Propelled to power by the age of 17 by an ambitious mother, self-indulgent to the point of criminality, inadequate, paranoid and the perpetrator of heinous crimes including matricide and fratricide, and deposed and killed by 31, Nero is one of Rome's most infamous Emperors.

But has history treated him fairly? Or is the popular view of Nero as a capricious and depraved individual a travesty of the truth and a gross injustice to Rome's fifth emperor?

This new biography will look at Nero's life with fresh eyes. While showing the man 'warts and all', it also caste a critical eye on the 'libels' which were perpetrated on him, such as claiming he was a madman, many of which were most probably made up to suit the needs of the Flavians, who had overthrown his dynasty.

This engaging new biography seeks to dispell some of the myths that have made the emperor Nero the infamous figure he represents today.

About the Author

David Shotter taught for forty years on Roman imperial history. He has written many books and articles and is regularly invited to speak at archaeological conferences

A Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, he is also a Trustee of the Roman Site at Vindolanda and is currently President of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society.

Reviews

"A leading authority on imperial Rome and the historical work of Tacitus, as well as being an expert on coins, David Shotter has a distinguished record of publications on the Julio-Claudians. His new biography of the ever-fascinating Nero is up to date on the latest scholarship, extremely readable, and attractively illustrated." - Anthony Birley.

Book Information
ISBN 9781405824576
Author David Shotter
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 426g