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Nero's Downfall (1 Viewer)

Kenijoe

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im in year 11 doing a historical investigation on Nero's downfall, does anyone have any info about what led to his downfall and quotes from historians etc for their views on Nero

thankyou
 

stillwaters

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alston: "Gaius was mad while nero was just bad."
um possible reasons... you can look at the role of seneca and burrus, who were nero's advisors, as well as the role of agrippina (their parts weren't obvious... kinda more, with the absence of them nero just became a craptacular ruler)
nero's personality- more concerned with the arts and own pleasure vs. running a principate although that point can be argued against too if your look at his building projects which were pretty good for the roman people.
the role of the senate and the army- nero didnt give them juju and they dont give him juju (sorry... grey's anatomy watching has reached crisis point)... he bascially neglects them...
role of praetorian guard- tigellenus and burrus.
hope that gives you some direction.
i cant give you quotes off the top of my head, but check out scullard, alston, matyszak (modern historians) as well as tacitus, suetonius and dio (for ancient sources... although you've probably got them already) hope that helps! g luck with your historical investigation ^^
 

jennieTalia

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Nero's downfall, in my opinion, came about due to his neglect of the Power groups in Rome, and also his inability to maintain the proper characteristics of the Imperator.

The Power Groups were: The army, the Praetorian Guard, the masses and the Senate.
He decided not to pay the army (which started revolts) and he just stopped proper campaigning, ignored the Senate completely (who became disgruntled and began assasination plans), witheld grain from the public just to see their reactions (and did many other completely atrocious things such as started riots on purpose, burnt down Rome, embarked on serious persecution etc...) and only really kept somewhat in connection with the Praetorian Guard.

Characteristics of the Princeps (Emperor): Stoic (he went against this by deciding to be an actor), dutiful (he ignored all his typical duties of payment, took money from whomever he wanted, engaged in unlawful behaviour etc), maintainer of peace (he caused uproar on purpose) and prosperity (he over spent, then called on the law of maiestas to take away other peoples property to keep the treasury going).

As he failed in most of the areas that an Imperator shoul excel at, he was on a path to downfall through the dissatisfaction of his own people.
 

Schoey93

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Nero's downfall, in my opinion, came about due to his neglect of the Power groups in Rome, and also his inability to maintain the proper characteristics of the Imperator.

The Power Groups were: The army, the Praetorian Guard, the masses and the Senate.
He decided not to pay the army (which started revolts) and he just stopped proper campaigning, ignored the Senate completely (who became disgruntled and began assasination plans), witheld grain from the public just to see their reactions (and did many other completely atrocious things such as started riots on purpose, burnt down Rome, embarked on serious persecution etc...) and only really kept somewhat in connection with the Praetorian Guard.

Characteristics of the Princeps (Emperor): Stoic (he went against this by deciding to be an actor), dutiful (he ignored all his typical duties of payment, took money from whomever he wanted, engaged in unlawful behaviour etc), maintainer of peace (he caused uproar on purpose) and prosperity (he over spent, then called on the law of maiestas to take away other peoples property to keep the treasury going).

As he failed in most of the areas that an Imperator shoul excel at, he was on a path to downfall through the dissatisfaction of his own people.
Wow great post Jennie. You continue to impress me. :)
 

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