The Life of Nero

Suetonius

• a Roman historian famous for The Twelve Caesers

• described appearance, family histroy, and reigning history

• Caesars is one of his few works that survived

Lives of the Twelve Caesars

• Biography of Julius and the 11st Roman emperors

• many subjective opinions and senate bias

• valuable info: heratige, habits, appearance, lives, political careers

Nero

• Emperor after Claudius

• Very into the arts and performance

• Sporus…

• Committed many attrocities

Agrippina

• Mother of Nero

• Plotted to kill Claudius and Britannicus?

• Assassinated by Nero

• Power Hungry

Claudius

• Emperor and Husband of Agrippina

• Poisoned by Agrippina

• effective administrator

• Successful conquest of Britain

Britannicus

• Biological son of Claudius

• Assassinated by Nero and Agrippina

• Threat to the throne

• Envied voice

Sporus

• A boy Nero castrated and married

• Dressed him up as Roman Empress

• Stayed with Nero until his death

Golden House (Domus aurea)

• Complex built after the Great Fire of Rome

• Reason for the fire?

• Nero was very active in the construction

Julius Vindex

• Roman governor of Gallia

• Vindex Rebellion over taxes failed

• Belonging to faction of Agrippina