Nero

Author: Xiao Te
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The protagonist introduced in this book is Nero, the youngest emperor in the history of the Roman Empire, who ascended to the throne at the age of less than 17. He is infamous for his debauchery, extravagance, and the alleged arson of Rome and the persecution of Christians on insufficient evidence. Nero was the last descendant of Caesar Augustus and lost his father at the age of three. After his mother Agrippina married Emperor Claudius I, Nero was designated as the heir and married Princess Octavia. When Emperor Claudius I was poisoned, the 16-year-old Nero became the new Roman emperor in 54 AD. His inaugural speech to the Senate was widely praised and considered a prophecy of the arrival of a new golden age. In the early years of his reign, he implemented benevolent policies, such as prohibiting bloody gladiatorial games, abolishing capital punishment, reducing taxes, and allowing slaves to accuse their unjust masters. However, the good times did not last long. Nero's evil nature quickly grew. He poisoned his 14-year-old half-brother, then murdered his mother and wife, squandered wealth, overturned the early tax reduction laws and assistance programs for the elderly and poor, plundered others' property, and implemented a reign of terror. After the Great Fire of Rome, Nero embarked on large-scale construction, building a magnificent palace for himself. To deflect blame, he targeted Christians, persecuting and brutally executing them, as well as suppressing opponents. His actions led to him being abandoned by his subjects and alienated from his allies, sparking a rebellion among the Roman people and a mutiny in the army. In the end, the Senate declared Nero an enemy of the people and sentenced him to flogging and death.