|
|
Nero Claudius Caesar was, by far, one of the most infamous Roman emperors ever. His rule of Rome lasted from AD 54 to 68, even though this period of time was far too much time for him rule. Nero was the last emperor in the line of Julius Caesar. Because of his mismanagement of the empire and frivolous personal affairs, he ruined the long line of Ceasers. His indulgent plots to kill family members and opponents only desecrated his rule prematurely. His 14 years of rule of Rome held enormous architectural bounds, yet his persecution of Christians and limited justice dismayed the people of Rome and caused widespread revolt. Nero committed suicide in AD 68.
NeroÕs Early Life
Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (Nero), the son of Domitius Ahenobarbus and CaligulaÕs sister Agrippina II, was born on December 15, AD 37. He was born in the Mediterranean seaport of Antium, which is now Anzio Italy. Later he moved to Rome. Agrippina married Claudius I, the current Roman emperor of that time, and persuaded him to adopt her only son Lucius. In 54 AD Claudius died at, what is thought to be, the hand of his wife, Agrippina. Lucius then changed his name to Nero Claudius Caesar when the Praetorian Guard and the Roman state recognized him as the new leader of Rome. Nero quickly pledged allegiance to the Senate and ceased his only adversary for power, Britannicus, ClaudiusÕs other son. Nero then announced the beginning of a golden age. Nero moved into his palace in Rome with his tutor, Seneca, and Sextus Afranius Burrus, his advisor. Both of these men arranged NeroÕs doings in his beginning years for he was barely 18 years of age.
NeroÕs Reign
From the day Nero was accessed to his doubtful suicide, he lived the lavish life of a princeps. Nero governed well in his early years when he was sheltered with the thoughts of his tutor, Lucius Annaeus Seneca and Sextus Afranius Burrus, chief of the Praetorian guard. His first five years as emperor were phenomenal. Nero banned capital punishment, reduced taxes, and let slaves bring law suits against their masters--all seemed well. Unfortunately, things turned deadly in 59 when Nero had his own mother murdered because she was being too bothersome and taking up too much of his time. Soon thereafter Seneca retired and Burrus passed away, most believe not by natural causes. Nero grew increasingly unruly after his advisors left him. He had his wife, Octavia, murdered in 62 so he could be with his mistress Poppaea. Things finally came crashing down when, under the direction of Gaius Ofonius Tigellinus, a man exiled for adultery with Agrippina and NeroÕs new counselor, Nero passed a series of treason laws which put anyone to death who was considered a threat. From then on NeroÕs rule screamed for bloodshed!
The Fire and his House
In AD 64 a great fire left Rome in a pile of ashes. Some say Nero himself set the fire to make room for his new palace. Many sources concluded that Nero himself, though not definitely, could have set the fire. One even went as far to say that Nero stood on his porch and watched all of Rome burn as he recited the poetry of Lucan. Others portray Nero as the emperor who Òfiddled while Rome burned? Subsequently, there are other sources who call all of the preceding false and inaccurate. The other sources concluded that Nero was not in Rome at the time it burned. They go further to say that Nero did not initiate any persecution against the Christians (which I find significantly deniable), and he certainly did not make them into Òhuman torches? No matter what the disputes are about the other facts one is unquestionably unsubstantiated evidence; the long old myth that Nero Òfiddled while Rome burned? After all there were no violins in the time of Nero. After the fire Nero started a vigorous building campaign. He built the Domus Aurea (House of Gold), NeroÕs Ògolden house? a lavish house with a gold-plated roof. This house satisfied most of NeroÕs desire to create. The house, of the fourth Style, held an octagonal room which would distinguish it from all others. From the quaint courtyard to the gold-plated roof, Nero had accomplished something remarkable. Vasari recalled that Raphael and Giovanni di Udine Òwere both seized with astonishment at the freshness, beauty and excellent manner of these works? Though many will say that all the House was was Nero taking advantage of the devastated city because of his greed, it is still an astounding architectural creation!
NeroÕs Significance and Effect
Throughout NeroÕs reign he was respected by the people. He was a good emperor. Nero is a very important character in Roman history. Nero rebuilt the city when it was destroyed in the fire of 64 and developed architectural and literary themes in the lives of the Romans. The Domus Aurea was a major step in the development of architecture in Rome. Nero also used the contemporary, storied houses to rebuild the urban sections of Rome. Nero promoted competitions in poetry, theater and sports. Additionally, Nero educated himself, as well as the Roman people. He devoted himself to the Arts and tried desperately to raise all the Romans to his level of intellect. In addition to the Arts, Nero dictated many hours of his work to the study of religion. Respectfully, Nero did, however, have somewhat of a rowdier side. Nero could also be remembered as a flamboyant and crazy emperor. He killed many of the people in his way and offended countless senators and military personnel. As for NeroÕs effect on Rome, it was not extremely different from his importance. Nero had, what I would call, a drastic effect on Rome and the Roman citizens. Take, for example, the Roman historian Cornelis Tacitus; Tacitus must have found NeroÕs reign important enough to write about it in a series of 12 books (that we know about), the Annals, about Roman rulers. Nero must have left some kind of a effect on Tacitus for Tacitus to donate his time to develop so many books about NeroÕs rule. Additionally, Nero produced many buildings of great stature, his golden house as one example. The Romans?tongues dripped with marvel at his creations, surely that must have changed the Romans?views about architecture. Secondly, Nero developed the minds of people. He brought plays to life when, he, the emperor, decided to play a man marrying another man in a play. The Romans never forgot that.
NeroÕs Fall from Power
Nero caused hysteria and craziness among the people of Rome; they couldnÕt believe what he was or who he was, but Nero was just another guy with too much power and he didnÕt know how to handle it. After the city burned in 64, NeroÕs army became rowdy and disagreed with his rule. Nero had made a crucial mistake; he had been neglecting his army. His army became increasingly impatient and Nero saw the worst coming. He deserted Rome and killed himself on June 9, AD 68. Subsequently, Nero ended his life as he screamed, Òwhat an artist the world is losing in me!? NeroÕs reign ended and the year of the four emperors began.
