Transcript The Roman Emperor Nero

The Roman Emperor Nero
Background
• Was born December 15th 37 AD into the Julio-Claudian
Dynasty.
• Mother was Agrippina the Younger, sister to Emperor Caligula
( Reign: 37 AD to 41 AD)
• Adopted as stepson to the Emperor Claudius ( His Great
Uncle) in 49 AD
• Throughout his childhood, his mother had risen in political
power (with plans to place him on the throne) through
assassinations and marriage.
• His mother had poisoned Claudius in 54 AD, and Nero was
declared Emperor (the youngest to attain the position so far,
at age 17.)
Background cont.
• Historians describe his reign as tyrannical, murderous, and
extravagant.
• He is known for countless murders, executions,
assassinations, (many of them of his own family members)
and has been accused of countless other offences.
• He was the first historical figure ever recognized as the “AntiChrist.”
• He is the emperor who supposedly fiddled while Rome
burned in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD.
Crimes
• Countless murders, his victims include: His mother (Agrippina the
Younger), his tutor (the philosopher Seneca), both of his wives, the
head of the Praetorian Guard (Emperors Bodyguard) Sextus Burrus,
the Apostles Paul and Peter, his step-brother and second cousin
Britannicus, countless Roman Senators, and many Christians as
well.
• MURDER: The killing of another human being under conditions
specifically covered in law
• Mother: Drown and stabbed
• Seneca: Forced to commit suicide
• Burrus: Executed
• Paul: Beheaded
• Peter: Crucified upside down
• Others: poisoned, executed, fed to animals, burned
Evidence
• Countless historical accounts of his crimes
exist in the writings of Tacitus, Cassius Dio,
and Suetonius.
• All three historians have written of his
murders.
Sentence
• He was sentenced in 68 AD to be executed by
being beaten to death by the Senate.
• Before he could be captured, he committed
suicide outside of Rome at a friend’s villa.
• After his death he was declared as an enemy
of the state by the Senate.
• Quote up on death: “Qualis artifex pereo!” –
What an artist dies in me!
• Nickname: The Anti-Christ
Differential-Association Theory
• I believe that the theory of Differential-Association best applies to
the Emperor Nero largely because of his violent family life. I think
that his mother, Agrippina the Younger, was the greatest influence
on his criminal activities. Throughout his childhood she had
constantly been in search of power. She had murdered two of her
husbands in order to further her agenda (her second husband and
the Emperor Claudius). Through these actions and her attempts to
control Nero on the throne, I think Nero learned how to deal with
other people from his mother. He learned how to hold on to power
by executing any threat to his authority (even his mother). By
watching the actions of his mother, he learned how to behave as his
mother did. The constant political turmoil of his family served as
training for his reign as emperor.
Books and Movies etc.
• An episode of Looney Toons depicts the Emperor Nero
ordering Yosemite Sam (dressed as a centurion) to round up
victims to feed to lions.
• Many references to Nero fiddling while Rome burned exist in
pop culture.
• Many non-fiction history books have been written about him
and his family line.