Lizzy Davis
Shuler
September 29, 2015
Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus
AD 15 - AD 68
Nero was born on December 15, 37 ADto Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina and was named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. His father came from a well known patrician family (with a relative who had been consul in 192 BC) and his mother was the youngest daughter of Germanicus. He was taught from a young age by the Seneca and studied the typical Greek, philosophy and rhetoric of that age (Morgan 13). Clearly born into a highly selectively bred family, the expectations for success were of mammoth proportions.
At the age of two, Agrippa (Nero 's mother) was banished to the Pontian Islands by Caligula and his familial inheritance was seized only a year
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It was felt that a future emperor should remind the army of their loyalties (Holland 21). Nero was eventually named the heir-apparent.
However, Claudius died only a short 3 years later, in 54 AD. Some historians argue it was likely due to poisoning by his wife. However, since Nero was still a minor in the eyes of the Romans (under 17), Agrippina ruled until he could take power back forcefully. Agrippina 's reign did not last long, within the year being removed from the palace by a power hungry Nero. On 11 February AD 55, Britannicus suddenly died in the palace (some say he was poisoned by Nero), which greatly alarmed Agrippa, who planned to keep him if Nero had died or defied her will.
Nero was a sickly boy, who still radiated adolescence with his weak blue eyes and sandy blonde hair atop a scrawny body which was covered in marks and smelled awful, which led him to appear in public often in only a loose dressing gown with a scarf and no shoes (Barrett 24). As a man, he acted in many conflicting ways being both artistic and sporty, brutal and weak, and eventually became deranged. However odd his personality, Rome kept a peaceful empire under the rule of Burrus and Seneca for quite a while.
Nero initially copied Augustus ' reign- treating the senate respectfully, granting more freedoms, using legislation almost solely to maintain and improve public order, e.g. Banning public
Claudius was the third emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He was born on 1 August 10 BC at Lagdunnum in Gaul. He was the son of Drusus Cladius Nero and Augustus’s wife Livia. But, he was then adopted by his uncle Tiberius. Claudius was born with defects that led him to limping, drooling, stuttering, and always being ill. His family members kept him out of the public so, there was no embarrassment. His whole childhood and teenage years was spent indoors, hidden away from everyone. He spent every day reading, which led him to learning liberal arts and history which helped him when he had more power.
Many of Agrippina’s strengths were also her greatest weaknesses. Her political ability and ambition were great strengths of character, as was her determination, but at times she aimed too high and was ultimately brought down by the very traits that had enabled her to achieve positions of power. Agrippina was able to become one of the most significant women of the Ancient Roman World, but at the same time she was considered manipulative, and was despised by many, including eventually her son - the Emperor Nero, who had her killed in the year 59 CE. Despite holding no official political status, and being limited by her gender, Agrippina reached unprecedented heights and helped stabilise the Claudius Regime, demonstrating her strength as a
"Let Nero be ever before your eyes, swollen with the pride of a long line of Caesars… an Emperor condemned by his own people… Nero will always be regretted"
Tiberius was 55 when he ruled Rome from his stepfather. Tiberius had turned his back to Rome after Augustus had died. Moved to Capri still ruling Rome and abused the people there. Tiberius died right before they crucified Jesus. Tiberius really did start to abuse his powers and his people and was totally different than Augustus. Tiberius died of natural
“the events that led to her downfall, which happened alongside that of her son Nero, are extremely difficult to disentangle and contradictory versions have come down in the sources” Barrett
The Julio-Claudian dynasty ran strong before and after the birth of Agrippina. She was born into power in 15 AD. She was a direct descendant of respected Augustus and was the daughter of the most popular couple in Rome, Germanicus and Agrippina
Such acts were unheard of among previous emperors and granted him a power among the general popluace that most emperors would not in see. While largely popular early on, Nero would also use his power to pursue his own accords, including being overly involved in theatrical performances, agreeing to the death sentence of his own mother and taking advantage of the Roman fire to build his own palace and
Nero and Tiberius were two leaders who were liked by the public. Both starting their reigns young, Nero and Tiberius accomplished many things. Gaining the public’s eye, Nero gave Claudius a lavish funeral and personally delivered the oration in person. He founded a colony at Antium consisting of praetorian veterans, he gave the public an immense variety of entertainments, and even introduced his own style of architecture. These accomplishments all played a role in how the public adored him. Giving the public positive ideas will gain their trust, but unfortunately, he does not keep their trust. As Nero became older, his accomplishments became less and less, he began turning into someone who was in it for the money. His turning point was when he bankrupted Rome, once this happened Nero was neither trusted or liked.
Claudius survived in a hard time in his childhood, and he was ignored as an idiot and embarrassment. However, Claudius life changed somewhat because of his nephew named Gaius who was killed by a murder. And then Claudius was ratified by Senate as an emperor for an accident.
Nero, who took the throne after his mother poisoned Claudius, the current emperor, ruled from 54 to 68 AD. At first, Nero was the picture-perfect emperor. He lowered taxes, allowed more freedom to the Senate, granted permission to slaves who wanted to sue their unfair owners, and rid Rome of capital punishment. Eventually, Nero
Nero’s rise to power was a “long road full of treachery.” (T.V.) It was also full of change such as his name he was not always know as Nero his name was Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus until his dad had died and his mom married her widowed uncle, who was the emperor of the time, and they changed it to Nero Claudius Divi Claudius Filius Caesar Agustus Germanicus. Later she convinced him to name Nero heir to the throne and allow him take his daughter Octavia as his wife. His adopted brother was reaching age to take the throne but he mysteriously died, “Many suspect that Nero poisoned him.” (biograpy.com, 2017) So, as one can see Nero was a very shady character who would stop at nothing to seize and hold the throne.
Kyle Bourassa HIST 100-07 11/20/15 Champlin, Edward. Nero. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2003. Edward Champlin’s Nero, focuses on a much narrower scale than a historically oriented work.
Emperor Nero, infamously known as one of the most malevolent, oppressive, and tyrannical leader throughout history, was the last ruler of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He was born outside Rome in Antium and his mother married his great uncle, Emperor Claudius, in order for her son to be the next Emperor of Rome. It wasn’t apparent that her son was to become one of the most feared and cruel leaders in Roman history from 54 CE to 68 CE. By examining his achievements and failures as an emperor, his influences and changes over the entire economic, political and social spectrum are revealed.
Julius Caesar, a man born in around 12 to 13, 100 BC, was considered the start of a new legacy in the history of Rome. Participating in several wars, becoming dictator after forming multiple military alliances, to being assassinated on the Ides of March, Julius Caesar was a politically-flexible, popular leader of the Roman Empire. (Julius Caesar Biography, April 23, 2014) Although Caesar’s birth was never confirmed on the exact date, he was born and raised by his mother, Aurelia, and by his father, Gaius Julius Caesar. (Julius Caesar: Historical Background, April 23, 2014)
Its 54 AD and Nero is the emperor. Everyone thinks he is an arrogant person who doesn't care at all about Rome, but only for the riches. But, little do they know that he is the one protecting their homes from being robbed, he is stopping criminals and he is keeping their city safe from danger.