Nero and the Julio-Claudian Principate

A set of 150 practice flashcards covering the reign of Nero based on lecture notes.

Over what years did the reign of Nero span?

$$AD 54-68$$

What is the term for the 'five golden years' at the start of Nero's reign?

quinquennium aureum

Which source describes Nero deifying his adopted father?

Tacitus (12.69)

What was a consistent criticism regarding Nero's love for Greek culture?

philhellenism

According to Suetonius, what did Nero like 'too much' during his reign?

music and theatre

How long did Nero tour Greece performing in various festivals?

$2$ years

What activity did Tacitus describe as a 'foul enthusiasm' for Nero besides singing?

chariot racing

According to Tacitus, what kind of influence did Nero have on Roman society?

A corrupting influence

Which sources highlight Nero's social, religious, and sexual excesses?

Suetonius and Dio

How did Nero attempt to visualize himself as highly cultured to the public?

Through his coinage

What was the name of the huge bronze statue placed near the center of Rome?

The Colossus

Which material did Pliny the Elder suggest Nero was prepared to use for his statue?

Silver and gold

What did the Colossus statue come to represent regarding Nero's character?

Self-indulgence

Which emperor in $69$ drew support by pointing out his connections to Nero?

Otho

Who was the pseudo-Nero that gathered followers in the east during Titus's reign?

Terentius Maximus

According to Dio, where did Terentius Maximus gather followers?

In the east

How old was Nero when he became emperor in $54$?

$$16$$

Which three individuals orchestrated Nero's transfer of power?

Agrippina, Burrus, and Seneca

Who was the biological son of Claudius available to be princeps?

Britannicus

How did Agrippina delay Britannicus while Nero was presented to the Praetorian Cohorts?

By consoling him in the imperial palace

According to Tacitus, what was Agrippina's motive for marrying Claudius?

To promote her son (Nero)

In which source is it suggested that Agrippina essentially poisoned Claudius?

Suetonius (44)

To which group was Nero quickly presented following the death of Claudius?

The Praetorian Cohorts

What evidence from $c. AD 54$ shows the initial influence of Agrippina on Nero?

An aureus (coin)

Who quickly found themselves in opposition to Agrippina at the start of the reign?

Seneca and Burrus

What method did Tacitus allege Agrippina used to try to control Nero?

Sex

Whose influence did Seneca try to lessen by exploiting the situation with Nero?

Agrippina's influence

Whose claim to the throne did Agrippina threaten to support to control Nero?

Britannicus

In what year did Nero poison Britannicus?

$$55$$

Where was Britannicus when he was poisoned by Nero?

At a banquet

What medical excuse did Nero give for the death of Britannicus?

An epileptic fit

In which year was Agrippina removed or killed?

$$59$$

According to the lecture, what marked the end of the quinquennium?

The removal (death) of Agrippina

What specific device was designed to sink in order to kill Agrippina?

A self-collapsing boat

What was the technical flaw in the boat designed to kill Agrippina?

A faulty lead roof

How did Agrippina initially escape the sinking boat?

She swam ashore

How was Agrippina eventually killed after surviving the boat plot?

Nero sent a group of assassins

What do Nero's marriages reveal about the principate?

Aspects of his character and the state of the principate

When did Nero marry his first wife, Octavia?

$$53$$

Why was Octavia's background important for Nero's legitimacy?

She had Claudian credentials

Who was the freedwoman Nero preferred over his wife Octavia?

Acte

What crime did Nero accuse Octavia of to justify her removal?

Sexual dalliances

To which island was Octavia exiled?

Pandateria

In what year was Octavia murdered?

$$62$$

Whom did Nero marry in $62$ after having an affair with her?

Poppaea Sabina

Which woman did Tacitus claim persuaded Nero to kill his mother?

Poppaea Sabina

How many years after Agrippina's death did Nero marry Poppaea Sabina?

$3$ years

According to numismatic evidence and Josephus, how is Poppaea Sabina represented?

As a competent and politically engaged figure

What was the name of Nero and Poppaea's daughter?

Claudia

On what date was Nero's daughter Claudia born?

$21st$ January $63$

How old was the daughter of Poppaea Sabina when she died?

$4$ months

In what year did Poppaea Sabina die?

$$65$$

What was Suetonius's account of how Poppaea Sabina died?

Nero kicked her in the stomach after a quarrel

What was the subject of the quarrel between Nero and Poppaea as reported by Suetonius?

Nero spending too much time at the races

Who was Nero's third wife?

Statilia Messalina

Statilia Messalina was the great-great granddaughter of which general of Augustus?

Statilius Taurus

Why did Nero choose to marry Statilia Messalina?

To appear conventional and respectable

Whose husband did Nero kill in order to marry Statilia Messalina?

Atticus Vestinus

When took place the wedding of Nero and Statilia Messalina?

June of $66$

In total, how many times was Statilia Messalina married?

$7$ times

On what dates did the Great Fire of Rome break out?

$18-19th$ July $64$

How many Augustan districts in Rome were left untouched by the fire?

$4$ out of $14$

According to Suetonius (38), why did Nero set fire to the city?

He was disgusted by the drab old buildings and narrow winding streets

According to Suetonius, from where did Nero watch the fire and sing?

A tower in the Gardens of Maecanas

What was the theme of the song Nero sang during the Great Fire?

The fall of Troy

Where was Nero located when the Great Fire began, according to Tacitus?

Antium

What action did Nero take for refugees after the Great Fire?

Opened his gardens and provided food from Ostia

What was the name of the new palace complex Nero built after the fire?

The Domus Aurea (Golden House)

Who was the first author to use the term 'Domus Aurea'?

Pliny the Elder

What practical elements were included in Nero's rebuilding project for Rome?

New building regulations

Which event was commemorated by the triumphal arch of Nero on the coinage?

The Roman victory over the Armenians

Who led the Roman military forces in the victory over the Armenians?

Corbulo

What was the most significant example of political opposition in Nero's reign?

The Pisonian Conspiracy

In what year did the Pisonian Conspiracy take place?

$$AD 65$$

Who provides the fullest account of the Pisonian Conspiracy?

Tacitus (15.48-74)

Which groups of people were involved in the Pisonian Conspiracy?

Senators, equestrians, soldiery, and females

Who was the ringleader after whom the conspiracy is named?

Gaius Calpurnius Piso

Which individual's joining gave the conspiracy more focus on the 'slaughter'?

Faenius Rufus

What was the rank of Faenius Rufus during the conspiracy?

Praetorian co-Prefect

Who was the leader of the rival faction among the conspirators besides Piso?

Lucius Silanus

During which festival did the conspirators plan to attack Nero?

The festival of Ceres

What was the date range for the festival of Ceres?

$12-19th$ April

Who was the would-be primary assailant against Nero in the Pisonian plot?

Flavius Scaevinus

Which daughter of Claudius was intended to be part of Piso's plan?

Antonia

Who was the freedman of Scaevinus who betrayed the Pisonian plot?

Milichus

Which famous philosopher and advisor was arrested following the Pisonian plot?

Seneca

What did Tacitus condemn regarding the behavior of the plotters after arrests began?

The speed in which they grassed up (betrayed) their comrades

How did Gaius Calpurnius Piso die?

He committed suicide as soldiers surrounded his house

Besides reaffirming authority, what was a benefit of the executions for Nero?

A revenue stream from confiscated property

Whose death symbolised Nero's inconsistencies and moral decline?

Seneca

Where did Boudicca lead a revolt in $61$?

Britain

When did the rebellion in Judaea begin?

$$66$$

What was the final stronghold to fall in the Judaean rebellion in $73$?

Masada

Who led the serious revolt against Nero in Gaul?

Gaius Julius Vindex

What historical work of Tacitus ends in the year $66$?

The Annals

How does Suetonius (40) interpret the revolt of Vindex?

As divine retribution for Nero's mismanagement

How is Vindex described by Dio (63.22.1)?

Strong, shrewd, skilled in warfare, and courageous

Who is presented as the 'antithesis' to Nero in the sources?

Vindex

What phrase concludes Vindex's speech in Dio's account?

'Rescue yourselves and rescue the Romans as well! Liberate the entire world!'

According to Suetonius, what was the real motivation for the Gallic revolt?

Nationalism