jun 9, 68 - Nero's Death

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Nero was adopted by Claudius when the emperor married Nero’s mother, Agrippina the Younger, and took the throne after Claudius died. He was guided by his tutor, Seneca, and by Agrippina until he murdered her and broke free of his advisers. By respecting the Senate and leaving imperial administration alone, he became popular in the east, but Boudicca’s revolt in Britain , unemployment, and contempt for his frivolousness and excesses caused dissatisfaction. In 64 a fire, possibly lit at his orders, destroyed much of Rome; he persecuted the Christians as scapegoats and proceeded to build a garish palace, the Domus Aurea, on lands that had been privately held. With his reign in decline, he murdered his wife, Octavia, as well as her successor, Poppaea, ordered Seneca to kill himself, and executed senators who criticized him. Revolts in Gaul and Spain were led by Galba, who was declared emperor by his army. Nero came to be regarded as mad, giving public lyre and theatrical performances to the disgust of his subjects. Condemned by the Senate, he chose suicide over execution.

highlights:
-Nero kicked his pregnant second wife to death and then married a young slave boy who looked like her. He had the boy castrated.
-In his quest to consolidate power, Nero killed his mother (Agrippina the Younger), and both of his wives (Claudia Octavia and later Poppaea Sabina).
-He was immensely popular during his early reign.
-He was accused of orchestrating the Great Fire of Rome. He blamed the Christians and had them rounded up and killed.
-He competed in Rome’s Olympic Games. He won every game.

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