Emperor Nero: brief biography, photo, mother, wife. The reign of Emperor Nero

On December 15, 37, Lucius Domitius Agenobarb was born. So the future emperor Nero was called when he was born. He was of noble origin and belonged to the genus Domitius. Many representatives of this family in former times occupied significant positions, in particular, they were consuls. Two of them were even censors.

A family

Nero's great-grandfather was a contemporary of Julius Caesar and even tried to bring him to justice for abuses in power. True, nothing came of it. Grandfather served the Emperor Augustus, was a famous military commander and was awarded a triumph.

Nero's father Gney Domitius was also a consul in the year 32. The then emperor Tiberius became the initiator of his wedding with Julia Agrippina. This pair was born Lucius Domitius.

Childhood

Nero was born six months after the death of Emperor Tiberius. After him the throne was occupied by Caligula. He was the brother of Agrippina, and hence, of Nero's uncle. The child lived with his father next to Ancy in the suburbs of Rome, while his mother stayed in the capital and was at the court of his brother. Caligula was notorious for depravity and committed adultery with his sisters (the eldest was Julia Livilla). In 39, they were accused of plotting against the emperor. Allegedly they wanted to overthrow Caligula, after which the youngest Nero would take the throne.

After a short trial, the sisters were deported to the Pontine Islands. All their property was confiscated, and communication with relatives was banned. However, Nero and his father did not fall under the repressions and continued to live in their own villa in Italy. Gnaeus Domitius died in the year 40 because of the eruption of dropsy.

At Caligula

Despite his paranoia and desire to see the whole plot, Caligula could not protect himself. In 41, he was the victim of a conspiracy, arranged by the Praetorians - the court guard. Caligula was killed, and the throne was given to his uncle, Claudius. He was known for his dementia and tyrannical nature. The new emperor declared himself a god, carried out repressions in the Senate.

However, his nieces (including his mother Nero), he returned from exile back to Rome, removing charges of treason. In addition, Claudius decided to organize a second marriage for Agrippina, as her husband passed away just before that. Wife became Guy Sallust - the famous noble, who before that twice became a consul. He transported the mother of Emperor Nero and the child to his home in Rome, where they lived in the highest society.

From that moment the child forgot about a quiet life. The capital was full of conspiracies and conflicts of interests of the nobility. The main threat to the family of Agrippina was Messalina - the wife of Emperor Claudius. She believed that her husband's niece was a threat to her own power. Nero in her eyes was a pretender to the throne, who could overthrow her Britannic son in the future.

Messalina tried to get rid of the child by sending murderers to the house of Sallust. However, they could not fulfill a delicate mission. Most likely, they just chickened out, although, as it usually happens, rumors gave birth to the legend that the envoys were afraid of the snake that guarded Nero's sleep. The tense situation persisted.

In 47, Guy Sallustius died, and many gossips talked about Agrippina poisoning her husband in order to inherit his wealth. A few months later, Messalina tried to organize a plot against her husband, but was exposed and executed. As a result, both Claudius and Agrippina were left without a pair. The approximate emperor advised him to marry an influential and beautiful woman. He agreed, and the wedding was played in the year 49. After that, Nero became heir to the throne.

Heir

Claudius organized the engagement of his new adoptive son and the real daughter of Claudia Octavia. The future emperor Nero received a famous mentor - philosopher Seneca, whom Agrippina returned from exile. The faithful people of mother and son surrounded the emperor in order to strengthen their positions. For example, the former mentor of Nero Gaul, Sextus Burr, became prefect.

However, the extravagant emperor constantly changed his plans. Soon he became cooler towards his wife and Nero. In addition, Claudius again brought his own son Britannic closer to him. It seemed that he was about to appoint him an heir again. But Agrippina decided to act on the lead. It is believed that in 54 year she brought her husband a plate of poisoned mushrooms, because of what he died. The emperor Nero became the owner of the throne. A photo of his bust can give an idea of how the ruler looked then. He was a handsome young man, yet not spoiled by tyranny and bad habits, including taverns and brothels.

Conflict with mother

The reign of Emperor Nero began. At first he was under the full control of his mother, who even took part in formal ceremonies with her son. However, every day the young man became more and more accustomed to power and became uncontrollable. The apple of discord became his preferences in women. He became intimate with the former slave, which the mother could not endure. She even began to establish contact with the Britannicus, who could also be an emperor. But Nero was not going to give power. The Briton was poisoned in 55.

Soon Agrippina was removed from the court. The son began to make attempts to commit an attempt on her, but each time failed. In the end, he openly ordered to get rid of Agrippina, which was stabbed. After that, Nero began to have problems with mental health. His ghost began to sound like a mother. In an attempt to find relief, he resorted to the barren assistance of magicians and a crook.

Foreign and domestic policy

In the early years of government, when the ruler was still interested in public affairs, he showed himself as a good administrator. For example, the Senate passed laws against corruption, sponsored by Emperor Nero. In short, he also initiated a tax cut for ordinary citizens. With him came the custom of regular colossal festivities and festivities. Constant were the battles in the arena, which turned out to be the favorite spectacle of the crowd.

By the time of the accession of Nero, the Roman Empire had practically reached its historical limits. It surrounded the Mediterranean Sea, it was the center of culture and trade. External enemies did not threaten her. Therefore, there were no wars, initiated by Emperor Nero. A brief biography of his generals said that conflicts were needed by this estate as air. As a result, when the dispute between Rome and Persia broke out, in the center of which was Armenia, the advisers persuaded the ruler to start the war. It lasted from 58 to 63 years. As a result, the ruler of this buffer state agreed to become a vassal of the emperor.

The Great Fire

In 64 there was a terrible fire in Rome, which was immediately called the Great. It is believed that its initiator was Emperor Nero. Some chroniclers and historians tell of an episode when the ruler, having learned of the disaster, left for the suburbs, from where he observed what was happening. At the same time he dressed in a theatrical costume, recited poems about the destruction of Troy and played musical instruments.

The fire destroyed much of the city. At that time, Rome was divided into 14 districts, of which only 3. survived. To restore the city, huge resources were required. Therefore, the emperor imposed huge taxes on the provinces to make the capital come to order. There was laid a new palace, which became one of the largest residences of monarchs in world history. The emperor Nero did not forget and find the guilty in the disaster that had happened. They were recognized as Christians. This gave rise to the mass executions of heretics, which were held in the form of folk shows. The accused were fed with lions, hung on crosses, etc.

Personal life

The marriage of Nero with Octavia, arranged by Claudius, did not last long. She could not get pregnant, because of which her husband accused her of infertility. After that, he married again twice: on Poppey Sabine and Statili Messalina. The first wife of Emperor Nero even gave birth to his daughter, but she died in the fourth month of life. The second pregnancy of Poppey ended in miscarriage due to the fact that her husband kicked her in the stomach during one of the quarrels.

Like other Roman emperors of that era, Nero was known for his intimate relationships with men. Homosexuality was considered the norm, and the emperor openly conducted numerous orgies.

Revolt and death

Over the years, Nero lost popularity, both among ordinary citizens of the state, and in the higher Roman circles. This was due to his terrible character, turning into insanity, huge taxes for the provinces, depraved way of life, etc.

Against this background, in 68, an uprising broke out in Gaul. Local viceroy Guy Julius Vindex raised his own legions against the central authority. He was supported by Galba, who ruled Tarraqan Spain. Between them there was an arrangement that the latter would declare himself emperor in case of a victory over Nero. The rebelling legions did not even have to break through to Rome with a fight. The people, the troops and even the Praetorians also came out against Nero, even though the Senate at first declared the rebels criminals. The news of the betrayal of the Guard led the ruler into confusion. It became clear that his days were numbered.

The country villa was the last place where Emperor Nero stopped in his flight. Biography gave him no chance at the mercy of the winners. The Senate has already declared him an enemy of the people. At first he did not dare commit suicide, but when he heard the clatter of horsehair on the street, he finally took hold of the knife. With the help of a faithful servant, Nero cut his throat. According to the legend, at that moment he said: "What an artist dies!". This phrase became winged.

His body was burned by several of his last associates, and the urn was buried in a family estate. With the death of Nero, the first Roman imperial dynasty, Julius Klavdiev, stopped. After that, the country was still shaken by the civil war.

Value

The personality of Nero remained extremely controversial for many generations of historians. Under him, the empire was in full swing, but the Emperor's merit was hardly in this. He himself was distinguished by his insane character (for which he became most famous) and indulged in all sorts of pleasures, while the state apparatus was inerting its work. It was the golden age of ancient society.

In Christianity, Nero was sealed as a tormentor, on the orders of which many believers who were recognized outside the law were tortured and executed.