed that Agrippinacentury AD, the Empire was at its zenith. There had been peace for several decades, probably with and the help borders were relatively secure. The majority of Nero poisoned Claudius. Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at provincials were loyal to the age of seventeen <ref> SuetoniusEmpire, and they were increasingly Romanized. Life The economy of Claudiusthe Empire was generally good. 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. This was the Empire that Nero inherited. 62</ref>Griffin, Miriam T. His mother, was a domineering woman and it is believed that she manipulated her young son to advance her own interests. <i>Nero: The first five years End of Nero’s reign were seen as generally positive. a Dynasty</i> ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), p 12</ref> ====The government was in the hands life and reign of Nero====It is important to note that there are no surviving contemporary records of two experienced ministers one Nero, and many of whom was the writer Seneca the Youngerremaining accounts are quite possibly biased. Nero was born in 37 AD. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member of one of the other Burrus <ref> Tacitusmost powerful Roman families, The Annals of Imperial Rome, 45</ref>. and Agrippina the Younger vied for control , sister of the empire with Seneca Emperor Caligula. He was a grant-nephew of Augustus and his colleague but they remained in control, therefore, a member of the Julian-Claudian family. In 55 BNero was not viewed as a future emperor at the time of his birth.C it seems that <ref> Suetonius, Life of Nero wanted to control the Empire and he has Seneca and Burrus dismissed. Later he killed . 5</ref>  During his uncle Caligula's reign, his motherfell from favor, he and his family was tired persecuted. His father died (of her constant efforts to dominate him natural causes), and to become his mother was exiled. Nero’s fortunes changed with the power behind assassination of his uncle Caligula. Claudius became Emperor, and after a disastrous marriage, he married Agrippina the throne Younger, his niece.<ref> Griffin, p 123Tacitus. <i>Annals of Rome</i>. 34</ref>. This apparently led  She persuaded Claudius to a great change in Nero’s character make her son Nero his heir and according to married the ancient sources he became a grotesque tyrantdaughter of Claudius from his first marriage. It is widely believed that Agrippina, probably with the help of Nero began to murder any senator who opposed him, poisoned Claudius. His personal life was bizarre and he married one Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at the age of his male slavesseventeen. Nero was passionate about the games and he personally participated in the Olympic games in Greece <ref> Suetonius, . <i>Life of NeroClaudius</i>. 3462</ref>. The Emperor considered himself His mother was a domineering woman, and it is believed that she manipulated her young son to be advance her own interests.  The first and foremost an artistfive years of Nero’s reign were seen as generally positive. He at first performed his work The government was in private but then publicly performed his work in Greece. Nero also acted on the stagehands of two experienced ministers, one of whom was the writer Seneca the Younger and the Burrus. This scandalized the Roman elite who considered actors to be little better than prostitutes and the sight <ref>Tacitus, <i>The Annals of Nero acting was unacceptable to them. Nero was paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected of being a threat. Imperial Rome</i>, 45</ref> While Nero was very unpopular with Agrippina the elite he was popular Younger vied for control of the empire with the poor. He reformed the judicial Seneca and taxation system and made it fairerhis colleague, but they remained in control. In 55 B. C, Nero also built gymnasiums wanted to control the Empire, and baths in Rome that were open to ordinary Romanshe had Seneca and Burrus dismissed. The population Later, he killed his mother as he grew tired of Rome her constant efforts to dominate him and elsewhere in control the Empire revered the Emperor and saw him as their protector. According to Suetonius.<ref>Griffin, p 123</ref> Nero’s changed after he murdered his the emperor was ‘carried away by ancient sources. He morphed into a craze for popularity grotesque tyrant.  Nero murdered any senator who opposed him. His personal life was bizarre, and he was jealous married one of all who his male slaves. Nero was passionate about the games, and he personally participated in any way stirred the feeling of the mob’ Olympic games in Greece.<ref> Suetonius. , Life of Nero. 53 34</ref>. The emperor needed the acclaim as according Emperor also considered himself to the philosopher Epictetus, he was be first and foremost an insecure, immature and unhappy man’ <ref> Arrianartist. He at first performed his work in private but then publicly performed his work in Greece. Sayings of Epictetus. 56</ref> Nero also acted on the stage. This scandalized the Roman elite, who considered actors to be a little better than prostitutes. The sight of Nero acting was a lavish builder appalling to them.  Nero was also paranoid about plots, and some sources say that he left the treasury bankrupt but others believe that his spending killed anyone he suspected of being a threat. While Nero was part of a policy to revive a stagnant economy. In 66 ADvery unpopular with the elites, a great fire destroyed much of Rome <ref> Tacitus, Annals of Imperial Rome, 56</ref>he was popular with the poor. The cause of He reformed the fire is not known judicial and taxation system and made it may have been accidental or it may have been arsonfairer. Many blamed Nero for the fire also built gymnasiums and he was accused baths in Rome that were open to ordinary Romans. The population of starting it Rome and elsewhere in order the Empire revered the Emperor and saw him as their protector. According to secure land for his building projects. Suetonius, the emperor was It seemed that ‘carried away by 68 ADa craze for popularity, Nero had begun to raise taxes and there were many reports he was jealous of growing discontent among the elite. While all who in any way stirred the east there was a major Jewish Revolt and feeling of the Romans had been expelled from much mob.’ <ref> Suetonius. Life of JudeaNero. 53 </ref> In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted but The philosopher Epictetus argued that Nero was later put downan insecure, immature, by the Roman legions and unhappy man and needed acclaim.<ref> TacitusArrian. The Histories. 45<i>Sayings of Epictetus</refi>. It seems that for whatever reason that the army had grown tired of 56</ref>  Nero even though he was also a member of the House of Julius Caesar lavish builder, and Augustus <ref> Holland, Richard. Nero (The Man Behind some sources say that he left the Mythtreasury bankrupt. Stroud: Sutton PublishingIn contrast, 2000)others argued that his spending was part of an economic policy to revive a stagnant economy. In 66 AD, p 145 a great fire destroyed much of Rome.</ref> . In Spain Galba and the Spanish legions revolted and this was generally welcomed by many Tacitus, <i>Annals of the elite in Imperial Rome </i>, 56</ref> SuetoniusThe cause of the fire is not known. Life of Galba, 7</ref>It may have been accidental or arson. Galba set sail Elites blamed Nero for Rome and Nero tried to rally his forces. Howeverthe fire, he had alienated the elite and he was soon abandonedaccused of clearing Rome for his building projects.  By 68 AD, Nero fled with some slaves but later committed suicide, by ordering a slave had begun to cut his throat<ref> Suetoniusraise taxes, Life and there were many reports of Nerogrowing discontent among the elite. While in the east, 54</ref> Nero remained popular with a major Jewish Revolt and the poor and after his death there Romans were three pretenders who claimed they were actually expelled from much of Judea. In 68 AD, Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down by the Roman Emperorlegions. ==<ref>Tacitus. <i>The Year of Histories</i>. 45</ref> Finally, the Four Emperors and the end Roman army grew weary of Nero even though he was a member of the Julian-Claudian dynasty==It seems that Nero’s reign had destabilized the EmpireHouse of Julius Caesar and Augustus. His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending had led to an economic recession<ref> Holland, Richard. He had also alienated Nero (The Man Behind the elites in Rome Myth. Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 2000), p 145 </ref>  In Spain, Galba and elsewherethe Spanish legions revolted. He had also failed to provide strong government as is evident in This revolted was welcomed by the revolt of Vindex elites in Gaul and the Jewish RevoltRome. In the aftermath <ref> Suetonius. <i>Life of Galba</i>, 7</ref> Galba set sail for Rome and Nero attempted to rally his deathforces. However, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligulahe had alienated the elite, there and he was no living male who quickly abandoned. Nero was a member forced to flee with some of the Julian-Claudian line slaves but later committed suicide. He ordered on of his slaves to cut his throat.<ref> HollandSuetonius, Tom. Dynasty. The rise and fall <i>Life of the house of Caesar (LondonNero</i>, Little Brown, 2015), p. 34754</ref>. The Julian-Claudian had killed many of their relatives Nero remained popular with the poor, and as a result after the his death of Nero, Rome became incredibly unstable because three separate pretenders who had no sons, there was no legitimate claimant claimed to be the throneRoman Emperor. This left  <dh-ad/> ====The Year of the army as the power broker Four Emperors and in the year after the suicide end of Nero the legions fought for control of Julian-Claudian dynasty====Nero’s reign and his death destabilized the Empire<ref> Holland. His low tax policy, combined with his lavish spending, phad led to an economic recession. 349</ref>. The year 69 AD He had also alienated the elites in Rome and elsewhere. He had also failed to provide a strong government, as is often known as evident in the year revolt of Vindex in Gaul and the ‘Four Emperors’Jewish Revolt. In the aftermath of his death, unlike that year four menof his unstable uncle Caligula, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian declared themselves emperorthere was no living male member of the Julian-Claudian line. Vespasian emerged as the victor and he established the Flavian dynasty <ref> Holland, pTom. 406</ref>Dynasty. Nero had killed The rise and fall of the last male in the Julian-Claudian line and did not have his own sonhouse of Caesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), p. This meant that with his death that his dynasty which 347</ref>  The Julian-Claudian family had been so successful came to an end. He left a power vacuum which was filled by competing generals killed many of their relatives, and that led to a series after the death of civil wars. Nero’s reign Nero, who had no sons, there was no legitimate claimant to see the re-emergence of throne. This left the Roman army into politics for as the first time power broker, and in a centurythe year after Nero's deaths, legions fought each other for control of the Empire.<ref> Holland, p. 349</ref> The year 69 AD was important is often known as it showed that the army could make and unmake an emperor and this was to be a destabilizing factor in Roman politics until the fall year of the western Roman Emperor <ref> Holland‘Four Emperors.’ In that year, four men, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian, pdeclared themselves emperor. 412</ref>. ==Nero Vespasian emerged as the victor and established the Christians==Flavian dynasty. <ref> Holland, p. 406</ref>  Nero was ended the first Roman Emperor to actively persecute the small sect of ChristiansJulian-Claudian dynasty. They had grown greatly since His death left a power vacuum that destabilized the crucifixion Empire and led to competing generals to fight a series of Jesuscivil wars. They had established themselves Nero’s reign forced the Roman army's re-emergence into state politics for the first time in Rome a century. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that the army could both make and they had managed to attract many followersunmake an emperor. They were not popular with other groups and their beliefs were treated with suspicion<ref> Holland, p. They were after all self-confessed followers 412</ref> ====Nero and the Christians====Nero was the first Roman Emperor to persecute the small sect of Jesus who Christians actively. They had been lawfully executed by grown greatly since the governor crucifixion of Judea <ref> TacitusJesus. Annals of Imperial They had established themselves in Romeand attracted many adherents. 67</ref>. In 69 AD a great fire swept through Rome They were not popular with other groups, and cause great unrest in the citytheir beliefs were treated with suspicion. It is widely believed that Nero made scapegoats out After all confessed followers of Jesus, they were lawfully executed by the Christians in the city Roman governor of Judea.<ref> HollandTacitus. <i>Annals of Imperial Rome.</i>Holland, p. 33467</ref>. According to TacitusIn 69 AD, he was very eager to quell rumours that he was responsible for a great fire swept through Rome and caused general unrest in the city. Nero accused Christians of starting the fire ‘ consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by the populace’ shift blame away from himself. <ref> TacitusHolland, p. The Annals of Imperial Rome. 15. 44334</ref>. Nero established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the Christians  According to be public enemies. Nero’s and later persecutions were Tacitus, he was very eager to shape quell rumors 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. ==Nero’s policies in the East==Nero was a far more active Emperor than many gave him credit for at the time and since’<ref>Tacitus. He was particularly interested in the East. His record here was mixed<i>The Annals of Imperial Rome. </i>Holland, 15, 44</ref> Nero attempted to permanently annex established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the Bosphoran Kingdom in the Crimea but his successors reversed this Christians to be public enemies. Nero’s and later persecutions were content to have shape Christianity's nature, but it as a client kingdomdid not stop its spread. Nero fought a war with Parthia. He appointed a commoner to lead The many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the Roman armies faith, and he managed to inflict several defeats on it eventually became the state religion of the Parthians <ref> SuetoniusEmpire in the later 4th century AD. Life of Nero. 43 ====Nero’s policies in the East====</refdiv class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>. Nero was able to turn the strategic kingdom of Armenia into a client kingdom and this allowed him to secure the borders with Parthia. He also obliged the Parthians to hand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been captured. Nero’ s success against the Parthians meant that the Eastern frontier was at peace for several decades <ref> Tacitus. The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56</ref>. However, during his reign the administration of Judea was poor and this contributed to the great Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD). The Jewish historian stated that the Jews believed him to be a ‘tyrant’ <ref> Josephus. History of the Jewish War, ii</ref>. Perhaps his most lasting legacy was his generally pro-Greek policies in the Eastern half of the Empire. He granted ‘liberties’ to many Greek cities in the eastern portion of his empire. This led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant ====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}<ref/div> . This partly explains why unlike the 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.

Nero was a far more active Emperor than many gave him credit for at the time and since. He was particularly interested in the East. Still, his record -was mixed. Nero attempted to permanently annex the Bosphoran Kingdom in the Crimea 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.<ref> Suetonius. Life of Nero. 43</ref>  Nero turned the strategic kingdom of Armenia into a client kingdom, which allowed him to secure the borders with Parthia. He also obliged the Parthians to hand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been captured. Nero’s success against the Parthians meant that the Eastern frontier was at peace for several decades.<ref> Tacitus. The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56</ref>  However, during his reign, Judea's administration was poor and contributed to the great Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD). The Jews believed Nero was a ‘tyrant.’<ref>, Josephus. <i>History of the 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 many Greek cities in the eastern portion of his empire. This led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant. <ref> Holland, p. 324</ref> This partly explains why unlike the 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. ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Ancient History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:Italian History]] {{Contributors}}Updated Nov. 19, 2020