Nero

Question 1

Presentation

Answer 1

Given his Quinquennium Aureum, the ‘five golden years’ by most of his sources
Suet: declared … rule … in line with Augustan presedent … let slip no opportunity to show his generosity

Criticised for Philhellenism (Suet: began to long appear on the stage | Tacitus: no less foul enthusiasm to sing to the lyre) 62 AD: AS displaying Nero as Lyre player

Indulged in Excess:
Suet: little by little … vices grew stronger | Suet: Colossal statue of the emperor | Pliny: prepared … furnish in gold and silver

Not universal hate: Dio: false Nero … gained a few followers in Asia

Question 2

Early reign

Answer 2

Agrippina
Prevented Britannicus’ accession (Tacitus: Precluded him from leaving his room)
Poisoned Tib (Suet: served from his hand … form of mushrooms)
Used Sex to control (Tacitus: presented herself … prepared for incest) also massively influential (Aureus of Nero AD 54: displaying Agrippina on the coin)
Killed her in 59 (Tacitus: decided to kill her | Suet: his mother put to death on the pretence of suicide)

Question 3

Wives

Answer 3

Octavia:
Important, blood related to Augustan lineage, legitimise reign : Acc to Tacitus, exiled and then died in 62, pretence of suicide
Poppeia:
Tacitus suggests catalysed Octavia’s execution, and Josephus presents as politically competent, Tacitus and Suet do not though (Tacitus: tribune made his report in the presence of Poppeia)
Died 65 AD, deified alongside their daughter
Messalina
Great great granddaughter of Augustus: Suet notes how Nero killed her original husband to marry

Question 4

Pisonian Conspiracy

Answer 4

Tacitus: did not come of his wish | vast number of ‘senators, soldiers and even females’ involved

Tacitus: ‘agitation’ as to the actual plot, essential standstill

Many killed inc Seneca Tacitus: ‘due to his acting as intermediate … or perhaps to appease to Nero’

Tacitus: there is a large number of senators listed in his narrative - likely Nero taking advantage of the situation

Question 5

Great Fire

Answer 5

Tacitus: Rome is divided into 14 districts, 4 of which remained intact

Suet: brazenly set fire to the city | Suet: Singing of the fall of Troy

Tacitus: highlights his station outside of Rome, though returned ‘when the fire neared the house connecting the Paletine … opened his Gardens’ for refuge - may have allowed to make way for Domus Aureum

Pliny: ‘Domus Aureum’ golden palace

Sestercius displaying triumphal arch 64 AD: also commemorates Corbulus, and also highlight his new measures for building

Question 6

Vindex’s revolt

Answer 6

Dio: Jews revolted … and the gauls … infuriated by taxes

Suet: Vindex ‘a man strong in stature’ good god like imagery, divine intervention - also, Nero away ‘for eight days’ before acting to intervene and stop revolt

Denarius of Vindex AD 68: legitimise Vindex’s claim to power

Dio: engaged by Vinius rufus, 20000 dead, Vindex suicide

Dio & Suet: Galba promoted by troops, senate denounces and exiles Nero - Dio: Jupiter what an artist perishes in me

Question 7

Admin changes

Answer 7

Not much:
Sestertius displaying triumphal arch 64 AD: Celebrates reinstatement of Lusture in building

Tacitus: buildings … spaced apart … solid … timberless

Question 8

Relations with the People and the Senate

Answer 8

Plebs:
Suetonius: vast number of entertainments - Sestertius of Nero 64: reinstatement of the corn dole - loved after reign: Dio: Nero impersonator … gained support in the east
Equestrians:
Suet: sect of equestrians … applaud Nero … paid 40,000
Tacitus: Notes specific ‘Tigellinus’ who encourage depravity and betrayed Nero after his downfall
Senate:
Remained compliant (Tacitus: arrived in festive dress following the death of his mother)
Paetus, stoic | Tacitus: made a point of standing and leaving the senate on the news of Agrippina’s death … stood grounds only for danger to himself