Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus was the son of Agrippina the Younger, the last wife of Claudius. He was the great-grandson of Octavian Augustus, as well as the great-grandson of Marc Antony. His mother and Claudius were wed in 48, he was adopted by Claudius on 25 February 50, and renamed Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus - the future emperor Nero. He was older than Claudius' own son Britannicus, and for some reason Claudius favored him. In 53 Nero married Claudius' daughter, Octavia. Claudius died on 13 October 54, probably having been poisoned by Agrippina. The 16-year old Nero was hailed as the new emperor the same day.
Nero's early reign was dominated by his mother, though there were the underlying tensions of a power struggle with himself (advised by Seneca and Burrus) on the other side. When Agrippina began showing attention to Britannicus in 55, he was conveniently murdered. Nero began an affair with Poppaea, the wife of his friend Otho. Otho was appointed as governor of the province of Lusitania, pushing him out of the way. Soon thereafter Agrippina was murdered on Nero's order, and his wife Octavia was divorced, exiled, and murdered. Seneca and Burrus left the scene, and Tigellinus replaced them as the main influencer of Nero.
Poppaea and Nero were married in 62, and Nero began persecuting many around him. In 64 a fire devastated a large portion of Rome, clearing the way for Nero to began a huge building program, particularly a large palace for himself. Always considering himself an artist, he began to give public performances of his singing ability and lyre playing. In 65 the Pisonian conspiracy was uncovered, a plot to replace nero with Calpurnius Piso. As a result several powerful leaders in the government were killed, including Seneca.
In 67 Nero went on a cultural tour of Greece, participating in the Olympics by chariot racing, which of course he won. Nero was very popular with the common people, who no doubt enjoyed the entertainment he both sponsored and participated him. However, the patrician class had enough of him. During his absense the governors of several provinces began revolts. Nero had returned to Rome, but faced betrayal on all sides. He fled to the port of Ostia and committed suicide on 9 June 68. His lasting popularity with the people was such that several "false" Neros sprung up over the following years, to reclaim the throne. With the death of Nero the Julian-Claudian line of rulers, the first 5 emperors, comes to an end.
Brass Dupondis of 65If you have an comments, questions, or corrections, please email me.
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