2019-07-18 Thu

Nero was the Roman Emperor reigning from 54 to 68. He was the last emperor of the Julio Claudian Dynasty. Today on this day in 64 AD, Great Fire of Rome begins under his reign.

Nero has always been remembered for his cruel and self-indulgent nature. His people were not happy during his regime and it all came to an end by 64 CE. He was born in Antium to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger.

Emperor Nero came into power when he was just 16 years old under the guidance of his mother. He later went on to kill his own mother and at least one of his wives. That’s the reason why he is one of the most controversial emperors of the Roman Era.

It is believed that he started the great fire of Rome and then blamed it on Christians. According to the annals of Roman historian Tacitus, he ruthlessly executed them by setting dogs upon them or by nailing them to crosses.

He also wanted to build a grand golden palace in Rome for which he searched for the lost treasure of Queen Dido of Carthage as well as looted treasures and Roman temples. He minted more gold coins than his predecessors but they were slimmer than the earlier versions. When the Emperor lost to a rebellion in A.D. 68, he committed suicide before he could be punished.

One of the earliest coins that Nero issues during his reign show Agrippina (his mother) on the coins. The obverse of a coin depicts confronted heads of Nero & Agrippina, Nero is bare-headed facing right, Agrippina is draped facing left. The reverse of a coin has legend within oak wreath.

Image Source: wikipedia.org