The Roman Emperor Nero History Essay
The Emperor Nero was born at Antium called as Anzio on the 15th December AD 37. He was named as Lucious Domitius Ahenobarbus. He was the last Roman Emperor reigned from 54 to 68 AD of the Julian- Claudian line. He was the niece of the emperor Claudius. Is father was died when Nero was scarcely three years old. Nero was adopted by the Emperor Claudius. Nero’s history during next thirteen year is summed up by his mother’s struggle to win the throne for him which was predicted should be his. Nero was only 17 years old when he became the ruler of the Rome emperor.
For every ruler there are benefits and disadvantages during or later in history. The first few years of emperor rule were known as the fine example of good administration. All the matters of the emperor were handled effectively and Senate had enjoyed a renewed influence in the state affairs. He also promised Senate to give them more autonomy. Due to administrative reforms of Nero ancient historians had spoken fairly well and contrasted him with his later ruler. In the early years of his rule restrictions were put on the amount of the fines and bail and fees for the lawyers were made limited. Senate had discussed the misconduct of the freedom class and strongly demanded the patrons had the rights to revoke the freedom. On the instance Nero supported the freedom class and he ruled that patron’s hade no right to revoke the freedom. Senate tried to pass the law that crime of one slave applied to all slaves which Nero vetoed. Nero never had banned any magistrate or prosecutor from exhibiting the public entertainment. There were many impeachments and removal of government officials with their arrest for extortion and corruption. Nero however is considered bad ruler of Rome history. Nero attempted to improve the Poor’s economic conditions. Complaints were raised that so many taxes were levied on poor. Nero attempted to reveal the all the indirect taxes. So the taxes were cut down to 2.5% from 4.5%. The tax system was made open to public to reduce the prices of the foods. Also it was declared that merchant’s ships would be exempted. In 63 fiscal crises started and Nero was forced to raise the prices of the foods items. Nero donated the treasury to manage this problem and opted a peace deal with the Parthians. Another achievement of the Nero was to construct the major products during his late reign. These projects had bad effects on the economy of the Rome. Nero was known as the generous and mildness until 59, during this period he forbade capital punishment and contests involving the bloodshed in circus. Nero did much to enhance its efficiency and introduced many relationships based on its operations. He expanded the transport for the relief of the public and also military capacity of the Empire .But this side of the emperor was disappeared when he took such decisions that made him a cruel ruler of Rome. When Nero’s regime is compared with his immediate successors it was noted that Rome under Nero’s rule was a peaceful emperor. Nero had fought only one major war with Prthia, on this occasion both he was criticized and praised for an aversion to battle. Like other many problems Nero had faced many internal rebellions and power struggles.
On the other hand The Great fire of the Rome that erupted between the night of the july18 and july19 is debatable. It had done a great damage and loss to the Rome.
Uncertainty about the causes of the fire is founded still now. Because it spread for many days and many of the districts of the Rome were destroyed. Nero had started to rebuild the city and he blamed the Christians to fire the city. The persecution of the Christians was taken in many forms, as some were torn to death by dogs and other was killed helpless.
In the presence of the crimes as the historians had said about the Nero. The large part of the empire was beyond the circle of his immediate influence and it remained undisturbed. The palace and city presented the scene of bloodshed and intrigue. Tacitus had mentioned that Christians confessed to the crime but it was not known that these confessions were induced by the torture. But these fires were common as under the Vitellius in 69 and in 80 under the Titus such incidents had occurred. Many critics had said that Nero was playing his lyre and singing while the city was burned. It was not true because popular legend remembered that Nero was playing the fiddle while the Rome was burned. Tacitus had told that on hearing the news of the fire Nero had returned to Rome and started to organize the relief efforts that was raised by his own funds. Nero hade given shelter to homeless and arranged the food for them in his palace.
Galba the governor of the Hispania had taken the control of the emperor as senate had voted Galba the emperor and Nero a public enemy. Nero was urged to flee but he committed the suicide. In this way Julio-Claudian dynasty was ended.
Emperor Nero gained the regime and remained in problems throughout his regime. He did well for the common people to boost up the economic conditions of emperor Rome. He introduced many new improvements. Yet criticism had come when the city was burnt and also on the occasion when Christians were prosecuted. However it can be concluded that his regime was better than his successors.
Citations
Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus (AD 15 – AD 68) 02 June 2010.
Available from: http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/nero-index.html
The Emperor Nero 54-68. 02 June 2010.
Available from: http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/mediterranean/nero.