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The Lives of the Twelve Caesars #6
نيرون طاغية روما
عندما وجد نيرون نفسه سيداً مطاعاً - كما سنقرأ في هذا الكتاب - فإنه لم يجد غضاضة في سفك دماء أهله، فهو يسوقهم إلى المحكمة بتهم باطلة، وهي طريقة مألوفة لدى هذه الفئة من الطغاة
إنه يحتقر القوانين المكتوبة وغير المكتوبة، ولما لم يكن شيء يقف في وجه الطاغية المستبد فإنه يصبح عبد الجنون، أو ينقلب حكمه إلى كارثة، فهو يقتل المواطنين ظلماً وطغياناً، ويذوق بلسان وفم دنسين دماء أهله ويشردهم، وعندئد يصبح هذا الرجل طاغية ويتحول إلى ذئب كما يصفه أفلاطون
إنه يحتقر القوانين المكتوبة وغير المكتوبة، ولما لم يكن شيء يقف في وجه الطاغية المستبد فإنه يصبح عبد الجنون، أو ينقلب حكمه إلى كارثة، فهو يقتل المواطنين ظلماً وطغياناً، ويذوق بلسان وفم دنسين دماء أهله ويشردهم، وعندئد يصبح هذا الرجل طاغية ويتحول إلى ذئب كما يصفه أفلاطون
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 140
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About the author
Jacob Abbott
1,400 books91 followersAbbott was born at Hallowell, Maine to Jacob and Betsey Abbott. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820; studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824; was tutor in 1824-1825, and from 1825 to 1829 was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
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December 9, 2018
The Roman historian Suetonius (70 AD – 130 AD) belonged to the Roman aristocracy and wrote colorful and spirited biographies of 12 Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian. One of his raciest and most lively accounts is of famous fiddler Nero (actually Nero played not the fiddle but a small harp called the lyre), who, at age 17, was proclaimed emperor of Rome. Below are quotes from Suetonius along with my comments.
“It appears to me proper to give a short account of several of the family, to show that Nero so far degenerated from the noble qualities of his ancestors, that he retained only their vices; as if those alone had been transmitted to him by his descent.” --------- The Greco-Romans put great emphasis on ancestry and how one inherits strength of character from parents and grandparents. One senses Suetonius shaking his head as he relates the sad story involving a man of abysmal character. And to add icing to this bad character cake, Suetonius relates how, on being told he had a son, Nero’s father said: "That nothing but what was detestable and pernicious to the public could ever be produced of me and my wife Agrippina."
Suetonius goes on to say how Nero’s father died and “he was sent to live with his aunt Lepida, in a very necessitous condition, under the care of two tutors, a dancing-master and a barber.” ---------- In addition to inheriting strength of character from one’s ancestors, the Romans knew how a youngster should have good teachers providing a solid education in the philosophical virtues. Once again, one can imagine Suetonius shaking his head when he reflects on the future leader of the world learning lessons of life from a dancer and a barber as opposed to a philosopher and a historian.
The author recounts some of the benefits Nero bestowed on the empire, but then says: “I have brought these things into one view, in order to separate them from the scandalous and criminal part of his conduct, of which I shall now give an account.” ---------- I’ll spare the reader the more vicious, cruel and sadistic episodes. What follows are instances of egotism so bloated and out-of-control there is an element of comedy.
“Among the other liberal arts which he was taught in his youth, he was instructed in music; and immediately after his advancement to the empire, he sent for Terpnus, a performer upon the harp who flourished at that time with the highest reputation. Sitting with him for several days following, as he sang and played the harp, he began by degrees to practice upon the instrument himself. Nor did he omit any of those expedients which artists in music adopt, for the preservation and improvement of their voices. He would lie upon his back with a sheet of lead upon his breast, clear his stomach and bowels by vomits and clysters, and forbear the eating of fruits, or food prejudicial to the voice. Encouraged by his proficiency, though his voice was naturally neither loud nor clear, he was desirous of appearing upon the stage, frequently repeating amongst his friends a Greek proverb to this effect: "that no one had any regard for music which they never heard."” ---------- Hey, Nero. You are the Roman emperor. Why don’t you try ruling your empire instead of learning to play the harp and sing on the stage. Ah, the calling of the muses!
Nero chose young men of the equestrian order and more than five thousand robust young fellows from the common people, on purpose to learn various kinds of applause which they were to practice in his favor, whenever he performed. ---------- Now there’s a performer who knows his show biz – not only learning to play the harp and sing but training thousands of his audience in the art of applauding him.
During the time of his musical performance, nobody was allowed to stir out of the theater upon any account, however necessary; insomuch, that it is said some women with child were delivered there. Many of the spectators being quite wearied with hearing and applauding him, because the town gates were shut, slipped privately over the walls; or counterfeiting themselves dead, were carried out for their funeral. ---------- Evidently Nero could knock ‘em dead.
That no memory or the least monument might remain of any other victor in the sacred Grecian games, he ordered all their statues and pictures to be pulled down, dragged away with hooks, and thrown into the common sewers. . . . and caused statues of himself to be erected in the attire of a harper, and had his likeness stamped upon the coin in the same dress. ---------- Wow! There’s a leader who wants to stamp out history. Regrettably, such self-aggrandizement is common fare amongst tyrants, ancient or modern.
The author tells of how Nero had built “"The Golden House.” Of its dimensions and furniture, it may be sufficient to say thus much: the porch was so high that there stood in it a colossal statue of himself a hundred and twenty feet in height; and the space included in it was so ample, that it had triple porticoes a mile in length, and a lake like a sea, surrounded with buildings which had the appearance of a city . . . Upon the dedication of this magnificent house after it was finished, all he said in approval of it was, "Good. Now I can at last begin to live like a human being!"” ---------- The Roman philosophers, most notably the Stoics, put great emphasis on understanding how to live a good human life, a life lived according to nature. Suetonius’s tacit judgment here is that emperor Nero doesn’t have a clue.
“Pretending to be disgusted with the old buildings, and the narrow and winding streets, he set the city on fire so openly, that many of consular rank caught his own household servants on their property with tow, and torches in their hands, but durst not meddle with them. . . . his fire he beheld from a tower in his house, and "being greatly delighted," as he said, "with the beautiful effects of the conflagration," he sung a poem on the ruin of Troy, in the tragic dress he used on the stage.” ---------- Not only to set your own city on fire; not only to enjoy the spectacle as a stage performer; but then to deflect anybody pointing fingers, you accuse members of an obscure cult of the crime!
Since, as Suetonius says, “There was no person at all connected with him who escaped his deadly and unjust cruelty.”, there came a time when enough was enough. After ruling for 14 years, Nero, age 31, received the news he was to be publicly whipped to death. Fearing intense pain, he ended his life by suicide. Nero’s last words: "What an artist is now about to perish!"
Suetonius available on-line: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6400/6...
June 16, 2009
Here is a newly released biography of Nero for students in Christian schools or in homeschool. First in a forthcoming series, this book is the first open door to a series of fantastic educational opportunities. Before I say more, let me bring in old Martin for some sturdy observations.
"When schools flourish, things go well and the church is secure . . . God has preserved the church through the schools. They are the preservers of the church. Schools don't have a beautiful appearance, and yet they are very useful" -- Martin Luther
As a pastor, I would much rather preach to people who are biblically literate than those who are not. I would much rather pastor people who have had the advantage of a Christian education than those who have not. This is not because the preliminary work is begrudged -- it needs to be done and done gladly. But when churches and schools are in partnership, the schools do a lot of the necessary spadework first. And this means that those who are responsible to see to it that sound doctrine is pervasive in the Church have a much easier time of it.
Nero was a dirtbag of the highest order, but he was the emperor when much of the New Testament was being written. A student who reads this biography is going to be gathering the kind of information that Christians in the first century had gleaned from their "newspapers," and which enabled them to understand what the apostles were telling them -- far more accurately than we often do. When modern students start to pick up some of this information, a lot of the Bible is going to start to make a lot more sense. This is one of the great payouts of offering our children a classical Christian education.
High kudos to Canon Press for this book, and for the series. Anybody responsible for classical Christian history curriculum needs to review this book, and the others that are coming. The books are appropriate for age 12 and up, and future plans include 31 more titles -- Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Julius Caesar are next.
"When schools flourish, things go well and the church is secure . . . God has preserved the church through the schools. They are the preservers of the church. Schools don't have a beautiful appearance, and yet they are very useful" -- Martin Luther
As a pastor, I would much rather preach to people who are biblically literate than those who are not. I would much rather pastor people who have had the advantage of a Christian education than those who have not. This is not because the preliminary work is begrudged -- it needs to be done and done gladly. But when churches and schools are in partnership, the schools do a lot of the necessary spadework first. And this means that those who are responsible to see to it that sound doctrine is pervasive in the Church have a much easier time of it.
Nero was a dirtbag of the highest order, but he was the emperor when much of the New Testament was being written. A student who reads this biography is going to be gathering the kind of information that Christians in the first century had gleaned from their "newspapers," and which enabled them to understand what the apostles were telling them -- far more accurately than we often do. When modern students start to pick up some of this information, a lot of the Bible is going to start to make a lot more sense. This is one of the great payouts of offering our children a classical Christian education.
High kudos to Canon Press for this book, and for the series. Anybody responsible for classical Christian history curriculum needs to review this book, and the others that are coming. The books are appropriate for age 12 and up, and future plans include 31 more titles -- Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Julius Caesar are next.
March 30, 2025
▪︎كتاب غير روائي 1
▪︎كتاب صوتي 1
▪︎اللغة العربية 1
▪︎ الموضوع تاريخي
روما، 18 جويلية 64 م
سبقت هذه الليلة حدثا مهما في مدينة روما: مهرجان الألعاب السنوي"ألعاب على شرف إنتصار القيصر"
ولد نيرون سنة 37 م لأسرة من النبلاء (أبوه كان قنصلا معروفا بالفساد و الوحشية، و أمه كانت أخت الإمبراطور)
قتل أمه التي كانت وصية على العرش ليستقل تماما بالسُلطة.
تعرض نيرون لعدة محاولات إغتيال و نجى منها.
تزوج زوجتين و قتلهما.
حكم الامبراطور نيرون روما من 13 أكتوبر 54 م إلى 9 يونيو 68 م (37-68 م)، حيث أصبح حاكم الإمبراطورية الرومانية بعد وفاة والده بالتبني الإمبراطور كلوديوس، وكان آخر حاكم لما يسميه المؤرخون سلالة "جوليو كلوديان"، وقد حكم حتى قتل نفسه.
أشتهر "نيرون" (حكم من 54 إلى 68م) سيئ السمعة بأنه أول إمبراطور روماني يضطهد المسيحيين، فعندما اتُهم بإشعال حريق روما المروع عام 64 م، ولتبديد الشكوك، ألصق التهمة بالمسيحيين، فقبض عليهم ودعا الفقراء المشردين إلى وليمة وأطلعهم على مكان تعذيب المسيحيين وصلبهم.
كان نيرون متحمّسًا لتدمير المدينة حتى يتمكن من تجاوز مجلس الشيوخ وإعادة بناء روما كما في مخيّلته. أرسل نيرون الرجال علنًا لإشعال النار في المدينة. شوهد نيرون من برج ماكنس على تلة اسكيلين وهو يغني. أرسل نيرون رجالًا لإشعال النار في المدينة.
مراجعة لرواية "نيرون طاغية روما" للكاتب جاكوب أبوت
تُعتبر رواية "نيرون طاغية روما" واحدة من أبرز الأعمال التاريخية التي تناولت شخصية الإمبراطور الروماني نيرون، وهو أحد أكثر الحكام إثارةً للجدل في التاريخ القديم. كتبها جاكوب أبوت بأسلوب سردي جذاب يمزج بين الدقة التاريخية والحبكة الدرامية، ما يجعلها قراءة ممتعة لمحبي الروايات التاريخية.
ملخص الرواية
تتناول الرواية حياة نيرون منذ صعوده إلى العرش وحتى سقوطه المأساوي، مُسلّطة الضوء على شخصيته المعقدة التي جمعت بين الذكاء، الطموح، القسوة، والتهور. يستعرض أبوت نشأة نيرون تحت وصاية والدته القوية، أغريبينا، وكيف لعبت دورًا أساسيًا في تمهيد طريقه إلى العرش. كما تتناول الرواية القرارات الكارثية التي اتخذها نيرون، مثل قمع المعارضين بوحشية، وإحراق روما، واضطهاد المسيحيين، إلى جانب هوسه بالفن والمسرح، والذي كان أحد أسباب ابتعاده عن السياسة الفعلية.
الأسلوب والسرد
يتميز أسلوب أبوت بالسلاسة والدقة، حيث يعتمد على حقائق تاريخية موثوقة ويقدمها في إطار سردي مشوّق يجعل القارئ يشعر وكأنه يعيش داخل الأحداث. كما أن الرواية غنية بالتفاصيل التي تُبرز تناقضات نيرون الداخلية، فهو ليس مجرد طاغية دموي، بل شخصية مأساوية جُبلت على الغرور والخوف والرغبة في السيطرة.
نقاط القوة في الرواية
التحليل العميق للشخصيات: يقدم أبوت تحليلًا نفسيًا مثيرًا لنيرون، ويبرز كيف تحول من شاب واعد إلى حاكم مستبد.
التوثيق التاريخي: يعتمد الكاتب على مصادر تاريخية، مما يجعل الرواية أقرب إلى السرد الواقعي المدعم بالأدلة.
السرد المشوق: رغم أنها قصة تاريخية، إلا أن الرواية لا تخلو من التشويق والإثارة، ما يجعلها بعيدة عن الرتابة.
نقاط الضعف
قد يجد البعض أن بعض الأجزاء تحتوي على تفاصيل تاريخية مطوّلة، مما قد يكون مرهقًا للقارئ غير المهتم بالتاريخ الروماني.
التركيز على الجانب المأساوي لشخصية نيرون قد يجعله يبدو ضحية لظروفه أكثر من كونه مسؤولًا عن أفعاله.
الخاتمة
"نيرون طاغية روما" ليست مجرد رواية عن طاغية روماني، بل هي دراسة شيقة في النفس البشرية وكيف يمكن للسلطة أن تفسد الإنسان. بأسلوبه السلس والممتع، ينجح جاكوب أبوت في تقديم صورة واضحة عن واحدة من أكثر الشخصيات غموضًا وإثارةً في التاريخ. ينصح بها لمحبي الروايات التاريخية والسياسية، ولكل من يهتم بفهم طبيعة الطغيان وسقوط الطغاة.
▪︎كتاب صوتي 1
▪︎اللغة العربية 1
▪︎ الموضوع تاريخي
روما، 18 جويلية 64 م
سبقت هذه الليلة حدثا مهما في مدينة روما: مهرجان الألعاب السنوي"ألعاب على شرف إنتصار القيصر"
ولد نيرون سنة 37 م لأسرة من النبلاء (أبوه كان قنصلا معروفا بالفساد و الوحشية، و أمه كانت أخت الإمبراطور)
قتل أمه التي كانت وصية على العرش ليستقل تماما بالسُلطة.
تعرض نيرون لعدة محاولات إغتيال و نجى منها.
تزوج زوجتين و قتلهما.
حكم الامبراطور نيرون روما من 13 أكتوبر 54 م إلى 9 يونيو 68 م (37-68 م)، حيث أصبح حاكم الإمبراطورية الرومانية بعد وفاة والده بالتبني الإمبراطور كلوديوس، وكان آخر حاكم لما يسميه المؤرخون سلالة "جوليو كلوديان"، وقد حكم حتى قتل نفسه.
أشتهر "نيرون" (حكم من 54 إلى 68م) سيئ السمعة بأنه أول إمبراطور روماني يضطهد المسيحيين، فعندما اتُهم بإشعال حريق روما المروع عام 64 م، ولتبديد الشكوك، ألصق التهمة بالمسيحيين، فقبض عليهم ودعا الفقراء المشردين إلى وليمة وأطلعهم على مكان تعذيب المسيحيين وصلبهم.
كان نيرون متحمّسًا لتدمير المدينة حتى يتمكن من تجاوز مجلس الشيوخ وإعادة بناء روما كما في مخيّلته. أرسل نيرون الرجال علنًا لإشعال النار في المدينة. شوهد نيرون من برج ماكنس على تلة اسكيلين وهو يغني. أرسل نيرون رجالًا لإشعال النار في المدينة.
مراجعة لرواية "نيرون طاغية روما" للكاتب جاكوب أبوت
تُعتبر رواية "نيرون طاغية روما" واحدة من أبرز الأعمال التاريخية التي تناولت شخصية الإمبراطور الروماني نيرون، وهو أحد أكثر الحكام إثارةً للجدل في التاريخ القديم. كتبها جاكوب أبوت بأسلوب سردي جذاب يمزج بين الدقة التاريخية والحبكة الدرامية، ما يجعلها قراءة ممتعة لمحبي الروايات التاريخية.
ملخص الرواية
تتناول الرواية حياة نيرون منذ صعوده إلى العرش وحتى سقوطه المأساوي، مُسلّطة الضوء على شخصيته المعقدة التي جمعت بين الذكاء، الطموح، القسوة، والتهور. يستعرض أبوت نشأة نيرون تحت وصاية والدته القوية، أغريبينا، وكيف لعبت دورًا أساسيًا في تمهيد طريقه إلى العرش. كما تتناول الرواية القرارات الكارثية التي اتخذها نيرون، مثل قمع المعارضين بوحشية، وإحراق روما، واضطهاد المسيحيين، إلى جانب هوسه بالفن والمسرح، والذي كان أحد أسباب ابتعاده عن السياسة الفعلية.
الأسلوب والسرد
يتميز أسلوب أبوت بالسلاسة والدقة، حيث يعتمد على حقائق تاريخية موثوقة ويقدمها في إطار سردي مشوّق يجعل القارئ يشعر وكأنه يعيش داخل الأحداث. كما أن الرواية غنية بالتفاصيل التي تُبرز تناقضات نيرون الداخلية، فهو ليس مجرد طاغية دموي، بل شخصية مأساوية جُبلت على الغرور والخوف والرغبة في السيطرة.
نقاط القوة في الرواية
التحليل العميق للشخصيات: يقدم أبوت تحليلًا نفسيًا مثيرًا لنيرون، ويبرز كيف تحول من شاب واعد إلى حاكم مستبد.
التوثيق التاريخي: يعتمد الكاتب على مصادر تاريخية، مما يجعل الرواية أقرب إلى السرد الواقعي المدعم بالأدلة.
السرد المشوق: رغم أنها قصة تاريخية، إلا أن الرواية لا تخلو من التشويق والإثارة، ما يجعلها بعيدة عن الرتابة.
نقاط الضعف
قد يجد البعض أن بعض الأجزاء تحتوي على تفاصيل تاريخية مطوّلة، مما قد يكون مرهقًا للقارئ غير المهتم بالتاريخ الروماني.
التركيز على الجانب المأساوي لشخصية نيرون قد يجعله يبدو ضحية لظروفه أكثر من كونه مسؤولًا عن أفعاله.
الخاتمة
"نيرون طاغية روما" ليست مجرد رواية عن طاغية روماني، بل هي دراسة شيقة في النفس البشرية وكيف يمكن للسلطة أن تفسد الإنسان. بأسلوبه السلس والممتع، ينجح جاكوب أبوت في تقديم صورة واضحة عن واحدة من أكثر الشخصيات غموضًا وإثارةً في التاريخ. ينصح بها لمحبي الروايات التاريخية والسياسية، ولكل من يهتم بفهم طبيعة الطغيان وسقوط الطغاة.
October 11, 2017
"Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." These words of Peter are more profound to me than ever. Let me say that this is incredibly easy reading; all down hill cycling. Any book on Nero is good for the treasury of insane and unbelievable facts, if represented accurately. This book is great for any Christian reader who wants to see in the world where Peter says "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good." Excellent.
July 7, 2025
أنا من محبين الكتب التاريخية ..الكاتب ذكر انه أخذ روايته من المراجع بالأسماء و الوقائع ، حكاية الطاغية نيرون و كيف وصل الحكم ..و بمن ضحى في سبيل المحافظة على إمبراطوريته ..الكاتب ركز على الوقائع و الأسماء كثيرة جدا ً..لم يكن تاريخي بالزمن او وصف المدن
September 17, 2017
Re thinking Nero! That's the article in National Geographic I read that changed my whole perspective on Nero. Was he as bad as people say? I think not. I believe he was soo against Christianity and ridding Rome of it, the Christian people wrote hideous things about him. I think he was a pawn used by many people including his family( mother!) and those closest to him. He was philanthropic and actually just wanted peace. Those nay Sayers should read more about him, and remember who wrote about him.
December 16, 2014
This is the fourth of the four biographies in the Makers of History series that are available from Canon Press right now. I can't wait for others to be published. It's been fascinating to read these accounts of four different men and see how power corrupts, and even more intriguing to see how the people allow the abuse and tyranny to happen repeatedly in different times and societies. It is a true saying that there is nothing new under the sun.
A couple of quotations from the book show both how the cycle continues and how to arrest it in its tracks. Keep in mind that the author first published this work in 1853, and died in 1879; he never saw the foolishness of the voters or the cruelty and oppression of the tyrants and terrorists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
"In fact, the reader of history has often occasion to be perfectly amazed at the lengths to which human endurance will go, when a governmental power of any kind is once established, in tolerating imbecility and folly in the individual representatives of it. It does not seem to matter whether the dominant power takes the form of a dynasty of kings, a class of hereditary nobles, or a line of military generals. It requires genius and statesmanship to instate it, but one instated, no degree of stupidity, folly, or crime in those who wield it, seems sufficient to exhaust the spirit of submission with which man always bows to established power." (20)
"How could it be possible for one man to bring the immense population of such an empire as that of ancient Rome so entirely under his power that any number of the most prominent and influential of the citizens should be seized and beheaded or thrust through the heart with swords and daggers at a word or a nod from him? The explanation is the army. Give to the single tyrant one or two hundred thousand bold and reckless criminals, well banded together and completely armed, under an agreement between them by which he says, 'Help me to control, to take dominion, and to plunder the industrial classes of society, and I will give you a large share of the spoil,' and the work is very easy. The governments that have existed in the world have generally been formed on this plan. They have been simply vast armies authorized to collect their own pay by the systematic plunder of the millions whose peaceful work feeds and clothes the world. The remedy which mankind began to discover and apply is equally simple. The millions who do the work have learned to keep the arms in their own hands and to forbid the banding together of masses of troops for the purpose of exalting pride and cruelty to a position of absolute and irresponsible power." (170-71)
A couple of quotations from the book show both how the cycle continues and how to arrest it in its tracks. Keep in mind that the author first published this work in 1853, and died in 1879; he never saw the foolishness of the voters or the cruelty and oppression of the tyrants and terrorists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
"In fact, the reader of history has often occasion to be perfectly amazed at the lengths to which human endurance will go, when a governmental power of any kind is once established, in tolerating imbecility and folly in the individual representatives of it. It does not seem to matter whether the dominant power takes the form of a dynasty of kings, a class of hereditary nobles, or a line of military generals. It requires genius and statesmanship to instate it, but one instated, no degree of stupidity, folly, or crime in those who wield it, seems sufficient to exhaust the spirit of submission with which man always bows to established power." (20)
"How could it be possible for one man to bring the immense population of such an empire as that of ancient Rome so entirely under his power that any number of the most prominent and influential of the citizens should be seized and beheaded or thrust through the heart with swords and daggers at a word or a nod from him? The explanation is the army. Give to the single tyrant one or two hundred thousand bold and reckless criminals, well banded together and completely armed, under an agreement between them by which he says, 'Help me to control, to take dominion, and to plunder the industrial classes of society, and I will give you a large share of the spoil,' and the work is very easy. The governments that have existed in the world have generally been formed on this plan. They have been simply vast armies authorized to collect their own pay by the systematic plunder of the millions whose peaceful work feeds and clothes the world. The remedy which mankind began to discover and apply is equally simple. The millions who do the work have learned to keep the arms in their own hands and to forbid the banding together of masses of troops for the purpose of exalting pride and cruelty to a position of absolute and irresponsible power." (170-71)
March 30, 2021
This short, but comprehensive book gives great insight into the mind and erratic lifestyle of Nero. A must read for anyone wanting to learn more about Nero’s reign.
April 23, 2021
*gags*
April 10, 2024
I'm traumatized. I knew Nero was bad but not that bad.
Read
October 19, 2024Every time I think Rome can't get any weirder, some random emperor manages to surprise me.
December 2, 2024
If Caligula was crazy, Nero is just an ass
October 20, 2017
The preface: Nero! The name is a shudder: in him Nature seems to have done her worst, and conspired with Fate to place her product on an eminence so exalted that all men might see how great a monster she was capable of engendering. Born of a mother, of whom only such a son was worthy, he ran the gamut of every human crime and folly, making the Roman Empire minister to his atrocities, and, cheating vengeance at the end, died lamenting that so splendid a genius should have to pass away.
This was unpleasant. Written in 1853, extensive descriptions of Nero's cruelty and sexual excursions are mercifully absent. There are no human torches in this book.
If Workers Compensation existed in the first century A.D. the premium for anyone remotely close to Nero would have been exorbitant. It was death to be related and dangerous to work for him.
I'm enjoying the cadences and syntax of the nineteenth century. 'Embarrassed' means to experience financial difficulties. Instead of a modern comparison to a brick house, Abbott describes one female She was robed in a manner to display most fully the graces of her person. <-- A light moment in a dark book!
This was unpleasant. Written in 1853, extensive descriptions of Nero's cruelty and sexual excursions are mercifully absent. There are no human torches in this book.
If Workers Compensation existed in the first century A.D. the premium for anyone remotely close to Nero would have been exorbitant. It was death to be related and dangerous to work for him.
I'm enjoying the cadences and syntax of the nineteenth century. 'Embarrassed' means to experience financial difficulties. Instead of a modern comparison to a brick house, Abbott describes one female She was robed in a manner to display most fully the graces of her person. <-- A light moment in a dark book!
March 31, 2023
Great account of the life of Nero and his Mother. Incredible amount of detail and research was clearly involved. It's such a shame that the guy writes like he's constantly trying to prove how intelligent he, which sadly takes any kind of flow out of it.
Fabulous for learning about Nero but a bit linguistically tedious.
Fabulous for learning about Nero but a bit linguistically tedious.
October 16, 2025
I love it, best book I've read, I really like how it didn't use a bunch of filler words and was straight history. plus its about the Roman empire too, and well everyone likes to hear about the old Roman empire. I did find it silly that It did sometimes go on side plots but I think it adds to it. at the end the day its the best book I've read, really hit that niche I was looking for.
December 19, 2019
Excellent book. Written in the 1800s, this little book reads like a novel.
August 15, 2021
ترجمة جيدة لسيرة طاغية بشع
January 22, 2024
Fascinating!!!
October 18, 2024
This was straight up history but had me on the edge of my seat.
March 14, 2022
I already love reading history and Jacob Abbott makes it even easier to dive in and enjoy. I love how he writes and look forward to purchasing the rest of his books in the Makers of History collection.
February 25, 2011
And here I thought Nero was one of the good guys....yeah right. This book takes you inside the life and times of one of the most notoriously monstrous (dare I say beastly) emperors of history. The book was very enlightening for me in a history I only had a small amount of real historical knowledge of to begin with. We all hear some of the horror stories about Nero, but this provided a better look in the situations around him at the time.
I think what may have brought this book to even more of a reality for me, was during the past few weeks of reading this, I went and watched some shows dealing with these times in history. I forged my way through Caligula, a movie I had not seen since about 1985, and then I watched some episode of the newer series on cable called Spartacus (I warn you, this is a very graphic, very vulgar show, but I assume fairly realistic to the time frame at and). Combining these visual presentations with the insights of the story, I could almost feel myself being within the world of the book at time.
Overall, a great story. Easy to read and understand (if you could keep the various character's names sorted out), and a wild ride through the life of the beast as he was called.
I think what may have brought this book to even more of a reality for me, was during the past few weeks of reading this, I went and watched some shows dealing with these times in history. I forged my way through Caligula, a movie I had not seen since about 1985, and then I watched some episode of the newer series on cable called Spartacus (I warn you, this is a very graphic, very vulgar show, but I assume fairly realistic to the time frame at and). Combining these visual presentations with the insights of the story, I could almost feel myself being within the world of the book at time.
Overall, a great story. Easy to read and understand (if you could keep the various character's names sorted out), and a wild ride through the life of the beast as he was called.
December 31, 2019
An excellent and necessary corrective to the popular, modern view of Nero as an insane leader. Yes, he murdered his mother, but his mom killed Claudius, Nero's predecessor, so Nero could take the throne. He did not fiddle while Rome burned, as fiddles would not exist for 800 years, but he did use the destruction as a convenient reason to build himself a giant golden structure, the Domus Aurea, which would become the Colosseum. Above all else, he was a weird, paranoid guy whose power only weaponized those strange and paranoid aspects of his personality. Overall, if you want a great portrait of the most misunderstood and caricatured Roman emperor, this primary source is where you should start.
December 1, 2009
Great.
Really short, but not over quick study of Claudius and Nero. I doubt there was every a man who incarnated Vanity more than the 5th Emperor of Rome (not counting Julius) and this book did a great job at painting his picture in a nutshell. I read it just before reading Quo Vadis... A recommendation that I give to anyone who wants to read his book.
Really short, but not over quick study of Claudius and Nero. I doubt there was every a man who incarnated Vanity more than the 5th Emperor of Rome (not counting Julius) and this book did a great job at painting his picture in a nutshell. I read it just before reading Quo Vadis... A recommendation that I give to anyone who wants to read his book.
March 25, 2020
Nero was a boy who grew up in Rome
After hannibal and Greek wars
During pax rome
He mined amber in crimea.
He invaded west bank.
He was of germanicus and was white.
He enjoyed theater.
He was on caligulus pedofile island.
He used gay sex and murders and
Family for political means.
He had a wife.
He was murdered when rome burned.
After hannibal and Greek wars
During pax rome
He mined amber in crimea.
He invaded west bank.
He was of germanicus and was white.
He enjoyed theater.
He was on caligulus pedofile island.
He used gay sex and murders and
Family for political means.
He had a wife.
He was murdered when rome burned.
July 10, 2009
It was interesting that this book was published by a Christian publisher, was written about one of the central characters in Christian Church history, but Christians and the Christian Church weren't mentioned at all.
February 2, 2011
Wow! Nero was a wicked leader, and I don't mean that in the Bostonian sense. Then again, everyone around him also seemed depraved. Hard to find any likable character in this book. That said, I learned a LOT!
March 22, 2024
Good Short Biography of Nero
This is a good short biography of Roman Emperor Nero. The eBook includes extensive end notes to support all the content as being verified to the greatest extent possible given the two millennia period between us and Nero's lifetime.
This is a good short biography of Roman Emperor Nero. The eBook includes extensive end notes to support all the content as being verified to the greatest extent possible given the two millennia period between us and Nero's lifetime.
July 14, 2009
A fast read that was true to the scoundrel that Nero was without being too detailed (for young readers) about the gory specifics.
June 2, 2010
Wow. Nero was one terrible dude. Abbott writes a very engaging biography of Nero and I recommend it. Of Course this Canon Press edition is well made.
February 2, 2011
Not bad, especially since it was written in the 1800s by a fellow who liked adjectives a little too much. It's a good history of Nero and it shows his wickedness (and weakness).
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