Explain The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Emperor Nero

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There were many strengths and weaknesses presented by the emperor Nero during the Julio-Claudian period. The strengths included grain supply to Rome was ensured, Claudius’ building projects, the aqueducts and Ostia were completed, a programme was established under Seneca to look after the economic welfare of the provinces and trade was encouraged throughout the empire by getting rid of harbour taxes, effectively setting up a ‘free trade’ system. However Nero became extravagant showing many weaknesses during his reign such as increasing taxes, renew the treason trials to raise funds, performed in the public, and failed to acknowledge the importance of the army and the Praetorian Guard. Nero was born in AD37. Nero was the son of Agrippina the younger. Agrippina married Claudius and In AD 50 persuaded Claudius to adopt Nero as his own son. Nero succeeded to the throne on 13 October 54, following Claudius's death.…show more content…
The Great Fire ravaged Rome. The fire began in shops selling inflammable materials in the Circus Maximus area, and was fanned by a wind so that it quickly spread through. Only 4 of the 14 regions of Rome escaped damage, while 3 were completely destroyed. Nero rushed to Rome and organised relief measures, opened public buildings as temporary shelters and provided cheap grain. Once the flames were out he gave funds for restoration work and issued strict regulations to reduce the risk of any future recurrence. Despite all this Rumours arose accusing the Emperor Nero of ordering the torching of the city and standing on the summit of the Palatine playing his lyre as flames demolished the world around him. Tacitus says that ‘whether it was accidental or caused by a criminal act on the part of the emperor is uncertain’ because the rumours about Nero starting the fire ha have never been confirmed. People became convinced that Nero had started the fire himself but the Emperor looked for

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