Author: Edward Champlin
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674029364
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 359
Book Description
The Roman emperor Nero is remembered by history as the vain and immoral monster who fiddled while Rome burned. Edward Champlin reinterprets Nero's enormities on their own terms, as the self-conscious performances of an imperial actor with a formidable grasp of Roman history and mythology and a canny sense of his audience. Nero murdered his younger brother and rival to the throne, probably at his mother's prompting. He then murdered his mother, with whom he may have slept. He killed his pregnant wife in a fit of rage, then castrated and married a young freedman because he resembled her. He mounted the public stage to act a hero driven mad or a woman giving birth, and raced a ten-horse chariot in the Olympic games. He probably instigated the burning of Rome, for which he then ordered the spectacular punishment of Christians, many of whom were burned as human torches to light up his gardens at night. Without seeking to rehabilitate the historical monster, Champlin renders Nero more vividly intelligible by illuminating the motives behind his theatrical gestures, and revealing the artist who thought of himself as a heroic figure. Nero is a brilliant reconception of a historical account that extends back to Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio. The effortless style and artful construction of the book will engage any reader drawn to its intrinsically fascinating subject.
Nero
Author: Edward Champlin
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674029364
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 359
Book Description
The Roman emperor Nero is remembered by history as the vain and immoral monster who fiddled while Rome burned. Edward Champlin reinterprets Nero's enormities on their own terms, as the self-conscious performances of an imperial actor with a formidable grasp of Roman history and mythology and a canny sense of his audience. Nero murdered his younger brother and rival to the throne, probably at his mother's prompting. He then murdered his mother, with whom he may have slept. He killed his pregnant wife in a fit of rage, then castrated and married a young freedman because he resembled her. He mounted the public stage to act a hero driven mad or a woman giving birth, and raced a ten-horse chariot in the Olympic games. He probably instigated the burning of Rome, for which he then ordered the spectacular punishment of Christians, many of whom were burned as human torches to light up his gardens at night. Without seeking to rehabilitate the historical monster, Champlin renders Nero more vividly intelligible by illuminating the motives behind his theatrical gestures, and revealing the artist who thought of himself as a heroic figure. Nero is a brilliant reconception of a historical account that extends back to Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio. The effortless style and artful construction of the book will engage any reader drawn to its intrinsically fascinating subject.
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674029364
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 359
Book Description
The Roman emperor Nero is remembered by history as the vain and immoral monster who fiddled while Rome burned. Edward Champlin reinterprets Nero's enormities on their own terms, as the self-conscious performances of an imperial actor with a formidable grasp of Roman history and mythology and a canny sense of his audience. Nero murdered his younger brother and rival to the throne, probably at his mother's prompting. He then murdered his mother, with whom he may have slept. He killed his pregnant wife in a fit of rage, then castrated and married a young freedman because he resembled her. He mounted the public stage to act a hero driven mad or a woman giving birth, and raced a ten-horse chariot in the Olympic games. He probably instigated the burning of Rome, for which he then ordered the spectacular punishment of Christians, many of whom were burned as human torches to light up his gardens at night. Without seeking to rehabilitate the historical monster, Champlin renders Nero more vividly intelligible by illuminating the motives behind his theatrical gestures, and revealing the artist who thought of himself as a heroic figure. Nero is a brilliant reconception of a historical account that extends back to Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio. The effortless style and artful construction of the book will engage any reader drawn to its intrinsically fascinating subject.
The Madness of Nero
Author: Cornelius Tacitus
Publisher: Penguin Group
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 148
Book Description
Nero has seized control of Rome and the crown. He is willing to destroy anyone that gets in his way. No one is safe - not even his scheming mother. As its new Emperor sinks to insane levels of brutality, Rome becomes a hell of corruption, depravity and vice. But dark omens hang over the city. Has the power-crazed Nero gone too far?
Publisher: Penguin Group
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 148
Book Description
Nero has seized control of Rome and the crown. He is willing to destroy anyone that gets in his way. No one is safe - not even his scheming mother. As its new Emperor sinks to insane levels of brutality, Rome becomes a hell of corruption, depravity and vice. But dark omens hang over the city. Has the power-crazed Nero gone too far?
Dying Every Day
Author: James Romm
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0385351720
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
From acclaimed classical historian, author of Ghost on the Throne (“Gripping . . . the narrative verve of a born writer and the erudition of a scholar” —Daniel Mendelsohn) and editor of The Landmark Arrian:The Campaign of Alexander (“Thrilling” —The New York Times Book Review), a high-stakes drama full of murder, madness, tyranny, perversion, with the sweep of history on the grand scale. At the center, the tumultuous life of Seneca, ancient Rome’s preeminent writer and philosopher, beginning with banishment in his fifties and subsequent appointment as tutor to twelve-year-old Nero, future emperor of Rome. Controlling them both, Nero’s mother, Julia Agrippina the Younger, Roman empress, great-granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus, sister of the Emperor Caligula, niece and fourth wife of Emperor Claudius. James Romm seamlessly weaves together the life and written words, the moral struggles, political intrigue, and bloody vengeance that enmeshed Seneca the Younger in the twisted imperial family and the perverse, paranoid regime of Emperor Nero, despot and madman. Romm writes that Seneca watched over Nero as teacher, moral guide, and surrogate father, and, at seventeen, when Nero abruptly ascended to become emperor of Rome, Seneca, a man never avid for political power became, with Nero, the ruler of the Roman Empire. We see how Seneca was able to control his young student, how, under Seneca’s influence, Nero ruled with intelligence and moderation, banned capital punishment, reduced taxes, gave slaves the right to file complaints against their owners, pardoned prisoners arrested for sedition. But with time, as Nero grew vain and disillusioned, Seneca was unable to hold sway over the emperor, and between Nero’s mother, Agrippina—thought to have poisoned her second husband, and her third, who was her uncle (Claudius), and rumored to have entered into an incestuous relationship with her son—and Nero’s father, described by Suetonius as a murderer and cheat charged with treason, adultery, and incest, how long could the young Nero have been contained? Dying Every Day is a portrait of Seneca’s moral struggle in the midst of madness and excess. In his treatises, Seneca preached a rigorous ethical creed, exalting heroes who defied danger to do what was right or embrace a noble death. As Nero’s adviser, Seneca was presented with a more complex set of choices, as the only man capable of summoning the better aspect of Nero’s nature, yet, remaining at Nero’s side and colluding in the evil regime he created. Dying Every Day is the first book to tell the compelling and nightmarish story of the philosopher-poet who was almost a king, tied to a tyrant—as Seneca, the paragon of reason, watched his student spiral into madness and whose descent saw five family murders, the Fire of Rome, and a savage purge that destroyed the supreme minds of the Senate’s golden age.
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0385351720
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
From acclaimed classical historian, author of Ghost on the Throne (“Gripping . . . the narrative verve of a born writer and the erudition of a scholar” —Daniel Mendelsohn) and editor of The Landmark Arrian:The Campaign of Alexander (“Thrilling” —The New York Times Book Review), a high-stakes drama full of murder, madness, tyranny, perversion, with the sweep of history on the grand scale. At the center, the tumultuous life of Seneca, ancient Rome’s preeminent writer and philosopher, beginning with banishment in his fifties and subsequent appointment as tutor to twelve-year-old Nero, future emperor of Rome. Controlling them both, Nero’s mother, Julia Agrippina the Younger, Roman empress, great-granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus, sister of the Emperor Caligula, niece and fourth wife of Emperor Claudius. James Romm seamlessly weaves together the life and written words, the moral struggles, political intrigue, and bloody vengeance that enmeshed Seneca the Younger in the twisted imperial family and the perverse, paranoid regime of Emperor Nero, despot and madman. Romm writes that Seneca watched over Nero as teacher, moral guide, and surrogate father, and, at seventeen, when Nero abruptly ascended to become emperor of Rome, Seneca, a man never avid for political power became, with Nero, the ruler of the Roman Empire. We see how Seneca was able to control his young student, how, under Seneca’s influence, Nero ruled with intelligence and moderation, banned capital punishment, reduced taxes, gave slaves the right to file complaints against their owners, pardoned prisoners arrested for sedition. But with time, as Nero grew vain and disillusioned, Seneca was unable to hold sway over the emperor, and between Nero’s mother, Agrippina—thought to have poisoned her second husband, and her third, who was her uncle (Claudius), and rumored to have entered into an incestuous relationship with her son—and Nero’s father, described by Suetonius as a murderer and cheat charged with treason, adultery, and incest, how long could the young Nero have been contained? Dying Every Day is a portrait of Seneca’s moral struggle in the midst of madness and excess. In his treatises, Seneca preached a rigorous ethical creed, exalting heroes who defied danger to do what was right or embrace a noble death. As Nero’s adviser, Seneca was presented with a more complex set of choices, as the only man capable of summoning the better aspect of Nero’s nature, yet, remaining at Nero’s side and colluding in the evil regime he created. Dying Every Day is the first book to tell the compelling and nightmarish story of the philosopher-poet who was almost a king, tied to a tyrant—as Seneca, the paragon of reason, watched his student spiral into madness and whose descent saw five family murders, the Fire of Rome, and a savage purge that destroyed the supreme minds of the Senate’s golden age.
The Madness Of Emperor Nero: A Tale Of Ancient Rome
Author: Nicky Huys
Publisher: Nicky Huys
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 118
Book Description
"The Madness of Emperor Nero: A Tale of Ancient Rome" delves into the enigmatic reign of one of history's most infamous rulers. This book offers a nuanced exploration of Nero's life, from his ascent to the throne to his dramatic downfall. It navigates the complex web of Nero's relationships, political maneuvers, and cultural contributions against the backdrop of ancient Rome's grandeur and decline. The narrative unfolds Nero's personal and political decisions, which have become synonymous with tyranny and extravagance. The text provides a balanced view, depicting not just Nero's notorious acts, such as the Great Fire of Rome and his artistic pursuits, but also his contributions to Roman architecture and culture. The book also explores the broader context of Roman society, politics, and the eventual decline of Nero's rule, offering insights into the intricacies of Roman imperial administration. This biography is more than just a recount of events; it's a vivid portrayal of an emperor and an empire at a crossroads, capturing the essence of a pivotal moment in history. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, it brings to life the world of ancient Rome and one of its most talked-about leaders, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by the complexities of power, legacy, and historical interpretation.
Publisher: Nicky Huys
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 118
Book Description
"The Madness of Emperor Nero: A Tale of Ancient Rome" delves into the enigmatic reign of one of history's most infamous rulers. This book offers a nuanced exploration of Nero's life, from his ascent to the throne to his dramatic downfall. It navigates the complex web of Nero's relationships, political maneuvers, and cultural contributions against the backdrop of ancient Rome's grandeur and decline. The narrative unfolds Nero's personal and political decisions, which have become synonymous with tyranny and extravagance. The text provides a balanced view, depicting not just Nero's notorious acts, such as the Great Fire of Rome and his artistic pursuits, but also his contributions to Roman architecture and culture. The book also explores the broader context of Roman society, politics, and the eventual decline of Nero's rule, offering insights into the intricacies of Roman imperial administration. This biography is more than just a recount of events; it's a vivid portrayal of an emperor and an empire at a crossroads, capturing the essence of a pivotal moment in history. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, it brings to life the world of ancient Rome and one of its most talked-about leaders, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by the complexities of power, legacy, and historical interpretation.
Nero
Author: J. F. Drinkwater
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108472648
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 469
Book Description
Nero was negligent, not tyrannical. This allowed others to rule, remarkably well, in his name until his negligence became insupportable.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108472648
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 469
Book Description
Nero was negligent, not tyrannical. This allowed others to rule, remarkably well, in his name until his negligence became insupportable.
The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Nero
Author: Shadi Bartsch
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107052203
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 423
Book Description
A lively and accessible guide to the rich literary, philosophical and artistic achievements of the notorious age of Nero.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107052203
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 423
Book Description
A lively and accessible guide to the rich literary, philosophical and artistic achievements of the notorious age of Nero.
The Splendor Before the Dark
Author: Margaret George
Publisher: Berkley Books
ISBN: 0399584617
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 594
Book Description
When a fire engulfs ancient Rome, Nero Augustus is targeted with suspicion about his complicity, forcing him to navigate a web of false friends and spies to save the empire
Publisher: Berkley Books
ISBN: 0399584617
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 594
Book Description
When a fire engulfs ancient Rome, Nero Augustus is targeted with suspicion about his complicity, forcing him to navigate a web of false friends and spies to save the empire
I, Caesar
Author: Phil Grabsky
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 264
Book Description
Starting with Julius Caesar, the author "charts the rise and fall of Roman power over 600 years."--Jacket.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 264
Book Description
Starting with Julius Caesar, the author "charts the rise and fall of Roman power over 600 years."--Jacket.
Evil Roman Emperors
Author: Phillip Barlag
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1633886913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 237
Book Description
Nero fiddled while Rome burned. As catchy as that aphorism is, it’s sadly untrue, even if it has a nice ring to it. The one thing Nero is well-known for is the one thing he actually didn’t do. But fear not, the truth of his life, his rule and what he did with unrestrained power, is plenty weird, salacious and horrifying. And he is not alone. Roman history, from the very foundation of the city, is replete with people and stories that shock our modern sensibilities. Evil Roman Emperors puts the worst of Rome’s rulers in one place and offers a review of their lives and a historical context for what made them into what they became. It concludes by ranking them, counting down to the worst ruler in Rome’s long history. Lucius Tarquinius Suburbus called peace conferences with warring states, only to slaughter foreign leaders; Commodus sold offices of the empire to the highest bidder; Caligula demanded to be worshipped as a god, and marched troops all the way to the ocean simply to collect seashells as “proof” of their conquest; even the Roman Senate itself was made up of oppressors, exploiters, and murderers of all stripes. Author Phillip Barlag profiles a host of evil Roman rulers across the history of their empire, along with the faceless governing bodies that condoned and even carried out heinous acts. Roman history, deviant or otherwise, is a subject of endless fascination. What’s never been done before is to look at the worst of the worst at the same time, comparing them side by side, and ranking them against one another. Until now.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1633886913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 237
Book Description
Nero fiddled while Rome burned. As catchy as that aphorism is, it’s sadly untrue, even if it has a nice ring to it. The one thing Nero is well-known for is the one thing he actually didn’t do. But fear not, the truth of his life, his rule and what he did with unrestrained power, is plenty weird, salacious and horrifying. And he is not alone. Roman history, from the very foundation of the city, is replete with people and stories that shock our modern sensibilities. Evil Roman Emperors puts the worst of Rome’s rulers in one place and offers a review of their lives and a historical context for what made them into what they became. It concludes by ranking them, counting down to the worst ruler in Rome’s long history. Lucius Tarquinius Suburbus called peace conferences with warring states, only to slaughter foreign leaders; Commodus sold offices of the empire to the highest bidder; Caligula demanded to be worshipped as a god, and marched troops all the way to the ocean simply to collect seashells as “proof” of their conquest; even the Roman Senate itself was made up of oppressors, exploiters, and murderers of all stripes. Author Phillip Barlag profiles a host of evil Roman rulers across the history of their empire, along with the faceless governing bodies that condoned and even carried out heinous acts. Roman history, deviant or otherwise, is a subject of endless fascination. What’s never been done before is to look at the worst of the worst at the same time, comparing them side by side, and ranking them against one another. Until now.
Empire
Author: Steven Saylor
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1429964995
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 608
Book Description
"May Steven Saylor's Roman empire never fall. A modern master of historical fiction, Saylor convincingly transports us into the ancient world...enthralling!" —USA Today on Roma Continuing the saga begun in his New York Times bestselling novel Roma, Steven Saylor charts the destinies of the aristocratic Pinarius family, from the reign of Augustus to height of Rome's empire. The Pinarii, generation after generation, are witness to greatest empire in the ancient world and of the emperors that ruled it—from the machinations of Tiberius and the madness of Caligula, to the decadence of Nero and the golden age of Trajan and Hadrian and more. Empire is filled with the dramatic, defining moments of the age, including the Great Fire, the persecution of the Christians, and the astounding opening games of the Colosseum. But at the novel's heart are the choices and temptations faced by each generation of the Pinarii. Steven Saylor once again brings the ancient world to vivid life in a novel that tells the story of a city and a people that has endured in the world's imagination like no other.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1429964995
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 608
Book Description
"May Steven Saylor's Roman empire never fall. A modern master of historical fiction, Saylor convincingly transports us into the ancient world...enthralling!" —USA Today on Roma Continuing the saga begun in his New York Times bestselling novel Roma, Steven Saylor charts the destinies of the aristocratic Pinarius family, from the reign of Augustus to height of Rome's empire. The Pinarii, generation after generation, are witness to greatest empire in the ancient world and of the emperors that ruled it—from the machinations of Tiberius and the madness of Caligula, to the decadence of Nero and the golden age of Trajan and Hadrian and more. Empire is filled with the dramatic, defining moments of the age, including the Great Fire, the persecution of the Christians, and the astounding opening games of the Colosseum. But at the novel's heart are the choices and temptations faced by each generation of the Pinarii. Steven Saylor once again brings the ancient world to vivid life in a novel that tells the story of a city and a people that has endured in the world's imagination like no other.