Adopted name of Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (AD 37-68)
Roman emperor from 54. In 59 he had his mother Agrippina and his wife Octavia put to death. The great fire at Rome 64 was blamed on the Christians, whom he subsequently persecuted. In 65 a plot against Nero was discovered. Further revolts followed 68, and he committed suicide.
Son of Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina, Nero was adopted by Claudius, and succeeded him as emperor. He was a poet and connoisseur of art, and performed publicly as an actor and a singer.