What do you think?
Rate this book
Nero and the Burning of Rome
Chariot-racer, poet, performer and reveller Nero dominated Rome during his erratic and divisive reign. He was the murderer of, among many others, his own mother, brother and wife, but the plot to kill him, supported by Roman officers and philosophers alike, foundered in yet more bloodshed, including the death of Seneca. Tacitus' lively account of the politics and figures of the time, and of the fire that consumed much of Rome in AD 64, is taken from The Annals of Imperial Rome, translated by Michael Grant.
52 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 120
7 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Tacitus
3,053 books366 followersborn perhaps 55
died perhaps 120
From the death of Augustus in 14 Histories and Annals , greatest works of Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Roman public official, concern the period to Domitian in 96.
Publius Cornelius Tacitus served as a senator of the empire. The major portions examine the reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those four emperors, who reigned in the year. They span the empire to the years of the first Jewish war in 70. One enormous four-books long lacuna survives in the texts.
Publius Cornelius Tacitus discusses oratory in dialogue format in Dialogus de oratoribus , Germania in De origine et situ Germanorum , and biographical notes about Gnaeus Julius Agricola, his father-in-law, primarily during his campaign in Britannia (see De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae ).
died perhaps 120
From the death of Augustus in 14 Histories and Annals , greatest works of Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Roman public official, concern the period to Domitian in 96.
Publius Cornelius Tacitus served as a senator of the empire. The major portions examine the reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those four emperors, who reigned in the year. They span the empire to the years of the first Jewish war in 70. One enormous four-books long lacuna survives in the texts.
Publius Cornelius Tacitus discusses oratory in dialogue format in Dialogus de oratoribus , Germania in De origine et situ Germanorum , and biographical notes about Gnaeus Julius Agricola, his father-in-law, primarily during his campaign in Britannia (see De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae ).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 24, 2021
What I like about this particular account is that we have Tacitus, the stern and dutiful military man, whose very name has given us the word "Taciturn" but he is writing about an Emperor whose temperament is so very much the opposite of his own.
What I dont like so much is that these very small books, although convenient, may not fully do justice to the grandeur of the classical texts from which they have been extracted.
What I dont like so much is that these very small books, although convenient, may not fully do justice to the grandeur of the classical texts from which they have been extracted.
August 24, 2022
I failed to keep up with the body count, which grew exponentially towards the end. Nero was evidently not a nice chap.
However, mildly interesting that this relatively contemporary account (perhaps 50 years after the AD 64 fire that destroyed Rome) says that Nero: opened public and his own lands to help those caught up in the fire; constructed emergency accommodation for the poor; brought in food imports; and subsidised corn prices. And in return he reportedly got no thanks; just a rumour that he’d held a party where he’d sung. So fake news was also around then? And also interesting what gets remembered and misquoted/represented - no fiddle in sight!
But in the end just lots of dates and names from nearly 2000 years ago, even I’m asking myself “so what!”
However, mildly interesting that this relatively contemporary account (perhaps 50 years after the AD 64 fire that destroyed Rome) says that Nero: opened public and his own lands to help those caught up in the fire; constructed emergency accommodation for the poor; brought in food imports; and subsidised corn prices. And in return he reportedly got no thanks; just a rumour that he’d held a party where he’d sung. So fake news was also around then? And also interesting what gets remembered and misquoted/represented - no fiddle in sight!
But in the end just lots of dates and names from nearly 2000 years ago, even I’m asking myself “so what!”
August 20, 2017
Rated 3 out of 5 as felt it jumped around a bit but that could have been due the fact I was proofreading and editing it.
February 7, 2012
Not much wrong with old Cornelius. I've enjoyed reading his 'Agricola' and 'Germania', but I think these extracts from his 'Annals of Imperial Rome' are even better. 'The Madness of Nero' begins somewhere amidst books 7-12, with the demise of Claudius. This Penquin Epic, which contains just one hundred and thirty five pages then covers the many sordid details of Nero's Rome. I really wanted this book to continue, as it breaks off before the debauched one finally gets seen off.
Also this text repeatedly inspired recollections of my walks around the Forum Romanum and Campania. Tacitus has recorded so many extraordinary events here. More murders than Ruth Rendell ever imagined. Claudius, Agrippina, Poppaea, to name just Nero's close family. The riot and the earthquake in Pompeii. The fire in Rome, as well as that famous reference to Christ, Pontius Pilate and the use of Christians as an early form of street lighting.
Also this text repeatedly inspired recollections of my walks around the Forum Romanum and Campania. Tacitus has recorded so many extraordinary events here. More murders than Ruth Rendell ever imagined. Claudius, Agrippina, Poppaea, to name just Nero's close family. The riot and the earthquake in Pompeii. The fire in Rome, as well as that famous reference to Christ, Pontius Pilate and the use of Christians as an early form of street lighting.
May 15, 2021
A good factual intro to Nero’s reign even if a little prejudice is not put aside. I found the way this book is written to be dull in many aspects and not wholly interesting even for such a monumental event in Roman history. The parts about Seneca is were I think the book shines since his stoic emotional detachment contrasts the cruel hatred driven Nero. But ultimately, it lacks too much detail to be a strong source in the end.
May 2, 2013
Some of the events told in this short book are well documented. Always find it interesting to read ancient history by writers like Tacitus, people who lived through some of the events or who knew those who did. Filled with names such as Nero, Claudius, Agrippina, Octavia and Seneca. There's murder, plotting, intrigue and suicides a plenty.
December 26, 2020
I have a newfound respect for Tacitus, and I know now why he is considered as one of the greatest Roman historians.
He minces no words while describing Nero's depravities and the atrocious crimes he committed. He says, "Nero was already corrupted by every lust, natural and unnatural." Although most of us know that the fifth Roman Emperor was no saint, I had no idea he was such a deviant. During the fire, Tacitus says that he sang about the destruction of Troy while his own city burned. There is no mention of a violin. Tacitus also seems disgusted by the subservient behaviour of the aristocrats and civilians after the conspiracy was revealed. He says, "Men who had lost their sons, or brothers, or other kinsmen, or friends, thanked the gods and decorated their houses with laurel, and fell before Nero, kissing his hand incessantly." I loved his acerbic wit. Of Secundus Carrinas, an agent of Nero, he says, "The other, Secundus Carrinas, professed Greek culture, but no virtue from it percolated to his heart."
This short book is an excerpt from The Annals of Imperial Rome. I think the latter will be an excellent read.
He minces no words while describing Nero's depravities and the atrocious crimes he committed. He says, "Nero was already corrupted by every lust, natural and unnatural." Although most of us know that the fifth Roman Emperor was no saint, I had no idea he was such a deviant. During the fire, Tacitus says that he sang about the destruction of Troy while his own city burned. There is no mention of a violin. Tacitus also seems disgusted by the subservient behaviour of the aristocrats and civilians after the conspiracy was revealed. He says, "Men who had lost their sons, or brothers, or other kinsmen, or friends, thanked the gods and decorated their houses with laurel, and fell before Nero, kissing his hand incessantly." I loved his acerbic wit. Of Secundus Carrinas, an agent of Nero, he says, "The other, Secundus Carrinas, professed Greek culture, but no virtue from it percolated to his heart."
This short book is an excerpt from The Annals of Imperial Rome. I think the latter will be an excellent read.
March 13, 2023
This short book teaches you if people gain absolute power, they will inevitably suck. There is no one above the Roman Emperor, so no one checks that power. Once the role of Emperor was equated with divinity, the floodgates of debauchery burst wide open. In the Empire, everyone follows rules to promote order and obedience, but these rules never apply to the Emperor and those in the Emperor's circles. Besides an unchecked life, one must always look over their shoulder, as those they "love" and "trust" may be plotting to kill you and/or your heirs. An Emperor may have a glorious "yolo" life, but for how long? Most of these absolute monarchs abused their roles, so I guess the backstabbing serves as comeuppance.
April 24, 2022
It's quite amazing to see the parallels to modern society in particular to politics, politicians and societal behaviours. Humans haven't changed one iota, still just as selfish self motivated and treacherous as they were then. You hear people say how educated and evolved the modern human is but you read this, people and society really haven't changed all that much at all.
April 14, 2020
A well told account of some of the more interesting moments that took place during the reign of Nero.
A nice little book that can be read in an hour or two at moderate pace that provides a brief glimpse into Roman life at the time of Nero, and the all-pervading plots and dirty dealings of the Roman elite.
A decent translation, with good editing and formatting.
A nice little book that can be read in an hour or two at moderate pace that provides a brief glimpse into Roman life at the time of Nero, and the all-pervading plots and dirty dealings of the Roman elite.
A decent translation, with good editing and formatting.
May 10, 2022
Amazing piece of ancient history.
March 23, 2023
Yeah, he wasn't exactly the best of sons.
A good and short Roman history that contains both grandeur and detail.
A good and short Roman history that contains both grandeur and detail.
April 27, 2021
i wanna smoke a blunt with Nero and have the worst time of my life. maybe fuck around and get executed, burn down rome.
July 19, 2010
it really was the only choice after having completed claudius
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews