Chapters
| Name | Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus |
|---|---|
| Ruled as | Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus |
| Reign | 13 October 54 –9 June 68 CE |
| Born | 15 December 37 CE |
| Died | 9 June 68 CE |
Nero was born as Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus on 15 December 37 CE in Antium near Rome.
This emperor ruled as the fifth in turn and passed into history as one of the tyrants. He was the only son of Dimities Ahenobarbus (of bad reputation) and of Agrippina the Younger, daughter of Germanicus, and sister of Caligula. He was being taught by Seneca the Younger and, contrary to the generally prevailing opinion (from the historian Tacitus), he had a great talent for poetry and acting.
Early life
From early age, Nero was subjected to many ordeals. At the age of two, when his mother was sentenced to exile, he found himself under the care of an extremely severe father. Domitius is portrayed by writers as a murderer, cheater and traitor. In the age of 39 he died of hydrops and only three years old Nero was given to his aunt’s house, Domitia Lepida, where he suffered from poverty and discomfort.
The situation of Nero and his mother improved under the rule of Claudius, who immediately took the throne in 41 CE. He let Agrippina return from exile. Nero’s mother immediately began to create a new life in Rome for them. The most important goal was to find a strong man who would protect her and her son from Messalina’s wrath. That same year, she married a wealthy and witty senator, Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus.
Probably five-year-old Nero with his mother and his new father set off to Asia, where Salustius was nominated as the governor of western part of Turkey. The boy experienced there power and got to know the first secrets of management. In 44 CE the whole family returned to Rome, where Salustius became consul. Nero lost his father again in 47 CE.
In 49 CE the empress and wife of Claudius, Messalina, were sentenced to death. A new candidate was sought for despite the reluctance of the ruler himself. The choice ultimately fell on Nero’s mother, Agrippina.
His mother’s marriage meant that Nero went to the inner circle of the royal family and met prince Britannicus, 8 years old, every day, and two princesses: twenty-one-year-old Antonia and nine-year-old Octavia. In 50 CE Nero was officially adopted by the emperor and received a new name, Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus.
His mother, taking care of her son’s future, decided to hire a man who was supposed to be a guide, a philosopher and a friend. The ideal candidate was naturally Seneca, a good acquaintance of Agrippina. At her request, Claudius agreed to return from Corsica, from exile, a great Roman writer and philosopher. He also received the position of praetor this year. His task was extremely difficult, because he was to direct the life of a young, twelve-year-old Nero, who was a pretender for the throne. Soon, Seneca became an admired figure for Nero, like a father. The teacher taught him two languages: Latin and Greek, and engrafted him with a passion for Greek culture.
Two other teachers also watched over Nero’s education: Berillus, Cheremon from Egypt and Alexander from Aegea.
In addition to learning, Nero loved spending time surrounded by culture and entertainment. His greatest passions were theater, poetry, music, and horse racing. To these passions, the young emperor devoted himself immensely. They became the greatest enemy of Nero with time. They led him to vanity and unbounded presumption.
