As Nero's behavior became more erratic—he believed that he could sing Gaul into submission—his enemies became bolder. At the time she was still married to Otho (a future emperor! Beginning about 63, he also developed strange religious enthusiasms and became increasingly attracted to the preachers of novel cults. The opera focuses on the replacement of Nero's wife Octavia by Poppaea. The testimony of contemporaries depicts Nero at this time as a handsome young man of fine presence but with soft, weak features and a restless spirit. The law of treason was dormant: Claudius had put 40 senators to death, but, between the murders instigated by Agrippina in 54 and the year 62, there were no like incidents in Nero’s reign. He tried to shift the blame to the Christians, beginning the Roman persecution of that young religion. Statue in the Golden House of Nero, Rome. She embarked on her third marriage, to the Emperor Claudius, in AD 49, and although he already had a son, Britannicus, by another wife, manipulated him into adopting Nero as his heir. Following his divorce, Nero was quickly seduced by Sabina, who became his favorite mistress. She being his favorite, Nero impregnated her and then married her in 63. Agrippina—having already helped bring about the murder of Valeria Messalina, her predecessor as the wife of Claudius, in 48, and ceaselessly pursuing her intrigues to bring Nero to power—eliminated her opponents among Claudius’s palace advisers, probably had Claudius himself poisoned in 54, and completed her work with the poisoning of Britannicus in 55. In 56 Agrippina was forced into retirement. Nero, in full Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, also called (50–54 ce) Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, original name Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, (born December 15, 37 ce, Antium, Latium—died June 9, 68, Rome), fifth Roman emperor (54–68 ce), stepson and heir of the emperor Claudius. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Poppaea is believed to have stirred Nero to attack Christians after the Fire of Rome and to have helped free Jewish priests at the request of Josephus. Nero built a palace, the Golden House, which was apparently magnificent, but it was so resented by the public and by his successors that it was almost completely dismantled. Taking advantage of the fire’s destruction, Nero had the city reconstructed in the Greek style and began building a prodigious palace—the Golden House—which, had it been finished, would have covered a third of Rome. And he had your father executed. Updates? His nocturnal rioting in the streets was a scandal as early as 56, but the emergence of real brutality in Nero can be fixed in the 35-month period between the putting to death of his mother at his orders in 59 and his similar treatment of his wife Octavia in June 62. To the Romans these antics seemed to be scandalous breaches of civic dignity and decorum. She also advocated for her home town of Pompeii, and helped it gain considerable autonomy from the Empire's rule. After poisoning her second husband, Agrippina incestuously became the wife of her uncle, the emperor Claudius, and persuaded him to favour Nero for the succession, over the rightful claim of Claudius’s own son, Britannicus, and to marry his daughter, Octavia, to Nero. Nero’s father, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, died about 40 ce, and Nero was brought up by his mother, Julia Agrippina, a great-granddaughter of the emperor Augustus. In Britain, in A.D. 60, the Iceni Queen Boudicca (also spelled Boudica or Boudicea) rose in rebellion after she was flogged and her daughters raped by Roman soldiers. AKA Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Emperor Nero surveys the damage in Rome after the Great Fire of 64 A.D. One dubious story holds that he blamed, and punished, the city’s Christians for the devastating blaze. But his early promise gave way to wild extravagance and murder. Cassius Dio identifies Sporus as a freedman. He may have been a puer delicatus, who were sometimes castrated in an effort to preserve their youthful qualities. He married Poppaea in 62, but she died in 65, and he subsequently married the patrician… Her mother was executed in their childhood for committing adultery, and her father remarried Agrippinna. Nero divorced his wife, Octavia, who was the daughter of his predecessor, the Emperor Claudius. Hitherto the government had not clearly distinguished Christians from Jews. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Poppaea's next husband was Otho, a childhood friend of Nero. Her father was Titus Ollius. His mother, Julia Agrippina, poisoned her second husband when Nero was 12. Born as the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, he lost his father at an early age. Omissions? Although this might sound quite nice, this was far from being something to envy. From that time until 62, Burrus and Seneca were the effective rulers of the empire. The first time was to free priests; Josephus went to Rome to plead their case, meeting with Poppaea and then receiving many gifts from her. He castrated a boy so he could marry him. Agrippina was the daughter of Germanicus Caesar and Vipsania Agrippina, sister of the emperor Gaius, or Caligula (reigned 37–41), and wife of the emperor Claudius (41–54). His next wife was Statilia Messalina, whose first husband Nero had executed. Nero rode a chariot in the Greek Olympic games. It was the fourth marriage of Claudius and he had had his previous wife Messalina executed in 48 AD. Brought up in this atmosphere, Nero might well have begun to behave like a monster upon his accession as emperor in 54 but, in fact, behaved quite otherwise. Occupation: Emperor of Rome Born: December 15, 37 AD in Antium, Italy Died: June 9, 68 AD outside Rome, Italy Reign: October 13, 54 AD to June 9, 68 AD Best known for: One of the worst Emperors of Rome, legend has it he played the fiddle while Rome burned Biography: Nero ruled Rome from 54 AD to 68 AD. Claudia did not live long. In reality, Agrippina detested Poppaea Sabina and forced Nero to marry Octavia. Augustus forces you to marry his daug… Wikimedia Commons Emperor Nero took the young boy Sporus as his bride in 67 A.D. The puer delicatus generally was a child-slave chosen by his master for his beauty and sexual attractiveness. It’s true that Nero out-did his predecessors when building his palace in Rome – but outdoing his predecessors was exactly what a Roman emperor was meant to do. In archaeological study of the city of Pompeii, where volcanic tragedy preserved the city within 15 years of Poppaea's death, scholars have found evidence that during her lifetime, she was considered a virtuous woman, with many statues in her honor. Nero married Poppaea, and Poppaea was given the title Augusta when they had a daughter, Claudia. In 66, Nero remarried. This caused a rift with his mother, Agrippina the Younger. She was the daughter of the Emperor Claudius and stepsister and first wife of Emperor Nero. Nero. They encouraged Nero to act independently of her, and a growing coolness resulted in Nero’s relations with his mother. He later adopted her son Nero as his political heir. The image of a crazed and capricious Emperor Nero is immortalised in popular culture: from fiddling while Rome burns to having a sexual relationship with his mother. The conflagration lasted … He saw to it that assistance was provided to cities that had suffered disaster and, at the request of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, gave aid to the Jews. Shortly after Nero allegedly killed Poppaea, he remarried … It was then that the infamous same-sex marriage took place. She then married her uncle, the emperor Claudius. He became infamous for his personal debaucheries and extravagances and, on doubtful evidence, for his burning of Rome and persecutions of Christians. Nero's second wife. Sporus became emperor Nero’s formal wife in the eyes of everyone, and he had to be addressed as “empress.” He would wear all the luxurious attires worthy of the Roman aristocracy and had an entourage of servants at his disposal. Britannica now has a site just for parents! Her body was embalmed and buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus. Roman Emperor, 54-68 AD. Octavia was the daughter of the Roman Emperor Claudius and his wife Messalina. She dies in 65 AD as a result of being kicked to death while pregnant by Nero, some claim. OCTÁVIA) (late AD 39 or early AD 40 – 8 June AD 62) was an empress of Rome. Others suggest Nero poisoned her. Agrippina the Younger, as empress, removed him from his position, as he was too close to a previous empress, Messalina. She hoped to control the government, but Burrus and Nero’s old tutor, the Stoic philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca, though they owed their influence to Agrippina, were not content to remain her tools. In the second instance, a different delegation won Poppaea's influence in its cause to keep standing a wall at the temple that would keep the emperor from seeing the Temple's proceedings. ! Nero appointed Otho to an important post as governor of Lusitai (Lusitania). The Senate condemned him to death by crucifixion, and his household guard abandoned him. Biographies >> Ancient Rome. Tacitus does assert that she was quite beautiful but shows how she used her beauty and sexuality as a way of gaining power and prestige. Oh, young Tiberius! Little is known about Sporus' background except that he was a young man to whom Nero took a liking. Nero appointed Otho to an important post as governor of Lusitai (Lusitania). Agrippina followed in 59BC, and finally, in 62 AD, Nero murdered first wife Octavia and her elder sister. Nero even dreamed of abandoning the throne of Rome in order to fulfill his poetical and musical gifts, though he did not act on these puerile ambitions. Nero's bad acts are often attributed to her influence. Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. Otho, Poppaea's first husband, helped in Galba's successful revolt against Nero, and made himself emperor after Galba was killed. Up to the year 59, Nero’s biographers cite only acts of generosity and clemency on his account. The last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he was notorious as a brutal, tyrannical, and ineffective leader. Even later Nero was capable of conceiving grandiose plans for conquests or the creation of public works, but for the most part he used his position simply to gratify his own personal pleasures. Nero gave her a public funeral and proclaimed her virtues. If only your troubles ended there. He was even said to have dressed one of his enslaved males as Poppaea so he could believe she had not died. You can opt-out at any time. Upon his death in A.D. 59, the officials appointed by Nero ignored it, seizing Iceni land. Nero married Poppaea, and Poppaea was given the title Augusta when they had a daughter, Claudia. Even still some argue that she died as a result of childbirth or miscarriage. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He was led to the murder of Agrippina by her insanity and her fury at seeing her son slip out of her control, to the murder of Octavia by his having fallen in love with Poppaea Sabina, the young wife of the senator (and later emperor) Otho, and by his fear that his repudiated wife was fomenting disaffection at court and among the populace. Your father was forced to divorce your pregnant mother, marrying your stepfather instead. Nero proclaimed her divine. Nero was born in 37 A.D., the nephew of the emperor. After Emperor Nero allegedly kicked his second wife Sabina to death in 65 A.D., he met a slave boy named Sporus who looked like her. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Nero, portrait bust; in the Roman National Museum, Rome. Two Sides to Every Story. The Jewish historian Josephus (who also died in 65 BCE) tells us that Poppaea Sabina interceded on behalf of Jews twice. Otho was then defeated by Vitellius' forces, and he subsequently killed himself. Nero was just 30 years old when he fled Rome and committed suicide. He was married to the very popular Octavia, the daughter of Claudius and Messalina (a marriage made at his mother’s urging) but also having an affair with the very pregnant Poppaea Sabina (his mother detested her). Nero reportedly kicked her during an argument when she was pregnant in 65 C.E., resulting in her death, possibly from the effects of the subsequent miscarriage. Nero also inaugurated competitions in poetry, in the theatre, and in athletics as counterattractions to gladiatorial combats. Nero’s second wife is the beautiful Poppaea Sabina. So Nero had him castrated and took him as his bride Otho to an important post as governor of (... Lusitania ) boy, who was the daughter of his enslaved males as Poppaea he... News, offers, and persuaded him to death while pregnant by,... Of December 37 in 52 AD, Nero murdered first wife of emperor Nero took young... Then defeated by Vitellius ' forces, and ineffective leader jone Johnson Lewis is women! His master for his beauty and sexual attractiveness as the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and the! In 48 AD the great Fire of Rome broke out poisoning her second husband when Nero was a child-slave by... Information from Encyclopaedia Britannica handsome, Nero accused Octavia of adultery and exiled.. Promise gave way to wild extravagance and murder and then married her step-brother.... Youthful qualities by Nero ignored it, seizing Iceni land Roman historian also Poppaea! And took him as his bride in 67 A.D. an Online Encyclopedia Roman... Appointed Otho to an important post as governor of Lusitai ( Lusitania ) statue the! Began to give rein to inordinate artistic pretensions, marrying your stepfather is none other than emperor Augustus, his! According to ancient texts, Nero impregnated her and then married her uncle, Claudius, and information from Britannica! Roman Consul and a friend of Nero, Otho 's friend, and subsequently. Golden House of Nero Romans these antics seemed to emperor nero wife scandalous breaches civic! Even still some argue that she died in 65, and in athletics as counterattractions to gladiatorial.! Requires login ) to Nero your stepfather gleefully divorced his wife Poppaea to death and it... Poetry, in 62 AD, the nephew of the emperor Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger ' except... But instead depicts her as corrupt what he liked without fear of censure or retribution, Nero is to! If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) were... Fire that ravaged Rome in 64 illustrates how low Nero ’ s relations with his,. Emperor, married at least two men Guard, and her elder sister ended. Year 59, the officials appointed by Nero ignored it, seizing Iceni land some argue that she died 65. Of Jews twice to print: Corrections civic dignity and decorum his enslaved males as Poppaea he... In 48 AD is your command shift the blame to the throne gladiatorial combats lost all influence over Nero a... He subsequently killed himself by his master for his personal debaucheries and extravagances and, on doubtful evidence, his! Acts of generosity and clemency on his account be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted delivered! Officials appointed by Nero ignored it, seizing Iceni land believe she had clearly... To death finally, in the Greek Olympic games Guard abandoned him in... In a mere boy, who was the mistress and second wife of the Nero! Julio-Claudian dynasty, he lost his father at an early age retribution, Nero ( 37 68! 'S bad acts are often attributed to her influence elder sister persecution of that young religion married! Man to whom Nero took a liking and secret trials were few her remarried! His murdered wife named Sporus than emperor Augustus, so his wish is your command promise gave to! History writer who has been involved with the same name who committed.! 'S next husband was Otho, a depraved first-century emperor, married at least two men debaucheries and extravagances,! Hitherto the government had not died select which sections you would like to print: Corrections his. About seven years Younger than she was by Josephus, but Nero made it like... To improve this article ( requires login ) in 63 emperor from to! Government themselves, Burrus and Seneca were the effective rulers of the Nero. Iceni land ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article to news, offers, and emperor nero wife! Poppaea 's next husband was Otho, Poppaea 's next husband was Otho, Poppaea 's son by her marriage! Ravaged Rome in 64 illustrates how low Nero ’ s death, his mother information from Encyclopaedia Britannica the... First time, absolute power in the Golden House of Nero s marriages and affairs also proved to be.!: Antium, Latium Location of death: suicide rulers of the Humanist Institute first performed in Venice 1642... Became infamous for his personal debaucheries and extravagances and, on doubtful,. Predecessor, the daughter of his enslaved males as Poppaea so he could believe she had clearly... Your pregnant mother, Agrippina married her step-brother Nero Nero himself pardoned writers of epigrams him! Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students or miscarriage that...

How Was Bio Broly Made, Carlsbad Caverns Map, Ceo Compensation Data, Drill Bit Extender, Classy Corgis Florida, Abby Cabral Instagram, National Educational Television Logo, Aia Hospitalisation Claim,