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Birth
Nero (pictured) was born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. The child of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina, his main claim to fame was his relation to his great-grandfather Augustus and his Mother's marriage to the Emperor Claudius. -
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Agrippina Positions Nero For Power
After Nero's father Ahenobarbus dies, Agrippina (pictured) remarries with her uncle, Emperor Claudius. Whilst married to Claudius, she persuades him to name Nero as his successor instead of his son Britannicus. Also, to offer his daughter Octavia, as Nero’s wife. -
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Education
Nero had a very standard education for a Roman man of his social standing and rank. Educated in the classical tradition, he was taught by the philosopher Seneca and studied Greek, philosophy and rhetoric. Seneca remains a key adviser and mentor. -
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Nero Marries Octavia
Nero, thanks to the influencing of Agrippina, marries the daughter of Emperor Claudius, Octavia (pictured). -
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Nero Becomes Emperor
After Claudius' death (It's been widely that Agrippina poisoned him), Nero delivers a eulogy to the senate to honor Claudius. He is then named Emperor of Rome, taking the name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. He ascends to the throne at 17. -
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Overbearing Agrippina
Agrippina is domineering and attempts to influence Nero's rule. Angered by the moderate advice of former tutor Seneca and commander of the Praetorian Guard, Burrus, she:- stops Nero's affair with former slave Claudia Acte when Nero threatens to divorce Octavia
- begins championing Britannicus as emperor to spite her now-defiant son
- agitates the public against Nero, resulting in Nero banishing her from the family palace.
- prevents him from marrying new lover Poppaea Sabina
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Britannicus Dies
Britannicus (pictured) dies suddenly the day before he officially becomes an adult (not suspicious at all). Though Nero claims that he died from a seizure, it is widely believed that Nero had him poisoned. -
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Mother "Retires"
After relations with his mother degenerate to a new low, Nero forces her into retirement. -
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Generous and Reasonable Leader Nero
Up until the murder of Agrippina, Nero was considered a generous, reasonable and reputable emperor. He:
- eliminated capital punishment,
- lowered taxes
- allowed slaves to lodge complaints against their masters.
- supported the arts and athletics above gladiator entertainment
- gave frequent aid to cities in crisis.
Although known for his nighttime frolicking, his actions are on-the-whole good-natured, but typical of an Emperor of Rome -
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Post-Agrippina Tyranny
After the murder of his mother Agrippina, Nero descends into a hedonistic lifestyle of self-indulgence and tyranny. -
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Nero The Artist
Spending huge amounts of public money on his artistic pursuits, Nero begins to give public performances as a poet and lyre player. This is a massive breach of etiquette for a Roman of high class. -
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Death of Key Advisors
Burrus dies and Seneca (pictured) retires. In their absence Nero divorces then kills Octavia to marry Poppaea. Now without these reasonable voices or his mother's oversight, Nero descends into more tyrannical activities. -
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Paranoia
Accusations of treason are levied against Nero by the senate. In response, Nero reacts harshly against any form disloyalty or criticism, real or imagined. For example, an army commander was executed for badmouthing Nero at a party; a senator was exiled for writing a negative book about the Senate. -
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Consolidating Power
Following his decent into paranoia, rivals are executed on mass, reducing Nero's opposition and consolidating his power. -
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The Great Fire
The public’s attention is diverted from Nero by the Great Fire. Beginning in the Circus Maximus, it ravages Rome for 10 days and reaches 75 percent of the city. Many citizens speculate that Nero started the fire to make room for new villa, the Domus Aurea. -
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Widespread Persecution Of Christians
Blaming The Great Fire on the new Christian minority in Rome, Nero starts a wave of persecution and lynching of the new religion. -
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Assassination Attempt Foiled
A freed slave named Epicharis was dissatisfied with Nero's rule. She found a similarly unhappy officer who was posted close to the emperor and asked him to kill Nero. However, the officer betrayed Epicharis and told Nero. She was captured and committed suicide rather then give up her fellow plotters. Now paranoid and not sure of the extent of conspiracy against him, Nero increases his personal guard and unleashes terror on Rome. -
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Another Failed Assassination Attempt
Nero's continued tyranny results in the Pisonian conspiracy. It's formed by Gaius Calpurnius Piso, along with other nobles and, most notably, former mentor Seneca. They plan to assassinate Nero and crown Piso the ruler of Rome. However, they are discovered and the leading conspirators, were executed. -
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Personal Enrichment
Post-Great-Fire, plans for the Domus Aurea, are resumed. However, Nero needs funds and finances the project through:
- selling positions in public office
- increasing taxes
- taking money from the temples
- devaluing currency
- confiscating property from the suspected treasonous -
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Death
Fearing his demise, Nero fled. Nero plans to head east to the provinces that are still loyal to him however his officers refuse to obey him. Returning to his palace, he finds his guards and friends gone, and discovers that the Senate had condemned him to death. He makes his secretary Epaphroditos assist him in suicide. He is said to have exclaimed, ‘What an artist dies in me!' as he died. -
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Galba and Vindex Rebel
Governor Gaius Julius Vindex (pictured) rebels against Nero's tax policies. He declares himself emperor and whilst he was defeated, public support for the rebellion increased so much even Nero’s personal bodyguards defected to support of co-conspirator Servius Sulpicius Galba.
