Nero was born on 15 December 37 CE in Antium. The fifth and last Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Nero became emperor at 16 after the death of Claudius, who had adopted him. His early years were guided by his tutor Seneca and the prefect Burrus, and brought peace and competent government, but he later had his mother Agrippina and other rivals killed. In 64 a great fire destroyed much of Rome, and he blamed the Christians, who were persecuted, while building a huge new palace, the Golden House. A conspiracy and then revolts in the provinces cost him the support of the army and senate, and he died by suicide in 68. Ancient writers portray him as a tyrant, though he remained popular among the lower classes of the empire.
Before and after
- c. 33 CEDeath of Jesus Christ
- 33 CEOrigins of Christianity
- 37 CEBirth of Josephus
- 16 March 37 CEDeath of Tiberius
- 15 December 37 CEBirth of Nero
- 30 December 39 CEBirth of Titus
- 24 January 41 CEDeath of Caligula
- 42 CEOrigins of Coptic Orthodox Church
- 43 CERome invades Britain
More in Art, literature & culture
- 26th century BCEThe Great Sphinx
- c. 430s BCEHerodotus writes the Histories
- 2nd century BCEVenus de Milo
- c. 20 BCEVirgil's Aeneid is published
- c. 4 BCENativity of Jesus
- 325 CEFirst Council of Nicaea
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 1st century.