Facts on Nero

Nero was the last of the Caesars who ruled Rome. His reign lasted from 37 to 68 A.D. Nero's life changed when his ambitious mother, Agrippina, married Emperor Claudius. Because of her machinations, Nero was appointed Claudius' heir rather than his own son, Britannicus.

Parentage

Nero was the son of Roman consul Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger. He was born in Antium, located on the coast of Latium.

Name Change

Nero's name was changed from Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus to Nero Claudius Caesar, after his mother's marriage to Caesar.

Marriages

Nero married three times, first to his stepsister, Octavia Caesar. After he murdered her, he married Poppaea Sabina. In a rage, he murdered Sabina and later married Statilia Messalina.

Mentors

Nero's mentors were prefect Sextus Afranius Burrus and stoic philosopher Marcus Annaeus Seneca. Burrus died naturally but Seneca was killed on Nero's orders.

Burning Rome

During Nero's reign, two-thirds of Rome was destroyed in a catastophic conflagration. It has been suggested by historians that Nero caused the fire in response to the Senate's refusal to allow him to build a massive palace. After the fire, he built his Golden Palace.

References

• Funk and Wagnalls; Wagnalls; 1986
• Abacus