The Emperor Nero: A Guide to the Ancient Sources

Anthony A. Barrett, Elaine Fantham, John C. Yardley

Princeton University Press, Jul 12, 2016 - History - 336 pages

Nero's reign (AD 54–68) witnessed some of the most memorable events in Roman history, such as the rebellion of Boudica and the first persecution of the Christians—not to mention Nero's murder of his mother, his tyranny and extravagance, and his suicide, which plunged the empire into civil war. The Emperor Nero gathers into a single collection the major sources for Nero's life and rule, providing students of Nero and ancient Rome with the most authoritative and accessible reader there is.

The Emperor Nero features clear, contemporary translations of key literary sources along with translations and explanations of representative inscriptions and coins issued under Nero. The informative introduction situates the emperor's reign within the history of the Roman Empire, and the book's concise headnotes to chapters place the source material in historical and biographical context. Passages are accompanied by detailed notes and are organized around events, such as the Great Fire of Rome, or by topic, such as Nero's relationships with his wives. Complex events like the war with Parthia—split up among several chapters in Tacitus's Annals—are brought together in continuous narratives, making this the most comprehensible and user-friendly sourcebook on Nero available.

Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.

Contents

• I THE MAKING OF THE EMPEROR: 1
• II THE NEW EMPEROR: 22
• III ENEMIES WITHIN: 41
• IV PARTHIA: 77
• V BRITAIN AND GERMANY: 118
• VI THE GREAT FIRE: 149
• VII THE EMPERORS WIVES: 171
• VIII CONSPIRACIES: 190
• IX THE EMPEROR AS ARTIST AND SHOWMAN: 231
• X DEATH: 265
• Bibliography: 287
• Index: 295

About the author

Anthony A. Barrett is professor emeritus of classics at the University of British Columbia. His books include Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome. Elaine Fantham is the Giger Professor of Latin, emerita, at Princeton University. Her books include Roman Literary Culture: From Plautus to Macrobius. John C. Yardley is professor emeritus of classics and religious studies at the University of Ottawa. His books include Alexander the Great: Historical Sources in Translation.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Emperor Nero: A Guide to the Ancient Sources
• Editors: Anthony A. Barrett, Elaine Fantham, John C. Yardley
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2016
• ISBN: 1400881102, 9781400881109
• Length: 336 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Presidents & Heads of State; History / Ancient / Rome; History / Reference