Nero
INDIVIDUAL | |
Nero | |
Race | Human |
Home Planet | Earth |
Home Era | 1st Century, Roman Empire, 37-68 |
Appearances | "The Romans" |
Actor | "Derek Francis" |
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (37-68), born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, was the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (54–68). Nero became heir to the then Emperor, his grand-uncle and adoptive father Claudius. As Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus he succeeded to the throne on October 13, 54 following Claudius' death. In 66, he added the prefix Imperator to his name. In 68, Nero was deposed. His subsequent death was reportedly the result of suicide assisted by his scribe Epaphroditos.
Popular legend remembers Nero as a playboy who engaged in petty amusements while neglecting the problems of the Roman city and empire, the emperor who metaphorically "fiddled while Rome burned". Because of his excesses and eccentricities, he is traditionally viewed as the second of the so-called Mad Emperors, the first being Caligula.
He was encountered by the First Doctor, Barbara Wright, Ian Chesterton, and Vicki during the events of "The Romans".