Nero, a Roman Emperor who reigned from 54 A.D. to 68 A.D. He was born at Antium on the coast of Latium 12/15/37. His Father was Domitius Ahenobarbus; Mother Agrippina, the daughter of Germanicus Caesar, and sister of Caligula.
Nero’s mother married Emperor Claudius, and Claudius then adopted Nero in 50 A.D. After the death of Claudius, Nero was declared Emperor. The choice of Nero as Emperor was ratified by the Senate and the provinces.
At first Nero was considered moderate, and showed a great deal of promise. He was under the guidance of Burrhus, and his tutor Seneca the philosopher. Their efforts to educate, and guide Nero were frustrated because of the influence of Nero’s mother, and also because of Nero’s moral weakness and sensuality.
He began his campaign of terror and murder by poisoning Britanicus, the son of Ciaudius because he dreaded him as a rival to the throne. In 59 A.D. he caused his own mother Agrippina to be assassinated, this to please his mistress Poppaea Sabina.
Afterward he married Octavia the sister of Britannicus the man he murdered; then later put her to death. It appears the Roman Senate had fallen to a new low, because they issued an address congratulating the hateful son on the death of his own mother.
I would like to move on with Nero’s relationship with Christian community. Though Nero is not named in the Scriptures he is pointed out by his title of Emperor, and by his surname Caesar. Paul appealed to Nero after his imprisonment by Felix, and after his examination by Festus. Festus was influenced by the Jews to do so.
Paul went to Rome in 61 A.D. where Nero reigned and where he preached the gospel for two years. Paul became a well known figure even in Nero’s court. In the book of the Philippians Paul speaks of the Palace, Phil.1:12-13, and mentions the saints that “are in Caesar’s household,” in Phil.4:22. How Paul was liberated from the charges made against him, we have no record; but it appears he was freed in 63 A.D.
Nero became an extremely dangerous, cruel, and savage man. As wicked and depraved as any Emperor before or after him, he began his relentless persecution of the Christian church in 64 A.D. This persecution was founded on the false pretense of Christian’s having burned the city of Rome.
Nero’s blame, wrath and focus fell upon all of the Christian community. At first, all the Christian’s that were known were taken first. Under the threat of death and torture, these were made to confess charges they were not guilty of; this caused others to fall into his hands.
The brutality of this man cannot be put into words. The atrocities he committed against his own citizens and against the Christian community are of the most horrendous sort. What moves a mad man? What pact had he made privately with Satan?
Christian’s were sown up in the skins of beasts, than exposed to dogs to be torn to pieces; others were nailed to crosses; and while others perished by fire. Those who died by fire were sown up in pitch (tar) coverings that were than set on fire. These served as torches for the people of the city, being set ablaze during the evening hours. Nero in his insanity gave over his gardens for use to exhibit all his inhuman actions.
From this time forward edicts were published against the Christians, and many martyrs suffered, especially in Italy. Peter and Paul are thought to have suffered martyrdom, consequent upon his persecution in 65 A.D.
In 65 and 66 A.D. the Jews revolted against the Romans, the city of Jerusalem making an insurrection in 66 A.D. Florus the governor of Judea had exasperated the Jews beyond their patience, forcing them to rebel. He commenced to slay 3600 Jews, thus began the war with Rome.
After a short time, the men of Jerusalem killed the Roman garrison. Cestius a Roman soldier came to Jerusalem to suppress the uprising, but was later forced to retreat after having besieged the city for some six weeks. He was routed in his retreat in 66 A.D.
Nero than gave Vespasian the command of his troops to move against the Jews. Vespasian carried on the war in Galilee and Judea during 67 and 68 A.D. In 68 A.D., the Galic and Spanish legions followed by the Roman Praetorian Guard rose up against Nero and made Galba Emperor.
Nero had to flee to Rome, and soon after ended his life by suicide, 6/11/68 A.D. The city of Jerusalem was not besieged until after Nero’s death, the time, 70 A.D. this being the first and second year of Vespasian reign.
Is this God’s righteous judgment? Why do men like Nero, Judas, Hitler, Goering, Himler, Goebbels, and others cut from the same cloth die by their own hand? These men spent their lives slaughtering Jews’ and Christians’ alike. They sealed their own faith because they sold their souls to Satan.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com