Emperors of Rome | Artist and Assassin: Nero (Lecture 14)

Lecture 14: As with Caligula, the accession of Nero in 54 saw a young and inexperienced prince elevated to the most powerful office in the world. And as with Caligula, it was a recipe for disaster.

Initially, Nero, under the influence of the powerful advisors Seneca and Burrus, ruled with moderation. At least, that was the public face of the regime. Privately, there were worrying indications. Nero chafed under what he regarded as the undue influence of his mother. He showed little interest in administration and far more in writing poetry and pursuing his artistic (and other) interests. Nero resorted to matricide to solve to his problems with Agrippina and finally gave full vent to his artistic impulses. In this lecture, we survey these impulses and discuss modern theories about the meaning of his antics.

Essential Reading:
Cassius Dio, Roman History, books 61−62.
Suetonius, Nero.
Tacitus, Annals, 13−14.
Champlin, Nero, especially pp. 53−177.

Supplementary Reading:
DIR, “Nero.”
Griffin, Nero: The End of a Dynasty, especially chapters 1−7.