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“Exciting and provocative . . . Nero is a pleasure to read.”—Barry Strauss, author of The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium
The Roman emperor Nero’s name has long been a byword for cruelty, decadence, and despotism. As the stories go, he set fire to Rome and thrummed his lyre as it burned. He then cleared the charred ruins and built a vast palace. He committed incest with his mother, who had schemed and killed to place him on the throne, and later murdered her.
But these stories, left behind by contemporary historians who hated him, are hardly the full picture, and in this nuanced biography, celebrated historian Anthony Everitt and investigative journalist Roddy Ashworth reveal the contradictions inherent in Nero and offer a reappraisal of his life. Contrary to popular memory, the empire was well managed during his reign. He presided over diplomatic triumphs, and his legions overcame the fiery British queen Boudica who led one of the greatest revolts Rome had ever had to face. He loved art, culture, and music, and he won the loyalty of the lower classes with fantastic spectacles. He did not set fire to Rome.
In Nero, ancient Rome comes to life: the fire-prone streets, the deadly political intrigues, and the ongoing architectural projects. In this teeming, politically unstable world, Nero was vulnerable to fierce reproach from the nobility and relatives who would gladly usurp him, and he was often too ready to murder rivals. He had a vision for Rome, but, racked by insecurity, he perhaps lacked the stomach to govern it.
This is the bloodstained story of one of Rome’s most notorious emperors: but in Everitt and Ashworth’s hands, Nero’s life is also a complicated, cautionary tale about the mettle required to rule.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
November 8, 2022 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593632925
- File size: 401034 KB
- Duration: 13:55:29
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 12, 2022
Historian Everitt (Alexander the Great) and journalist Ashworth deliver a nuanced biography of Roman emperor Nero, who ruled from 54 to 68 BCE. Spotlighting the “contradiction” that Nero was loved by the Roman people but despised by the elite, the authors explain that the nature of the Roman Principate, which had no clear principle of succession, helped foster Nero’s suspicions about members of his court. Everitt and Ashworth also detail how Nero’s mother, Agrippina, helped put her son on the throne, but sought to control his private life and policy decisions. Even after Nero murdered her, Agrippina “linger as a presence throughout her son’s restless, guilt-ridden life.” Though Nero’s advisers, especially Burrus and Seneca, helped him keep the Roman empire “well managed,” he eventually tired of their control, abandoned all pretense of shared governance with the Senate, and embraced autocracy. The authors also explain how Nero’s love of Greek culture and his public performances as a charioteer and singer crossed a line with Roman elite, solidifying their belief that he wasn’t fit to rule. Though Everitt and Ashworth don’t break much new ground, they evoke the period with wit and precision. Ancient history buffs will be pleased. -
Everitt and Ashworth tell the sordid, unhappy, often fascinating story of the boy emperor who was perversely unfit for the role. Greg Patmore's strong suit is his ability to convey the sense of the text line by line with energy and lively expression, though his sentences often sound oddly weak toward the end. In quotations, he gives both ancient historians and historical figures distinctive voices, and takes the opportunity provided by direct quotations for some competent acting. He gives the pronunciation of Latin (and other non-English) names an unfortunate Italianate lilt that, whether literally correct or not, is consistently distracting. But the basic intelligence and expressiveness of his performance, along with the often lurid history, should keep listeners engaged. W.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
Starred review from May 1, 2023
Historian Everitt (Cicero; Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome) and investigative journalist Ashworth present a deep dive into the life and times of Roman emperor Nero, who reigned from C.E. 54 until he died in C.E. 68. With painstaking detail, the authors investigate surviving ancient original texts written mainly by Nero's enemies, and unconfirmed rumors passed down through the ages. They reveal surprising evidence that ordinary Romans loved Nero and that his rule wasn't much worse than the other Caesars. This refreshing work offers a balanced view of Nero as an insecure young man who probably never should have been vested with power and authority. The background information about the life and times of Romans during his reign helps clarify the contradiction between Nero's sordid reputation and his connection with the middle and lower classes. Award-winning narrator Greg Patmore's baritone voice steadily guides listeners through this intriguing, full-on story of the great-great-grandson of Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire. VERDICT A commendable study of the disinformation, gossip, and faulty scholarship that has clouded this infamous Roman Caesar, who just wanted to be a musician and poet. Highly recommended for large public and academic library collections.--Dale Farris
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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