Nero

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (December 15, 37–June 9, 68), born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called (50–54) Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, was the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. On February 25, 50 Nero became heir to the then-Emperor, his grand-uncle and adoptive father Claudius, as Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus, succeeding to the throne on October 13, 54 with Claudius' death. In 66 he added the prefix Imperator to his name. In 68 Nero was deposed. His subsequent death was reportedly the result of suicide assisted by his scribe Epaphroditos.

Sources on Nero

In discussing Nero's life and reign, it should be noted that the primary sources may not be reliable. These works were mainly written by the Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus, both of whom were of Senatorial rank, and who wrote half a century after the events they describe. Their description of the events of Nero's reign are suspect because Nero was known to persecute elements of the Senatorial class.

Related Topics:
Primary source - Suetonius - Tacitus

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