BY: Andreea Romero, Charnelly Figueroa, Annie Yim Nero BY: Andreea Romero, Charnelly Figueroa, Annie Yim

Early Life Emperor Nero was born as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus but later took the name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus. He was son to Gnaeus Domitius and Agrippina. He was born on December 15, 37 A.D. When his father died, he was adopted by his great-uncle emperor Claudius and his mom married Claudius. Claudius made Nero his successor. Nero married his step-sister, Octavia. Agrippina poisoned Claudius and Nero was named emperor of Rome at 17.

NERO CLAUDIUS AGRIPPINA

Strengths At the beginning of his reign, Nero tried gaining a status of being abundant in politics. Nero was willing to share his powers with the senate. Nero would often sing and perform at private events. He also convinced upper class men to take dancing lessons. His biggest achievement would have to be rebuilding Rome after a fire had burned down most of the city.

THE DOMUS AUREA NERO PERFORMING

Weaknesses Nero was power-hungry and was a tyrant ruler. He persecuted Christians especially after the great fire. He ordered men to kill his mother and also killed his first and second wives. Nero passed many unfair laws and the people that didn’t follow them were sentenced to death. He spent a lot of money on projects such as the Domus Aurea when he was suppose to spend it on the people of Rome. Because of that, Rome was left poor after his death.

Persecution of Christians On the night of July 19, 64 A.D., a vast fire spread through the city of Rome. Nero was not in the city that day, which made the people of Rome suspicious about him starting the fire. The people blamed Nero for the fire, so to clear his name Nero blamed the Christians. After this, some Christians were crucified, feed to lions, or their corpses were used as torches at Nero’s dinner parties.

THE FIRE OF ROME CHRISTIANS BEING FED TO THE LIONS CHRISTIANS BEING CRUCIFIED UPSIDE DOWN THE FIRE OF ROME

Contributions to Roman life THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES He rebuilt Rome after most of it burnt down. This helped Rome survive as an empire. He was responsible for a lot of Roman architecture. For example, the Domus Aurea and the Colossus of Rhodes. The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the seven wonders of the world. He also had an everlasting affect of Christianity because of his persecutions. He affected Rome’s economy because he would spend money carelessly, leaving Rome bankrupt. PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

Was nero a good emperor for the citizens? Nero was not a good emperor for the citizens of Rome because he did a lot of damage to the Roman culture. After doing so many bad things, he ended up leaving Rome financially unstable.

FUN Facts When the Christians were going to be crucified as punishment they did not want to be crucified like Jesus because that would be too much of an honor. So, they were crucified upside down. Since Nero was very extravagant, modern day historians presumed that Nero most likely had a mental illness. Nero would serve sweetened snow as one of his desserts at his feasts.