Emperor Nero Born: Rome's Most Infamous Ruler
Nero was born in December 37 AD in Antium, the same coastal town where Caligula had been born. His mother Agrippina the Younger poisoned Claudius to put Nero on the throne, then discovered that was a mistake. Nero had her killed in 59 AD — the first attempt with a booby-trapped boat failed; he sent soldiers. The Great Fire of Rome burned for six days in 64 AD while Nero, by most historical accounts, was not in Rome at all. He blamed the Christians and executed them enthusiastically. He was twenty-five during the fire. He killed himself in 68 AD at thirty. "What an artist dies in me," he reportedly said.
December 15, 37
1989 years ago
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