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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 of Nero and that many of the surviving accounts are possibly biasedpowers. He made himself in effect the first Emperor. Nero was born in 37 AD<ref> Tacitus. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member <i>Annals of one of the most powerful Roman families and Agrippina the Younger, sister of Emperor CaligulaRome</i>. He was a grant-nephew of Augustus 1</ref> Romans feared instability after his death, and therefore a member of the Julianthey accepted his step-Claudian familyson, Tiberius, as his successor. Nero was not viewed as a future emperor at the time of his birth <<ref> Suetonius, . <i>Life of NeroTiberius</i>. 54</ref>. During This established the reign of his uncle Caligulahereditary principle for Imperial succession, his mother fell from favour and the family were persecuted. His father died (Julian-Claudian's became the de-facto royal house of natural causes) and his mother was exiledthe Empire. Nero’s fortunes changed with Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a depraved and bloody old man, was a competent leader. He reformed the assassination system of governance and tax-collection, and his uncle Caligularule was mild. Claudius became Emperor and after a disastrous marriage he married Agrippina  By the time of his death, the Youngerhereditary principle was established, and his niece nephew Gaius (Caligula) became Emperor.<ref> Tacitus. Annals Suetonius, <i>Life of RomeCaligula</i>. 348</ref>Caligula's four years in power were bizarre and bloody. She After his assassination, he was able to persuade succeeded by Claudius to make her son Nero his heir and . While often portrayed as something of a fool, he showed at times that he married was a capable leader. He ordered the daughter conquest of Britain and also annexed much of Claudius from modern-day Morocco for his first marriageempire. It is widely believed that Agrippina<ref> Suetonius, probably with the help of Nero poisoned Claudius. Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at the age of seventeen <ref> Suetonius. Life of Claudius. 62, 8 </ref> In the first century AD, the Empire was at its zenith. His motherThere had been peace for several decades, was a domineering woman and it is believed that she manipulated her young son to advance her own intereststhe borders were relatively secure. The first five years majority of Nero’s reign provincials were loyal to the Empire, and they were seen as generally positiveincreasingly Romanized. The government economy of the Empire was in the hands generally good. There was also a great cultural flourishing, and poets such as Ovid and writers such as Petronius produced masterpieces of two experienced ministers one of whom Latin literature that are still read. This was the writer Seneca the Younger, the other Burrus <Empire that Nero inherited.<ref> TacitusGriffin, Miriam T. <i>Nero: The Annals End of Imperial Romea Dynasty</i> ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), 45p 12</ref>. Agrippina the Younger vied for control  ====The life and reign of the empire with Seneca and his colleague but they remained in control. In 55 B.C it seems that Nero wanted ====It is important to control note that there are no surviving contemporary records of Nero, and many of the Empire and he has Seneca and Burrus dismissedremaining accounts are quite possibly biased. Later he killed his motherNero was born in 37 AD. His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, he was tired a member of one of her constant efforts to dominate him the most powerful Roman families, and to become Agrippina the power behind the throne <ref> GriffinYounger, p 123</ref>sister of Emperor Caligula. This apparently led to He was a great change in Nero’s character grant-nephew of Augustus and according to , therefore, a member of the ancient sources he became a grotesque tyrantJulian-Claudian family. Nero began to murder any senator who opposed him. His personal life was bizarre and he married one was not viewed as a future emperor at the time of his male slavesbirth. <ref> Suetonius, Life of Nero was passionate about the games and he personally participated in the Olympic games in Greece <. 5</ref> Suetonius During his uncle Caligula's reign, Life of Nero. 34</ref>his mother fell from favor, and his family was persecuted. The Emperor considered himself to be first His father died (of natural causes), and foremost an artisthis mother was exiled. He at first performed Nero’s fortunes changed with the assassination of his work in private but then publicly performed his work in Greeceuncle Caligula. Nero also acted on Claudius became Emperor, and after a disastrous marriage, he married Agrippina the stageYounger, his niece.<ref>Tacitus. This scandalized the Roman elite who considered actors to be little better than prostitutes <i>Annals of Rome</i>. 34</ref>  She persuaded Claudius to make her son Nero his heir and married the sight daughter of Nero acting was unacceptable to themClaudius from his first marriage. Nero was paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected It is widely believed that Agrippina, probably with the help of being a threat. While Nero was very unpopular with the elite he was popular with the poor, poisoned Claudius. He reformed Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at the judicial and taxation system and made it fairerage of seventeen. Nero also built gymnasiums and baths in Rome that were open to ordinary Romans<ref> Suetonius. The population <i>Life of Rome and elsewhere in the Empire revered the Emperor and saw him as their protectorClaudius</i>. According to Suetonius, the emperor 62</ref> His mother was ‘carried away by a craze for popularity domineering woman, and he was jealous it is believed that she manipulated her young son to advance her own interests.  The first five years of all who in any way stirred Nero’s reign were seen as generally positive. The government was in the feeling hands of two experienced ministers, one of whom was the writer Seneca the Younger and the mob’ Burrus.<ref> Suetonius. Life Tacitus, <i>The Annals of Nero. 53 Imperial Rome</i>, 45</ref>. The emperor needed Agrippina the acclaim as according to Younger vied for control of the philosopher Epictetus, he was an insecureempire with Seneca and his colleague, immature and unhappy man’ <ref> Arrianbut they remained in control. Sayings of Epictetus In 55 B. 56</ref>. Nero was a lavish builder C, Nero wanted to control the Empire, and some sources say that he left the treasury bankrupt but others believe that his spending was part had Seneca and Burrus dismissed. Later, he killed his mother as he grew tired of a policy her constant efforts to revive a stagnant economydominate him and control the Empire. In 66 AD<ref>Griffin, a great fire destroyed much of Rome <ref> Tacitus, Annals of Imperial Rome, 56p 123</ref>Nero’s changed after he murdered his the ancient sources. The cause of the fire is not known and it may have been accidental or it may have been arsonHe morphed into a grotesque tyrant. Many blamed  Nero for the fire and he murdered any senator who opposed him. His personal life was accused bizarre, and he married one of starting it in order to secure land for his building projectsmale slaves. It seemed that by 68 AD, Nero had begun to raise taxes was passionate about the games, and there were many reports of growing discontent among he personally participated in the eliteOlympic games in Greece. While in the east there was a major Jewish Revolt and the Romans had been expelled from much <ref>Suetonius, Life of JudeaNero. In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted 34</ref> The Emperor also considered himself to be first and foremost an artist. He at first performed his work in private but was later put down, by the Roman legions <ref> Tacitusthen publicly performed his work in Greece. The Histories Nero also acted on the stage. 45</ref>. It seems that for whatever reason that This scandalized the army had grown tired Roman elite, who considered actors to be a little better than prostitutes. The sight of Nero even though he acting was appalling to them.  Nero was a member of the House of Julius Caesar also paranoid about plots, and Augustus <ref> Holland, Richardhe killed anyone he suspected of being a threat. While Nero (The Man Behind was very unpopular with the Myth. Stroud: Sutton Publishingelites, 2000), p 145 </ref> he was popular with the poor. In Spain Galba and He reformed the Spanish legions revolted judicial and this was generally welcomed by many of the elite taxation system and made it fairer. Nero also built gymnasiums and baths in Rome <ref> Suetoniusthat were open to ordinary Romans. Life The population of Galba, 7</ref>. Galba set sail for Rome and Nero tried to rally his forces. However, he had alienated elsewhere in the Empire revered the elite Emperor and he was soon abandonedsaw him as their protector. Nero fled with some slaves but later committed suicideAccording to Suetonius, the emperor was ‘carried away by ordering a slave to cut his throat<ref> Suetoniuscraze for popularity, and he was jealous of all who in any way stirred the feeling of the mob.’ <ref> Suetonius. Life of Nero, 54. 53 </ref> The philosopher Epictetus argued that Nero remained popular with the poor was an insecure, immature, and unhappy man and after his death there were three pretenders who claimed they were actually the Roman Emperorneeded acclaim. ==The Year <ref> Arrian. <i>Sayings of the Four Emperors Epictetus</i>. 56</ref>  Nero was also a lavish builder, and the end of the Julian-Claudian dynasty==It seems some sources say that Nero’s reign had destabilized he left the Empiretreasury bankrupt. His low tax policy combined with In contrast, others argued that his lavish spending had led to was part of an economic recessionpolicy to revive a stagnant economy. He had also alienated the elites in In 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much of Rome and elsewhere. He had also failed to provide strong government as is evident in the revolt <ref>Tacitus, <i>Annals of Vindex in Gaul and the Jewish RevoltImperial Rome</i>, 56</ref> The cause of the fire is not known. In It may have been accidental or arson. Elites blamed Nero for the aftermath fire, and he was accused of clearing Rome for his deathbuilding projects.  By 68 AD, unlike that of his unstable uncle CaligulaNero had begun to raise taxes, and there was no living male who was a member were many reports of growing discontent among the Julian-Claudian line <ref> Hollandelite. While in the east, Tom. Dynasty. The rise a major Jewish Revolt and fall of the house of Caesar (LondonRomans were expelled from much of Judea. In 68 AD, Little Brown, 2015), p. 347</ref>Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down by the Roman legions. <ref>Tacitus. <i>The Julian-Claudian had killed many of their relatives and as a result after Histories</i>. 45</ref> Finally, the death Roman army grew weary of Nero, who had no sons, there even though he was no legitimate claimant to a member of the throneHouse of Julius Caesar and Augustus. This left the army as the power broker and in the year after the suicide of Nero the legions fought for control of the Empire<<ref> Holland, p. 349</ref>Richard. Nero (The year 69 AD is often known as Man Behind the year of the ‘Four Emperors’Myth. In that year four menStroud: Sutton Publishing, Galba2000), Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian declared themselves emperor. Vespasian emerged as the victor and he established the Flavian dynasty p 145 </ref> Holland In Spain, pGalba and the Spanish legions revolted. 406This revolted was welcomed by the elites in Rome.<ref> Suetonius. <i>Life of Galba</i>, 7</ref>. Galba set sail for Rome and Nero attempted to rally his forces. However, he had killed alienated the last male in the Julian-Claudian line elite, and did not have his own sonhe was quickly abandoned. This meant that Nero was forced to flee with some of the slaves but later committed suicide. He ordered on of his death that slaves to cut his dynasty which had been so successful came to an endthroat. He left a power vacuum which was filled by competing generals and that led to a series <ref>Suetonius, <i>Life of civil wars. Nero’s reign was Nero</i>, 54</ref> Nero remained popular with the poor, and after his death, Rome became incredibly unstable because three separate pretenders who claimed to see the re-emergence of be the Roman army into politics for the first time in a century. Emperor. <dh-ad/> ====The year 69 AD was important as it showed that Year of the army could make Four Emperors and unmake an emperor and this was to be a destabilizing factor in Roman politics until the fall end of the western Roman Emperor <ref> Holland, p. 412</ref>. Julian-Claudian dynasty======Nero Nero’s reign and his death destabilized the Christians==Nero was the first Roman Emperor Empire. His low tax policy, combined with his lavish spending, had led to actively persecute the small sect of Christiansan economic recession. They He had grown greatly since also alienated the crucifixion of Jesuselites in Rome and elsewhere. They He had established themselves also failed to provide a strong government, as is evident in the revolt of Vindex in Rome Gaul and they had managed to attract many followersthe Jewish Revolt. They were not popular with other groups and their beliefs were treated with suspicion. They were after all self-confessed followers of Jesus who had been lawfully executed by In the governor aftermath of Judea <ref> Tacitus. Annals his death, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula, there was no living male member of Imperial Romethe Julian-Claudian line. 67</ref>Holland, Tom. In 69 AD a great fire swept through Rome Dynasty. The rise and cause great unrest in fall of the city. It is widely believed that Nero made scapegoats out house of the Christians in the city <ref> HollandCaesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), p. 334347</ref>. According to Tacitus, he was very eager to quell rumours that he was responsible for the fire ‘ consequently, to get rid  The Julian-Claudian family had killed many of the reporttheir relatives, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted after the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominationsdeath of Nero, who had no sons, called "Christians" by there was no legitimate claimant to the populace’ <ref> Tacitusthrone. The Annals This left the army as the power broker, and in the year after Nero's deaths, legions fought each other for control of Imperial Rome. 15the Empire. 44</ref>Holland, p. Nero established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare 349</ref> The year 69 AD is often known as the year of the Christians to be public enemies‘Four Emperors. Nero’s ’ In that year, four men, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and later persecutions were to shape Vespasian, declared themselves emperor. Vespasian emerged as the nature of Christianity but it did not stop its spreadvictor and established the Flavian dynasty. <ref> Holland, p. The many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the faith and it eventually became 406</ref>  Nero ended the state religion of Julian-Claudian dynasty. His death left a power vacuum that destabilized the Empire in the later 4th century ADand led to competing generals to fight a series of civil wars. ==Nero’s policies in reign forced the East==Nero was a far more active Emperor than many gave him credit Roman army's re-emergence into state politics for at the first time and since. He was particularly interested in the Easta century. His record here The year 69 AD was mixedimportant as it showed that the army could both make and unmake an emperor.<ref> Holland, p. 412</ref> ====Nero attempted to permanently annex and the Bosphoran Kingdom in Christians====Nero was the Crimea but his successors reversed this and were content first Roman Emperor to have it as a client kingdompersecute the small sect of Christians actively. Nero fought a war with ParthiaThey had grown greatly since the crucifixion of Jesus. He appointed a commoner to lead the Roman armies They had established themselves in Rome and he managed to inflict several defeats on the Parthians <ref> Suetoniusattracted many adherents. Life of NeroThey were not popular with other groups, and their beliefs were treated with suspicion. After all confessed followers of Jesus, they were lawfully executed by the Roman governor of Judea. 43</ref>Tacitus. Nero was able to turn the strategic kingdom <i>Annals of Armenia into a client kingdom Imperial Rome.</i>Holland, 67</ref> In 69 AD, a great fire swept through Rome and this allowed him to secure caused general unrest in the borders with Parthiacity. He also obliged Nero accused Christians of starting the Parthians fire to hand over some legion ‘eagles’ or standards that had been capturedshift blame away from himself. Nero’ s success against the Parthians meant that the Eastern frontier was at peace for several decades <ref> Tacitus <ref> Holland, p. The Annals of Imperial Rome, 56334</ref>. However According to Tacitus, during his reign the administration of Judea he was poor and this contributed very eager to the great Jewish Revolt (66-71 AD). The Jewish historian stated quell rumors that he was responsible for the Jews believed him fire ‘ consequently, to be a ‘tyrant’ <ref> Josephus. History get rid of the Jewish Warreport, ii</ref>. Perhaps his Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most lasting legacy was his generally pro-Greek policies in the Eastern half of exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by the Empirepopulace. He granted ‘liberties’ to many Greek cities in the eastern portion of his empire’<ref>Tacitus. This led them to become economically successful and culturally vibrant <refi> The Annals of Imperial Rome. This partly explains why unlike </i>Holland, 15, 44</ref> Nero established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the west that the east did not succumb Christians to Romanization but remained very much influenced by Hellenic culturebe public enemies. Later emperors such as Hadrian imitated Nero’s policies towards the Greek citiesand later persecutions were to shape Christianity's nature, but it did not stop its spread.[[File: Vespasianus02 pushkin.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bust of The many martyrs created by the Emperor Vespasian]]persecutions only strengthened the faith, and it eventually became the state religion of the Empire in the later 4th century AD. ==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 Nero’s policies in the history of Rome. Nero was the first Emperor to persecute Christians and many other Emperors were to follow his exampleEast====<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}</div>[[File:Vespasianus02 pushkin. He also had some successes in jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bust of the east especially against the Parthians and he did much to promote Hellenic culture in Emperor Vespasian]]Nero was a far more active Emperor than many gave him credit for at the eastern provincestime and since. He was particularly interested in the last of 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-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 had prevented for several decades. ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Roman History]] [[Category:Ancient History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:Italian History]] {{Contributors}}Updated Nov. 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 force19, something that Augustus and his heirs has prevented for several decades.==References==2020