Emperor Nero

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Bust of Nero at the Musei Capitolini, Rome
5th Emperor of the Roman Empire
Reign	13 October 54 – 9 June 68 (13 years)
Predecessor	Claudius, grand-uncle, stepfather, and adoptive father
Successor	Galba
Born	15 December 37 Antium (modern Anzio and Nettuno), Italy
Died	9 June 68 (aged 30) Outside Rome
Burial	Mausoleum of the Domitii Ahenobarbi, Pincian Hill, Rome
Spouse	Claudia Octavia Poppaea Sabina Statilia Messalina Sporus Pythagoras_(freedman)
Issue	Claudia Augusta
Full name Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (birth to adoption) Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus (adoption to accession) Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (imperial name)
House	Julio-Claudian dynasty
Father	Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus Claudius (adoptive)
Mother	Agrippina the Younger
Religion	Roman paganism

Nero (/ˈnɪəroʊ/; Latin: Nerō Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus; 15 December 37 AD – 9 June 68 AD) was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and like him, became emperor with the consent of the praetorian guard. Nero's mother, Agrippina the Younger, was implicated in Claudius' death and Nero's nomination as emperor. She dominated Nero's early life and decisions until he cast her off; five years into his reign, he had her murdered.

His reign began well. At first he was content to be guided by his mother, his tutor Lucius Annaeus Seneca and his Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Afranius Burrus. As time passed, he played a more active and independent role in government and foreign policy. During his reign, the redoubtable general Corbulo conducted a successful war and negotiated peace with the Parthian Empire. His general Suetonius Paulinus crushed a major revolt in Britain. The Bosporan Kingdom was briefly annexed to the empire, and the First Jewish–Roman War began. Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade and the cultural life of the empire, ordering theatres built and promoting athletic games. He made public appearances as a poet, musician and charioteer; in the eyes of traditionalists, this undermined the dignity and authority of his person, status and office. His extravagant, empire-wide program of public and private works was funded by a rise in taxes, much resented by the middle and upper classes. Various plots against his life were revealed, and their ringleaders were executed; most were Nero's own courtiers.