Nero

• When Nero 2 she was exiled for the part she played in a conspiracy against Caligula.
• Returned several years later when Nero was 4.
• After poisoning her second husband she married her uncle, the Emperor Claudius and had him adopt Nero and place him as heir to the throne (ahead of his own son.)
• She arranged the marriage of Octavia, daughter of Claudius, and Nero
• Generally suspected of killing Claudius (poisoned mushrooms and a feather dipped in poison.)

Realized He Could Do Whatever He Wanted – He Was the Emperor

• Poisoned Brittanicus so he couldn’t become more powerful or popular
• He fell in love with Poppaea (married)
• Attempted to kill his mother – rigged her boat so that it sank while sailing across the bay after a party. She had her maid pretend to be her, and was rescued by a fishing ship. Was later stabbed in her villa – Nero claimed she was guilty of treason and her death was a matter of public safety
• Had Octavia exiled and eventually killed
• Regularly performed on stage (beneath his position as Emperor) even as a slave and a pregnant woman
• Had political and personal rivals killed

Great Fire of Rome

• Could not have started the great fire (64AD – burnt for 10 days and destroyed 75% of the city) but took advantage of its destruction to build an enormous palace, the Golden House, patterned after Greek design, and a 100 ft tall statue of himself. It would have covered ⅓ of Rome.
• Played lyre while Rome burned??
• Blamed Christians for the fire, which started persecution and torture. Responsible for the death of Peter.