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==Introduction==__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 |250px|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, the emperor was ‘carried away by p 123</ref> Nero’s changed after he murdered his 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 was part of killed anyone he suspected of being a policy to revive a stagnant economythreat. In 66 AD While Nero was very 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. In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down, by the Roman legions 53 </ref> Tacitus. The Historiesphilosopher Epictetus argued that Nero was an insecure, immature, and unhappy man and needed acclaim. 45</ref>Arrian. It seems that for whatever reason that the army had grown tired of <i>Sayings of Epictetus</i>. 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), p 145 </ref> others argued that his spending was part of an economic policy to revive a stagnant economy. In Spain Galba and the Spanish legions revolted and this was generally welcomed by many 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much of the elite in Rome .<ref> Suetonius. Life of GalbaTacitus, 7</refi>. Galba set sail for Annals of Imperial Rome and Nero tried to rally his forces. However</i>, he had alienated 56</ref> The cause of the elite fire is not known. It may have been accidental or arson. Elites blamed Nero for the fire, and he was soon abandonedaccused of clearing Rome for his building projects. Nero fled with some slaves but later committed suicide  By 68 AD, by ordering a slave Nero 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 were three pretenders who claimed they were actually the Roman EmperorRomans were expelled from much of Judea. ==The Year of the Four Emperors and In 68 AD, Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down by the end of the Julian-Claudian dynasty==It seems that Nero’s reign had destabilized Roman legions.<ref>Tacitus. <i>The Histories</i>. 45</ref> Finally, the Empire. His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending had led to an economic recession. He had also alienated Roman army grew weary of Nero even though he was a member of the elites in Rome and elsewhereHouse of Julius Caesar and Augustus.<ref> Holland, Richard. He had also failed to provide strong government as is evident in Nero (The Man Behind the revolt of Vindex in Gaul and the Jewish RevoltMyth. In the aftermath of his deathStroud: Sutton Publishing, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula2000), there was no living male who was a member of the Julian-Claudian line p 145 </ref> Holland In Spain, Tom. Dynasty. The rise Galba and fall of the house of Caesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), pSpanish legions revolted. This revolted was welcomed by the elites in Rome. 347</ref>Suetonius. The Julian-Claudian had killed many <i>Life of their relatives and as a result after the death of NeroGalba</i>, who 7</ref> Galba set sail for Rome and Nero attempted to rally his forces. However, he had no sonsalienated the elite, there and he was quickly abandoned. Nero was no legitimate claimant forced to flee with some of the throneslaves but later committed suicide. This left the army as the power broker and in the year after the suicide He ordered one of Nero the legions fought for control his slaves to cut his throat.<ref>Suetonius, <i>Life of the EmpireNero<ref/i> Holland, p. 34954</ref>. The year 69 AD is often known as Nero remained popular with the year of the ‘Four Emperors’. In that year four menpoor, Galbaand after his death, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian declared themselves emperorRome became incredibly unstable because three separate pretenders who claimed to be the Roman Emperor. Vespasian emerged as the victor and he established the Flavian dynasty <ref> Holland, p. 406 <dh-ad/ref>. Nero had killed  ====The Year of the last male in Four Emperors and the end of the Julian-Claudian line dynasty====Nero’s reign and did not have his own sondeath destabilized the Empire. This meant that His low tax policy, combined with his death that his dynasty which lavish spending, had been so successful came led to an endeconomic recession. He left a power vacuum which was filled by competing generals had also alienated the elites in Rome and that led elsewhere. He had also failed to provide a series strong government, as is evident in the revolt of civil warsVindex in Gaul and the Jewish Revolt. Nero’s reign was to see In the re-emergence aftermath of his death, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula, there was no living male member of the Roman army into politics for the first time in a centuryJulian-Claudian line.<ref> Holland, Tom. Dynasty. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that rise and fall of the army could make and unmake an emperor and this was to be a destabilizing factor in Roman politics until the fall house of the western Roman Emperor <ref> HollandCaesar (London, Little Brown, p. 4122015), p. 347</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 <ref> Tacitus. Annals of Imperial Rome. 67</ref>‘Four Emperors. ’ In 69 AD a great fire swept through Rome that year, four men, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian, declared themselves emperor. Vespasian emerged as the victor and cause great unrest in established the cityFlavian dynasty. It is widely believed that Nero made scapegoats out of the Christians in the city <<ref> Holland, p. 334406</ref>. According to Tacitus, he was very eager to quell rumours  Nero ended the Julian-Claudian dynasty. His death left a power vacuum that he was responsible for destabilized the fire ‘ consequently, Empire and led to get rid competing generals fighting a series of civil wars. Nero’s reign forced the report, Nero fastened Roman army's re-emergence into state politics for the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on first time in a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by century. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that the populace’ army could both make and unmake an emperor.<ref> TacitusHolland, p. The Annals of Imperial Rome. 15. 44412</ref>.  ====Nero established a precedent whereby an and the Christians====Nero was the first Roman Emperor could declare to persecute the small sect of Christians to be public enemiesactively. Nero’s and later persecutions were to shape They had grown greatly since the nature crucifixion of Christianity but it did not stop its spreadJesus. The They had established themselves in Rome and attracted many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the faith adherents. They were not popular with other groups, and it eventually became the state religion their beliefs were treated with suspicion. After all confessed followers of Jesus, they were lawfully executed by the Empire in the later 4th century ADRoman governor of Judea.<ref> Tacitus. ==Nero’s policies in the East==Nero was a far more active Emperor than many gave him credit for at the time and since<i>Annals of Imperial Rome.</i>Holland, 67. He was particularly interested </ref> In 69 AD, a great fire swept through Rome and caused general unrest in the East. His record here was mixedcity. Nero attempted accused Christians of starting the fire to permanently annex the Bosphoran Kingdom in the Crimea but his successors reversed this and were content to have it as a client kingdomshift blame away from himself. 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> SuetoniusHolland, p. Life of Nero. 43334</ref>. Nero  According to Tacitus, he was able very eager to turn quell rumors that he was responsible for the strategic kingdom of Armenia into a client kingdom and this allowed him fire ‘ consequently, to secure get rid of the borders with Parthia. He also obliged report, Nero fastened the Parthians to hand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been captured. Nero’ s success against guilt and inflicted the Parthians meant that most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by the Eastern frontier was at peace for several decades populace.’<ref> Tacitus. <i>The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56.</refi>. HoweverHolland, 15, during his reign 44</ref> Nero established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the administration of Judea was poor and this contributed Christians to the great Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD)be public enemies. The Jewish historian stated that the Jews believed him Nero’s and later persecutions were to be a ‘tyrant’ <ref> Josephusshape Christianity's nature, but it did not stop its spread. History of The many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the Jewish Warfaith, ii</ref>. Perhaps his most lasting legacy was his generally pro-Greek policies in the Eastern half and it eventually became the state religion of the Empire. He granted ‘liberties’ to many Greek cities in the eastern portion of his empirelater 4th century AD. This led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant <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 in the Greek cities.East====

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 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. <youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6klHvO4EPG8</youtube> <div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}</div> ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Ancient History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:Italian History]] {{Contributors}}Updated Nov. 19, 2020