Nero
Nero, full name Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus (37-68 AD). Roman emperor. His mother, Agrippina, se-cured the succession for him on the death of her second husband Claudius (54), excluding Britannicus, the rightful heir. Nero, who early displayed traits of cruelty, is believed to have arranged the deaths of Agrippina, Britannicus, his wife Octavia, and many others. The Great Fire of Rome (64) is often attributed to Nero, although modern historians do not consider him guilty of starting it; he himself accused the Christians of the crime and violently persecuted them. During a rebel-lion in 68 he was condemned to death by the senate but committed suicide before the sentence could be carried out.
