General Discussion

Nero saw himself as a great patron of the arts and a cultural leader, which led him to pursue interests in music, poetry, and theater. He scandalized Roman elites by performing publicly as a singer and actor, activities considered inappropriate for an emperor. Nero's artistic ambitions, while sincere, were viewed as eccentric and unworthy of a ruler by Rome’s conservative senatorial class.

His construction projects were equally controversial. The Domus Aurea epitomized Nero’s grandiose vision but also his detachment from Rome’s political and social realities. The luxurious palace featured massive gardens, an artificial lake, and opulent decorations, which were built at great public expense.

As Nero's reign progressed, his governance became increasingly erratic. Seneca and Burrus were replaced by more pliable but less competent advisors, and Nero indulged in personal excesses. His marriage to Poppaea Sabina, after divorcing and possibly executing his first wife Octavia, further eroded his political support. Poppaea herself died under mysterious circumstances, with some accounts suggesting Nero kicked her to death during a fit of rage.

Discontent with Nero's rule culminated in a series of revolts and conspiracies. The most significant was the Pisonian Conspiracy of 65 AD, a plot by senators to assassinate Nero. Although it failed, it revealed the depth of elite dissatisfaction. Nero responded with brutal repression, executing conspirators, including his former tutor Seneca.

By 68 AD, provincial governors began to rebel, most notably Galba in Spain. Faced with widespread opposition, including desertion by the Praetorian Guard and the Senate declaring him a public enemy, Nero fled Rome. He committed suicide in June 68 AD, reportedly exclaiming, “What an artist dies in me!” Catchphrase easily attributable to the imagination of Ancient Roman historians rather than an elusive historical truth.