Nero

Nero, Emperor of Rome, was the son of Cneius Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina, daughter of Germanicus. He was born at Antium in the year 37, and adopted when he was thirteen by the Emperor Claudius, whose daughter Octavia became his wife soon after. In spite of the fact that Claudius had a son, Nero was proclaimed emperor on the death of the latter in 54. His reign, which lasted for thirteen years, was marked by the subjugation of Armenia, by revolts of the Jews, and by the rising of Buddug, or Boadicea, in Britain.

Nero poisoned Britannicus, son of Claudius, had his mother Agrippina assassinated, and then banished and put to death his wife Octavia, whom he had divorced in order to marry his mistress Poppasa. The latter he killed, and then married the notorious Messalina, after Antonia, daughter of Claudius, had been put to death for rejecting his proposals. Seneca, Lucan, Corbulo, and Thrasea Partus were also amongst his victims. Many Christians were also put to death on account of the fire at Rome in 64, the planning of which Suetonius and Dion attribute to Nero himself. In 68 risings took place in Spain and Gaul, and Nero, being deserted by the troops at Rome, put an end to his life.