Nero : The Man Behind the Myth

Overturning the popular conception of Nero as the nasty of the ancient world, this text shows him as a charismatic and democratic leader who was a patron of the arts. Incorporating results from modern archaeological research, the author encourages readers to see the man rather than the monster.

Stories of Nero's tyrannical reign began before his body was cold and have continued to circulate; the monster who dallied whilst Rome burned, the tyrant who murdered his wife and his mother and who threw Christians to the lions. But is this the true story? The author of this work seeks to overturn this popular conception of Nero and rescue the man from the myth. Richard Holland reveals Nero as more of a liberator than an oppressor, who tried to democratize the state and who went "on tour" to Greece, screamed at by thousands of adoring followers. Through social, cultural and archaeological evidence, Nero is encountered as man rather than monster, and a democratic and charismatic leader who was a patron of the arts. His story is told from his birth into the Imperial family through his mother's remarriage to the new Emperor Claudius - whom she would eventually murder; his education by Seneca; his marriage; his enthronement as Emperor at age 16; his role as patron; his love affair with Poppea and the murders of his wife and mother; the increasing enmity towards him; the Great Fire of Rome and building of the Golden Palace; the killing of the Christians; the death of Poppea and Nero's growing instability; treason trials and suicide writs; rebellion in Gaul and Spain; and Nero's suicide.