Nero (English spelling) Tiberius Claudius Nero Drusus Germanicus (formerly Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus Nero)

Roman Emperor (reigned 54-68). Son of Roman aristocrat Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, great-granddaughter of Augustus. After his father's death, his mother took Nero as her stepchild and became the wife of his uncle Emperor Claudius, and Nero was adopted by her. His power-hungry mother appointed philosopher Seneca as Nero's tutor and married him to the emperor's daughter Octavia, making him the heir to the throne in preference to Nero's younger brother Britannicus. However, unable to wait any longer, she poisoned the emperor and took the throne. Nero ruled well for the first five years of his reign, assisted by Seneca and Prefect Burrus, and suppressed his mother's interference in politics. When she supported Britannicus, Nero poisoned Britannicus, and finally, persuaded by his lover Poppaea Sabina, had his mother killed in 59.

Around this time, Burrus died, Seneca was also alienated, and Nero's tyrannical behavior became more pronounced. Octavia was divorced, exiled, and then killed, and Poppaea, who had become his wife, also died suddenly. On the other hand, Nero had been interested in the arts since he was young, composed poetry, and especially enjoyed playing the lyre and singing in front of the people, receiving acclaim.

In July 64, a mysterious fire broke out in a corner of the Circus Major in Rome, burning down most of the city, and the people began to feel uneasy, believing that Nero had set it on fire. Nero then took the advice of the evil minister Tigellinus and others, blamed Christians, and had many arrested, burned at the stake, crucified, or killed by dogs. It is said that the apostles Peter and Paul were also martyred at this time, or shortly thereafter. In the following year, 65, a conspiracy led by senator Piso was discovered, and Seneca was suspected of being involved and ordered to commit suicide.

In 66, Nero went to Greece, proclaimed Greek freedom, participated in the Olympic Games and other athletics, and won many laurels by fixing the matches. However, in 68, rebellions broke out in Gaul and then Spain, and Nero was abandoned by the senate and the army and fled Rome, but committed suicide when his pursuers approached. His words at that time were said to be, "What a great artist I have lost with my death!" Even after his death, rumors of Nero's return continued, and various legends about Nero were told until the Middle Ages.

[Kinji Hidemura]

"Nero" by Walter, translated by Yoichiro Yamazaki (1967, Misuzu Shobo)" ▽ "Nero" by Kinji Hidemura (Chuko Shinsho)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ローマ皇帝（在位54～68）。ローマ貴族グナイウス・ドミティウス・アヘノバルブスと、アウグストゥスの曽孫(そうそん)女、小アグリッピナとの子。父の死後、母はネロを連れ子として叔父クラウディウス帝の妃になると、ネロはその養子となった。権力欲の強い母は哲学者セネカをネロの家庭教師とし、ネロを帝の娘オクタウィアと結婚させ、その弟ブリタニクスに優先する帝位後継者にしたが、それでも待ちきれず帝を毒殺して帝位につけた。ネロは治世初期5年間はセネカや近衛(このえ)長官ブルスの補佐の下に善政を行い、母の政治介入を抑えた。そこで彼女がブリタニクスを支援すると、ネロはブリタニクスを毒殺し、ついに愛人ポッパエア・サビナにそそのかされ、59年母を殺させた。

　このころブルスが死に、セネカも遠ざけられて、ネロの暴君的行動は著しくなり、オクタウィアは離婚、流刑ののち殺され、妃となったポッパエアもやがて急死した。他方ネロは年少時より芸術に関心を抱き、詩をつくり、とくに民衆の前で竪琴(たてごと)を奏でて歌い、喝采(かっさい)を受けることを好んだ。

　64年7月、ローマ市の大競技場の一角から不審火が起こり、市の大半が焼失すると、民衆はこれをネロの放火によるとして不穏の情況がみえた。そこで、ネロは佞臣(ねいしん)ティゲリヌスなどの進言をいれ、その責任をキリスト者に帰して、多数を捕らえ、火刑、十字架刑に処したり犬にかみ殺させたりした。使徒ペテロとパウロもこのとき、またはすこしのちに殉教したと伝えられている。翌65年、元老院議員ピソを中心とする陰謀が発覚、セネカも加担を疑われて自決を命じられた。

　66年ネロはギリシアに行き、ギリシアの自由を宣言し、オリンピアなどの競技に参加し、八百長(やおちょう)で多くの栄冠を獲得した。しかし68年にはガリア、ついでスペインに反乱が起こり、ネロは元老院と軍隊に見捨てられローマから脱出したが、追っ手が近づくと自殺した。そのときの彼のことばは「なんと惜しい芸術家が、私の死によって失われることか！」であったという。彼の死後もネロ再来のうわさが伝えられ、中世に至るまでさまざまなネロ伝説が語られた。

［秀村欣二］

『ヴァルテル著、山崎庸一郎訳『ネロ』（1967・みすず書房）』▽『秀村欣二著『ネロ』（中公新書）』

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