The Emperor Nero, 5th ruler of the Roman Empire is famous for being in power when Rome, the largest and most prosperous city in the world at the time, was burned to the ground. His rule is characterized by murders within the aristocracy, internal struggles and extravagance, that managed to scandalize even the rakish Roman society.
Nero was born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. He reigned 14 years between 54 and 68 A.D. His place of birth was Antium, a city in Italy. At 19 he married his stepsister Claudia Octavia. After numerous royal dramas, Nero became the youngest Emperor to ever take up the throne up until that time.
From the very onset of his rule he gave more power to the Senate, while he devoted his life to having fun. He surrounded himself with wealthy Roman nobles all around his age. Their main source of fun during the first years of the young Emperor's reign consisted of wandering the streets of Rome and starting fights and committing rape among the peaceful citizens.
In his domestic policy, Nero, under the influence of the Senate, imposed additional taxes on the populace which led to several rebellions of the common folk and slaves, who were brutally crushed by the Roman legions.
In his foreign policy, Nero preferred peace and limited himself to securing the borders that had been conquered in the past. His reign included the Roman–Parthian War of 58–63, the Britannia uprising led by Queen Boudica in 60-61 and the beginning of the first Jewish–Roman war in 66-70, the Great Revolt.
It was during his reign that Moesia was conquered for good. His workers built the Roman roads in Thrace.
Despite his temporary successes on the domestic and foreign scene, Nero gives in entirely to his eccentric nature during the 2nd half of his rule. After his firstborn daughter dies at just 4 years of age, he erected temples throughout the entire Empire.
Nero is known for his many love affairs with representatives of both the female and male sexes. His rakish way of life led the peasants to make fun of him.
In the year 64 there erupted a great plague epidemic in Rome. It was this very same year that the mighty city burned nearly to the ground. The eyewitness historian Tacitus wrote in his chronicles that before the fire he saw slaves with torches walking around Rome, telling him that they were following the Emperor's orders.
Right after these 2 tragedies, Nero began the massive expulsion of Christians all over the territories of the Empire. Shortly prior to his death, the Emperor began the restoration of Rome and several megalomaniac projects which nearly bankrupted the vast country. This led to numerous revolts all over.
Nero was killed in the year 68. His shortsighted politics and scandalous way of life won him many enemies. The rulers of Spain and Gaul led a massive uprising against him.
They gathered supporters from nearly the entire Empire. Fearing their popularity, the Senate conspired to sentence Nero to death. Betrayed and abandoned by his once loyal lackeys, Nero killed himself when the guards entered his palace to arrest him.
