![]() ![]() The chapter concludes with the aforementioned excerpt from De Clementia 1.1-5.Ĭhapter 3 looks at the dynastic strife that plagued Neronian Rome. Numismatic evidence, especially concerning Agrippina, is prominent there is also an excellent discussion of the Aphrodisias relief in which Agrippina/Demeter crowns Nero. In addition to material drawn from Tacitus, Suetonius, and Dio, we find P.Oxy.VII.1021 (celebrating the accession of Nero in the East) along with a helpful info- box on how to approach papyrological evidence. Particular attention is paid to Nero’s governmental practices and Agrippina’s influence (though here and elsewhere throughout their treatment of Agrippina, the editors seem to place too much emphasis on her ambition vs. There is also a useful discussion of Nero’s so-called quinquennium and its sources. Its introduction covers Rome’s anticipation of Caligula and Nero as restorers of the ‘Golden Age’, Nero’s positive start, and Seneca’s role in shaping early policy. The chapter ends with an informative appendix on Nero’s date of birth.Ĭhapter 2 tackles Nero’s early years as emperor. This chapter also discusses the Claudian coins that feature Agrippina and Nero. Agrippina’s remarkable honorific title ‘Augusta’), and matters of style and translation. The excellent notes include, e.g., mini-biographies of prominent figures, tidbits of historical interest (e.g. The sources range from the familiar (the ambition of Agrippina as seen in Tacitus, Suetonius, and Dio) to those less often featured (Pliny on Nero’s breech birth). A black and white map of the empire under Nero and a timeline follow.Ĭhapter 1 focuses on Nero’s childhood and rise to power, but its introduction begins with the weaknesses of the Augustan system. Attention is also given to Seneca, Pliny the Elder, and the records of the Arval brothers as well as to lost works such as the Flavian historians or Agrippina’s memoirs. The chapter ends by looking at the textual sources: Tacitus, Suetonius and Dio take center stage with notes on problems of genre and transmission. Nero’s disaster management after the Fire of 64 CE). Nero as domestic tyrant) with hints of other perspectives that will be developed subsequently (e.g. A particular strength is the balance of traditional views (e.g. An Introduction follows, which outlines major events from the late Republic to Nero’s reign, and introduces us to major players and themes. The book begins with a Preface on its scope, intended audiences (students and laypersons interested in Nero), division of labor, and how best to use its ancillary materials. Documentary and material sources, however, are more successfully integrated throughout. 1.1-5) appear at the end of Chapter 2 without much help guidance for interpreting this complex work of political philosophy so too excerpts from the Octavia do not orient readers to its status as a play and its difficulties. 1 For example, the only excerpts from Seneca ( Clem. This is important to note at the start: while the volume’s subtitle might suggest a wider variety of sources, the book is really a guide to the historiography of Nero other literary texts serve more as complements than objects of inquiry, often left unannotated or relegated to the end of a chapter. Each chapter includes an introduction (ranging from a paragraph to five pages) and excerpts from Tacitus, Suetonius, and Dio. ![]() The book includes a preface and introduction followed by ten thematic chapters. Unusual are the heavy footnotes that occur throughout, but these are a treasure trove of further information (selected highlights below). They also aim throughout to help readers get a sense for how radically sources can differ and how the tradition came to be thus, where possible, they include at least two sources on each event/topic. Their goal is simple: “to illuminate incidents of Nero’s life and rule that are either historically significant or just inherently interesting” (p. This sourcebook is a superb addition to current interest in Nero, not least because its authors form an all-star team for any study of Neronian Rome. ![]()
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