The Life and Times of Nero

Book excerpt: The Roman emperor Nero is one of the most notorious figures in history. He is most famous for “fiddling while Rome burned,” then blaming Christians for setting the fire and beginning a series of horrible persecutions against them. With the help of his scheming mother Agrippina, he became emperor at the age of sixteen. It didn’t take him long to become tired of being under his mother’s thumb. Like most teenagers, he wanted to become independent. Because he had so much power, he ordered her to be murdered. He often misused his power. Many people lived in fear. He even changed the time that the Olympic Games were held and added some events so that he could participate and win. Finally the Romans were fed up with him. He was declared a “public enemy.” He tried to run away, but he was too late. With soldiers closing in, he killed himself.