The events that led to the suicide of the last member of the great Julio-Claudian dynasty are no less dramatic then the Emperor himself perhaps could of wished for. AD 68 saw Nero facing rebellion against his rule from the province of Gallia Lugdunensis, in response to his tax policies.
"This Vindex called together the Gauls, who had suffered much by the numerous forced levies of money and were still suffering at Nero's hands."
The legions on the Rhine were sent into suppress the rebellion, which has recently gained support from the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, Galba. The rebellion in Gaul was defeated at the Battle of Vesontio, however the spark had been applied to the powder keg and the German legions declared there own general, Verginius emperor. Verginius declined the offer, but despite momentarily regaining control of the situation, things were starting to slip away from Nero.
 |
| Marble bust of Nero fromThe British Museum |
Galba's popularity grew and the leader of the Praetorian Guard declared his loyalty to him. Perhaps learning from the history of his own family, Nero decided it was time to leave Rome. First heading to Ostia to sail for the loyal eastern provinces, Nero abandoned the idea,
"Whereupon he turned over various plans in his mind, whether to go as a suppliant to the Parthians or Galba, or to appear to the people on the rostra, dressed in black and beg as pathetically as he could for pardon for his past offences"
That night Nero slept in the palace. Indecisive he awakened to find the palace abandoned, Nero called for a gladiator to kill him. When no one answered, Nero with some of his freedmen, fled to a villa located in the hills outside Rome.
At the same time the Senate were debating what course of action to take. Nero was the last member of the great Julio-Claudian dynasty founded over one hundred years ago by the best and greatest, Augustus the first emperor of Rome. There was no one in the Senate who had lived outside of the Julio-Claudian rule and some who questioned what would happen in the event of the fall of Nero. The threat and fear of civil war were ever present in the minds of all Romans.
A courier arriving to Nero brought the news that he had been declared a public enemy and that it was the Senates intention to execute him. Demanding a grave be dug, Nero murmured his famous line,
"Qualis artifex pereo" or "What an artist the world is losing"
Suetonius Life of Nero Chapter 49
Losing his nerve Nero asked one of his companions to kill himself to set him the example, however hearing the sound of hooves in the night, Nero steeled himself to face his end. Still unable to commit the act himself, he commanded his secretary, Epaphroditos to kill him. When the horsemen finally reached the villa they found Nero on the cusp of death. Attempting to stem the bleeding Nero's final words came from his lips "Too late. This is fidelity!".
 |
| Coin from AD 62 depicting Nero from the British Museum |
Nero died on the 9th June AD 68 and with him the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The Senate declared him a public enemy after his death to win support from the future Emperor Galba, who was at that time bearing down on Rome.
It is often said that it was Nero himself who lost the Empire, through his indecision and doubting his own support. It was Nero alone who threw his position away. After suppressing the rebellion in Gaul, the German legions remained loyal, if not completely content and you can only surmise that a less dramatic and more level headed Emperor could of easily equally crushed Galba's rebellion. After all it was only one governor out of the whole empire who had risen in revolt. Nero's resources, wealth and access to legions remained in tact.
The end of AD 68 saw the fears of the Senate realised, with a return to civil war and what has become to be known as the Year of the 4 Emperors. The passing of Nero marks one of those watershed moments in Roman history, it paved the way for new dynasties and elected men to take the top job on the emperor of Rome. Tacitus says it best
"For the secret of empire was now revealed, that an emperor could be made elsewhere than at Rome"
Thanks for Reading
James
No comments:
Post a Comment