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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 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 and they accepted his step-son, a member of one of the most powerful Roman families and Agrippina the YoungerTiberius, sister of Emperor Caligulaas his successor. He was a grant-nephew <ref> Suetonius. <i>Life of Augustus and therefore a member of the Julian-Claudian familyTiberius</i>. Nero was not viewed as a future emperor at the time of his birth <4</ref> Suetonius, Life of Nero. 5</ref>. During This established the hereditary principle for Imperial succession and the Julian-Claudians became the reign de-facto royal house of his uncle Caligula, his mother fell from favour and the family were persecutedEmpire. His father died (of natural causes) Tiberius, who is often portrayed as a depraved and his mother bloody old man, was exiledin fact a very capable leader. Nero’s fortunes changed with He reformed the assassination system of governance and tax-collection and his rule was mild.  By the time of his uncle death the hereditary principle was established and his nephew Gaius (Caligula. Claudius ) became Emperor and after a disastrous marriage he married Agrippina the Younger.<ref>Suetonius, his niece <refi> Tacitus. Annals Life of RomeCaligula</i>. 348</ref>. She Caligula's four years in power were bizarre and bloody. 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 Life of Nero poisoned Claudius. Nero became Emperor in 54 , 8 </ref>  In the first-century AD the Empire was at its zenith. There had been peace for several decades and the age borders were relatively secure. The majority of seventeen <ref> Suetoniusprovincials were loyal to the Empire and they were increasingly Romanized. Life The economy of Claudius. 62</ref>the Empire was generally good. His mother, There was also a domineering woman great cultural flourishing and poets such as Ovid and it is believed writers such as Petronius, produced masterpieces of Latin literature that she manipulated her young son are still read to advance her own intereststhis day. The first five years of Nero’s reign were seen as generally positiveThis was the Empire that Nero inherited.<ref> Griffin, Miriam T. <i>Nero: The government was in the hands End of two experienced ministers one of whom was the writer Seneca the Youngera Dynasty</i> ( London: Yale University Press, 1985), the other Burrus p 12</ref> Tacitus,  ====The Annals life and reign of Imperial Rome, 45</ref>. Agrippina the Younger vied for control Nero====It is important to note that there are no surviving contemporary records of Nero and many of the empire with Seneca and his colleague but they remained remaining accounts are quite possibly biased. Nero was born in control37 AD. In 55 B.C it seems that Nero wanted to control His parents were Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member of one of the Empire most powerful Roman families and he has Seneca and Burrus dismissedAgrippina the Younger, sister of Emperor Caligula. Later he killed his mother, he He was tired a grant-nephew of her constant efforts to dominate him Augustus and to become therefore a member of the power behind Julian-Claudian family. Nero was not viewed as a future emperor at the throne time of his birth.<ref> GriffinSuetonius, p 123Life of Nero. 5</ref>. This apparently led to a great change in Nero’s character  During the reign of his uncle Caligula, his mother fell from favour and according to the ancient sources he became a grotesque tyrant. Nero began to murder any senator who opposed himhis family were persecuted. His personal life was bizarre father died (of natural causes) and he married one his mother was exiled. Nero’s fortunes changed with the assassination of his male slavesuncle Caligula. Nero was passionate about the games 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</refi>. The Emperor considered himself Annals of Rome</i>. 34</ref> She was able to be first and foremost an artist. He at first performed persuade Claudius to make her son Nero his work in private but then publicly performed heir and he married the daughter of Claudius from his work in Greecefirst marriage. It is widely believed that Agrippina, probably with the help of Nero also acted on the stagepoisoned Claudius. This scandalized Nero became Emperor in 54 AD at the Roman elite who considered actors to be little better than prostitutes and the sight age of Nero acting was unacceptable to themseventeen. Nero was paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected <ref> Suetonius. <i>Life of being a threatClaudius</i>. While Nero 62</ref> His mother, was very unpopular with the elite he 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 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 Emperor writer Seneca the Younger and saw him as their protectorthe Burrus. According to Suetonius<ref>Tacitus, the emperor was ‘carried away by a craze <i>The Annals of Imperial Rome</i>, 45</ref> Agrippina the Younger vied for popularity and he was jealous control of all who the empire with Seneca and his colleague but they remained in any way stirred the feeling of the mob’ <ref> Suetoniuscontrol. Life of In 55 B.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 his spending was part of a policy to revive a stagnant economymorphed into grotesque tyrant. In 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much  Nero murdered any senator who opposed him. His personal life was bizarre and he married one of Rome his male slaves. Nero was passionate about the games and he personally participated in the Olympic games in Greece.<ref> TacitusSuetonius, Annals Life of Imperial Rome, 56Nero. 34</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. He at first performed his work in private but then publicly performed his work in Greece. Many blamed Nero for also acted on the fire and he was accused of starting it in order stage. This scandalized the Roman elite who considered actors to secure land for his building projects. It seemed that by 68 AD, be little better than prostitutes. The sight of Nero had begun acting was appalling to raise taxes and there were many reports them.  Nero was also paranoid about plots and he killed anyone he suspected of growing discontent among the elitebeing a threat. While in the east there Nero was a major Jewish Revolt and very unpopular with the elites, he was popular with the Romans had been expelled from much of Judeapoor. In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul revolted but was later put down, by He reformed the Roman legions <ref> Tacitusjudicial and taxation system and made it fairer. The HistoriesNero also built gymnasiums and baths in Rome that were open to ordinary Romans. 45</ref>. It seems that for whatever reason that The population of Rome and elsewhere in the army had grown tired of Nero even though he was a member of Empire revered the House of Julius Caesar 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 Nero. 53 </ref> Suetonius. Life of Galba The philosopher Epictetus argued that Nero was an insecure, 7immature and unhappy man and needed acclaim.</ref>Arrian. Galba set sail for Rome and <i>Sayings of Epictetus</i>. 56</ref>  Nero tried to rally his forces. However, he had alienated the elite and he was soon abandoned. Nero fled with also a lavish builder and some slaves but later committed suicide, by ordering a slave to cut sources say that he left the treasury bankrupt while others argued that his throatspending was part of an economic policy to revive a stagnant economy. In 66 AD, a great fire destroyed much of Rome.<ref> SuetoniusTacitus, Life <i>Annals of NeroImperial Rome</i>, 5456</ref> Nero remained popular with The cause of the poor and after his death there were three pretenders who claimed they were actually the Roman Emperorfire is not known. It may have been accidental or arson. ==The Year of Elites blamed Nero for the Four Emperors fire and the end he was accused of the Julian-Claudian dynasty==clearing Rome for his building projects.  It seems that Nero’s reign By 68 AD, Nero had destabilized begun to raise taxes and there were many reports of growing discontent among the Empireelite. His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending While in the east there was a major Jewish Revolt and the Romans had led to an economic recessionbeen expelled from much of Judea. He had also alienated the elites in Rome and elsewhere. He had also failed to provide strong government as is evident in the revolt of In 68 AD Vindex in Gaul and revolted but was later put down, by the Jewish RevoltRoman legions.<ref>Tacitus. In the aftermath of his death, unlike that of his unstable uncle Caligula<i>The Histories</i>. 45</ref> Finally, there was no living male who was a member of the Julian-Claudian line Roman army grew weary of Nero even though he was a member of the House of Julius Caesar and Augustus.<ref> Holland, Tom. DynastyRichard. Nero (The rise and fall of Man Behind the house of Caesar (LondonMyth. Stroud: Sutton Publishing, Little Brown, 20152000), p. 347145 </ref>. The Julian-Claudian had killed many of their relatives In Spain, Galba and as a result after the death of Nero, who had no sons, there was no legitimate claimant to Spanish legions revolted. This revolted was welcomed by the throneelites in Rome.<ref> Suetonius. This left the army as the power broker and in the year after the suicide <i>Life of Nero the legions fought for control of the EmpireGalba<ref/i> Holland, 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 his own son. This meant that with after his death that his dynasty which had been so successful came 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 and that led to a series  <dh-ad/> ====The Year of civil wars. Nero’s reign was to see the re-emergence Four Emperors and the end of the Roman army into politics for Julian-Claudian dynasty====Nero’s reign and his death destabilized the first time in a centuryEmpire. The year 69 AD was important as it showed that His low tax policy combined with his lavish spending had led to an economic recession. He had also alienated the army could make elites in Rome and unmake an emperor and this was elsewhere. He had also failed to be a destabilizing factor in Roman politics until provide strong government as is evident in the fall revolt of Vindex in Gaul and the western Roman Emperor <ref> Holland, pJewish Revolt. 412</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. ==Nero The rise and the Christians==Nero was the first Roman Emperor to actively persecute the small sect fall of Christians. They had grown greatly since the crucifixion house of JesusCaesar (London, Little Brown, 2015), p. They 347</ref>  The Julian-Claudian family had established themselves in Rome and they had managed to attract many followers. They were not popular with other groups killed many of their relatives and their beliefs were treated with suspicion. They were after all self-confessed followers the death of Jesus Nero, who had been lawfully executed by no sons, there was no legitimate claimant to the governor of Judea <ref> Tacitusthrone. Annals of Imperial Rome. 67</ref>. In 69 AD a great fire swept through Rome This left the army as the power broker and cause great unrest in the city. It is widely believed that year after Nero made scapegoats out of 's deaths, legions fought each other for control of the Christians in the city Empire.<ref> Holland, p. 334349</ref>The year 69 AD is often known as the year of the ‘Four Emperors’. According to TacitusIn that year four men, Galba, he was very eager to quell rumours that he was responsible for the fire ‘ consequentlyOtho, to get rid of the reportVitellius, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called "Christians" by Vespasian declared themselves emperor. Vespasian emerged as the victor and established the populace’ Flavian dynasty. <ref> TacitusHolland, p. The Annals of Imperial Rome. 15. 44<406</ref>. Nero established a precedent whereby an Emperor could declare the Christians to be public enemies. Nero’s and later persecutions were to shape the nature of Christianity but it did not stop its spread. The many martyrs created by the persecutions only strengthened the faith and it eventually became the state religion of the Empire in the later 4th century AD. ==Nero’s policies in the 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. His record here 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 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 <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.

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 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====

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