Why Is Nero Important
The emperor Nero has an interesting story. He is most known for killing his mother, persecuting Christians, and being blamed for the Great Fire in Rome. There is much that we do not know about him and his life. Still, what is known has sparked excitement in many historians.
Nero did not have the happiest childhood. His father, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, who was already known for being a corrupt and untrustworthy drunkard, died when Nero was only three years old. Caligula, his uncle and the current emperor of Rome, stole the money he should have inherited, exiled his mother, Agrippina the Younger, and sent him off to live with his aunt, Domitia Lepida. Domitia Lepida had Nero stay in poverty, with a dancer and barber as friends and tutors …show more content…
Claudius ended Agrippina’s exile and later married her. He adopted Nero in the year 50. Agrippina was determined to have Nero become the emperor. She hired the stoic philosopher Seneca to tutor Nero in subjects such as classical mythology and classical writers, and most importantly rhetoric. She also had her son marry Octavia. Agrippina was very pleased with this marriage, but not Nero (Powers). It is believed that in the year 54 Agrippina poisoned Claudius. He was fed a mushroom laced with poison (Holland). Afterwards, Nero was named the Emperor by the Senate at 17 years old (biography.com).
Agrippina tried very hard to control Nero’s life. After a while, Nero decided to commit matricide. He tried to justify his actions by saying that she was plotting against him, but the Roman people did not believe him. The empire was shocked, because matricide was considered one of the worst crimes one could commit (pbs.org).
In the year 62, Nero divorced Octavia and married a woman named Poppaea Sabina. Around this time, Nero was also being accused of treason. Feeling threatened, he vehemently reacted to anyone who distrusted or criticized him. He had many executed and exiled whenever someone expressed a negative opinion of him
Nero did not have the happiest childhood. His father, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, who was already known for being a corrupt and untrustworthy drunkard, died when Nero was only three years old. Caligula, his uncle and the current emperor of Rome, stole the money he should have inherited, exiled his mother, Agrippina the Younger, and sent him off to live with his aunt, Domitia Lepida. Domitia Lepida had Nero stay in poverty, with a dancer and barber as friends and tutors …show more content…
Claudius ended Agrippina’s exile and later married her. He adopted Nero in the year 50. Agrippina was determined to have Nero become the emperor. She hired the stoic philosopher Seneca to tutor Nero in subjects such as classical mythology and classical writers, and most importantly rhetoric. She also had her son marry Octavia. Agrippina was very pleased with this marriage, but not Nero (Powers). It is believed that in the year 54 Agrippina poisoned Claudius. He was fed a mushroom laced with poison (Holland). Afterwards, Nero was named the Emperor by the Senate at 17 years old (biography.com).
Agrippina tried very hard to control Nero’s life. After a while, Nero decided to commit matricide. He tried to justify his actions by saying that she was plotting against him, but the Roman people did not believe him. The empire was shocked, because matricide was considered one of the worst crimes one could commit (pbs.org).
In the year 62, Nero divorced Octavia and married a woman named Poppaea Sabina. Around this time, Nero was also being accused of treason. Feeling threatened, he vehemently reacted to anyone who distrusted or criticized him. He had many executed and exiled whenever someone expressed a negative opinion of him