NeroNero

Dr David W.J. Gill

University of Wales Swansea

Introduction Introduction

The ancient sources The modern

assessment Career Strengths and

weaknesses

Ancient SourcesAncient Sources

Tacitus, Annals 13–16 Suetonius, Nero

Modern sourcesModern sources

Griffin, M.T. 1984. Nero: the end of a dynasty

Warmington, B.H. 1977. Suetonius’ Nero

Suetonius as a sourceSuetonius as a source

born c. AD 70, C. Suetonius Tranquillus grandfather appears to have been familiar with

the imperial court of Gaius– freedman or praetorian guard

father: Suetonius Laetus– equestrian tribune with Legio XIII on the side of

Otho

– may have had links with Hippo Regius in Algeria (inscription)

Suetonius’ backgroundSuetonius’ background

brought up in Rome familiar with Domitian friends with Pliny the Younger who became

his patron– 111 probably on staff of Pliny in Bithynia

Suetonius’ backgroundSuetonius’ background

probably worked at Rome on public pronouncements– 117: chief secretary to Hadrian– 121 or 122: fell from office

too familiar with empress Sabina

130: still alive

Structure of Suetonius’ lifeStructure of Suetonius’ life

1-8 Life to accession 9-10 Early life 20-38 Follies and crimes 39-50 Disasters, death and funeral 51-56 Character 57 Reaction

Tacitus’ backgroundTacitus’ background

born c. 56 senator under Domitian 97: consul governor of Asia friend of Pliny the Younger

– therefore likely to have known Suetonius probably survived the emperor Trajan

Life of NeroLife of Nero

born 15 December 37– son of Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and Iulia

Agrippina (II) consul AD 32

Links with the imperial familyLinks with the imperial family

His mother, Agrippina (II) had married Claudius

Betrothed to Claudius’ daughter Octavia (II) in 49 - and his adoptive sister (Suet. Nero 7)– married in 53

The youthful NeroThe youthful Nero

Tacitus, Ann. 13: – ‘But from early boyhood Nero’s mind, though

lively, directed itself to other things — carving, painting, singing, and riding. Sometimes, too, he wrote verses, and thereby showed he possessed the rudiments of culture’

AdoptionAdoption

By Claudius in 50– Ti. Claudius Nero Caesar– Suet. Nero 7: ‘When he reached the age of 11,

Claudius adopted him and appointed Annaeus Seneca, who was already a senator, as his tutor’

Seneca as tutorSeneca as tutor

Exiled by Claudius for adultery with Iulia Livilla, daughter of Germanicus

Tacitus, Ann. 12.8.3 has Seneca recalled in 49: ‘Agrippina … now secured the recall of Lucius Annaeus Seneca from exile … She also had designs on him as a distinguished tutor for her young son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus … Seneca’s advice could serve their plans for supremacy …’

AccessionAccession

Claudius died 13 October 54 (Suet. Claud. 45)

Claudius declared a god (Suet. Claud. 45) Agrippina became his priestess Papyrus from Oxyrhynchus [LR ii.9]

AcclamationAcclamation

Suet. Nero 8: ‘After being acclaimed Emperor on the Palace steps, he was taken in a litter to the Guards’ Camp, where he briefly addressed the troops. He then visited the Senate House, where he remained until nightfall, refusing only one of the many high honours voted him, namely the title “Father of the Country”, and this because of his youth’.

Proclamation of Nero as Proclamation of Nero as emperoremperor

POxy 1021 ‘Fulfilling the debt to his ancestors, the manifest god

Caesar has departed to them, and the expected and hoped for imperator of the world has been proclaimed: the good spirit of the world, the origin of the greatest of all good things, Nero has been proclaimed Caesar. For this reason, all of us ought to wear wreaths and sacrifice oxen, to show all the gods our gratitude. Year 1 of Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, on the 21st of the month New Augustus’ [17 Nov]

The ‘quinquennium’The ‘quinquennium’

A golden age for the first five years Trajan perceived it as a golden age of good

government (Aur. Victor, Epitome 5)– ‘Trajan justifiably said quite often that all

emperors were far behind Nero’s quinquennium’

Nero’s first speech to the Nero’s first speech to the SenateSenate

Suetonius, Nero 10– to rule according to Augustan precedent

Tacitus, Ann. 13.4– renunciation of the abuses of the Claudian

regime– ‘From my house, bribery and favouritism will

be excluded’– ‘these promises were implemented’

Ending administrative abuses Ending administrative abuses in Egyptin Egypt

Edict of 68: Ti. Julius Alexander [LR ii.295–98]

reaction to requirements under Nero

Tacitus on the end of the Tacitus on the end of the Golden AgeGolden Age

Tacitus, Ann. 13– treason charge against Burrus, the emperor’s

tutor– ‘Burrus’ death undermined the influence of

Seneca’– linked in an attempt to discredit Agrippina

‘‘Follies and crimes’Follies and crimes’

Suetonius, Nero 19.3– ‘I have separated this catalogue of Nero’s less

atrocious acts — some forgivable, some even praiseworthy — from the others; but I must begin to list his follies (probris) and crimes (scelerribus)’.

Increasing debaucheryIncreasing debauchery

Tac. Ann. 13: ‘The year was a time of peace abroad, but disgusting excesses by Nero in Rome. Disguised as a slave, he ranged the streets, brothels, and taverns with his friends, who pilfered goods from shops and assaulted wayfarers: indeed, as marks on his face testified, Nero himself was struck’– leads to an acceptance of disorder– senator forced to commit suicide

Gang warfareGang warfare

Tac. Ann. 13– Nero encouraged gangs, enjoying the major

fights– linked to theatre troops

dancers expelled from Italy

Nero remarriesNero remarries

divorced Octavia (in 62) married Poppaea Sabina

– wife of M. Salvius Otho (future emperor) who was sent off to govern Lusitania

– a daughter, Claudia (died in infancy)

Introduction of Greek style Introduction of Greek style gamesgames

to be held every five years 61 gymnasium established

DissatisfactionDissatisfaction

65 conspiracy to make C. Calpurnius Piso emperor– Tacitus, Ann. 15.54 ff– Plutarch, Moralia 505C-D: ‘The talkativenesss

of a single person prevented the city of Rome from becoming free after deliverance from Nero. For it was just one night before the tyrant was to die and everything had been readied …’

Safety of the emperorSafety of the emperor

Inscription from Luna in Etruria (ILS 233)– ‘ … in fulfilment of a vow undertaken for the

safety of Imperator Nero, which he had vowed for the Baliarians in the year in which Aulus Licinius Nerva had been consul (AD 65) …’

no mention of Marcus Vestinus Atticus who was killed in the aftermath of Piso plot (Tactius, Ann. 15.68-69)